happyly approved

Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park

3608 North Military Road, Arlington, VA 22207

Tuesday through Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 1pm - 5pm, Closed Mondays. Outdoor park open sunrise to sunset.

$

hikes, outdoor-adventures

Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park in Arlington, Virginia

This very well outfitted nature center offers a number of active species, including a resident owl, as well as an indoor play area dedicated to The Woodland Indians of Arlington, with kid friendly exhibits designed to educate visitors about local Native American culture. Children can sit in a large carved canoe and learn about a variety of fish as they catch them on their magnet rods, play with the collection of toys, feel the different textures of animal pelts, or move on throughout the multilevel center to take in the additional exhibits, including a good sized selection of animal skulls.

Once outside, visitors will stop by the owlery and the frog pond, the blacksmith forge and an old log cabin before crossing the stream on foot or by bridge. There are a variety of shorter trails for the younger set near the nature center, or your family can embark on a longer hike if you choose. Either way the scenery is beautiful and the wildlife active, and you can't help but feel a distinct connection with nature, while being right beside a lovely neighborhood in Arlington. 

The staff is very friendly and knowledgable and and provide environmental educational programs about nature for kids and adults. The Pollinator Garden is full of flowers that are rich in pollen and nectar and are native to the Arlington area. You can even explore and visit the Blacksmiths Guild the first and thrid Friday of the month at 7:30pm. You can watch and learn about making modern and ancient beautiful and useful tools. 

The park is about 10 minutes drive from the Ballston shopping mall where you'll find CAVA, Shake Shack, and Ice Cream Jubilee for all your snacking needs.

 

Features

Parking Restrooms Good for All Ages Admission Free
Thoughtfully captured by:
Randi Banks
Randi (Betts) Banks grew up in New York and graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. She moved to Washington, D.C. more than thirteen years ago with her husband, Eaghmon, and they love to explore the area and seek out adventure, now with their two young children along for the ride. Growing up right near the beach, they are happiest when on or near the water, so exploring the rivers, lakes, and streams in the greater DC area is a favorite pastime for their family. In addition to serving as one of the Washington, DC area ambassadors, Randi is also the Editor in Chief and Co-founder of happyly.
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