Jennifer Marino Walters

Jennifer Marino Walters is the DC and travel editor for Mommy Poppins and the author of over 20 beloved children's books. A proud mom of three—plus twins!—she lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and busy brood. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find Jennifer cheering from the sidelines of a baseball game, supporting her daughter’s cheerleading squad, diving into a good book, or exploring new destinations. Connect with her on Instagram @jmwalters718.

Latest posts by Jennifer

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights Near DC (in Maryland and Northern Virginia)

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:00pm

Take a stroll through the Marshall Pond Christmas Village in Burke, VA. Photo courtesy of Kristy Case, from the Marshall Pond Christmas Village Facebook page

Driving around to see neighborhood Christmas lights is a fun holiday tradition for many families. There's nothing better than loading the family into the car with hot chocolate, turning on holiday music, and taking in all the dazzling Christmas light displays. And the best part is, it's free!

Though DC itself offers gorgeous holiday lights in public places, like Light Yards and ZooLights at the National Zoo, we've found that the best places to see Christmas light displays on houses are in the suburbs. Luckily, there are many neighborhoods in Maryland and Northern Virginia that get way into the holiday spirit. Many of them host animated light shows that are synchronized to music played through car radios, so families can stay warm and cozy inside their vehicles.

Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Maryland and Northern Virginia to see over-the-top neighborhood Christmas lights. For more holiday fun, check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids.

Caribe Royale Orlando:The Perfect Luxury Resort Near Disney World for Families

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Mon, 11/17/2025 - 10:00am

Caribe Royale Orlando has a fantastic main pool with a slide and waterfalls.

Does your family want to visit Disney World without having all Disney, all the time? I've got the perfect resort for you—Caribe Royale Orlando! This tropical-themed, AAA Four Diamond resort only 1.5 miles from Disney World is a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel, meaning it meets high standards set by Disney for quality and service. But it's also packed with activities and amenities that will help your family unplug from all the Disney craziness once you're back from the parks.

I visited Caribe Royale Orlando with my 10-year-old daughter, and we had an absolute blast. The resort is perfect for families with kids of all ages. Younger kids can enjoy the wading pool and splash zone, the playground, and family-friendly movies under the stars. Tweens and teens will love the sport court, the fishing pier, and the sports simulators. There's also a main pool with a water slide, an arcade, a full-service spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and more. Even dogs and cats are welcome and given the royal treatment!

Read on to learn more about my visit to Caribe Royale and why it's the perfect place to stay when visiting Orlando. Then check out our list of the 100 best things to do in Orlando with kids (other than theme parks).

What’s Open on Thanksgiving in DC? Family-Friendly Places & Stores

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 11/16/2025 - 10:00am

See a condensed Cirque show at Gaylord National Resort. Photo courtesy of Vivid Events

Many families wonder what’s open on Thanksgiving in DC. Perhaps you have family in town and are looking for a fun activity before or after your Thanksgiving feast. Maybe you need to grab some last-minute groceries or want to get a jump on your holiday shopping. Or maybe you just can't wait to start doing all those fun Christmas activities.

We've found family-friendly places, cultural attractions, and stores open on Thanksgiving Day throughout the DC area. Be sure to buy tickets in advance if an attraction requires them, and check your local stores for hours. And if you'd like your Thanksgiving outing to include a meal, our list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia has you covered!

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for Kids and Families

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Thu, 11/13/2025 - 12:00pm

The Sculpture Garden Ice Rink at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art is always popular. Photo by Elvert Barnes via Flickr 2.0

What could be more enjoyable than ice skating on a beautiful winter's day? In winter 2025-2026, families have plenty of outdoor ice skating options in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

Weather permitting, outdoor ice skating rinks generally open in mid to late November and close in February or March. Many of them also host special skating events, so check the websites for more information. Otherwise, lace up your skates and enjoy ice skating at one of these great rinks near DC.

For more fun things to do this winter—from the best museums for kids in the DC area to the best places to go snow tubing near DC—check out out Winter Activities Guide for DC Kids.

15 Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 11/07/2025 - 11:00am

There are so many family-friendly restaurants open for Thanksgiving dinner in the DC area! Photo by Cotton Bro Studio via Pexels

Hosting Thanksgiving at home is a lot of fun, but let's face it—it's also a lot of work. Gathering the crew at a restaurant instead allows everyone to be together on Thanksgiving without all the hassle of cooking and cleaning. Luckily, there are plenty of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in DC and its surrounding areas where you can do just that.

Here are 15 restaurants open on Thanksgiving in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia in 2025. Not only are they all kid-friendly, but many even offer special pricing for kids ages 12 and under. If you see something you like, make a reservation ASAP, as spots fill up quickly.

Wherever you choose to gather this Thanksgiving, bring some laughter to the table with our list of 25 Thanksgiving jokes for kids. For even more Thanksgiving fun, try one of our 50 Thanksgiving crafts, games, and activities for kids and families.

Best Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near DC (2025 Guide for Families)

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Mon, 11/03/2025 - 8:24am

Enjoy milk and cookies and meet Santa aboard the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad's North Pole Express. Photo by Kimberly Byard

Nothing adds magic to the holiday season quite like Polar Express train rides and festive Christmas trains. To help your family experience that magic, we've rounded up a variety of holiday train rides near DC for 2025, including several options for where to ride the Polar Express near DC.

With twinkling lights, holiday music, delicious hot cocoa, and visits from Santa himself, these festive train rides will make even your Grinchiest family member's heart grow three sizes. And all of them are within a three-hour drive from DC!

Check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids to find more of the best local family Christmas activities, including our list of must-do Christmas events with kids. Santa will be here before you know it!

Christmas Towns & Festive Hotels Near DC That Will Blow Your Mind

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 11/02/2025 - 8:04am

Gaylord National Resort's ICE! has a fun new theme every year! Photo courtesy of Gaylord National Resort

Parents in the DC area (or visiting in December) looking for magical, over-the-top holiday destinations within driving distance—look no further! We've rounded up places to take kids to see incredible decorations, visit Santa, enjoy seasonal activities, and possibly stay overnight for a holiday-themed getaway.

These holiday getaways near DC offer all the sparkle and wonder of the holiday season. Families can enjoy twinkling trees, sparkling light shows, festive shops, and so much more.

Here are 10 festive hotels and Christmas towns near DC that will get the whole family into the holiday spirit. For more seasonal fun, from where to see Christmas lights near DC to the best Christmas events near DC, check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids.

Best Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Tue, 10/28/2025 - 12:12pm

Enjoy lots of spooky Halloween decorations in Georgetown! Photo by Diane Krauthamer via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Looking for the best places to trick-or-treat in the DC area? Here are 16 great neighborhoods for trick-or-treating in 2025.

There's nothing more exciting for kids than going trick-or-treating on Halloween. Luckily for DC-area children, there are tons of great neighborhoods to trick-or-treat in DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Residents of these neighborhoods love to do it up, from extravagant decorations and crazy costumes to haunted houses and tons of candy.

We did research and interviewed local parents to put together this list of 16 great neighborhoods to trick-or-treat in the DC area, all of which are sure to put your family in the spooky spirit. For more Halloween fun, check out our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Kids in Washington, DC, which includes our list of the top Halloween events in DC for kids and families.

Jennifer Marino Walters

Latest posts by Jennifer

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