Glen Echo

Glen Echo

 

Location: 7300 MacArthur Blvd Glen Echo, MD 20812
The parking lot is actually at 5801 Oxford Road.

National Park Service Website

and Glen Echo Park Website 
 

My Opinion:

Features:

 No one goes to Glen Echo for the playground, but if you're there for the carousel or a puppet theater performance, having a playground nearby is a nice bonus.  The playground is fairly small with just a couple things to climb on, a short slide, and three swings.  On a nice weekend, the swings are a hot item since there's only three.  The playground was recently redone, with some new equipment and a new spongy rubber surface.

What's Unique:

The real attraction is the carousel.   If you live in the DC area and have never ridden it, make plans to go.  It is a treat for kids and adults.  The 1921 Dentzel Carousel is open Saturdays & Sundays, noon - 6 pm; Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 am - 2 pm. Cost is $1.25 per ride.  We never tire or riding it, at the Wurlitzer band organ that accompanies the ride can be heard all over the park.

The Puppet Co. Playhouse, Adventure Theater, and a whole catalog of classes and activities make the park a great place for kids.  Check their website for more details.

On the playground itself, this new addition seems to be a big hit.  Lots of ways to climb around on it.

This older part of the playground is still a lot of fun.

This tipsy balance beam is also a fun challenge.

Restrooms:Yes

Nicely maintained and clean restrooms.

Sun/Shade:There's not much shade on the playground, but there's a nice group of trees nearby with lots of picnic tables.

Nearby:

Other than the snack bar in the park, The Irish Inn at Glenn Echo is the closest restaurant.  You can actually walk there by going beyond the Cuddle Up and Hall of Mirrors building.  There's a small set of stairs that lead to the restaurant's parking lot.  For other options, a right onto MacArthur will point you toward the Safeway at 4701 Sangamore Rd and some other stores in the same plaza.