Oxon Hill Farm452

Located just outside the District in Oxon Cove Park, Oxon Hill Farm is a real working farm operated the same way it was at the end of the nineteenth century (the Farm's literature refers to this as horsepower). It is open almost every day of the year, with activities that include cow milking, chicken feeding, and wagon rides. The park also offers hiking and bike trails on its 512 acres.

The farm sells no food, so bring a lunch and have a picnic on the grounds. Kids will have fun running around and oinking at the animals while grown ups can enjoy the quiet surroundings.

In 1891, the US Government acquired the land and established a farm for St. Elizabeths Hospital. Patients worked on the farm for therapy and to grow their own food. In the mid-1960s the farm was entrusted to the National Park Service, which operates it today.

The idea is that it's a working farm and not a petting zoo, so kids can't get too chummy with the chickens. But the toddler set will get a thrill out of seeing the characters from Old MacDonald's Farm in the flesh. Be prepared to do a lot of mooing and baaing on your trip home!