Places to Go - Lighthouses and Trains at the US Botanic Gardens (Washington D.C.)

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! Just a quick reminder that the US Botanical Gardens has their annual train display up (we went a few weeks ago, back when I could still walk). This year's theme is lighthouses and they've (as always) made a really beautiful exhibit. The gardens are open from 10-5 every day (including Christmas), click here to learn more.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

Places to Go - Checking out Holiday Trains and Learning about the World's Fair at the US Botanic Garden (Washington DC)

Last week, after preschool, T and I met up with some friends to check out the US Botanic Garden's annual train display. This year the exhibit spotlighted past World Fairs and we had a blast learn-exploring (who knew that the TV debuted in 1939 at the New York World's Fair?). The kids watched the trains for over 20 minutes, waiting for Thomas and waving as he sped by.

For extra fun this year, the exhibit also includes a passport scavenger hunt, where you can search through the rest of the gardens looking for plants made famous at World's Fairs.

If you want to check out the trains, the exhibit is FREE and open daily from 10 am to 5 pm (though beware, on weekends lines can snake around the building, so if you can arrange it, try to visit on a weekday). Also, during December, the gardens offer free concerts on Tuesday and Thursday nights, click here for additional info.



Who doesn't love a ferris wheel? Especially when Thomas the Train drives past?



After the trains, we explored the jungle for a little bit. Wait, did I say explored? Scratch that. I meant "ran through the canopy crazy fast."



We also picnicked outside because if you have the opportunity to dine next to a moose, you don't ever pass it up.

Places to Go - Santa Train (Walkersville, MD)

For her daughter's 3rd birthday party one of my friends rented out the caboose of the Walkersville Southern Railroad's Santa Train. The caboose contains two heightened seating platforms, with beautiful 365 degree views, that the kids loved climbing on and exploring. It also has several seats on the groundlevel, along with tables. Between checking out the scenery, visiting with Santa, and climbing on the platforms - all of the kids, whose ages spanned from almost 1 to 6, had a great time riding the train through the countryside. The total ride lasts about 1.5 hours. On the downside, the train does not contain bathrooms.

The Walkersville railroad station resides outside Fredrick, MD - about 1.25 hours from the Arlington/DC area. The Santa train sell out, so if you're interested make sure to plan ahead. In the summer, the railroad offers historic open-air excursions through the countryside. Sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon.



Whenever P sees Santa she parks herself in his lap until he eventually has to, kindly, find a way to remove her. And she tells him everything she thinks about. And I mean EVERYTHING. The Walkersville Santa seemed a little tired, who can blame him? Xmas exhausts us all. It's a marathon, not a sprint.



The bigger kids loved climbing on the platforms, while the younger kids most enjoyed looking out the windows.



T couldn't blow up the balloon. But wow did he try. Towards the end of the ride, I planted myself on one of the platforms, the 365 degree views were phenomenal. Diesel engines and a day in the country - you can't beat it.

Things to Do - Take Pictures on a Train

Just some pictures from my train rides to and from NYC. HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYONE!! See you on Monday!

And thank you to everyone who entered our giveaway for the Sand Castle CD, all winners should have been contacted via facebook or email - I hope you like the music!!

WEEKEND LINKS:

*I really want to go here.

*Soviet-era bus stops.

*A Shade of Red. One lipstick. All types of women.

*Behind the scenes for American Gothic.

*100 Hanging Scissors. Sort of creepy, sort of cool. I guess that's the point.

*A new issue of Lonny is online. Our rug made the front cover (well, probably not the Ikea version that we own, but at least it LOOKS the same).

*Purephoto - it's pretty addicting. Even Gwyneth is a fan. I know it's uncool to like her, but I sort of like her. And while we're on the subject, I can spend HOURS perusing Saatchi online, especially the cheap prints section.

*Reasons to celebrate - 22 years ago the Berlin Wall fell.



By the way, I don't know the woman reading the book. I just liked how her ring-filled hands looked when reflected off the window.

Places to Go - The B&O Railroad Museum (Baltimore, MD)

If you love trains, you will love the B&O Museum. If you like trains, you will like the museum. And, if trains aren't your thing, then this probably isn't the museum for you. We visited this summer and as my kids are somewhat train neutral, they liked the museum but they didn't love it.

We began our visit in the large roundhouse train platform, which is quite beautiful to look at - especially as the sun filters through the skylights in the ceiling. The platform contains trains of all shapes, ages, and sizes, some of which you can tour and some that are only there for viewing. For young children, the platform houses a small train table, which T could have played at all day. When you tire of visiting these trains, you can cross the courtyard (you have to walk outside) and visit a huge warehouse full of more old trains, some of which are open so that kids can practice "driving" them (the girls loved this part). The museum also contains two decent-sized model railroads (one inside and one outside) with lots of beautiful figurines - P loved this part, she went around making up stories for all the dolls and towns. A reasonably priced cafe is on site. As well as a small outdoor playground for kids (in the summer they have misters). Admission is somewhat pricey - $14 for adults and $8 for children aged 2-12. Visitors who bring a new, unwrapped toy to the museum between now and December 18th received 50% off admission. Train rides are available for an additional price.

Personally, I think the highlight of the museum is the wonderful volunteers, many of whom were versatile enough to entertain my children for ten minutes and then turn to the man behind me and discuss every detail of train history.

If you're interested in visiting the museum this winter on weekends through December 18th the B&O will be offering train rides with Santa & Frosty the Snowman, along with seasonal crafts and other activities. Plus, for the holiday season the museum is hosting a Model Railroad Exhibit, with a changing cast of exhibitors. For more on the festival, click here.
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If Baltimore seems like a long drive, Kid-Friendly DC has the scoop on SIX OTHER model train displays for the holidays (sorry for the rhyme), click here for the info. And for my review of the Botanical Gardens' display, click here and go to #24.