Frying Pan Park & Kidwell Farm in Herndon, VA!

Located in Fairfax County you can find Frying Pan Park in Herndon, VA. The park includes Kidwell Farm, Kidwell Farm House, playground, carousel, indoor and outdoor equestrian rings, equestrian trails and Country Store. From May through October the Farmer's Market arrives every Wednesday with fresh produce and meats from Local Virginia Farms. Frying Pan Park also has their own 4-H club for kids to learn the science and basic care of livestock.

Kidwell Farm has lots of farm animals for the kids to check out including sheep, pigs, cows, draft horses, chickens, goats and rabbits. During the spring time all the baby farm animals are being born and when old enough are on display for everyone to see.

In addition to the animals you can also take a tour of the Kidwell Farm House, Smoke House and old farm equipment.

If the weather is nice you can always pack a lunch because there are plenty of places to sit down and eat lunch either by the farm or by the small playground.

 The small playground includes two different pieces of age appropriate equipment but no swings. There is no shade to get away from the sun but restrooms are located both in the indoor equestrian center and by the playground. For a few dollars you and the kids can purchase tickets for the wagon ride and or the carousel. **More pictures to come of the playground area and carousel***

This Fairfax County Park is a gem! The kids always have a great time and strollers and wagons get around the farm very easily. So no matter the age of the child you should check out Frying Pan Park in Herndon, VA!

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!

Generous George's Positive Pizza and Pasta Place in Herndon, VA!

A few months ago a friend of mine heard about a restaurant in Herndon, VA that was kid friendly, Generous George's Pizza and Pasta Place. We have gone several times over the last six months because the concept of making your own pizza never gets old for the kiddos.

The decor of the restaurant is funky and colorful so great for kids who are normally wiggly when sitting down to eat. When the kids sit down they get their very own chefs hat to put on! The menu offers lots of different Italian options including pastas, pizzas and subs. The reason we go to Generous George's is for their make your own pizza menu. For a reasonable price the wait staff brings out a personal size pizza dough already rolled out along with sauce, cheese and any toppings you have chosen for your pizza. It is your job to put your pizza together and the wait staff swings back by to pick up your newly decorated pizza to throw it in oven. When we were in a larger group this process took a little longer than when we went just as a family. The kids always have such a great time putting their pizzas together "me self" as my oldest son is always saying. If the kids getting wiggly while waiting for their pizzas they could always head into the small game room. The restrooms are also very clean.

Getting to Generous George's is a little odd. GPS is the best way to locate the restaurant that is tucked back in between Strayer University and Sunrise Valley Drive at 2321 Dulles Station Blvd, Herndon, VA 20171. Check it out with the family I'm sure you'll have a good time!

Haley M. Smith Park in Herndon, VA!

Since the weather has been amazingly warm this December the boys and I struck out to find some new parks. We came across Haley M. Smith Park in Herndon,VA located off of Van Buren Street in Fairfax County! The park is situated between newer and older single family homes as well as a few industrial parks.

This park was very nice with newer equipment including swings and lots of grass. It also has a ride on two person airplane and dinosaur.The park includes two baseball/softball fields, a sand volleyball court and soccer field. There is a porta potty and when we were there it was very clean.

This is a very cute park in Herndon. It probably doesn't have a lot of shade in the summer but there are plenty of benches and picnic tables to take a break and a water fountain.

Bruin Park in Herndon, VA!

The weather lately has been crazy warm for the month of November. So we have been taking full advantage of the warm weather to check out some new parks. Last week we checked out Bruin Park in Herndon, VA.

Bruin Park is an 8-acre park that has plenty of shade and the play equipment was in good shape. There is a set of swing sets with both toddler and adult swings. A clean porta potty is available near the parking lot and when we were there it had just been cleaned. In addition to the play equipment it has two tennis courts, a softball field, a picnic pavilion and a basketball court.

As we were leaving the park we ran into grandmother bringing her grandchild to the playground and she informed me that she use to bring her son to the this park 30 years ago. She was excited to see that there were still lots of trees and she could bring her grandchild over to play.

This is a cute clean neighborhood park located in Fairfax County off of Van Buren Street near Old Town Herndon. If you live nearby you should check it out!

Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park

The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park is better known as the W&OD Trail to most in Northern Virginia. Labeled as the "skinniest park in Virginia" it is one of the longest parks at 45 miles.

Most of the W&OD Railroad Regional Park is sitting on the same site as the old railbed of the retired Washington & Old Domionion Railway. The 45 miles of trail are asphalt paved with crosswalks and or lights where the trail crosses major roads. Alongside 35 miles of the trail is gravel base path for equestrian riders. The trail takes you from Shirlington, VA in Arlington County and if you travel the entire 45 miles you end up in Purcellville, VA in Loudoun County. From Shirlington to Purcellville you pass through the cities and towns of Arlington, Ballston, Falls Church, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Ashburn, Leesburg, Paeonian Springs, and Hamilton, VA.

The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad closed it's doors in 1968. The last large project the failing railroad company faced was the installation of Washington-Dulles International Airport. Many supplies were brought to the area via the railroad company. After the Washington-Dulles International Airport project was completed the railroad company closed it's doors unable to compete with other railway companies in the region. Shortly thereafter the railbed property was sold to Virginia Department of Highways and then portions were sold to Virginia Electric and Power Company for the installment of electric transmission lines.

The first portion of the trial opened in 1974 in the City of Falls Church when Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority leased the rights from the power company. When the trail became popular they purchased this portion and other segments to continue the trail. The trail eventually reached Purcellville and was completed in 1988. Other small segments were then added with the last being paved in 2007. Small remnants of the railroad remain along the trail along with small exhibits/displays that talk about the history of the railroad company and trail. Companies like Norfolk Southern Railway and others have donated three cabooses that are displayed along the trail and two of them house small displays about the W & OD Railroad and Trail.

The W & OD Trail is great place to walk, jog, bike and or horseback ride. Many cyclist use this trail to ride to and from work since it crosses many towns and cities. Of course the trail is the safest in the day light hours but you pass through many scenic and natural areas so it's wise to take precautions when using the trail alone.

Happy Trails to you!

Cutter Mill Park in Herndon, VA!

Today the boys and I checked out Cutter Mill Park in Herndon, VA. This Fairfax County park is located at 1501 Herndon Parkway.

This 6-acre park is located between Cuttermill and Westfield single family home divisions. The park offers a baseball field, half court basketball, volleyball, playground and walking paths. It also has a small basketball hoop for the kids. Two sets of playground equipment are completely in the shade including a picnic table and benches. Sadly there are no restrooms as this park.

This is a cute little park with lots of shade and if you live in Herndon you should check it out!

Frying Pan Park & Temple Hall Farm

In rural Leesburg, VA located in Loudoun County you'll find Temple Hall Farm. Temple Hall is a 286-acre working farm. It's a great place to the bring the family to see the animals and see all the sites of a working farm. It has plenty of picnic tables to bring a lunch and includes a small playground for the littler children. Every year from September to the beginning of November Temple Hall has a giant Corn Maze and pumpkin patch. You can also check out the Babbling Brook Trail which takes you over a creek and through the woods.

More pics to come when the weather gets nicer!