Ages 0 to 10, always
Everything we list is for kids ages 0 to 10.
Free or low cost
We highlight free and budget friendly picks.
Curated by real NoVA parents
Local notes on drive time, bathrooms, parking, and age fit.
Rainy day ready
Find indoor fun when the weather does not cooperate.
Save good ideas
Keep favorite places and events ready for later.
Our Special Harbor and Chessie's Big Backyard in Alexandria, VA
Quick answer
Our Special Harbor and Chessie's Big Backyard is a park or outdoor outing in Alexandria, VA for toddlers, ages 4 to 6, and ages 7 to 10. The main experience is free, with optional paid extras.
Start at the free accessible spray park, then walk over to Chessie's Big Backyard for dry playground time before getting back in the car. The map documents a permanent year round restroom, and picnic tables are available under two pavilions.
- Hours
- May 23-Jun 19: weekends and holidays 9:30 AM-7 PM, Jun 20-Aug 23: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 11 AM-7 PM; Wed 11 AM-5 PM; weekends and holidays 9:30 AM-7 PM, Aug 24-Sep 7: weekends and holidays 9:30 AM-7 PM
- Admission
- Free, Groups of 10 or more $7 to $12 each
- Bathrooms
- Permanent year round restroom at the recreation area
- Parking
- Free shared parking at Franconia Rec Center, 263 spaces in the official facility count, Capacity: 263 spaces (official shared recreation-center capacity)
- Reservations
- First come first served, 247 person capacity
- Stroller friendly
- Yes
- Good for
- All ages · Alexandria, VA
- Address
- 6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA 22310
What works by age
- 1-3 years High energy
The quieter splash area has gentle water features for younger children, followed by dry playground time at Chessie's Big Backyard.
- 4-6 years High energy
Children can spend most of the visit in the spray park, then use the playground to slow down and dry off.
- 7-10 years High energy
The larger water features, trail, treehouse, and playground give older children enough variety for a longer visit.
Will this work for your family?
- Best for
- A free summer outing that combines water play, a dry playground, restrooms, and a picnic stop in the same park.
- Choose something else when
- Choose a different outing if the spray park is at capacity or the heat will make an unshaded wait uncomfortable.
- Arrival plan
- Get there early if you want a chair under the canopy. The shaded chairs are limited and fill quickly on hot days.
- Sibling fit
- The quieter splash area and larger water features work for different ages, while Chessie's gives everyone a dry place to finish together.
Do this: Splash First, Playground After
Estimated duration: 90 minutes
- Start at Our Special Harbor while the kids have the most energy for water play.
- If you want a seat, arrive early and claim one of the limited chairs under the canopy before they fill.
- When everyone is ready to get out of the water, towel off and walk over to Chessie's Big Backyard for dry playground time.
- Use the picnic tables under either of the two pavilions for a snack or lunch while everyone finishes drying off.
Bring: Swimsuits, Towels, Dry clothes, Water, Sun protection, A snack or lunch
Easy exit: After water play, towel off and use Chessie's for a shorter dry play stop or snack before wrapping up for lunch or the next errand.
Quick parent answers
Is there shaded seating at Our Special Harbor?
There are a limited number of chairs under a canopy. They get claimed quickly, so arrive early if having a shaded seat matters to your family.
What is the easiest way to finish the outing?
Walk over to Chessie's Big Backyard after the spray park. The kids can wind down on the dry playground, and the picnic tables under two pavilions work well for a snack or lunch while everyone dries off.
What parents are saying
Go early if you want one of the limited chairs under the canopy at Our Special Harbor because they fill quickly. After the spray park, walk over to Chessie's Big Backyard so the kids can wind down and dry off before getting back in the car, and use the picnic tables under either pavilion for a snack or lunch.