Glen Echo Park

Glen Echo began in 1891 as a National Chautauqua Assembly "to promote liberal and practical education, especially among the masses of the people; to teach the sciences, arts, languages, and literature; to prepare its patrons for their several pursuits and professions in life; and to fit them for the duties which devolve upon them as members of society."

By 1900, Glen Echo was on its way to becoming a premier amusement park, and it served the Washington area as such until 1968. Today the park has come full circle, the land and the historic buildings a back drop for a rich arts education program.

Since 1971, the National Park Service at Glen Echo Park has been offering year-round activities in dance, theater, and the arts for the surrounding communities and for
visitors from across the country. The park also administers an artist-in-residency program providing the public with an opportunity to see artists at work. There are concerts, demonstrations, workshops, and festivals during the warm months as a part of the Chautauqua Summer season.

In addition, the antique hand-carved and hand-painted Dentzel carousel, saved by community effort, operates four days a week from May through September, and the Gallery and Bookshop features park artists in its exhibits.

7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20812
301-492-6229 - Headquarters
301-492-6282 - Visitor Information

By Car
From I-495 to exit 40 - Cabin John Parkway and Glen Echo. Stay in the left most lane of the exit ramp and bear left at the 'Y'. Follow the Cabin John Parkway east, where it will merge with the Clara Barton Parkway. Stay in the left most lane. Make a sharp, hairpin left turn following the signs to MacArthur Blvd and Glen Echo. Immediately after the sharp left, get in the right lane and bear right at the 'Y'. The road will
curve to the right and then end at MacArthur Blvd at a stop sign. Turn left onto MacArthur Blvd, go one block past the Exxon Station at the intersection with Goldsboro Rd and turn left into the Glen Echo Park parking lot.

By Plane
Take Montgomery County Ride-On bus #29 operating daily from the Friendship Heights metro station on the Red Line.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Educational Programs
• Nature Walks

Recommended Activities
The Dentzel Carousel (1921), saved for the nation by the efforts of local people.

The Spanish Ballroom (1933), scheduled social dances in ballroom.

Artist-in-resident Program. Extensive program of performances, demonstrations, classes, and
workshops of arts and crafts, dance, social dance, puppetry, theater and other topics.

Children's playground.