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The National Park Service has just opened a new Visitor’s welcome desk in the lobby of the Arcade building. You’ll be greeted there by a helpful and knowledgeable staff of park rangers and volunteers ready to help you plan your visit and learn about the park. You’ll also be able to pick up information about park activities and nearby NPS attractions by browsing through the many catalogs and leaflets in our brochure racks.
Newly installed in our Visitor Center is an illustrated historical timeline of the park that shows the evolution of the park within the context of social changes and technological innovations. The timeline is filled with colorful historical photographs of the park and text that highlight the landmark changes in America and Glen Echo Park.
Coming soon to our Visitor Center, we will have a video viewing room where you’ll be able to see the park’s film documen-tary as well as a space for rotating special exhibits and displays of historical artifacts. Please Note: All ranger-led tours will begin at the welcome desk located at our new Visitor Center in the Arcade building.
On weekends, join us for an educational and fun look at the special places in our favorite Park! All programs begin at our new Visitor Center, located in the Arcade building.
At 11am on weekends, get a closer look at the beautiful Dentzel Carousel which was installed in 1921 fresh from the factory. Find out how it was made, how it works, and about the rest of the amusement park rides. Hear about the protests that marched right into the carousel in 1960. Follow the inspiring story of the community’s efforts to raise money to save the carousel for future generations. And see how the National Park Service has restored the carousel to its original glory. The carousel tour lasts about 30 minutes and is free.
At 2pm on weekends, join us as a park ranger leads you on a 45 minute walking tour of Glen Echo Park to learn about its fascinat-ing history and to familiarize you with the popular program in arts and dance that now flourishes here. Along the way, the ranger will lead you briefly to the Spanish Ballroom, the Dentzel Carou-sel, the ruins of the Crystal Pool and at least two of the park’s art studios. The park tour is free.
Our tours can be given on weekdays or at other times on the weekend (staff permitting). To make arrangements, call us at 301-492-6229.
Glen Echo on the Potomac, A Film Documentary
Saturday &Sunday at 4pm
Showings are also offered by appointment,call
301-492-6229
On weekends at 4pm, the 60-minute film documentary Glen Echo
on the Potomac is presented at the Visitor Center, located in the
lobby of the Arcade building. The film, created by Kevin Wyrauch,
follows the 114 year history of the park from its opening as a
National Chautauqua Assembly in 1891 through its years as the
premier amusement park in the Nation’s Capital. The film
contains fun footage of the old rides and games, many memories
of the park, plus rare interviews with some of the civil rights
protestors who were instrumental in winning the eventual
integration of the facility in 1961. Admission is free.
Please help us tell the story !
NEEDED:PHOTOS,MOVIES,MEMORIES
Glen Echo Park is constantly upgrading its historical archives. We welcome offers from the public of photographs, home movies, and written memoirs of the park. If you would like to share these, please call us at 301-492-6229. Arrangements can be made to copy your material and return the originals to you. Please also call the park if you would like to participate in the park’s new oral history project.
From I-495/95 Capital Beltway, exit 40 on the outer loop and exit 41 east on the inner loop. Take Clara Barton (Cabin John) Parkway east to MacArthur Boulevard/Glen Echo exit and follow signs. From downtown Washington, take Massachusetts Avenue, NW, to its end at Goldsboro Road, turn left, and continue to MacArthur Boulevard. Turn right on MacArthur Boulevard and take an immediate left onto Oxford Road where you will see our large parking lot.
Via public transportation, take Montgomery County Ride-On bus #29 operating daily from the Friendship Heights metro stations on the Red Line. For route schedules and fare information call 301-217-6434.
Parking for Glen Echo is located in a large 200-car parking lot located just off MacArthur Boulevard at Oxford Road, across from the Glen Echo Shopping Center. From the parking lot, a well-lighted asphalt path takes you across the Minnehaha Creek bridge and into the park.
INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE
Pay Telephones are located at the Arcade Building across from the Stone Tower and next to the Adventure Theatre box office.
Restrooms are located next to the carousel in the large red brick building.
Questions or Assistance: Contact the park office located on the first floor of the Restrooms Building across from the Carousel.
For Emergencies requiring police, fire, or rescue assistance, contact the park office or the United States Park Police call:
U.S.. Park Police: 202-619-7300
Fire and Ambulance: 911