Five places in DC where you can adult with a baby

Before I gave birth to my first child earlier this year, I had a very clear vision for the kind of parent I would be: namely, the type who wouldn’t put my whole life on hold for the baby, but would bring her into mine. Then I was laid off during maternity leave. Now, not only was I a new mother, I was also suddenly a stay-at-home mother as well. I had no idea how to bring the baby into my life at a moment when that life had become totally unrecognizable.

The past seven months have felt enriching and lonely all at once. Over time, I learned that I was much happier when I got out of my apartment and joined the world again. D.C. has a wealth of child-centric activities: storytimes at libraries, splash pads, play places at museums. But as I longed for a taste of my old life — with creative purpose, other adults, and activities and conversation that didn’t revolve around babies — I found what I craved most was space that was child-friendly, but not child-centric. Where I could bring my baby, but do things other than actively parent while I was there. 

Below, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites: locations and events that allow parents to rejoin the world and connect with their old interests, baby in tow — including a bonus list of places parents can go to do literally nothing but exist in the broader community.

Baby Day at Alamo Drafthouse 
📍630 Rhode Island Ave. NE
⏰ Every showing before 2 p.m. on Tuesdays
💸 $9

You don’t have to give up your cinephile status just because a baby enters the picture. At Baby Days showings, the lights are a little brighter and the sound is a little lower, but the movie is still one you would choose. Plus, if your baby is 2 or under, they get in for free.

Cry Baby Creative Sessions at Living Room
📍3169 Mount Pleasant St. NW
⏰ Third Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m. 
💸 $15.90

Bring your pre-crawling babies to lounge around Living Room’s cozy space as you craft whatever you’d like. You can bring your own project to work on or pay a little extra to use the supplies for collaging, jewelry-making, and more that Living Room provides. 

Events at Edgewood Community Farm
📍2304 2nd St. NE
⏰ Various times
💸 Free

The farm has various seasonal events that parents with babies are welcome to join, like tea-dying and blending workshops, and classes on fermented hot sauce making, sourdough, and aquaponics 101. You can also plan on volunteer days every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Reading Space at Francis A. Gregory Library
📍3660 Alabama Ave. SE 
⏰ Various times
💸 Free

D.C.’s resident neighborhood expert, Austin Graff, recommended the upstairs, circular, carpeted room for babies to lie or roll around while parents relax and read under diagonal windows that let in lots of natural light. 

Workout Classes at Past Tense Yoga
📍3131 Mt Pleasant St. NW
⏰ Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
💸 $30 drop-in classes, memberships available

Past Tense offers yoga, pilates, and fitness classes for parents with pre-crawling babies. While babies are allowed to be part of the workouts, you can also let them nap, stare off into space, or roll around nearby while you reconnect with movement. 

Bonus: Spaces just for sitting (with friends or alone)
Hill Center DC
📍921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
⏰ Opens most days at 9 a.m.

The sculpture garden has a large grassy area for picnics.

Juneberry Garage
📍6810 Cameron Dr. NW
⏰ Various hours

Juneberry Garage’s patio has a designated bar area for adults and enough room for people of all ages.

La Coop Coffee
📍500 Kennedy St. NW
⏰ Opens most days at 7 a.m.

This open space has been the site of many parent meetup groups.

Mott’s Market
📍233 12th St. SE
⏰ Opens most days at 8 a.m.

This Capitol Hill gem is a popular spot for parents to hang with kids, grab some coffee, or try some curated wine.

National Building Museum
📍401 F St. NW
⏰ Opens Thursdays through Mondays at 10 a.m.

The atrium offers an open, carpeted space for crawlers, and high ornate ceilings for babies to look at. Plus, there’s a cafe for parents. 

National Portrait Gallery
📍8th and G Streets NW
⏰ Opens at 11:30 a.m.

The Kogod Courtyard offers a space for parents to relax while crawling babies wander the open space and shallow (baby-safe) fountains.

The LINE DC
📍1770 Euclid St. NW
⏰ Cafe opens at 7 a.m.

The couches in the lobby of this iconic hotel create an enclosed space so kids can stay corralled while parents chat and sip a drink from The Coffee Shop @ No Goodbyes. 

The Roost
📍1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
⏰ Opens at 8 a.m.

This food hall has myriad options for seating, space for many strollers, and a bunch of different food to try. Sadly, their childcare section, Mulberry Lane, closed last month — but parents have always gathered here regardless of childcare help.