Wolf Trap's Children's Theatre in the Woods in Vienna, VA!

Today we checked out Wolf Trap's Children's Theatre in the Woods. Wolf Trap National Park is the only national park dedicated to presenting the performing arts. The park has multiple amphitheatres including the Children's Theatre in the Woods with performances from May-September.Wolf Trap National Park is located in the suburbs of Vienna, VA in Fairfax County.

The Children's Theatre is located in the woods and seating is general admission. Parking is available at the entrance of the Filene Center. You walk up a small hill and down to the ticket kiosk. Tickets can be purchased either online or at the ticket kiosk. Restrooms are available outside the theatre near the ticket kiosk. Food is not allowed inside the theatre but they have many benches around to have a snack or lunch. In between shows people would walk out and grab a snack then return to watch the second show. I'm surpised at the lack of bugs in the venue even though we were sitting in the middle of the woods.

We were lucky enough to be in the third row from the stage but there really wasn't a bad seat in the house. Strollers are allowed up to the entrance of the theatre and then parked near a fence. The shows were aimed more towards the Kindergarten level but my little boys loved the show.

We'll be headed back to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts!

Redskins Training Camp in Ashburn,VA!

For all those NFL football fans out there we are pretty lucky to live right next door to the Redskins training facility. Every July/August fans are invited to watch the team practice and get ready for the season. Every season the team presents a training camp schedule on their website. Redskins Training Facility is located in Loudoun County off of Loudoun County Parkway in Ashburn, VA. Parking is available as first come first serve basis and open 90 minutes before practice starts up. Gates open 1 hour before the scheduled practice starts.

The Redskins schedule certain times and dates for fans to come out view their favorite players. The Redskins organization recommends bringing a blanket or chair to sit on while watching the team. They offer merchandise, food and drinks for sale. If you're lucky after the players are done practicing you can ask the players for autographs.

Even if you're not a Redskins Fan it's a great place to take the kids to watch a professional football team get ready for the season!

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!

HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program

Calling all Public Servants!

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a new program, Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. The program offers law enforcement officers, pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers and firefighters/emergency medical technicians an incentive when you purchase an eligible single family home located in revitalization areas. The incentive is a 50% discount from the list price of the home and in return you must live in the property for 36 months as your sole residence.

To find out how to participate check out the HUD website, Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program.

True North Realty, LLC happily serving the D.C. Metro Area! If you are in need of Real Estate Services please contact Kamber Petty (571)-299-8307 or email me at Kamber.a.petty@gmail.com.

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Special Harbor Sprayground in Franconia, VA!

Today we checked out Special Harbor Sprayground in Franconia, VA. Located in Fairfax County, the sprayground is in the Family Recreation Area of Lee District Park.

The park has zero water depth and tons of fountains. There are several interactive water features including water dumping buckets, water tables and a water maze. The best part is the admission to the park is FREE! Since the park can get quite busy they have the right to limit admission so it doesn't get overcrowded. There is plenty of shade and chairs for the kids to take a break. The park offers several family restrooms in the sprayground and outside near the picnic pavilion. The park now has a new rule that water shoes must be worn in the sprayground at all times since it can be slippery. 

When the kids were done with the sprayground we headed over to the tree house for some lunch. The tree house is a series of ramps out into a forested area with a stream below. Benches are available just outside the tree house and platform area in the tree house is a great spot to eat some lunch.

This is an awesome place to take the kids to get out of the heat without having all the worries of being around a pool. The tree house is also a nice place to get under some shade and be part of nature.

Ideas, Ideas.....

If you don't see a park on here that you have enjoyed with the family please email me or comment on the bottom of this blog entry. I'm always looking for new places to check out with the kids! The Northern Virginia area has a lot of different Regional and National park systems.

Enjoy!

James S. Long Park in Haymarket, VA!

Last week we headed out to James S. Long Park in Haymarket, VA. Located in Prince William County, the regional park is spread out over many acres and includes trails, baseball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, several different picnic pavilions, an equestrian ring, equestrian friendly trails and grass equestrian area. A small Gainesville Library is also located on the property. The park is located just down the road from the communities of Piedmont, Westmarket and Dominion Valley.

 There is a playground in the park that offers two different pieces of equipment. The playground is partially shaded by a large tree near the equipment. The playground sits higher up on a small hill where you can overlook all the ball fields. Restrooms are located nearby and you use either the porta potties or the restroom located in the library.

James S. Long Park is very diverse in all the different activites you can do here. If you enjoy geocaching or just like to get out an enjoy nature you can walk along the Carthapin Creek for about 3.5 miles. It's great for walking, jogging, biking and equestrian usage.

This a great park for the kids and a bonus for the local sports communities!