DMV Adventure Day: National Mall and ZooLights

Join the Transitioning Youth and Adult team at DSNMC for a DMV Adventure Day on Saturday, December 6th from 1:30pm-8:30pm. We’ll ride the Metro from Montgomery County into Washington, D.C., where we’ll explore holiday exhibits on the National Mall, eat dinner together, then take Metro to the Smithsonian Zoo to meet up with participants of the DSNMC ZooLights event.

On this adventure, we will:

• Ride the Metro from Montgomery County to the National Mall in D.C.
• Visit the Holiday Train exhibit at the United States Botanic Garden
• See the Capitol Christmas Tree
• Ride the Metro to the Woodley Park/Cleveland Park area of D.C.
• Eat dinner at Chipotle
• Attend ZooLights at the Smithsonian National Zoo
• Ride the Metro from the National Zoo back to Montgomery County

This event is open to DSNMC members with Down syndrome who are ages 16+. Participants will be staffed at a 1:3 ratio. For safety, participants need to be able to remain with a small group without eloping. Pre-registration is required by Thursday, December 4th so our staff can adequately prepare for the group; no drop-ins will be accepted. Registration is limited to 8 participants.

DSNMC may be able to provide accommodations for participants with limited mobility. Please email Jen at jen@dsnmc.org to discuss.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, December 6th, 2025
• Time: 1:30pm-8:30pm
• Dropoff and Pick-Up Location: Kiss & Ride area at Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station
• The Metro station is located at the intersection of Rockville Pike and Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda, MD.
• Cost: $40, which includes a ticket to ZooLights

Programming costs incurred by DSNMC for this event are being subsidized by a Community Grant from the Montgomery County government. Without this funding, the cost per participant would be $150.

If you need assistance with the registration cost, please fill out this form to request a scholarship.

Itinerary:

1:30pm: Drop off at the Kiss & Ride area at the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station. Meet DSNMC staff and other participants.
1:45pm-5:45pm: Metro Rides, United States Botanic Garden, Capitol Christmas Tree, Dinner at Chipotle
6:00-8:00pm: ZooLights at Smithsonian National Zoo
8:30pm: Pick up at the Kiss & Ride area at the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station.
Note: Arrival time is an estimate. We anticipate arriving at Grosvenor-Strathmore between 8:30-9:00pm and will update parents/caregivers via text upon departure from the National Zoo.

What to Bring:

• Metro card pre-loaded with money for fares
  • If you have a Reduced Fare SmarTrip Photo ID Card, bring it with you!
  • If you don’t have one and would like to apply to the reduced fare program for future trips, learn more here.
• Money for your dinner at Chipotle
• Refillable water bottle
• Backpack or bag for your water bottle, wallet, and cold weather accessories
• Optional: phone for following our route, taking pictures, etc.
• Recommended: layered clothing, hat and gloves, comfortable walking shoes
  • Remember that our trip will last after sundown, so the temperature will drop and you may need warmer clothes at ZooLights.