Calling all families in the DC area! Washington D.C., known for its historical significance, cultural landmarks, and political prominence, is about to welcome a new attraction that promises to ignite the imagination of both young and old alike. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure as the much-awaited LEGO Discovery Center Washington DC opens its doors on August 10, 2023 in the heart of Springfield Town Center.
The LEGO Discovery Center Washington DC will be offering families in the area an exciting and immersive experience that blends creativity, learning, and entertainment. So whether you’re a local resident or planning a visit to the nation’s capital, this is an attraction you won’t want to miss. This innovative attraction is a haven of creativity, learning, and play, offering a diverse range of zones that will captivate and engage visitors of all ages. LEGO Discovery Center Washington DC will whisk visitors away on a journey that combines the magic of LEGO bricks with the allure of exploration and learning.
We have been excitedly waiting for this opening since the groundbreaking ceremony. We attended the Grand Opening to get a sneak peek of the newest STEAM attraction to the DMV so we could share all the insider information with you. Additionally this was a PR event where we were hosted for free. As a result we’re sharing our experiences and opinions based on that visit. So our experience may vary slightly from general admission.
A Universe of Exploration Awaits at Springfield Town Center
Nestled within Springfield Town Center, the LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC aims to become a quintessential destination for families seeking a unique blend of entertainment and enrichment. This immersive experience is designed to inspire the builders, dreamers, and explorers within us all. Additionally, Springfield Town Center is located 14 miles south of the district making it an easy drive for families.
Zones for Every Imagination
This next-generation LEGO Discovery Center has been reimagine (previously LEGOLAND) with a brand-new look and design. Throughout LEGO Discovery Center Washington DC, a team of playmakers and Master Model Builders will work to inspire guests through fun, interactive LEGO Creative Workshops.
LEGO Discovery Center Washington DC offers new experiences designed to allow more family learning-through-play activities, with immersive interactive activities and workshops for children and families to indulge their imagination with their own LEGO creations.
Still they also offer the already popular, highly interactive, indoor LEGO play experiences.
Families can look forward to diving into an array of captivating zones that are sure to spark joy and wonder:
DUPLO Park
Little builders can enjoy puzzles, creative play, and even watch ducklings at the duck pond. The world of DUPLO® is a perfect starting point for young minds to explore and create. This is the perfect place for preschool builders to start their LEGO Discovery Center adventure.
Building Adventure
Unleash your creativity in this area dedicated to the joy of LEGO brick building. Let your imagination run wild as you test your creative skills and build whatever your heart desires. Our builders never give up a chance to create with LEGO bricks, so we loved this zone.
Mini World
Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing world crafted from over 1.5 million LEGO bricks. Marvel at the intricate designs and take part in interactive play within this captivating environment. The Washington, DC replica is filled with details that will delight both DC locals and visitors. The interactive components along with the alternating day and night effects bring the Mini World to life!
Imagination Express
Hop aboard an oversized LEGO train for a ride through a world of moving LEGO models and game points. But watch out for the Space Pirates who might add a dash of excitement to your journey! This ride is great for all ages. Our builders loved the interactive wands used to score points throughout the ride.
Make Your Minifigure
Customize your own mini-figure by choosing from a wide range of LEGO heads, bodies, and legs. Create characters that are as unique as your imagination. Don’t forget to interact with your minifigure at the several stations. We scanned our minifigures at various stations, adding stickers and graphics to match the zone.
Creative Club
Join the Amazing Playmakers for daily building activities, from mosaic making to painting portraits with LEGO. Let your creativity flourish with their guidance. We could have stayed here all day. Our kids love to build and the opportunity to share their work with other LEGO lovers is too good to pass up.
LEGO Tree of Imagination
A colorful tree made entirely of LEGO awaits you. Plant your ideas on its trunk or branches and participate in hourly building challenges guided by Master Model Builders. Take time to investigate this tree. Our builders had a blast discovering the details hidden throughout this masterpiece.
The LEGO Cafe
Take a break and refuel at the LEGO Cafe, where delicious food awaits. Don’t forget to feed the LEGO DUPLO horse before you continue your adventure. We never skip a moment to fuel up for more adventures. Our builders recommend a slushie!
Hero Zone
Immerse yourself in thrilling LEGO City meets LEGO NINJAGO adventures. Conquer the LEGO laser maze, climb the walls, and take on crazy action games. This zone includes an indoor play structure which requires socks. If you forget yours at home, you can buy some at the LEGO cafe. Our builders loved climbing and playing on the structure, but the LEGO laser maze with leaderboard was one of their favorites. We worked our way from easy to hard laser mazes while trying to beat the best times.
4D Cinema
Experience LEGO movies like never before in the only cinema with its own weather system. Get ready for extraordinary adventures in this unique cinematic journey. Our only complaint about the 4D Cinema is the length. Our builders LOVED this immersive cinematic experience and never wanted it to end. The run time is about 20 mins on the one we saw: “LEGO NINJAGO: Master of the 4th Dimension”.
The Workshop
Meet the Master Model Builders and gain insider tips as they guide you through building special LEGO creations. Learn from the experts and refine your building skills. This is a great experience for young builders to level up their building skills.
Space Mission
Embark on an intergalactic adventure with LEGO® Tech. Design, build, and pilot your own LEGO spaceship. Zoom through the galaxies on your space exploration journey. Our little builders loved that the spaceship we built was used to play in an interactive space adventure.
At the heart of the LEGO Discovery Center Washington DC is the belief that learning should be fun and engaging. Through the medium of LEGO bricks, children and parents can learn about architecture, engineering, storytelling, and more in an informal and exciting environment. The attraction seamlessly blends entertainment and education, making it an ideal destination for families looking to combine leisure with learning.
Bring LEGO Discovery Center Home
Yet the fun can’t be contained. The memory pass offers pictures from within the attraction that are easy to download. Additionally, the interactive minifigure stations also allow you to easily download pictures from your LEGO adventure to take home.
You exit through an amazing LEGO gift shop complete with a print your own minifigure experience, a variety of sets and all the LEGO swag you could hope for. Our little builders’ wish lists doubled in that gift shop!
Plan Your Adventure
Don’t miss “First to Play Days” August 10-13, 2023 for families who wish to be among the first to experience the attraction. Starting August 14, 2023, LEGO Discovery Center Washington DC will be fully open to the public. Tickets start at $28.99 a person, and online advance ticket purchases are recommended. Tickets can be purchased online here.
To ensure a seamless and enjoyable visit, here are a few tips to consider:
- Tickets: Secure your tickets in advance through the official website, legodiscoverycenter.com/washington-dc, to avoid missing out on the excitement.
- Ages: Perfect for ages 2-12, but builders of all ages can enjoy the fun!
- Timing: Open 10am- 6pm daily. Arriving early will give you ample time to explore each zone at your own pace.
- Accessibility: The LEGO Discovery Center DC is committed to providing an inclusive experience. Check the website for information on accessibility accommodations.
- COVID-19 Precautions: Stay informed about any health and safety measures that may be in place. The center’s priority is the well-being of its visitors.
the Adventure Family TAKEAWAYS
To say we love LEGO is an understatement. Actually we have a LEGO table that takes up most of our living room. In addition LEGO sets dominate all of our little’s wish lists. When we heard LEGO Discovery Center was coming to Washington, DC there was a lot of screaming and a lot of joy!
Overall, we loved LEGO Discovery Center Washington DC.
The Master Model Builders workshop was one of our favorite parts and we were blown away by the creations being built on site in real time. We hit each zone, many we enjoyed more than once. Thus we were encapsulated in the LEGO world. Our builders went straight to the LEGO table when we got home.
One aspect of LEGO that we LOVE that was missing was LEGO Friends. Nonetheless we would have loved to see LEGO Friends minifigures in the ‘Make Your Minifigure‘ and ‘Mini World‘. So the absence of LEGO Friends (everywhere except the gift shop) sent the message to our LEGO obsessed girls that LEGO Friends are inferior. As a result my girls asked me right after leaving why LEGO Friends sets are in the gift shop, but not the attractions.
To begin with LEGO Friends is more than ‘girl LEGO sets’. LEGO Friends is a world of diversity and inclusion. It has a focus on community and storytelling in a way that other LEGO sets don’t. Our little builders love LEGO Friends because of the realism. They love the details in the characters’ personalities that they can relate to. Also there are familiar parts of our own community. Thus we hope LEGO Discovery Centers will course correct to feature the power of LEGO Friends in the future.
Lego Adventures await DC Families
The grand opening of the LEGO Discovery Center DC on August 10, 2023, brings the world of LEGO to life in the heart of the nation’s capital. Families seeking a blend of entertainment, education, and imagination will find a treasure trove of activities and attractions that cater to diverse interests.
So as you plan your visit, prepare to embark on a journey that celebrates the magic of creativity and fosters lasting memories for children and adults alike. Mark your calendars, gather your family, and get ready to unlock a world of limitless possibilities at the LEGO Discovery Center DC.
The LEGO Discovery Center Washington DC is your ticket to a world where dreams are built with bricks, and every corner holds a new adventure. Finally don’t miss out on this opportunity to build lasting memories with your family.
Leave a Reply