Glide into 2020…
* Along with these daily recommendations, don’t forget to check the Winter Break Guide, which contains a great mix of ideas for activities and adventures with the kids during the winter break from school.
Monday – Make your way up to Baltimore to visit the Maryland Science Center, which is open this Monday during Winter Break (regularly only open Tuesday – Sunday). You can easily make a whole day of it exploring the variety of neat hands-on exhibits, playing in the Kids Room, and so much more. Hours are 10am – 5pm. Admission is $25.95/adults, $19.95/ages 3+, free for 2 and under. (I suggest checking out their membership options — if your family of 4 goes just twice in a year, it’s worth it. Plus, there’s reciprocity with other museums around the country.) Read more about the museum in this KFDC post.
For something local and easier on the wallet, visit the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress, to explore children’s books, see interesting exhibits, and marvel at one of DC’s most beautiful buildings. The Young Readers Center is open 9am – 4pm and welcomes visitors to read books and hang out in the cozy space. And be sure to spend time checking out the rest of the LOC, too — it’s truly magnificent and a must-see for both locals and visitors to DC. Hours are 8:30am – 4:30pm. Admission is free.
Tuesday – Celebrate New Year’s Eve at one of many events around town that not only welcome kids, but in most cases center around them. See this post for a list of family-friendly options to ring in 2020. 🎉Happy New Year! 🎉
Wednesday – A couple of suggestions: Take a New Year’s Day hike — this post has details on a bunch of great places to hit the trail with the kids. Or, go out for a fun family meal. All Purpose Pizza at the Capitol Riverfront is doing a special New Year’s Day brunch. Pinstripes in Georgetown has a bistro, plus bowling and bocce. Jaleo, located in Penn Quarter, Bethesda, and Crystal City, has tapas to please everyone — and they might seat you at a Foosball table. Carmine’s serves food family-style and is very family-friendly. Ted’s Bulletin is always a hit with kids.
Thursday – Go ice skating! It’s always a fun, active way to take advantage of the season, especially when you glide under the sky at one of the many outdoors rinks in the area. Several offer push aids to help newbie skaters, and most are located in places with even more to do beyond the ice. This post has all the details on all of them.
Friday – Experience AURORA: The Spirit of Northern Lights before it closes after this coming weekend! The art installation at ARTECHOUSE is beautiful, enchanting, and interactive with a little bit of magic that both kids and adults will love. Family-friendly hours are 10am – 5pm (21+ 5:30-10pm), and admission is timed entry. Tickets are $16-20/adult, $8-10/child, and they are offering a 20% discount package for 2 adults + 2 children, Sundays through Thursdays (the deal will auto-populate when tickets are requested online).
