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- Hello, I'm Alexis. Welcome to Capitol Momma! I'm always out having fun with my little ones, exploring all that there is to see & do in the DC Metro area for kids. Join us on our adventures!
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ZooLights at the National Zoo
Smithsonian’s National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm
While the grandparents were visiting us over the Christmas holiday we decided it would be fun to go check out ZooLights at the National Zoo. We went on the Friday after Christmas. It was a warmer than usual December day, so we thought it would be a nice evening to spend outdoors.
One thing we learned as we arrived at the zoo is that the entrances are blocked off until just before 5pm, so don’t try to arrive much before then. We were stuck on Connecticut Avenue for about 15 minutes before they let us through the zoo entrance to go to the parking lot.
At 5pm, the zoo was already packed full of people so we decided to take the girls straight to the carousel since that is one of their favorite things to do at the zoo. The line was already fairly long; we had to wait about 10 minutes before getting on to ride.
We continued to walk around looking at all the lights. Most of the animal exhibits are closed except for the Small Mammal House, Reptile Discovery Center, Great Ape House, Think Tank, and Kids’ Farm. The indoor exhibits were very crowded so we opted to mostly walk around outside but we did go visit the farm animals in the barn.
The train is located just in front of the Kids’ Farm. It’s one of those small wheeled trains that they have in shopping malls. The line for this was extensive so we decided to skip it.
The highlight of our experience at ZooLights was the tubing down lion/tiger hill. Clara is my little thrill seeker, so this was right up her alley! She asked to go again after the first time we went down the hill but at that point the line was getting pretty long, so we went on to explore other areas of the zoo.
Across from the Mane Grill is a cool light display that is synchronized with music. The girls enjoyed watching this for several minutes.
There were vendor carts along the paths selling cotton candy, popcorn, hot chocolate, glow sticks and other zoo fare. The gift shop and restaurants were also open. Overall, we had a fun time! We spent about 2 hours there before the girls started to get tired and cold (make sure to bundle up your little ones!). It is definitely a festive holiday event that children will love.
Additional Info:
•Admission is free.
•The train, tubing, and carousel require tickets; $3 per ride.
•Parking is $10 for FONZ members and $20 for non-members.
•Closest Metro stops are Woodley Park/Zoo/Adams Morgan and Cleveland Park on the red line.
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POSTED IN: DC, Kid Friendly, Kid Friendly Holiday Event, National Zoo, Smithsonian's National Zoo, Washington, ZooLights
POSTED IN: DC, Kid Friendly, Kid Friendly Holiday Event, National Zoo, Smithsonian's National Zoo, Washington, ZooLights
Santa Events & Photo Opportunities: Holiday Season 2014

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Here is a list of places (other than shopping malls) where you can take your little ones to visit Santa in Maryland, Virginia, and DC.
Brunch with Santa at Strathmore Mansion
Bethesda, MD
December 21, 10am or 12pm
Cookies with Santa at Thomas Farm Community Center
Rockville, MD
December 20, 2-4pm
Holly Trolleyfest
Colesville, MD
December 6 – 28, Saturdays and Sundays, 12-5pm
Breakfast with Santa at the Kentlands Mansion
Gaithersburg, MD
December 6, 9-11am
Rockville Town Square Holiday Open House
Rockville, MD
December 4, 6:30-9pm
College Park Aviation Museum Santa Fly-In
College Park, MD
December 6, 12-4pm
Congressional Plaza Holiday Open House
Rockville, MD
December 6, 12-4pm and December 7, 1-5pm
Ticonderoga Farms Winter Christmas Festival
Chantilly, VA
December 6, 7, 13 and 14, 10:30am
Virginia Railway Express Santa Train
Northern Virginia
December 13
(all tickets for this year are sold out)
Breakfast with Santa at the Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad
Purcellville, VA
December 6, 8-11am
Mount Vernon Triangle Santa Celebration
Washington, DC
December 11, 4:30-8pm
Roof Terrace Restaurant at the Kennedy Center
Washington, DC
December 13, 14, 20, and 21, 10am
Santa-Day at Stead Park
Washington, DC
December 6, 11-1pm
Santa’s Workshop at the National Christmas Tree
Washington, DC
December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 12:30-9:30pm
The Capital Wheel at National Harbor
The Capital Wheel
174 Waterfront Street #215
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
www.thecapitalwheel.com
The Capital Wheel is a 180-foot-tall observation wheel at the National Harbor that opened in May 2014. It is positioned at the end of a new pier overlooking the Potomac river and has amazing views of the Capitol, National Mall, and Arlington National Cemetery. I was intrigued ever since I heard about the wheel coming to DC since it reminded me of the London Eye that I rode while studying abroad in college. The Capital Wheel is only half the size of the London Eye but is still very impressive. I decided to take the girls on a beautiful fall morning after visiting the National Children’s Museum and we all greatly enjoyed the experience.
The Capital Wheel has 42 climate controlled gondolas, so you can ride comfortably in any type of weather. They hold 8 people and also include music and an emergency call button if you need to stop and get out for any reason. Be careful not to bump your head when entering the gondola as they are not tall enough to stand up in…..I know from experience :).
The wheel makes about 6 rotations, so the flight lasts approximately 12-15 minutes. We rode on a clear day, so we had great views of the city and watched planes fly into National Airport.
After riding The Capital Wheel, we went over to The Awakening, a larger than life sculpture embedded in the earth at the water’s edge. The girls enjoyed running around in the sand and playing on the different parts of the sculpture. There are a few Adirondak chairs where you can sit to enjoy coffee or take in the beautiful view from this area.
While at the National Harbor there are a few other fun things to do with children. There is an Americana-themed carousel featuring whimsical creatures located at the north end along the waterfront. The carousel is open only on the weekends and tickets are $5 per child. The area housing the carousel also has a new playground, toddler play area, and picnic tables.
Also while at the National Harbor you can rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and pedal-boats.
The National Children’s Museum is another attraction at the harbor and is just a couple blocks up from the waterfront. See my review here.
I definitely recommend visiting the National Harbor and going for a ride on The Capital Wheel. It is an easy drive from the city or suburbs and an activity that children will enjoy. I would love to go back sometime and ride the wheel at night for a different experience.
Good to Know:
•Tickets are $15 (ages 12-60), $11.25 (ages 3-11), $13.50 (over 60), free (2 & under). You can buy tickets online or at the onsite ticket booth on the pier.
•Take advantage of a Certifikid deal currently being offered now through November 14 – kids ride free with the purchase of a $15 adult ticket.
•Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm.
•Strollers are not permitted on the gondolas. There is a designated stroller parking area just in front of the ramp leading up to The Capitol Wheel.
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POSTED IN: Carousel, DC, DC Area Ferris Wheel, Maryland, National Harbor, Observation Wheel, The Capital Wheel, waterfront
POSTED IN: Carousel, DC, DC Area Ferris Wheel, Maryland, National Harbor, Observation Wheel, The Capital Wheel, waterfront