Keep It Local: Mini Golf at East Potomac Park

This past winter, we had a fabulous time discovering East Potomac Park - Hains Point and made a mental note of the mini golf available there during warmer weather. The mini golf is actually part of the larger East Potomac golf course, which looked like an awesome, laid back place to play a real game too. Like every other day this summer, it had been raining on and off. We decided to make a go for it anyways and caught a mostly rain-free period. As usual, we don't stick to the technical rules, which was perfectly fine here. But it was HOT and Cam was in a mood and spent a lot of time pouting all over the course. Fortunately we had it mostly to ourselves.

It's not a fancy course, but it's nice and shaded and very low key. When it eventually started to really rain, we headed over to the main course's concession stand and cooled off on the balcony overlooking the short game area while eating italian ice. Click here to get the hours and rates information -- you can pay cash right on the course or use a card inside the pro shop.

Keep It Local: East Potomac Park - Hains Point

Hard to believe that last weekend it was 60 degrees and we were outside exploring what is sure to be one of our favorite spots this spring/summer -- East Potomac Park and Hains Point. Sandwiched between the Washington Channel and the Potomac River, the point offers views of both Reagan National Airport and National Defense University, which means there is an amazing array of aircraft to eyeball while you play. Not to mention the kayaks, sailboats, speed skaters, bicyclists and runners whizzing around the point.

In addition to the sights, the park has a wide variety of kid-friendly entertainment -- a mini-golf course, tennis courts, and a swimming pool -- but it was the playground and wide open space that we took advantage of on our trip. Having just signed Kane up for spring baseball, we decided to go play ball. Turns out I was more interested and have a mean swing. Kane eventually joined us, but insisted on playing on top of a picnic table and wearing an army helmet as a batting helmet (baseball should be interesting -- mom can't stop snickering because daddy will be fielding that one). There is TONS of open space to play and much of it is fenced in surrounding the playground, which isn't necessarily anything special, but we liked it.

There are plenty of picnic tables and public bathrooms available. And there is lots of parking adjacent to the playground. We can't wait for the weather to turn again (or at least get above 20 degrees) so we can go back!

Sort of an unrelated side note: we stopped at Bobby's Burger Palace on the way home for lunch -- it's not close to the Point, but it's pretty much a straight shot up Rock Creek Parkway over to GW, which is where Bobby's is located. OMG. Kane ate a giant cheeseburger and I had a goat cheese, brie, tomato and bacon grilled cheese. And perfect onion rings. We both had black and white milkshakes. TO DIE FOR. Seriously. Go there.