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A visit to Wheaton Regional Park will quickly reveal that this park is anything but average: it's an experience. If you're looking for something different for your family to do over the weekend, a visit to this park will not disappoint. Whether you walk the natural or hard surface trails, go horseback riding, or get dizzy on the park's carousel, everyone in your family will love it here and count the days until they can return again. Enjoy the Trails When it comes to fitness, leading by example through family exercise will set your kids up for a healthy lifestyle down the road. There are plenty of opportunities for exercise at the park. more The HeartSmart trail is one that focuses on heart health by marking off the distance traveled every 1/10 of a mile. Families can walk, run, skip, or gallop together along the hard-surfaced trails and keep track of just how far they've traveled along the way. Take a Horseback Riding Lesson Whether you're an advanced equestrian or an equestrian-in-training, you'll be able to take lessons suited to your particular level of expertise at this park. The park features both an indoor and outdoor riding facility where you and your family can enjoy horseback riding lessons. Once you take your lesson, you can ride through the park's 1.5 miles of equestrian trails on horseback, specifically designed for horses and their riders. Ride the Miniature Train or Carousel Carousels and mini-trains aren't your everyday park features. However, in this particular park, they are the two staples that define it and make it unique. The Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel and miniature train at the park are two of the most well-known and enjoyed park features among visitors of the park, especially families with children. Make sure you visit both of these spots while you're visiting the park. Stop by Adventure Playground If you're looking for the park's playground, you don't have to worry about rickety old equipment or worry about your kids getting splinters. There's a brand new playground at this park called Adventure Playground that has several different sized slides, climbing mounds, walls, and nets. It also features gymnastic equipment, swings, concrete animals, and a sandbox. Kids and parents alike will have a blast playing at this park. Have a Picnic Whether you stop for takeout or pack a lunch, you'll find a quiet spot to have a picnic with your family at this park. Head over to the Shorefield Area and you'll find picnic tables and grills available for use. If you're planning a larger event with more than 40 people, you'll need a permit which can be obtained at the Park Permit Office. If you're planning on using restrooms or drinking fountains, plan your event or picnic accordingly. They only operate from April to October. Whether you're looking for a date night car or a family car, we have the vehicle to meet all of your needs. Visit us today at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Silver Spring to test drive your dream car, meet with one of our experienced staff members, and learn about our current promotions and specials.

Silver Spring, Maryland, is a quiet suburb located just outside of Washington, D.C. The area offers plenty of interesting things to do, including a variety of options for visitors on a budget. If you're looking for something affordable to do around Silver Spring, check out some of these excellent options. more National Air and Space Museum The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. is part of the Smithsonian Institution, which means it offers free admission. The museum covers everything from the first attempts at flight to the manned space missions. One of the most popular exhibits in the museum is the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall, which showcases special airplanes, rockets, and spacecraft. Some of the pieces on display include Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, the Pioneer planetary explorer, and a moon rock that you can actually touch. Gateway to NOAA Although the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) works every day to protect our waterways and atmosphere, most people aren't familiar with the agency. If you're interested in learning more about the agency and some of what it does, check out the Gateway to NOAA exhibit in Silver Spring. This free permanent exhibit features a variety of interesting displays, including one that looks at the scientific tools and instruments NOAA employees have used in its 200-year history, one that examines the difference between climate and weather, and one that highlights how NOAA gathers information about the environment. Wheaton Regional Park When you're interested in spending some time outside around Silver Spring, head to Wheaton Regional Park. This 536-acre park is split into three named areas that all offer exciting activities. If you want to do some hiking or biking, check out the 11 miles of trails in the Shorefield Area. The Glenallan Area is home to the Brookside Nature Center and award-winning Brookside Gardens. If you're bringing your four-legged family member with you, be sure to stop by the dog park in the Orebaugh Area. National Art Gallery The National Art Gallery in Washington, D.C. is another great museum that's open to the public free of charge. The collection started with 26 sculptures and 126 paintings donated by Andrew W. Mellon. Today, the collection has more than 145,000 works of art that include drawings, paintings, photographs, prints, and sculptures. The collection also ranges from the Middle Ages to the present day. As you tour the museum, you'll see pieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Claude Monet, and Thomas Cole. Great Shoals Winery Tasting Room If you want to sample some wines and ciders made from locally grown fruit, head just south of Silver Spring to Great Shoals Winery Tasting Room in Takoma Park. Here, a tasting flight that has a selection of six wines or beers will cost you just $10. Or you can savor a glass of wine and a fruit and Brie platter for only $16. Whether you want to tour a museum or spend some time outside, you know you can enjoy some outstanding budget-friendly activities near Silver Spring when you check out these great options. Some rights reserved by szeke