Our family visits the Washington, DC area almost annually and always stays in Gaithersburg, Maryland near my husband’s uncle. From there, we usually take the Metro or drive into DC to explore museums and monuments for at least one day. But, we always spend much of our time hanging out in and around Gaithersburg. We have explored restaurants and shops at the RIO Washingtonian Center and Clarksburg Premium Outlets. There are so many fun things to do in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Gaithersburg With Kids
Visiting Gaithersburg With Kids
On our recent visit to DC over Spring Break, we spent a glorious day with Nancy and her boys visiting the national monuments. Due to a busy week of travel for both of our families, we didn’t attempt back to back days on the Mall and decided to see what fun family activities Gaithersburg had for us to explore. I thought maybe there was a museum or a great spot for families that we had overlooked on all of our previous visits and posted a question on one of my favorite family travel groups on Facebook. Similar requests for destination advice for Africa, Granada and Croatia receive over a dozen helpful responses from this group of over 3,200. To my surprise, no one responded to my request. So, I was on a mission to make our own fun in Gaithersburg.
Due to different hotel reward programs, we booked separate Gaithersburg hotels that were conveniently located around the corner from each other. Of course, all five kids wanted to head straight to the pool after leaving the National Mall. Because the pool was an indoor/outdoor pool, the indoor pool temperature was a bit chillier than ideal. As a result, the kids spent more time in the hot tub than the main pool. We did catch this adorable moment between our three year olds before a “discussion” about plastic fish ensued.
Pool time
Gaithersburg Restaurants
Nancy and I decided what we really needed was to order in and have a pizza and wine party in our hotel room. Nancy placed a Grubhub order from Manhattan Pizza & Pasta for pepperoni pizza, cheese pizza and antipasto, and they delivered with paper plates. We jerry-rigged the desk to function as a table and all enjoyed dinner. Nancy and I did some We Go With Kids strategizing and reminisced about the firm where we met ions ago while the kids vegged out and watched television. There may or may not have been a “discussion” about stickers before the night ended, but that’s par for the course when traveling with three year olds, especially those who really did not get proper naps…. It was a perfect end to the day regardless, even though we have no photographic evidence to prove it.
I don’t think we’ve ever visited Gaithersburg with kids without a lunch at our favorite Indian buffet, Minerva and regularly enjoy dim sum at New Fortune.
Lake Whetstone Park in Gaithersburg
After a good night of sleep, we met at the nearby Lake Whetstone Park the next morning. We visit Lake Whetstone every time we are in town and even brought bikes with us at least one time when the boys (and their bikes) were much smaller, but Nancy’s family had never been. The kids always have fun at the play area, even though there isn’t any of the typical metal and plastic structures to be found. Nancy brought balls (quintessential park necessities), which could probably keep them occupied for hours. Hats and gloves were certainly helpful as it was substantially more chilly than the previous day, but the kids warmed up after a bit. Nancy and I enjoyed the view, particularly the blossoming trees.
Lake Whetstone Park
Whetstone Lake visitors can rent canoes, rowboats and paddle boats by the hour from May to September. Boats appeared ready to go, but it was definitely far too cold on the day of our visit. We also did not stroll along the walking paths around the Lake, but that is a perfect summer activity.
Boats available for hourly rental
Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg
After we all had a fresh dose of fresh air, we headed to the nearest Starbucks for some hot chocolate. My GPS directed us to the main entrance to the Gaithersburg shopping center, Lakeforest Mall, and we wandered down the main concourse until we ran into the Starbucks in the middle. We found some tables that just so happened to be next to the Mall’s kiddie rides. Guess who was immediately more interested in the kiddie rides than their kids’ temp hot chocolate?
Unavoidable mall kiddie rides
Honestly, I avoided these kiddie rides that seem to have sprouted up at most malls like the plague for years. I didn’t want it to become a “thing” and really don’t regularly carry cash or change and am not all that comfortable feeding my credit card into one of these things. I have to admit, though, that my third child kind of broke me, and I manage to find a quarter or two at the end of most shopping trips and let her pick her favorite ride. What came as a bit of surprise to me at Lakeforest Mall was that the roller coaster simulator featured the Gemini and the Blue Streak, two wooden roller coasters from Cedar Point, the amusement park we visit each summer in Sandusky, Ohio. The Gemini just happens to be my favorite roller coaster, and my second grade son recently wrote an essay about his ride on the Blue Streak at the end of our day at Cedar Point last summer. Clearly, my kids were not even going to have to beg for a ride this time. I just fed the machine my dollar bill and could almost feel the wind in my hair myself as I watched from behind them.
Riding the Gemini
Why We Love Gaithersburg With Kids
So, we followed up a day of seeing five of the top 12 landmarks on the List of America’s Favorite Architecture at the National Mall and peak cherry blossoms with a hotel pizza party, some time at a lake and a mall. There was absolutely nothing novel, historical or educational about any of it, especially for a pair of travel bloggers. Our kids weren’t always perfect, but they had fun getting to know each other. Considering it has been ten years since Nancy and I last met in person, we have no idea when the next time we’ll get our two busy families together. But, I hope it’s sooner rather than later and that there’s some adventure and some low-key fun involved because that’s really what we go with kids is all about….
