Meadowside Nature Center
Meadowside Nature Center
Meadowside Nature Center
4.5
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Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
27 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
11
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
SylviaTourstein
1,200 contributions
Jan 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4-star Meadowside Nature Center, Rockville, Maryland, USA
Hands on Fun! This Nature Center feels more like a museum. The rooms and exhibits make you feel a part of the history of Montgomery County, Maryland. The kids can interact with the displays including the two cave areas. The animals on display are remarkable inside turtles, snakes, frogs and more in the colorful reading and discovery room. The Raptor area outside with beautiful birds of prey. There are hiking trails down to the water, an outside classroom, and recycling/compost learning area. The bird feeders bring many small colorful birds. The play space out front has climbing logs, a bamboo teepee and some other assorted touch & learn items. We also enjoyed the main look by to relax as well as listen to the bird call box and learn about the indigenous people that once called this area home. Definitely a gem and would recommend anyone to come visit.
Hands on Fun! This Nature Center feels more like a museum. The rooms and exhibits make you feel a part of the history of Montgomery County, Maryland. The kids can interact with the displays including the two cave areas. The animals on display are remarkable inside turtles, snakes, frogs and more in the colorful reading and discovery room. The Raptor area outside with beautiful birds of prey. There are hiking trails down to the water, an outside classroom, and recycling/compost learning area. The bird feeders bring many small colorful birds. The play space out front has climbing logs, a bamboo teepee and some other assorted touch & learn items. We also enjoyed the main look by to relax as well as listen to the bird call box and learn about the indigenous people that once called this area home. Definitely a gem and would recommend anyone to come visit.
Written January 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
hyperhippiechic
Mays Landing, NJ315 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
We spent about 1. 5 hours here. There is plenty to do for young children. A cave with a slide, a canoe and some other hands on areas. They also have a play room with books, toys and puzzles that is very educational. They have some birds and a few reptiles on display. We got to see them feed the eagle and met a painted turtle. The workers were very friendly and knowledgeable and even brought ice wrapped up in a baggy for my son when he fell and got a little scrape outside. There is a play area outside and trails. We didn't take the trails but looked like fun. I'm glad we visited.
Written March 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LolaGo1
Washington DC, DC5,819 contributions
Dec 2019
I learned about this attraction from a poster I saw at the bulletin board of Lake Frank. One could walk/hike from Lake Frank using the trails or drive for 5-7 minutes to reach this attraction.
There are items on display inside the Center: Cave, furniture, stuffed animals, etc. Brochures regarding parks are FREE in front of the Receptionist Office. Clean restrooms are also available.
Outside are bird feeders, play area, a Shelter and Cages where animals are kept. It was not feeding time when I visited so I did not see them.
I will visit here again and watch the animals during their feeding time. Highly recommended to visit! FREE!
There are items on display inside the Center: Cave, furniture, stuffed animals, etc. Brochures regarding parks are FREE in front of the Receptionist Office. Clean restrooms are also available.
Outside are bird feeders, play area, a Shelter and Cages where animals are kept. It was not feeding time when I visited so I did not see them.
I will visit here again and watch the animals during their feeding time. Highly recommended to visit! FREE!
Written December 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rusty B
Dumfries, VA115 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
We came across this place accidentally while searching for Rock Creek Park while on a last minute search for something to do in a city where we hadn't been before. The trails were nice although there were no pocket trail maps available and all trails were marked with the same color markers making it a little confusing (we didn't prepare very well by going to the web site first and getting a trail map there). Kids were enjoying the Nature Center and the Raptor display. It was a very peaceful walk with lots of birds singing and squirrels playing. Next time we may search out Rock Creek Park though . . . .
Written May 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Scenic63067702707
1 contribution
Aug 2019
Many animals to see and learn about during our visit to the Meadowside Nature Center. Two grandsons (ages 14 and 11) found the center interesting and informative. The guide answered questions and asked probing inquiries to generate thought provoking discussions. We saw the birds of prey EAT!! Take the time to visit indoors and outdoors.
Written August 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
EPJess
El Paso, TX31 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Meadowside is one of my kids’ favorite places to go! There are several hiking trails that are easy enough for children, a fun, themed outdoor play area, an indoor crawl-through cave, indoor play areas, and several species of animals to look at. Our favorites are the birds of prey that are cared for at Meadowside. We’ve been able to visit during feeding time and enrichment time several times now and the keepers do a great job explaining what they’re doing and engaging the audience. There’s so much to do here and it’s a beautiful spot to just take in nature.
Written June 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christine C
Rockville, Maryland, United States12 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
I am a member of ladies who walk through Meadowside Nature Center. The plantings are varied and well cared for. There beauty changes throughout the year.
Written November 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marcia P
Silver Spring500 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We discovered this park this year and have enjoyed a Woodpecker walk, a bird walk and explored the park a couple times on our own. We were there early this spring when hundreds of frogs (peepers) hatched in the small pond. We could hear them from the parking lot. We saw all of the local woodpeckers except a red headed woodpecker just on an hour walk with a naturalist. Great place for kids too, hands on stuff in the visitors center. They also have several raptors on site, those that are no longer able to live in the wild.
Written August 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BrianHink
Olney, MD397 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
What a diamond in the woods (see what I did there?). This place has quickly become a family favorite with our boys old enough to enjoy 4 & 2. The options of what they can do here is plentiful and it's all free. Want to hear more? Good I thought you would.
First of all, the staff is great with the kids and want them to have an enjoyable time, so they do this by providing them with endless unique opportunities. What unique opportunities, great question, here are the opportunities provided. You've got the cave (kids get to crawl in a man made cave and escape via a slide). Legacy of the land to the play area in the Legacy of the people (see what life was like and play house from the time before electricity). Curiosity corner (games, books, replies & snakes all in a themed room) or the Raptor Walkway (see the bald eagle Orion, or a hawk, vulture or owl) to the really cool outdoor play area that is not your typical playground, but very nature minded.
There are endless programs during the week, you even get a chance to feed the raptors every Saturday. This place has so much more than you would ever expect. The boys can't stop talking about going back.
First of all, the staff is great with the kids and want them to have an enjoyable time, so they do this by providing them with endless unique opportunities. What unique opportunities, great question, here are the opportunities provided. You've got the cave (kids get to crawl in a man made cave and escape via a slide). Legacy of the land to the play area in the Legacy of the people (see what life was like and play house from the time before electricity). Curiosity corner (games, books, replies & snakes all in a themed room) or the Raptor Walkway (see the bald eagle Orion, or a hawk, vulture or owl) to the really cool outdoor play area that is not your typical playground, but very nature minded.
There are endless programs during the week, you even get a chance to feed the raptors every Saturday. This place has so much more than you would ever expect. The boys can't stop talking about going back.
Written August 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Y4589CJpatricial
United States20 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
A few snake and other reptiles behind glass. The room that used to have water and turtles is still there, but water and turtles gone. Kids can still go down in the cave though. The center has lots of activities planned. See website for schedule.
Written June 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
How far from parking area to lakeside? Would like to bring elderly parents for picnic.
Scenic63067702707
1 contribution
We did not go to the lakeside.
We were inside the center, then explored nearby tepees and playground.
Laura12345667
15 contributions
Is there a fee for this place? I couldn't find any info on fees in website.
David H
3 contributions
There are no fees for the park, free parking and admission.
Meadowside Nature Center (Rockville) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Meadowside Nature Center
- Hotels near Meadowside Nature Center:
- (3.00 mi) Cambria Hotel Rockville
- (3.82 mi) Comfort Inn Shady Grove - Gaithersburg - Rockville
- (4.63 mi) Homewood Suites by Hilton Rockville-Gaithersburg
- (3.72 mi) EVEN Hotel Rockville - Washington DC Area, an IHG Hotel
- (6.80 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Washington DC North/Gaithersburg
- Restaurants near Meadowside Nature Center:
- (2.77 mi) Il Pizzico
- (1.60 mi) Full On Craft Eats and Drinks
- (1.23 mi) Villa Maya
- (1.60 mi) The Big Greek Cafe
- (4.50 mi) MoCo’s Founding Farmers