17 places with free admission (parking or extras may cost).
Sharp's at Waterford Farm
Brookeville · Montgomery · Farm / pumpkins
OutdoorSeasonalFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free general admission (activities extra)
- Hours/season: Sep 26–Nov 8, 2026; 10am–5pm
Official site →Old Maryland Farm (Watkins Regional Park)
Upper Marlboro · Prince George's · Farm
OutdoorFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free
- Hours/season: Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm
Official site →Watkins Nature Center
Upper Marlboro · Prince George's · Nature center
IndoorFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free
- Hours/season: Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm
Official site →Howard County Conservancy – Mt. Pleasant
Woodstock · Howard · Trails / nature center
OutdoorFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free trails
- Hours/season: Trails sunrise–sunset; nature center Mon–Sat 9am–3pm
Official site →Brookside Nature Center
Wheaton · Montgomery · Nature center
IndoorOutdoorFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free
- Hours/season: Grounds sunrise–sunset; building Sat 10am–4pm, Sun noon–4pm
Official site →Brookside Gardens
Wheaton · Montgomery · Gardens / conservatory
IndoorOutdoorFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free
- Hours/season: Gardens sunrise–sunset; conservatories 10am–5pm
Official site →Wheaton Regional Park Adventure Playground
Wheaton · Montgomery · Playground
OutdoorFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free
- Hours/season: Sunrise–sunset year-round
Official site →Vivian C. "Millie" Bailey Park (Lakefront)
Columbia · Howard · Playground
OutdoorFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free
- Stroller/access: Ramp access
- Hours/season: Open daily
Official site →Blandair Regional Park (Laura's Place playground)
Columbia · Howard · Playground
OutdoorFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free
- Stroller/access: ADA-compliant playground
- Hours/season: Open daily
Official site →Patuxent Research Refuge – National Wildlife Visitor Center
Laurel · Prince George's · Nature center / trails
IndoorOutdoorFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free
- Hours/season: Visitor center Wed–Sat 10am–4pm; grounds sunrise–sunset
Official site →Cylburn Arboretum
Baltimore · Baltimore City · Arboretum
OutdoorFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free
- Stroller/access: Paved paths to buildings; trails are walking-only (no strollers)
- Hours/season: Tue–Sun 8am–8pm through Oct 19; 8am–5pm starting Oct 20, 2026; closed Mon
Official site →Smithsonian's National Zoo
Washington · DC · Zoo
OutdoorFree- Ages: All ages (every visitor needs a free pass)
- Cost: Free entry pass; parking $30 advance
- Hours/season: 8am–4pm (Sep 15–Mar 14)
Official site →National Museum of Natural History
Washington · DC · Museum
IndoorFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free, no tickets
- Hours/season: Daily 10am–5:30pm
Official site →National Air and Space Museum
Washington · DC · Museum
IndoorFree- Ages: All ages
- Cost: Free timed-entry tickets
- Hours/season: Daily 10am–5:30pm
Official site →Wegmans Wonderplace (American History Museum)
Washington · DC · Toddler play space
IndoorFree- Ages: 0–6
- Cost: Free same-day timed tickets
- Hours/season: Wed–Sun 10am–4pm
Official site →HCLS 'Time For Us: Toddler Play & Learn'
Howard County · Howard · Library program
IndoorFree- Ages: 18–35 months with adult
- Cost: Free; tickets required
- Hours/season: Fri Oct 16, 2026, 10:30am
Official site →MCPL Family Storytime at White Oak + Stay 'n Play
Silver Spring · Montgomery · Library story time
IndoorFree- Ages: 0–6
- Cost: Free
- Hours/season: Sat Oct 17, 2026, 10:30–11:30am
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