moving !
Get KEEP YOUR FAMILY
ACTIVE and HEALTHY
with some local outdoor fun
BY AMANDA SOCCI
SPRING HAS ARRIVED.

Cold, wintry days are now replaced
by sweetly chirping birds, tiny flower
buds and extra daylight hours to
enjoy it all. It’s the perfect time to get
back outside and be active. And what
better way to do this than as a family?
16 WashingtonFAMILY APRIL 2019



hen prompted to exercise
as a family, many parents
balk at the thought, com-
plaining about lack of time
due to school commitments
or activities or even feeling
daunted because of a preconceived notion
that it must be done in a gym with formal
classes. The reality is that being physically
active with your family is easy, fun and lim-
itless. And, of course, it’s essential for good
health! So why not try some outdoor fun to
get your family moving this season?
Here are some ideas to get you started.

WALKING, HIKING, BIKING
AND NATURE TRAILS
Families at all levels of physical fitness
can enjoy the rich layers of greenery and
wooded areas found throughout the DMV.

There is something for everyone with the
breadth and variety of scenic, historic and
visually stunning walking, hiking, biking
and nature trails.

One of the most notable local walk-
ing trails is technically a state park and is
revered as the area’s premier wetland and
sanctuary for unique species of flora and
IMAGES COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
fauna. Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria,
VA offers visitors peace and serenity among
the tallest of trees, an ever-changing physi-
cal landscape of wetlands and a meandering
wooden boardwalk to help families get close
to nature without touching it. This gorgeous
walking trail is suitable for all ages and baby
strollers are welcome!
In Maryland, the National Park Service
(NPS) offers a slightly challenging hiking
course. Spanning eight miles starting from
the Great Falls Overlook and winding along
the Potomac River, the Billy Goat Trail
is known for its massive rock formations
and technical challenges. However, the
NPS assures visitors that “The Billy Goat
Trail, one of the busiest trails in the D.C.

area, contains three different sections that
total eight miles and provide[s] fun and
adventure for all ages.”
In the District, families have plenty of
options for biking trails. The congested city
makes it easy for families to ride their own
bikes, participate in paid bike sharing and
take guided tours with Bike and Roll DC,
a unique and educational sightseeing ser-
vice that guides families along a tour of the
monuments and places of historic interest.

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