Putt-Putt at CityCenterDC (Last Weekend!)

Putt-Putt at CityCenterDC (Last Weekend!)

Heads up, this is your last chance. The free mini golf course at CityCenterDC closes after July 12, so if you've been meaning to take the kids, this weekend is it. We went on a Thursday afternoon and it was perfect. Six holes of mini golf set up right in the plaza between the shops and restaurants, completely free, no reservations needed. You just walk up, grab a putter and a ball, and play.

The course is simple enough for toddlers to have fun whacking the ball around, but it has enough turns and bumps to keep older kids interested too. My 3-year-old basically carried her ball from hole to hole and dropped it in, and she was thrilled. My 7-year-old actually tried to play for real and got competitive about it, which was entertaining to watch. The whole thing takes maybe 20-25 minutes, so it's the kind of activity you can squeeze into a lunch break or pair with something else nearby.

Location-wise, you really can't beat it. CityCenterDC is right between Metro Center and Gallery Place stations, so getting there by Metro is easy. There are also plenty of restaurants around if you want to grab lunch before or after. We played mini golf, then walked over to get pizza, and the whole outing felt like a little downtown adventure without costing anything beyond lunch.

The hours are 11am to 7pm Monday through Thursday and 11am to 8pm on Friday through Sunday. It does get busier on weekends, especially in the early afternoon, so if you can swing a weekday visit or get there right when it opens, you'll have a shorter wait. But honestly, even when there's a line, it moves quickly because each round is short. Seriously, don't sleep on this one. After July 12, it's gone until next year.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Go on a weekday if you can. Weekends get crowded, especially Saturday afternoons. Thursday evening is a sweet spot.
• ✓No reservations needed. Just show up, grab equipment, and play. First come, first served.
• ✓Bring water. It's outdoors in July with no shade over the course. Hydrate your crew.
• ✓Plan for 20-30 minutes of play time. It's a quick activity, perfect to pair with lunch or another nearby stop.
• ✓Stroller-friendly area. The plaza around the course is flat and wide, so bringing a stroller is fine.
• ✓Closes July 12. This is the last weekend. Don't wait.
• ✓Address: 825 10th St NW, Washington DC 20001