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

12 Best Places To Visit in the South, USA with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 04/01/2023 - 10:45am

Snorkel in the pristine waters of Key West. Coral Reef State Park. Photo by John Pennekamp

The best places to visit in the South are all wonderful in their own way. If you're looking for a warm and sunny destination to escape a cold winter, you'll find it in many parts of Florida, Georgia, and other southern states. Perhaps your family is drawn to the fabulous Orlando theme parks, the country-music scene in Nashville, or the rich history of charming cities like Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. Or, maybe you just need a good dose of southern hospitality and cooking!

Whatever your reasons for traveling down south, here are the 12 best places to visit in the South with kids. From beautiful beaches and pristine parks to world-class museums and children's attractions, there's a southern destination on this list to suit every family's interests. For even more southern family vacation ideas, check out our Southern States Vacation Guide.

Candytopia Brings a Sweet Escape to the Washington, DC Area

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Thu, 03/30/2023 - 9:00am

See sculptures made entirely out of candy at Candytopia. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

You don't have to have a sweet tooth to be wowed by Candytopia, a new pop-up "museum" near Washington, DC. This candy-themed, selfie-inspired immersive experience opened March 17, 2023 on the first floor of Tysons Corner Center in Northern Virginia, following successful runs in Los Angeles, New York City, Houston, Atlanta, and other cities. Candytopia features 14 interactive environments with art and sculptures made entirely of candy, fun photo ops, a marshmallow pit to jump and play in, and so much more.

My family had the opportunity to visit Candytopia on the day it opened. Read all about our sweet experience, then make a sugar rush to get tickets—this candy wonderland is expected to leave town on December 31, 2023!

Visiting Washington, DC's National Mall and Memorial Parks with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 03/03/2023 - 10:00am

Climb the famous steps of the Lincoln Memorial for a gorgeous view of the reflecting pool and the Washington Monument. Photo by anjanettew via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The National Mall and Memorial Parks are one of the top-visited tourist attractions in the US, and hands-down the most famous place in Washington, DC. Plus, it's totally FREE to visit. That's why it should be at the top of any DC vacation itinerary. But with hundreds of acres of space and over 100 monuments and memorials to explore, visiting the National Mall with kids can be quite overwhelming.

Trust me, I know—I've visited the National Mall in the heat of summer with my infant twins in a double stroller, with three little ones after my daughter was born, and now with big kids who still love to climb the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and run around on the Washington Monument's vast lawn.

With all of that Mall madness under my belt, I'm here to give you the inside scoop on visiting DC's National Mall with kids, from must-see monuments to National Mall parking to the best kid-friendly restaurants near the National Mall. For more must-visit spots for families in our nation's capital, check out our list of the top attractions in DC.

21 Best Things To Do in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 10:00am

Step inside the ballroom of Gadsby's Tavern, where George Washington attended birthday parties in his honor in 1798 and 1799. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

Old Town Alexandria is one of the Washington, DC area's most historic neighborhoods. Founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants, the city of Alexandria, Virginia is best known for being the adopted hometown of George Washington. He owned a townhouse in Old Town Alexandria, and his famous Mount Vernon estate is nearby.

Indeed, walking through the cobblestone streets of Old Town Alexandria feels like stepping back into colonial times. You can dine where George Washington and other presidents did (Gadsby's Tavern), sit in his pew (number 60) at Christ Church, go on historic walking tours, and visit museums that showcase the city's history. But there are also many great modern-day things to do with kids in Old Town Alexandria, including fun festivals, shopping, and the bustling Old Town Alexandria waterfront.

Here are 21 things to do in Old Town Alexandria with kids, from the famous King Street Mile to kid-friendly Old Town Alexandria restaurants. For more great neighborhoods to explore near DC, check out our guides to visiting National Harbor; Fairfax, Virginia; and Kensington, Maryland with kids.

Best Family Vacation Spots in the US That Are Off the Beaten Path

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sat, 02/18/2023 - 12:00pm

Jekyll Island, Georgia is full of unique beaches for kids to explore. Photo by Charlotte Blanton

The best family vacation spots in the US aren't always the most popular ones (no hate towards Disney World, New York City, Washington, DC, or Los Angeles, of course). America is a big country, and there are so many great places to visit that may not be on every family's radar. There are lots of benefits to visiting places that are off the beaten path, including fewer crowds, lower prices, and the thrill of discovering something new and different.

Here are 15 of the best family vacation spots in the US that are off the beaten path. These places in the northeast, south, midwest, and western part of the country offer plenty of things to do with kids, including beautiful beaches and parks, family-friendly museums and cultural institutions, delicious restaurants, and all of sorts of other fun activities and unique places to explore. Check out our Family Travel Guide for even more amazing family vacation destinations.

Visiting Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Sun, 02/05/2023 - 10:00am

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in DC in 2016. Photo by Alan Karchmer

Since its 2016 opening on DC's National Mall, Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture has been a hot ticket—and for good reason. Housing more than 40,000 artifacts (with over 3,000 of them on display), it's the only national museum dedicated exclusively to documenting African American life, history, and culture. The massive museum features exhibits on the civil rights movement, slavery and freedom, famous African Americans including athletes and musicians, and so much more. And with its unique and breathtaking design, it wows visitors even before they enter.

The best part? Like all of the Smithsonian institutions and other museums in DC, entry to the National Museum of African American History and Culture is absolutely free. But is it appropriate for kids? My family and I visited several months ago when my twin boys were 10 and my daughter was 7, and I will say that the answer is a resounding YES! My kids were interested and engaged throughout our entire four-hour visit, and they can't wait to go back.

Read on for all of my tips on visiting Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture with kids. Then check out our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Washington, DC for more great museums to check out.

3 Days in DC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 01/27/2023 - 10:33am

Explore amazing interactive exhibits at the National Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Visiting DC with kids can be very overwhelming, especially if you're only here for a long weekend. After all, DC is home to the iconic monuments and memorials of the National Mall, loads of free museums (including the incredible Smithsonian institutions), government buildings to tour, and historic neighborhoods to explore. So how can you narrow down all of these great things to do in DC if you only have three days?

If this is your first trip to Washington, DC, here is a three-day itinerary that will help you visit some of the city's top attractions. I've saved neighborhoods and attractions outside the city itself—like Arlington National Cemetery, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor—for a later trip. The best part? Other than the restaurants and shopping, every single attraction on this itinerary is absolutely FREE! Yes—you can spend a long weekend in our nation's capital without breaking the bank.

Read on for a three-day itinerary of 21 fun (and mostly free) things to do in DC with kids. If you have more than three days to fill, check out our Guide to Free Things To Do in DC with Kids or our list of 100 things to do in DC with kids for more fun ideas.

Free Museums Near DC to Visit with Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Marino... on Fri, 01/13/2023 - 9:42am

The remodeled National Air and Space Museum is a sight to behold. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for a fun indoor activity with kids that won't break the bank? Bring your family to one of the many free museums near DC that are engaging, fun, and provide a much-needed dose of culture. While many of these free museums in DC and Northern Virginia are Smithsonian institutions, there are also several other great ones relating to language, the US Army, the Holocaust, and more.

Here are 15 free museums near DC that will excite kids of all ages and interests, from art enthusiasts to history buffs to airplane and dinosaur fanatics. While they're listed in no particular order, one of my family's favorite museums—the incredible National Air and Space Museum—is at the very top. Read reviews of some of these museums in our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Washington, DC, and check out our guide to free things to do in DC with kids for more fun ideas that won't cost you a penny.

Jennifer Marino Walters

Latest posts by Jennifer

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