
The driftwood at Terrapin Nature Park is going to kick your sandcastle game up a notch.
When summer rolls into the Route One area, you know it. The days are hot and sticky. The nights are…hot and sticky. The AC and ceiling fans are working round the clock, and stepping outside can feel like stepping into a steamy bathroom. There’s nothing better than cooling off at one of our local splash parks, pools, or beaches. Whether you want to go for an hour or go for the day, here are our favorite places around Route One. Most of these options are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but be sure to call ahead to confirm hours and pricing.
SPLASH PARKS

Splashing at Bear Square in Riverdale Park is a perfect way to cool off on a hot day.
Bear Square, Riverdale Park
My kids love this local splash pad on a hot day. It’s small, but the sporadic pattern of the spray fountains entertains them for hours, and we always bump into friends gathered by the sparkly blue bear. I like to grab an iced coffee from Starbucks across the street to enjoy while they play. There’s not much shade at this one, so definitely pack sunscreen and hats. And it can be hard to know whether it will be on or off since the schedule isn’t posted anywhere that I have found, so have a backup plan to avoid tearful kids in swimsuits.
Cost: FREE!
Turkey Thicket, Northeast DC
If Bear Square isn’t splashing, turn the car toward Turkey Thicket. This splash park has a bit of everything – a huge splash area with fountains and other fun features, two (dry) playgrounds with some really unique play structures, a basketball court, covered picnic areas, and free parking. It’s a quick drive at only about 15 minutes from Hyattsville and is guaranteed to entertain the kiddos for hours.
Cost: FREE!
Yards Park, Southeast DC
I never thought I’d describe a splash park as elegant, but this one is. Kids can enjoy a beautiful waterfall feature, check out the dancing fountains, or wade in a shallow pool reminiscent of the Tidal Basin while grown-ups take in the scenery (or wade in with the kids). My first trip to this one ended in a decidedly inelegant way when another mom spotted a floater making its way across the pool, but hey, that can happen any time you combine little kids and water. I’ve been back since and stand by my assessment from the first sentence.
Cost: FREE!
South Germantown Splash Park
This one is a bit of a hike from Route One, but it’s worth it if you’re looking for a full day of fun or bringing bigger kiddos. There are slides, a waterfall, water bucket drops, and spraying animals, plus picnic tables with umbrellas to shade the grown-ups who prefer not to get soaked. The splash area is HUGE, and if you get bored of that, you can play a round of mini golf. It’s about 45 minutes away when there isn’t traffic, so plan your trip outside of rush hour.
Cost: $5.50 per person over age 2 or $8 for the splash park plus a round of mini golf
PUBLIC POOLS

Kids love the unique features, including slides and animals, at Ellen Linson Pool.
Ellen Linson Pool, College Park
This pool has something for everyone. The shallow section has fun water features like a slide and tipping buckets, and for older kids, there’s a rock climbing wall, animal features, and larger slides. I also like that there are plenty of chairs and tables to take a snack break. This pool tends to fill up early, so make an advance reservation to make sure you’ll be able to get in.
Cost: $6/adult, $5/youth or senior
Hamilton Splash Park, Hyattsville
This pool and splash park, located near Driskell Park, is smaller than Ellen Linson, but still a lot of fun. It has tipping buckets and slides, lap lanes, and a nice baby pool area for the tiny ones. It also has ample grassy area and chairs to leave your stuff or relax during adult swim. Advance reservations will guarantee your spot if it gets crowded.
Cost: $6/adult, $5/youth or senior
Lane Manor Splash Park, Hyattsville
This splash park is tucked in by the University Hills Duck Pond, and it features a mushroom fountain, kiddie pool, lap lanes, and a slide. As with the other outdoor pools, it can fill up on hot days, so book in advance to guarantee your spot.
Cost: $6/adult, $5/youth or senior
Rollingcrest Chillum Splash Pool
In general, I prefer outdoor pools in the summer, but I make an exception for this indoor pool, which has a large, shallow splash area for little ones, along with water slides, animal features, and fountains to entertain your bigger kids. It has so many features to keep everyone entertained, and it’s open even on those hot but rainy days when you just need to get out of the house.
Cost: $6/adult, $5/youth or senior
Greenbelt Aquatic and Fitness Center
This is another nice indoor pool. It has fewer bells and whistles than the other pools on this list, but it has an ample shallow section for kids, plus nice lap lanes and a hot tub for the grown-ups. You don’t have to be a Greenbelt resident to visit, but you get a nice discount on entry if you happen to be.
Cost: For non-Greenbelt residents, $4.25 for ages 1-13; $5.25 for ages 14-17; $6.25 for ages 18-59; $4.50 for ages 60+
BEACHES

Flag Ponds is perfect for a day of sunbathing, swimming, and hunting for shark teeth and fossils.
Sandy Point, Annapolis
Sandy Point is the nearest beach to the Route One area. This large beach has lifeguards during the summer, and they need it because this place gets crowded and the water gets deep fairly quickly. It’s a big beach, but it fills up, so be sure to arrive early. The sand gets hot, so keep your shoes on until you get near the water, and bring a wagon to haul the little ones. It has large bathhouses, a snack bar to grab lunch and treats, and a new playground that’s worth checking out. There are also shady picnic areas just off the beach. As a bonus, you get to skip the Bay Bridge, but you can wave to the bridge traffic from your spot on the sand. Pets are not allowed in the summer, so if you want to bring Sparky along, keep reading.
Cost: $5/person on weekends and holidays; $4/person on weekdays
Terrapin Nature Park, Kent Island
Sandy Point is nice, but if you’re willing to drive just 15 minutes more (and cross the Bay Bridge), you’ll find this rugged, quiet beach that I prefer. Once you park, you’ll wander along a trail through wetlands and meadows and end up on a thin strip of sand along the bay. There, you’ll be treated to wildlife sightings, pretty driftwood to build with, and pockets of empty beach to explore. The facilities are more basic (think: porta potties) and there’s no ice cream to be had, but it’s also much more relaxing and wild. Plus, it’s free and pet-friendly.
Cost: FREE!
North Beach
North Beach is a pretty, shallow beach perfect for little ones and only about an hour from the Hyattsville area. The beach itself is small, but sufficient, with a couple of wooden play structures and clean bathhouses. There’s a cute boardwalk and some shops where you can grab lunch or ice cream after your day at the beach. But here’s the catch – it’s pricey for out-of-county residents, so plan to spend the whole day to get your money’s worth.
Cost: $25 for ages 12+, $10 for ages 3-11; babies are free (so that’s something).
Flag Ponds Nature Park, Lusby
This is actually my favorite beach on the list because it’s completely different than all the others. To access it from the parking area, you take an easy hike downhill about half a mile until you reach gorgeous dunes and tidal pools. Once you make your way across, you’ll find a lovely, wide, sandy beach that feels about as close to the ocean as you can get on the bay. But the really cool thing about this beach is that you can hunt for shark teeth and fossils. You’re actually pretty likely to find some without too much trouble. Bring some sieves and buckets for your treasures. There are bathroom facilities, but nothing else, so pack your food and water for the day. Also note that it’s a long uphill hike back to the car, so carriers or wagons for little legs are a good idea. This beach does fill up, so arrive early to ensure you can get in (plan on about an hour to get there).
Cost: $5/person
Calvert Cliffs State Park, Lusby
Calvert Cliffs is super cool, but it’s a two-mile hike along rough terrain to get to the beach from the parking lot, so it’s not ideal for little ones in strollers and wagons. If you are up for it, the hike leads you through pretty woods and marshlands to a small beach with stunning views of the red cliffs. On the beach, you’ll find driftwood, shells, and maybe even some shark teeth and fossils to enjoy. I would personally save this one for a cooler day with older kids or teens who are up for an adventure. It’s a little over an hour from Hyattsville, and like the other beaches, it fills up so get there early if you can.
Cost: $5/car
Greenbrier State Park, Boonsboro
If freshwater is your jam, here’s a fun option. Greenbrier State Park is about an hour from Hyattsville in the Appalachian mountains just past Frederick. There, you’ll find a gorgeous, 42-acre, man-made freshwater lake on a white sandy beach. The water stays shallow for a long way out, so it’s great for younger kids. You can also rent rowboats or paddleboats, set up in one of the picnic areas, or explore the hiking trails. There are clean bathhouses on site. Arrive early on busy days to avoid disappointment if it has filled to capacity.
Cost: $5/person on weekends and holidays; $3/person on weekdays
Cunninham Falls State Park, Thurmont
Another freshwater option is Cunningham Falls, also about an hour from Hyattsville. There are two beaches areas to choose from along this large lake, along with bathhouses, boat rentals, and a snack bar. The water is shallow, so it’s a good place for little ones to play. You can’t swim at the falls, but it’s worth it to take the short hike over from the beach to check it out.
Cost: $5/person on weekends and holidays; $3/person on weekdays
😍 so excited for summer here with this and the camping post! Usually I dread the heat but these all year adventures are so exciting!