Rosemount-Lewis Regional Park in Manassas, VA!

Last week we checked out Rosemount-Lewis Regional Park in Manassas, VA. This Prince William County park is located off of 1100 Crestview Drive. The county website has the address as 8150 Ashton Avenue but this is not correct.

The park entrance is located in a cul de sac on Crestwood Drive. You have to park in the cul de sac and walk down the gravel drive to get to the walking trails, tennis court, basketball court, play equipment and picnic pavilion. As you can see from the red arrow I have added to the above photo I have pointed out that only pedestrians and emergency vehicles are allowed on the gravel road. Apparently I just glanced over that sign and with the gate open I just drove on in. Not until after we were done checking out the park that I noticed the small sign. If I learned anything from this mistake is that it's a pretty good walk down the gravel road to get to everything.

The park has two pieces equipment in pretty good shape. The tennis and basketball court were in good shape as well. The equipment didn't have any shade over it but the picnic pavilion is right next it. Sadly there are no restrooms for this park. But there are plenty of paved walking trails for you to stroll on in and around the park.

This was a cute park with plenty of grass and trees for the kids to run around. If you live in the Crestwood Village or Paradise Townhomes in Manassas you can easily walk to the park down one of the paved paths or gravel road to check it out.

What's in a name?

Thank you everyone who has liked "The Next Best Thing"! When I first started the blog it was to represent nice playgrounds in the Northern Virginia Area and to show my knowledge of the area for Real Estate. In the past year it has turned into something I enjoy doing week after week. Now that the boys are older they let me know what they like about each park. It gets even funnier when we're out on vacation and my oldest wants to take pictures of the park sign to put up on the "log". In it's infancy I never put to much thought into the name of blog because I thought it was going to fade away like most ideas. Now I think the blog needs a more recognizable name that corresponds with the content. I would love to hear each and everyones suggestions for a new name for the site. If the name you suggest is chosen I will feature your blog, website and or personal business on the blog site along with your favorite park! I look forward to hearing everyones suggestions!

Fairmont Park in Manassas, VA!

The weather was great today so the kids and I ventured out to Prince William County and did a park crawl. First up on our list was Fairmont Park in Manassas, VA. This Prince William County park is located off of Fairmont Avenue in a neighborhood of single family homes.

The park has one piece of the equipment, a set of toddler swings and a tire swing for the older kids. The equipment doesn't have much shade over it but there is a grove of trees for the kids to get out of the heat. One of the big slides was out of commission but the rest of the equipment was in good shape. There are restrooms at the park but since it's still February the indoor restrooms were winterized.

This is a cute neighborhood park and if you live in the area you should it check it out!

Bready Park in Herndon, VA!

Today was beautiful so we headed out to a new park, Bready Park in Herndon, VA. Bready Park is located right next to the Herndon Community Center and across the way from the Herndon Centennial Golf Course.

The park has two pieces of play equipment in good shape and it looked like they recently had replaced a few of the slides. The equipment doesn't have any shade over it but there are plenty of benches and tables in the shade for the kids to cool off. My youngest was a little bummed that there were no swings though. The indoor restrooms are conveniently located right next to the equipment which was a bonus for this potty trainer. A picnic pavilion is also next to the park and can be rented for events. The indoor and outdoor tennis courts sit adjacent to the park. My youngest was in heaven watching the tennis players hit back and forth. In addition to the tennis courts the park also has two baseball fields and a soccer field. The W & OD Trail runs right by the park so if you live in the area you could just hop on the trail to get to the park.

If you live in the area you should check out this Fairfax County park!

Tysons Pimmit Park in Falls Church, VA!

This week when the weather wasn't too chilly we went out to Tysons Pimmit Park in Falls Church, VA! The park is situated next to the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library. There are two ways to enter the park either through the library parking lot or through the Pimmit residential side of the park.

The 6-acre park in Fairfax County has a large grassy area, two basketball courts, and two large pieces of play equipment with a picnic pavilion. The equipment was in good shape when we were there. There is no shade over the equipment but the picnic pavilion is in the center of both pieces of equipment if the kids need to get out of the sun. Restrooms are located in the library but they are a pretty good walk from the equipment.

This was a nice park and if you live near the neighborhood of Pimmit Hills which lies between Route 495, 66 and 267 (Toll Road) you should check it out.

Jhoon Rhee Indoor Playground in Falls Church, VA!

Today we checked the Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do Studio in Falls Church, VA. Once a week they open the studio to children under the age of five to enjoy the padded gym floor and padded building blocks. My boys had a blast playing with the balls and large shapes they could stack and jump on. They can run around without fear of being hurt if they happen to fall down.

When we went there were only a few moms and dads with kids so the kids had the run of the studio. The studio does put a cap at 30 people per session this includes both parents and children. There is a fee per child and they ask that you either call or sign up online ahead of time to ensure your spot. Walk ins are welcomed but there is no guarantee that space will be available. When you pay in person make sure you have cash because they don't accept credit cards unless you reserve your spot online. No snacks are allowed on the mats but you can sit in the chairs and have the kids eat their snack. Restrooms are right there next to the play area. The restrooms were clean and had a large baby changing table. The supervisor does ask that any poopy diapers be put out in the outside trash can near the studio.

My kids had fun running around, listening to music and playing with the other kids. If you live in Fairfax County near the Falls Church area you should check out the studio on those days that the weather won't allow you to be outside. Just follow the signs to the studio as it is tucked back in between Baskin Robbins and another store.

Lakeside Park in Fairfax, VA!

Today we checked out Lakeside Park in Fairfax, VA. I had heard good things about the park and decided to see what it was all about. Lakeside Park is alongside Lake Royal in  Fairfax County in the Kings West Park subdivision of single family homes.

The park is great with walking/hiking trails, basketball court, baseball and soccer field, and play equipment. The best part is the lake where the kids can see the frogs, geese and ducks. The play equipment was newer and included swings. When we went there was no porta potty but when I spoke with a neighborhood mom she said there is normally a porta potty in the parking lot.

This park is great and so close to nature. I do have to add one warning and it's only in the grassy areas by the lake but you have to look out for the goose excrement. The geese seem to stay clear of the playground so no worries when the kids are playing on the equipment.

I can't wait to come back in the spring time and walk the trails around Lake Royal and Crooked Creek!

Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore, MD!

Normally I wouldn't do a review for a Maryland park or venue but this place was pretty awesome. Yesterday we took the boys to Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore, MD. I had heard good things about the museum and decided to take the kids since it was cold and windy outside.

When we walked in my oldest was in awe. The children's museum is three levels of  interactive exhibits, mystery adventures, water exhibit,  tot trails and a three story  urban tree house. There is something for every age and size. The museum is recommended for children under 10 years of age. The museum is very open so you can keep track of the kids while they are on different levels. They have a wristband system so your child can't leave the museum with anyone but one of his/her parents. Also employees are available on every level equipped with radio equipment to help locate a lost parent or child.

The pictures don't do the museum justice because there is so much the kids can do including playing grocery store, working on a farm, playing diner, story time and currently on the third level they have a Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit.

I would highly recommend checking out the Port Discovery Children's Museum. It was great for burning off some energy and the kids could be hands on with every exhibit. There were clean restrooms everywhere, strollers can easily maneuver the museum, an elevator for those who can't do stairs, a place to put your jackets and lockers to stow away stuff that you don't want to carry. Also if you park in the garage next to the museum Port Discovery validates your parking. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours there because there is so much for the kids to do!