The grounds of Glen Echo Park are open daily from 6am to 1am. We are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

There are many different activities taking place at the park, and the hours of each differs. The most often asked hours of operation include:

Carousel Hours
The 1921 Dentzel carousel is opening its 86th season on April 28, 2007. The carousel will operate from this date through the end of September. Tickets are $1. Hours of operation are:

May-June: Wed & Thurs, 10am-2pm and Sat & Sun, 12 noon-6pm
July-August: Wed, Thurs, Fri, 10am-2pm and Sat & Sun, 12 noon-6pm
September: Sat & Sun, 12 noon-6pm

The Puppet Co.
Puppet shows are offered year-round. Tickets are $8. Most weeks, shows are performed on:
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 10:00 and 11:30am, and
Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30am and 1:00pm
For the latest information about The Puppet Co., call 301-320-6668 or see their website at www.thepuppetco.org

Adventure Theatre plays
The Adventure Theatre presents live theatrical performances year-round. Tickets are $8. Most weeks, shows are performed on:
Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am and 1:30pm. (Note: New Times!)
For the latest information about Adventure Theatre, call 301-320-5331 or see their website at www.adventuretheatre.org

Discovery Creek Children's Museum
Our park's children's nature museum offers school programs on most weekdays. It is open to the public on weekends and admission is $5 per person. The hours for the museum on most weeks is:
Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am to 3:00pm
For the latest information about Discovery Creek, call 202-337-5111 or see their website at www.discoverycreek.org

Spanish Ballroom Dances
Dancing in the Spanish Ballroom has been a popular attraction at Glen Echo Park since 1933! Reservations are not needed and there is no need to bring a partner. Admission to the dances ranges from $8 to $15. Dancing is held year-round, and on most weeks there are dances on:
Friday nights, contra dancing (like square dancing). Lesson from 7:30-8:15pm. Dancing from 8:30-11:30pm.
Saturday nights, swing dancing usually (sometimes zydeco or salsa instead, though). Lesson from 8:00-9:00pm. Dancing from 9:00-12:00midnight.
Sunday afternoons, ballroom or waltz dancing. Lesson from 3:00-3:30pm. Dancing from 3:30-6:00pm.
Sunday nights, contra dancing. No lesson. Dance from 7:30-10:30pm.
The dance schedule is subject to change. For a list of each week's bands, times, and prices, call the park's event hotline at 301-634-2222 or see our calendar at www.glenechopark.org/calendar.htm

Spanish Ballroom Cafe
Care for a snack, beverage, or a light meal when visiting the park? Guest Services, Inc. operates a delightful refreshment stand at the historic Spanish Ballroom. Light fare, including sandwiches, pizza, gelato, and fresh-baked goods are among the menu items offered. The cafe operates from the beginning of March through the end of October. Hours of operation for 2007 are:
March, Sat & Sun 11am-10pm
April, Wed & Thurs 10am-2pm and Fri-Sun 11am-10pm
May-August, Mon-Thurs 10am-2pm and Fri-Sun 11am-10pm
September, Wed & Thurs 10am-2pm and Fri-Sun 11am-10pm
October, Sat & Sun 11am-10pm
November-February, closed

From Maryland
Take the Capital Beltway (I-495) to exit 40 (Cabin John/Clara Barton Parkway).

From Virginia
Take the Capital Beltway (I-495) to exit 41 East (Clara Barton/Cabin John Parkway, towards Washington).

In both cases, stay in the leftmost lane of the Parkway and travel 2.5 miles. Take the exit from the Parkway marked MacArthur Boulevard/Glen Echo. Note: this is a left exit. Travel slowly on the exit and follow the sign to MacArthur Boulevard.

Turn left onto MacArthur Boulevard. Go two blocks to Oxford Road (just past the Glen Echo shopping center) and turn left into the Glen Echo Park parking lot.

From Downtown Washington, D.C.
Follow Massachusetts Avenue in the Northwest direction to its end at Goldsboro Road (Maryland Route 614) in Bethesda, Maryland. Turn left on Goldsboro Road and follow it to its end at MacArthur Boulevard. Turn right on MacArthur Boulevard and take the first left at Oxford Road into our parking lot.