First Look: Lego Discovery Center opens outside D.C.

There’s very little fun-and-games in the nation’s capital these days, but that’s not the case just 12 miles south of D.C. in Springfield, Va.

Merlin Entertainments has opened Lego Discovery Center at Springfield Town Center. It's the third U.S. location for the concept,  joining centers in Boston and Atlanta which opened earlier this year.

Lego Discovery Center, which debuted in Brussels last year, is the next-generation iteration of Legoland Discovery Centers.  At Lego Discovery Center, kids and parents can take train trips through an oversized Lego World, scale Lego block climbing walls and work their ways through a Lego laser maze.  

“We are thrilled to welcome this top-notch family entertainment destination to Springfield Town Center,” said Joseph F. Coradino, CEO of PREIT, owner and operator of Springfield Town Center. “When we re-opened the center in 2014, we envisioned a vibrant, multi-use hub that reflected a town center experience. The new Lego Discovery Center is a key milestone in this journey.”

Key attractions in the Lego Discovery Center include:

Lego Tree of Imagination -- Plant ideas on the trunk or branches and be inspired by the Master Model Builders who challenge guests with building activities.

The 4D Cinema – Watch Lego movies in the only cinema with its own weather system.

Space Mission -- Design and build a Lego spaceship, take the helm, and launch into cyberspace. Then watch your creation zoom through the galaxies on a video screen.

Mini World – Explore a world of magnificent Lego builds constructed from more than 1.5 million bricks.

The Discovery concept was co-created by Lego and Merlin Entertainments, a global developer of entertainment properties that include Madam Tussauds, Sea Life and The Dungeons. Merlin operates more than 150 attractions in 24 countries.

“The new attraction is a must-visit for families with children ages 2 through 10,” said Discovery Center general manager Therese Alvich. “Children will be able to let their imaginations run wild and flex their creativity in each of our unique zones.”