Hidden Oaks Nature Center — Attraction in Annandale

Hidden Oaks is one of the best nature centers in the area. Inside they have animals for viewing, including turtles, toads, and snakes plus a larger than average play area with toys and dress up costumes. They also offer a variety of classes and camps, which have been well done when we've attended their events. Outside of the building they have a beautiful natural play area that usually includes a sand box, a branch teepee, various stumps and rocks, and a small area that sometimes has a small amount of water to play in. In between the play area and the building, they have a small frog pond which, depending on the time of year, can have frogs or tadpoles for viewing. In addition to all this, they offer a more standard playground equipment area down one of the paths as well as basketball courts. Only five minutes down another path, they have a lovely stream area that is perfect for young kids to play at the edge of and splash around in.

The only downside of this nature center is that it can be very popular and sometimes the inside is crowded and / or the parking lot is full. There is additional parking available at the a Packard Center but it can be tricky to figure out at first. If you need to park over there, it is a short walk through the woods to get back to the...

This nature center is such a cute little hidden gem and it's just a quick drive up the road from us. It's got a ton of live animals, interactive games and educational materials in the building as well as full bathrooms with changing tables. There are taxidermy displays of a ton of animals, a small fort structure and a reading nook built to look like a tree.They do a ton of fun classes for adults and kids and all of the staff members I have met so far are not only super friendly but will also go out of their way to help answer questions or to make the experience even more fun for the kids. Last time we got to see them feed one of the snakes and the box turtles! The trails are beautiful and well maintained and they also have a very nice playground with a gazebo for parties and picnics, also with attached bathrooms. We saw deer and a Ringneck Snake on our last trip on the trails and they offer a nature scavenger hunt for kids and if you find all the items they can pick a toy or spider ring from the office treasure box. So fun and the my daughter and niece love...

Very cute place. We had my son 4th birthday party there and everyone had a wonderful time. We chose the dinosaurs theme and it was just perfect. A guide gave a little presentation about dinosaurs and showed the children a real toad and a turtle (because dinosaurs do not exist anymore!), then we went for a little walk it the nature . When we came back to the Center, they did a little craft and we had cake. They decorated the room for us, but we obviously had a to bring the food, cake, plates, two table clothes, etc. The party was from 10 to 11:45 am, which is just perfect for toddlers and young children. The Center itself is well preserved and has fun things with the children. Everybody was very pleased with our birthday party. I would definitely do a birthday party...