Washington Off The Beaten Path

Manassas National Battlefield park was established in 1940 to preserve the scene of two major Civil War battles. Located a few miles north of the prized railroad junction of Manassas, Virginia, the peaceful Virginia countryside bore witness to clashes between the armies of the North and South in 1861 and 1862.

Are you in town, have seen all the major sights, your kids are wearing you out and you just want to find a nice place to sit down, read your e-mails and have your kids play with some toys and well, leave you alone for a while?

Well come no further, there are a lot of child-friendly places in DC, but my favorite coffee shop with a self-installed play area for kids is At Play Cafe. Located in Reston, not too far from Reston Town Center, this place offers a nice play area for kids, coffee and biscuits for the parents and a free wifi (wohoooo!). Your kids can be watched by the coffee shop's attendant and will be entertained in case they get bored. The place also offers good snacks and meals for kids (e.g., quesadillas, cupcakes, muffins) and adults. No alcohol, sorry folks:)

Arlington Cemetery is a regular stop on most of the tours. It is a moving expeience to see all the crosses and realize the loss of life that came to erect them. The Tomb of the Unknown with its stowic guards is mesmerizing. The tombs of JFK and Jacie O are, also, moving. This is a experience you will not soon forget!

Changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier happens every half hour in the summer and every hour the rest of the year. Open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., April - September.

During all hours the cemetery is open the Arlington National Cemetery Metro stop is regularly served by highspeed subway trains.

There is parking available at the rate of $1.25/hour for the first three hours and $2.00/hour thereafter.