Heritage Days Montgomery County

Heritage Days Montgomery County

The 27th annual Heritage Days opens up dozens of historic and cultural sites across Montgomery County, many of which aren't normally open to the public. Kids can ride old-fashioned trolleys at the National Capital Trolley Museum (free admission, rides $7), explore the C&O Canal towpath, and see working farms and Civil War sites.

It's a choose-your-own-adventure weekend. Pick 2-3 sites based on where you live and what your kids are into. The trolley museum is usually the biggest hit with younger kids. History-loving tweens gravitate toward the Civil War sites. And if your family just wants to be outside, there are guided hikes and bike rides along the canal.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Plan your route ahead of time: Sites are spread across the county. Trying to hit them all is not realistic. Pick 2-3 that are near each other and focus on those.
• ✓The trolley museum gets busy, go early Saturday: This is the most popular site for families. If you show up after 2pm, expect a long wait for rides.
• ✓Bring bikes for the C&O Canal towpath: The canal is flat and shaded, perfect for kids on bikes or in trailers. You can ride and stop at sites along the way.
• ✓Pack water and snacks: Not every site has food or water available. Some are rural historic homes with no concessions. Bring what you need.
• ✓Check the Heritage Days website for hours: Some sites are only open one of the two days, and hours vary. The full site list with schedules is at heritagemontgomery.org.
• ✓Sunday is usually less crowded: Most families hit the popular sites on Saturday. If you want shorter lines at the trolley museum or farm sites, try Sunday morning.