You don’t have to go far to reunite with your family and friends. Don’t have the space to host a large group? Don’t worry! We found a bunch of big rental houses ready for your whole crew to enjoy together within a short drive of the DMV. From houses that can accommodate parties of 10 to 16 people, these oversized rentals have enough room to spread out for days. Keep reading for our list of top spots full of fun and lots of space.

Farm Stay in Lancaster, PA

Airbnb

Ready to leave the city and check in to a gorgeous farmhouse in Amish Country? Wake up to a pond fluttering with ducks and geese ready for their breakfast. Watch the sunset over the fields and farmlands surrounding the property. 

Sleeps: 16
Cost: $463/night
Online: airbnb.com

Waterfront Retreat in South Bowers Beach, DE

Airbnb

Skip the crowds, but don't miss the beach in this home, perfect families ready to put their toes in the sand. Your crew will love the (almost) private beach full of sun, swimming, shell collecting, walking and running, or volleyball. Hop on the local ferry to explore water together. 

Sleeps: 16
Cost: $550
Online: Airbnb.com

Rooftop Views in Baltimore, MD

Everyone will love the 360-degree views of downtown Baltimore from the expansive rooftop deck topping this rental. Take a short walk or drive to any one of the exciting attractions across the area. The private 3-car driveway makes this an excellent option for a multiple-family vacation.  

Sleeps: 12
Cost: $111/night
Online: Airbnb.com

Castle in Arlington, VA

Airbnb

Spend your family getaway in a castle, just 20 minutes outside the city. You'll have gorgeous green space to spread out in, and it features a koi pond for your little ones to enjoy. Treat your stay like a staycation, and you'll be in the perfect location to see all the fun DC has to offer.

Sleeps: 10
Cost: $446/night
Online: Airbnb.com

Bayfront Views in Annapolis, MD

Expansive waterfront views and a dining table that seats 12 make this the perfect family-friendly rental. Add in the beach and deck overlooking the bay, and everyone will have something to enjoy together.

Sleeps: 13
Cost: $500/night
Online: Airbnb.com

Lakeview Hideaway in Locust Grove, VA

Airbnb

A lake view and room for 22 people make this house the perfect place to spread out and enjoy the views. In addition, there is a game room in the basement where you can enjoy ping pong, foosball, and board games. Snuggle up on the deck and relax on the waterfront.

Sleeps: 16
Cost: $382/night
Online: Airbnb.com

Modern Minimalist Getaway in Alexandria, VA

Airbnb

Enjoy the huge backyard behind this single-family detached home. Parking won't be an issue in the 3-car driveway. With the feel of a chic hotel, the fully-renovated house is still cozy, and the location can't be beaten. All the local fun is just a short drive from this rental.

Sleeps: 10
Cost: $340
Online: Airbnb.com

Ten Acres to Roam in Leesburg, VA

Space won't be a problem in this 5000 square foot home on 10 acres of green space. The big-screen movie studio and game room make for tons of indoor fun. Add a little privacy when you book the separate guest house. If you want even more room to spread out, hop on the Potomac River from the home's private water access.

Sleeps: 16
Cost: $719/night
Online: Airbnb.com

Off-Grid Eco Retreat in Dickerson, MD

Airbnb

This off-grid eco solar house is surrounded by lush forest and a short walk from local hiking trails. You'll love Sugarloaf Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, both family-friendly spots the locals enjoy. Book this rental to experience authentic off-grid living. But, don't worry! The backup generator will keep the lights on.

Sleeps: 16
Cost: $940
Online: Airbnb.com

Beachfront Bungalow in Colonial, VA

Airbnb

Start your mornings off right with the epic sunsets over the Potomac River. Then, grab one of the family games from the wall-sized game shelf. Next, head out to the beach to enjoy the sun and sand in this quaint waterfront town. Finally, finish your day curled up on the screen porch.

Sleeps: 11
Cost: $250/night
Online: Airbnb.com

—Angelica Kajiwara

featured image: iStock

RELATED STORIES: 

Road Trip! 16 Last Minute Getaways Near DC

The “Skip-Gen” Travel Trend Is Reinventing the Meaning of Family Vacation

Go Gramping with These Grandparent & Grandchild Travel Packages 

Nestled along the San Francisco Bay in the Dogpatch neighborhood is the brand-new Crane Cove Park. This unique seven-acre bayfront park quietly opened at the end of last year and it offers a little something for everyone. From barbecues to a rocky beach, Crane Cove takes its historic surroundings and makes it into something families can enjoy for years to come. We checked it out and have the full scoop on what you need to know when you visit!

Port of SF

This public open space is the brainchild of the Port of San Francisco and it aims to preserve historic maritime resources while providing a major open public space full of opportunities for exploration. Crane Cove gets its name from the two cranes that remain preserved in this seven-acre park. Officially, they are Cranes 14 and 30, but unofficially they are named Nick and Nora after characters from the movie "Thin Man." Children will admire their stature, while adults can admire their history.

Jennifer Snyder

Probably the biggest draw of this park is the rocky beach where children can wade the slightly-warmer-than-Ocean Beach water while watching the paddle boards and boats sail by. Children may swim anywhere within the buoy limits but there is no lifeguard on duty. Pro tip: being water shoes and maybe even a wetsuit for the little ones. The rocks are tough on their sensitive feet, and the water can be quite chilly.

Kate Loweth

On the opposite side from the beach is a green space complete with picnic tables and a barbecue grill for public access. The convenient proximity to Third Street provides a wealth of coffee shops and restaurants for the parents in case you have a hungry child on your hands. Pro tip: Check out Neighbor Bakehouse for yummy treats and a little pick-me-up.

Jennifer Snyder

Just in case all of this isn't enough, there is lots of pavement for walking, biking, or scooting not only along the perimeter but also near a preserved railroad track that the kiddos will find exhilarating. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It is located at 18th and Illinois, and parking can be found along Illinois street. Pro tip: bring quarters, most parking is metered until 6pm.

This summer there will even be a Stand-up Paddleboard Summer Camp for children ages 8-15 years old at Crane Cove Park.  If you have a little adventurer on your hands and you're in need of some "me time," this might be the perfect solution. The camp will be held Mon.-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Note: Due to COVID, currently there are only Port-a-Potties available for any bathroom emergencies, or costume changes.

Crane Cove Park
18th and Illinois Streets
San Francisco, CA
Open daily 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Online: sfport.com/crane-cove-park

—Jennifer Snyder

RELATED STORIES

The Ultimate Guide to Kayaking Around the Bay with Kids

Kid-Friendly Fishing Spots

Luxurious Camping Close to the Bay Area

Beach Babes: The Best Swimming Beaches for Kids

The LEGO® Group just unveiled the latest addition to it’s LEGO® City line, and we’ve got total city envy. From recognizable characters in The City storyline to the sweet green space right in the middle, this is one set that’ll keep your master builders occupied for hours on end. Plus, we’re pretty sure Emmett would approve because basically, everything about it is awesome. 

The brand-new 1,517-piece set comes with 14 minifigures, a City Hall, an intercity tram, a classic diner, an adorable green space with a statue of Harl Hubbs’ great grandfather, and there’s even a concert stage. It’s a perfect way for kids to enjoy the buzz of city life without having to leave the house. Easy enough for kids ages five and up to tackle, after it’s complete, there’s hours of pretend play waiting to happen. Do you collect the LEGO® City line? Then you’ll recognize several city characters, like Poppy Star, Duke DeTain and even Mayor Fleck, who comes complete with the all-important keys to the city.

This new set also comes with ‘Instructions Plus,’ an interactive building guide you can access via the free LEGO® Building Instructions app for smart devices—there’s a zoom and rotate feature that helps younger builders visualize the finished product as they go. Your kids will become Master Builders in no time.  

Recommended for ages 5 & up.

Available on Sept. 1st, for $199.99 at LEGO.com.

—Gabby Cullen

All images courtesy LEGO®

 

RELATED STORIES:

This LEGO Kit Comes with a Teeny Tiny Baby Yoda

Cue the Nostalgia, a LEGO NES Console Is Coming

New LEGO Art Sets Are the Perfect De-Stressing Activity You Need

From escaping the screens to getting some exercise, the benefits of spending time playing outside are pretty obvious, but new research on why kids need green spaces shows that spending time outdoors can have a lifelong impact on kids as they grow up.

A new study conducted by researchers from Aarhus University found that the amount of green space around a child’s home had an impact on the risk of developing a mental disorder later in life. Kids that are surrounded by lesser amounts of green space while growing up have up to a 55 percent higher risk of developing a mental disorder as an adult.

So what does this mean? The more green space a kid grows up with, the better it is for their mental health as adults. The results were the same even when adjusting for other known risk factors, like socio-economic status and a family history of mental disorders.

photo: Gabby Orcutt via Unsplash

“With our dataset, we show that the risk of developing a mental disorder decreases incrementally the longer you have been surrounded by green space from birth and up to the age of 10. Green space throughout childhood is therefore extremely important,” said Kristine Engemann, lead author from the Department of Bioscience and the National Centre for Register-based Research at Aarhus University.

Using satellite data from 1985 to 2013, the researchers mapped green spaces around the homes of nearly one million Danish citizens and compared that information with the risk of developing one of 16 different mental disorders later in life.

Engemann continued, “There is increasing evidence that the natural environment plays a larger role for mental health than previously thought. Our study is important in giving us a better understanding of its importance across the broader population.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

RELATED STORIES:

How Much Exercise Should Your Kids Get? Doctors Offer New Guidelines

As Kids Grow Up, They Spend Less Time Outdoors. But Here’s What Parents Can Do

How to Score a Free Pass to All National Parks

Calling all Walt Disney World fans: the soon-to-be new Play Pavilion at Epcot is one you’ll need to see to believe—and it’s part of a multi-year transformation.

The former Wonders of Life pavilion—home of the Body Wars ride that was closed and transformed into a seasonal festival space—is getting a major makeover. The area—which doesn’t have an official name as yet—will soon become an area that’s 100 percent devoted to play—and of course, fun!

So what can you expect from this exciting new Epcot area? The pavilion’s city will host interactive experiences galore. Your kiddo can meet and greet fave Disney characters, catch some awesome entertainment and get hands-on with all kinds of activities.

According to Zach Riddley, Walt Disney Imagineering portfolio executive, “This innovative, new pavilion is beyond anything we’ve ever created and is completely unique to Epcot.” Riddley also added, “Built on the power of play, it introduces an immersive and interactive ‘city’ where you can explore, create, and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters. This is an experience worthy of our bold vision for Epcot—and another signature element of our transformation.”

When will Epcot’s play pavilion open? While there’s no official date, the grand debut will happen in time for Walt Disney World’s big 5-0! Along with the new pavilion city, other changes include a revamped main entrance, new fountain, plenty of additional green space and redevelopment between the Spaceship Earth attraction and the World Showcase Promenade.

—Erica Loop

All photos: Courtesy of Disney Parks

 

RELATED STORIES:

Big New Changes Are Coming to Epcot in the New Year & We Can’t Wait

37 Epic New Attractions Coming to Disney Parks in 2019

Disney’s Riviera Resort Is Officially Open for Booking

If your kids love to explore the wilderness, but haven’t quite reached a level of endurance (or attention span) to tackle that six-mile mountain hike, then we have the ideal park for you. Located in Maple Valley, its name says it all…Lake Wilderness Park. Complete with a brand-new playground, a beach and swimming area (hello summer!), large grassy spaces to play and picnic and acres of trails and wetlands to explore, it’s everything you’d want in a park and more! If you’re ready to give this popular South Sound spot a try, scroll down for the deets.

Scooters, Bikes, Dogs, Kids…Come One, Come All
Located approximately 45 minutes southeast of Seattle, Lake Wilderness Park is a 117-acre park that boasts a 42-acre arboretum with forest trails and display gardens along with flat, paved trails perfect for tiny terrors who are more keen on perfecting their cycle and scootering skills. In addition to well-maintained trails and paths, you will find huge areas of open green space for your doggie’s playing delight. But the best part? All of these amenities surround the brand-new playground complete with swings, slides, climbing structures and rope jungle gyms to keep the busiest of tykes happy and entertained.

Calling All Climbers!
If you’ve got a little Spiderman wannabe, he’s going to be in superhero heaven navigating the new web-like play structure. The big rope and slide structure is designed for the 6 and older crew, but there’s also a smaller structure for tots that might not have grown their own set of Go-Go-Gadget arms yet. If your little one is more into reaching for the clouds, there is a large swing set decked out with two baby swings, four regular swings, a see-saw swing (one side for a bigger kid, the other designed for your littlest explorer—think baby swing-style) and an ADA accessible swing. The playground also has a merry-go-round (currently under repair) that will be an option in the future for your tiny tots, and most likely a new bicep workout for you! Regardless of what your kiddo’s go-to activity is, if you’re looking for a place to peter out your bundle of energy, you won’t be disappointed here.

Right Now You’re in Warm-Ups, But When It Warms Up…
Keep this park on your spring and summer radar! The lake has a beach to accommodate endless sandcastles as well as an even bigger green space for those who prefer to set up their beach camp away from the water and put their little piggies in the grass as opposed to the sand. The park also features a huge dock for fishing and lounging, which surrounds the swimming area for when the weather really heats up, along with seasonal lifeguards, boat rentals and a concession stand (ice cream, anyone?).

Moms Who Lunch
If a mid-day picnic is beckoning you, there is certainly plenty of room to throw down a blanket or take advantage of the many picnic tables that call this park home. Psst…if you’ve got a large group (think: PEPS group or family reunion), reserve one of three picnic shelters or five picnic sites. At least 15 tables are located on the main grassy area by the beach, but dozens (and dozens!) of others are scattered throughout the park. Pack those PB&Js, pick a table, let the Littles run after the ducks and enjoy the views of the lake year-round.

Wait! One More Thing…
If your kiddos have already conquered those basic biking skills or a trail walk sounds like just the ticket to burn off the stir-crazies, you can access the 17.3-mile Cedar River Trail from this park. The soft-surface section of the trail is called the Green to Cedar Rivers Trail and will connect you to the Cedar River Trail that runs all the way from Renton to Landsburg!

Good to Know
The large main parking lot is located between the playground area and the beach with plenty of parking spots for even the busiest days and biggest grocery-getters. Since 2015, 91 paved parking spots have been added.

As you head down the road towards the park there will be two entrances. The first entrance will take you to the Lake Wilderness Lodge and the Arboretum, but if you go down to the next entrance on your left, you will find a generous lot near the lake and playground amenities. No pass required!

Restrooms are located near the beach as well as next to the playground.

Lake Wilderness Park
22500 S.E. 248th St.
Maple Valley, Wa 98038
425-432-9953
Online: maplevalleywa.gov/departments-services/parks-recreation/parks-and-trails/lake-wilderness-park

Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.-dusk

Have you visited the new playground at Lake Wilderness Park? Planning to go soon? We would love to hear about your adventure in the comments below!

—Alaina Weimer (all photos courtesy of the writer)

RELATED STORIES:

The South Sound’s Top 15 Playgrounds

Splish Splash: The South Sound’s Best Splash Pads & Spraygrounds

Your Guide to the South Sound’s Best Indoor Play Spaces

With 200 King County parks (consisting of 28,000 acres of open space), Seattle families can find a green place to play every day of the week. And topping that list of places is Woodinville’s Cottage Lake Park. This beautiful, sprawling park is chock-full of amenities, yet still feels quaint and oh-so-out-of-the-way. If you’re ready to discover this hidden gem, grab your sand toys, pool floats and fishing poles and read on for the inside scoop.

photo: Jennifer Davis

A Lake for Everyone
Only 63 acres in size and 25 feet deep (compared to Lake Washington at over 22,000 acres and over 200 feet deep), Cottage Lake is warm and inviting, clear and clean and contains limited “growies” at the beach section. Crowded with those-who-love-to-fish in the early mornings, and teeming with swimmers and parkgoers on warm summer weekends, Cottage Lake Park is the perfect hideaway on a sunny mid-week day. If the weekend is the only time your family can visit, you’ll be happy to know there’s more than enough space to spread out. Plus, it’s safely contained and away from busy streets, so you can let the tykes run free.

photo: Jennifer Davis

Bring Your Pool Noodles! 
Did you know Cottage Lake Park boasts one of the few public outdoor pools in the Seattle area? And guess what? It was recently renovated and is open to the public Mon.-Sat. (with Sunday’s available for private party rentals). The pool is only $7/person (or $5 with a YMCA membership) and offers complete aquatic fun with a water slide and 84-degree water temps. What’s even better, the kids can go from pool to lake in a matter of minutes. Psst… if you can’t make it to the pool before the season ends on September 4, put it on next summer’s must-do list.

photo: Joanne McDonald

Places to Monkey Around
While the expansive green space and, of course, the pool and actual lake are the major draws, the park also offers rugrats a newly built play structure with multiple options for climbing, swinging, bouncing and running (on safe, rubbery flooring). The play structures are located between the pool and lake and most suitable for tykes ages four and up. But there is also a small-scale climbing apparatus as well as bucket swings for tiny tots. A variety of unique rope climbing features will delight the littlest monkeys in your crew (and an actual ropes course, though not publicly accessible, is on-site for adult team-building and events). Follow the covered walkway and you’ll find a separate green space available for picnicking or running wild. Psst… this space is often used by YMCA camps during the summer months, but come fall it will be wide open for families to use.

photo: Jennifer Davis

Cottage Lake Park
N.E. Woodinville-Duval Rd. & 188th N.E.
Woodinville, Wa 98072
Online: kingcounty.gov/services/environment/water-and-land/lakes/lakes-of-king-county/cottage-lake.aspx
Open: 8 a.m.-dusk

Insider Tip: The main parking lot on the north side of the lake, accessed via Woodinville-Duval Rd., can get crowded, but there’s a smaller spillover lot just a minute east down the road.

Have you visited Cottage Lake Park this summer? What’s your family’s favorite part? Tell us in the Comments below.

— Jennifer B. Davis

It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays and out-of-town visitors! Do you have relatives clamoring at your door ready to visit America’s Finest City? We’ll make sure you are the “hosts with the most” with this ultimate guide to showing off San Diego. From the post-airport pick up to lazy days enjoying the San Diego sun, we’ve got you covered with plenty of ideas to have your guests loving the sights. But be prepared for the guest bedroom to be fully booked. Click through the slideshow to see our picks for family fun.

Post Airport Stop at the Cabrillo National Monument

New visitors to San Diego will love to take up a scenic view once you've picked them up from the airport at the Cabrillo National Monument. Park in the large lot, then head down the small incline to the cliffs. Here you'll find the best views of San Diego looking across the Bay, back towards downtown and up to the hills. There's plenty of green space to enjoy the sunshine and bathrooms if a break is needed. If jet lag is a problem, head down to the tide pools below to splash some water on your face and breath in the sea air.

Fun Facts to Tell Your Guests:

  • The monument is named after Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to step foot in Californian close to this very spot in 1542
  • The opening and ending scene of "Saving Private Ryan" was filmed here
  • You can see all the way to Tijuana and Mexico's Coronado Islands on a clear day

Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: $5/car

1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr.
San Diego, Ca 92106
619-557-5450
online: nps.gov/cabr

photo: Sunseeker Girl via TripAdvisor

Do you have any favorite spots to show off San Diego to your visitors? Let us know in the Comments below!

— Lenya McGrath

It’s the most anticipated green space since Maggie Daley Park. And like downtown’s massive playground and skating ribbon, Bloomingdale Trail does not disappoint. This 2.7-mile biking-walking-running-scooting path is part of an elevated trail and park system (commonly called “The 606”) that cuts through Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square and Humboldt Park on the former railroad line connecting those neighborhoods. It just opened after a decade of planning. Here are the secrets of this urban oasis perfect for families (and dogs, too!).

photo: Kiran Advani

Here’s the Skinny …
The trail is paved and elevated, allowing for awesome city views. There are 12 access points on it (all with ramps perfects for strollers, scooters and bikes) and four of them are located next to ground-level parks (at Damen, Milwaukee, Ashland and Albany). If you planned to walk the trail and bike envy kicks in, there are Divvy stations just north of the Marshfield, Damen, Western and Albany access points. Dogs are allowed and especially welcome at the dog park at the Damen access point. Come ready to be inspired — everyone is talking about the trail’s convenience, beauty and how it will spur families to get healthy exercise together.

photo: Christa Reed

For the Kids …
There’s some really fantastic El train watching on the bridge near Winnebago (close to the Milwaukee access point). Fences are high enough to keep little ones in, and the water fountains are low enough to keep them hydrated. Plan a playdate at the Damen access point where there is a large sitting space with benches and Churchill Field, a baseball field at ground level. Or hit the the playground at Yates Elementary between the Humboldt and California access points (shown below). When CPS is out for the summer, this is a great park that’s close to the trail’s halfway point and perfect for your little climber. You can also find fun right off the trail at Cat & Mouse Game Store (at the Milwaukee access point) or Mindy’s Hot Chocolate for a snack (at the Damen access point).

 photo: Christa Reed

Be Aware …
On our trip down the trail, we didn’t see any public restrooms or garbage cans, and parking was scarce. And the foliage is new so it’s going to take some time before there’s any legitimate shade from the trees. If you plan on taking small children there, be aware that although it’s pretty well fenced-in, there are still some unfinished drop-off spots (most notably near access points).

The path itself is smooth, but not flat. So if you’re there with your jogging stroller, be prepared for some hills. It’s not as wide as the Lakeshore Path that snakes by the Museum Campus, but does have water fountains and a rubber border. Also, be mindful of children on bikes; some have no been briefed yet on the “on-you-left” protocol.

photo: Christa Reed 

Overall, while not finished, Bloomingdale Trail beautiful and a true asset to the city. Go now — and often — while you can still take in the delightful smell of new mulch and community spirit!

For more information on Bloomingdale Trail/The 606, go to the606.org.

Have you visited this awesome new attraction yet? Let us know what you think in the Comments!

— Christa Reed