The Circus is in town and this year’s theme of Legends is a one that will delight kids of all ages. Throughout the show, the Ringmaster guides a Legend Seeker throughout the world. Along the way he discovers dragons, a unicorn, a Pegasus, and even a Wooly Mammoth that some may suspect is the first Elephant they have ever seen in a costume.
There is also the legendary ball of steel which eventually holds eight daredevil motorcycle riders, an extended act involving pigs, dogs, llamas, and even kangaroos doing tricks, a classic trapeze act, a lion tamer, a great 
performance with horses, and some incredible human tricks. There are some clowns but they did not play as prominent role as in past Circus performances.
My four year old daughter loved the motorcyclists in the globe and my seven year old son’s favorite act was the lion tamer. The show keeps up a good pace and moves very quickly through the final acts after intermission.
Before the circus begins there is an “All Access VIP Show” held on the arena floor. This starts one hour before show time and lasts forty minutes. Access to the pre-show and most of the activities is free.
However, it tends to be crowded so kids may have a hard time doing some activities. Also, keep in mind that the Circus is a long 2.5 hours so your child may not have the attention span for such a long day.
The circus will be in town through March 22, 2015 with three shows on both Saturday and Sunday at the Verizon Center. Children who have not yet reached their second birthday do not need a ticket. Strollers must be left in a designated area, so you may not be able to take your stroller all the way to the section where you are sitting.
There is some smoke, flashing lights, and loud noises during the show, including a short but loud fireworks display, so you may want to prepare your child in advance if you think this will bother him or her.
Limited street parking is available. Additionally, most spots allow for only two hours of parking so plan your time accordingly. Parking for the circus costs $27.00 at the Verizon Center garage. Slightly less expensive garages are available in the blocks surrounding the Verizon Center.
We highly recommended taking metro. There are four metro stops located near the Verizon Center making it accessible from the Red, Yellow, Greet, Orange, and Blue lines. The Gallery Place-Chinatown station is located directly at Verizon Center (Red, Yellow and Green lines). Judiciary Square (Red line), Metro Center (Red, Orange and Blue lines) and Archives-Navy Memorial Penn Quarter (Green and Yellow lines) are within walking distance.
If you can’t make the circus in D.C., you still have the chance to catch it in Baltimore from March 25 through April 5, 2015 and in Fairfax at the Patriot Center from April 8 to 19, 2015. Purchase tickets online through Ticketmaster, by phone at 800-745-3000 or at the venue box offices. Ticket prices are $75 Front Row, $55 VIP, $35.00 (Verizon Center only), $30.00, $20.00 & $15.00. Save money and use your SmarTrip Card to save $8 on tickets. Visit the box office to take advantage of the offer. Offer expires April 3, 2015. Savings coupon valid for up to six (6) tickets.
