Quick Trip: Wheaton Regional Park

Howard County offers many really nice parks that are a quick drive from our house.  This summer weather has been awesome for spending time outdoors.  One of our favorite parks, however, is located in Montgomery County in Wheaton, Maryland.  Wheaton Regional Park is a huge park where you can take a ride on the train, go horseback riding, have a picnic, go fishing, ice skate or play ball, relax and tour Brookside Gardens' grounds and conservatory, attend a nature program, or walk the many miles of shaded trails.  I found the park last year- and though I can't remember exactly how I stumbled across it- it has become one of our favorite treats for Jonathan.  He is always asking to go to the Choo Choo Park.  We even celebrated his second birthday here!

With my mom staying the weekend with me and babysitting my nephew, I thought it would be fun to go to the park- and maybe explore the trails and the gardens the park had to offer.  It was a beautiful day so it would be great for the boys (and us!) to be outside.  Of course- we had to stop by the train and carousel first!

After the train and carousel we walked along the path towards Brookside Gardens.  It was less than a ten minute walk.  We have never been here and the first part of the gardens we happened upon was the Kid's Garden!  Perfect!

This garden is great for kids of all ages!  It had fun places to explore, areas to learn, and even a tree house to climb up!  I know they offer many education opportunities throughout the year here.  Jonathan had a blast.

On our way back to towards the car we stopped by the play area because Jonathan wanted to swing and go down the slide.  The playground is separated into two areas- one for big kids and one for little kids.  The big kids play area is not like any park I went to growing up- with climbing walls, climbing mounds, climbing nets, and tall twisty slides- and looks like lots of fun.  The little playground is perfect for Jonathan's age with just the right size slides and climbing gyms.  It also has concrete animals to climb on and a giant sandbox to play in!

 We always have so much fun at this park and with so much to do we keep coming back!! :)