National's Stadium

We revisited the Nationals Stadium on this DC trip, since the Mariners played them right after their series with the O's. Our kids have been before and we all love this park. We got there early to watch batting practice, and the game went on a three hour rain delay, so we had a ton of extra time to explore. 

01. Kids Eat Free: Depending on where you sit, you'll be automatically enrolled in the Kids Eat Free program, where kids can get a hot dog or veggie dog, chips, and a bottle of water for free. There are several stands throughout the park. You just walk up, scan their ticket, and they hand it over. Easy. 

02. We sat in the upper deck and we used a voucher program. Because of the seats we got, we each got a $25 voucher to spend on anything we wanted in the park. This was on top of the kids eating free, so it stretched really far. Where we sat we had access to a cooling lounge, which was great because it was so hot. In the lounge there was free chips and water, too. 

03. You can bring in a clear tote bag or a small clutch, one sealed bottle of water, and one sealed single serve snack bag. They are super strict about the bags. No backpacks allowed, even if they are clear. Even if they are small. Even if you carry it as a tote. 

04. There is a nursing section in section 223. 

05. You'll want to stop by guest services if it is their first game and grab a free certificate. 

06. The Nats have a great playground for kids to take a break at in section 131 as well as coloring stations and large sized yard games. 

07. Sunday is base run day. Kids ages 5-12 are able to run the bases after each game. 

08. The scoreboard pavillion section is out in the outfit and has picnic tables and grass to sit on. You can bring a blanket, and if you bring your glove kids might even catch a foul ball. 

09. Purchase your parking online a head of time or ride the green line to the metro stop Navy Yard. It drops you off right at the gates. 

Laser Made

 I'm challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone, and I love doing things that push me. When I saw Laser Made, I thought it was something my husband would enjoy, but I wasn't sure how I felt about going there or about taking my kids. I'm guilty of having assumptions about what types of people go to shooting ranges, and even though this is a laser simulation range, I wasn't sure. We headed in last Saturday and I really had a great time chatting about shooting and the liberation that a lot of women are feeling from doing this. 

    

Laser Made is a simulation range, which means that you pay a flat fee vs. paying for ammo. (I had no idea how expensive ammo is.) You'll rent a bay for 1-4 people and can choose from tons of games, some more life like, and others fun carnival style games or zombies. 

• Bay Rental for 1-4 people, $35 or $40 with advanced weapons 
• Interactive Target Bay: screen free, light up targets 30 minute sessions: $25-$35
• Private events:  1 hour (20 people)- $200, each additional hour $180
• Membership options available 
• Hours open: Thursday 2-8, Friday 3-9, Saturday 11-8, Sunday-Wednesday closed for instruction and private rentals only 
• Address: 5660 Indian River Rd, Suite 111. Virginia Beach, VA 

National Zoo

While in D.C. we took the boys to the National Zoo for the first time. The National Zoo is part of the Smithsonian system, and it is the only place in the United States where you can see giant pandas for free. The zoo also has a baby elephant who was born in February. It's got tons of animals, so you'll want to plan a full morning or 3/4 of the day for this activity! 

Tips: 

01. Entry to the zoo is free, but you do need to sign up for a pass. Super easy to do, but they like you to do it in advance.

02. Parking is $30 online, or more day of if there are spots left. It's very limited. You can also take the red line into the city. You'll want to get off at Cleveland Park and back on at Woodley Park to avoid walking uphill. 

03. It's hilly. Pace yourself. Take breaks. We spent about 4 hours at the zoo and didn't see everything. It's HOT in the summer in DC. Take fans and cooling towel. Take advantage of the indoor houses, misting systems outside, and the splash area by the sea lions. 

04. You can bring in both food and drinks, and they have lots of options there at the zoo. 

05. Go early in the morning. The zoo has different hours than the other Smithsonians, and during the summer opens as early as 8 am. The earlier you go, the cooler it will be, and the more animals you'll be able to see. 

Camden Yards

We were lucky enough to take the boys to a baseball game up at Camden Yards last week to watch the O's play the Mariners. (One kid's team vs. the other's. It got very heated!) Some info before you head up to Baltimore to catch a game.

• Kids 2 and older need a ticket BUT if you buy your tickets through the Kids Cheer Free program you can get up to two free upper decker tickets with each adult ticket purchased. This works for kids ages nine and under, and they do limit the number so don't wait until day of. 
• The Hi-Chew Kids Corner is a free playground, ski ball, and throwing games area. There is a concession stand right behind it that has "kid food". There is seating and a tv so that adults won't miss any of the game while your kids take a break. 
• Family Sundays are every weekend. These are day games where kids can get autographs, take photos with the mascot, listen to live music, and more. On Sundays, kids ages 4-12 can run the bases after the game. 
• If you sit in sections 76-82 you'll be sitting in the Kids Home Run Porch. Here you'll get sprayed by the bird with water and have a kid friendly viewing area. 
• If you get there early or need to stretch your legs, take a walk around the park and checkout the many plaques and statues. There is a ton of history at this park. 
• If you seriously love baseball, consider getting to the park area early in the day. Walk ten minutes from the park and visit the Babe Ruth Museum. You'll want to spend about an hour here. The museum has information on the history of Maryland sports and is in Babe Ruth's actual house. It's cool for any sports fan. 
• Pre-purchase your parking online. This will save you almost $20. 
• My FAVORITE tip, and this is the only park that I've ever seen this in, is that you can bring in snacks and sealed drinks here. Pack a whole dinner and a sealed drink and you can bring it in right with you. This rule was made for moms. 
  
  

Camden Yards is an absolutely beautiful stadium and we loved our visit. I'm not the biggest sports fan, but I love the history behind the park and the ties it has to the city. Check out a game next time you're in Baltimore! 

Best Waterpark Food...

Goes to H2Obx. No contest. We headed down last weekend. Their policy is no food or drinks can be brought inside (sealed and empty water bottles are okay), but honestly the food there is great, so you'll want to splurge a little and eat there. I rounded up photos of all the menus with prices so you can plan ahead. And...you can save $5 on your ticket by using code "allena". 

Outer Franks- the first stand when you walk in, a quick service cart with hot dogs, snacks, lemonade, churros, and chips. 

Dune Devil Desserts- funnel cakes, ice cream, milk shakes, and Cheer Wine floats. Eat it quick before it melts! This stand is across from Outer Banks Eats. There are several tables to sit and eat in in between. 

Outer Banks Eats- wraps, salads, pizzas, burgers, chicken tenders, fries, mozzarella sticks, sandwiches, and more.  Located past the pirate play area. 

Bait & Tackle- smoothies, acai bowls, coffee. This is on the backside of Fly Boys which is their bar. Fly Boys features craft and domestic beers plus Sanctuary Vineyard wine which is local to the OBX. There are also frozen drinks. 

Dip n Dots wasn't open on our trip, but they do have this stand. 

Heavenly Hogs- Carolina pulled pork, BBQ nachos, BBQ mac and cheese bowls, fried pickles, and fried shrimp. 

My personal favorite of the day was the veggie nacho from this stand. It's a little bit hidden, in the very back of the park by the farthest away slides. My kids ate that thing up. It was a good portion size and they made it fresh while we waited just a few minutes. It was so good! 

That's it! Go hungry. Spend the whole day. Enjoy!