Seek out light art installations in Georgetown
Happy Weekend!
KFDC Go-To Posts Loaded with Ideas & Inspo for Area Fun:
* Spring Things to Get Excited About
* Best Outdoor Spots in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Peaceful Places
* Indoor Outings
* On the Water
* Bike Rides
Welcome Back, DC!
Where: Around the District
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
A few more beloved DC places are reopening their doors to visitors starting this weekend. You’ll once again be able to visit the National Zoo, National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of the American Indian. (And note that several other spots also reopened this month.) Timed-entry passes are required for all of them, and they’re going fast. If you can’t get them for this weekend, reserve for a later date! (Click links to get yours.)
Glow Up
Where: Around Georgetown
When: Through June 27
Admission: Free
A great evening activity with the fam: Dinner in Georgetown, then a stroll around the neighborhood to see Georgetown Glow, the free outdoor public art experience featuring modern light art installations. Find a map of them here and plan your walking route. A few restaurant recs: Pizzeria Paradiso, Farmers Fishers Bakers, Pinstripes, and Peacock Cafe.
Battle of the Beltway
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
It’s a big area sports weekend as the Nats play the Orioles — on our home field — with an evening game on Friday and afternoon match-ups on Saturday and Sunday. Single game tickets are now available to everyone, sold in socially distanced pods of one to six seats. Be sure to take a look at the Welcome Home page, so you know what to expect. But we’ve been to a couple of games and can vouch for good safety measures — and a really good time for Nats fans. I recommend bringing kiddos only if they’re truly baseballs fans. There is no playground for antsy kids, and getting ballpark treats is a little less fun and convenient with the new mobile ordering system. But those who are into the game will love being back at the ballpark!
Open Swim
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
This round-up of places to swim around the area will come in handy sooner than expected over the hot weekend. Find beaches on the Bay (and even Atlantic), lakes and rivers, and swimming holes and creeks — all that welcome the public to take a dip.
Spring Drive-In Movie Series
Where: The Stack at Buzzard Point | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 8pm
Admission: $20/car
Booksmart (so good and funny, but not for young kids) will be on the big outdoor screen in the Capitol Riverfront this weekend. The neighborhood BID’s drive-in movie series is a fun, contact-free experience for all ages at an appropriate social distance. Even more, all funds are donated to local charities — this weekend proceeds benefit Living Classrooms.
Row Your Boat
Where: Fletcher’s Boathouse | Foxhall, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Rentals start at $/hour
On the water pursuits are linked at the top, but one of our favorites is paddling the Potomac from Fletcher’s Boathouse. That area of the river is particularly pretty, verdant with trees flanking the shoreline. Wildlife sightings are likely — we always see turtles, egrets, and ducks, and have spotted hawks and herons, too. And if you paddle east toward Georgetown, you’ll catch views of the Washington Monument. Read about our first Fletcher’s paddling adventure here. And find more places for recreation on the water here.
Hikes You’ll Like
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Getting out for a walk in the woods is a great way to enjoy some family time on the weekend. Given the hot weather on the way, you’ll probably want to opt for spots that offer good shade. Some places to find it: Great Falls (Virginia Side), Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, Prince William Forest Park, Patapsco Valley State Park, Rock Creek Park (note: the Rock Creek post is about Peirce Mill, and mentions a park hike we did — it’s a nice place to begin and we often start there).
Hike & Paddle
Where: Quiet Waters Park | Annapolis, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $6/car
Combine the recreation recs above at Quiet Waters, a beautiful park in Annapolis. Walk along trails that edge the South River and through the woods, then rent a kayak or canoe for a paddling excursion. There are even more areas in the park to enjoy, including a playground and wide expanses of grass where you can run around, toss a Frisbee, kick a ball. Bring along a picnic or plan to stop for Maryland’s best treat — crabs! — afterwards. (We really like Mike’s Crab House in Riva.) Other local places to hike & paddle: Fountainhead Regional Park and Pohick Bay Regional Park.
Take kiddos for a spin on the beautiful Dentzel Carousel at Glen Echo Park
Carousel Family Day
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: $10/family suggested donation + *$5/carousel rides
This is the first of a couple Carousel Family Days to celebrate the park’s 100th anniversary. Whirl around on the carousel and pick up craft activity bags with supplies to create a carousel craft and a birthday card. Be sure to register in advance for both the event and carousel rides, and note that the $5 gets you as many rides as you want during your time slot.
Street Cars
Where: National Capital Trolley Museum | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 12-5pm
Admission: $10/adult, $8/child
The National Capital Trolley Museum reopens this weekend. Two special exhibits, Civil War Streetcars and Gilded Age Streetcars, will be on display to celebrate the beginning of street car service in the Nation’s Capital. Hourly docent-guided tours will be offered followed by a streetcar ride from noon to 4pm. Admission is limited to 10 patrons per hours so it’s a good idea to book tickets ahead.
Strawberry Jubilee
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $12/child, $14/adult
The longest running strawberry festival in Loudoun County takes place this weekend and next, rain or shine. Get ready for lots of fun activities for all ages, including the popular diaper derby, pie-eating contests, tart toss, strawberry princess, great food, and live music. As if that’s not enough to keep the family entertained for the day, there’s also the five-acre play area, complete with the jumping pillow, slides, rope swings, mazes, a tractor tire mountain, and animal encounters. Get tickets in advance!
Pick Your Own
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Strawberries and a few veggies are ripe and ready for harvest, and several area farms are now welcoming guests to pick their own. This post has a round-up of where to go. It’s always a good idea to check websites or call ahead to confirm availability the day you plan to go. Sunscreen and hat also recommended.
Pop-Up Kids Consignment Shop
Where: Stoddert Elementary | Glover Park, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Life is starting to return to a new “normal,” and with that everyone needs a new wardrobe for all the weddings, events, and vacations that have been postponed. Shop for your kids’ summer threads. They’ll have adorable summer clothing items, bathing suits, shoes, and toys.
Synetic Theatre Summer Camp Open House
Where: Synetic Theatre | National Landing, VA
When: Saturday, 12-2:30pm
Admission: Free
Stop by Synetic’s studio to play some theater games, watch a performance, and do crafts while you learn all about Synetic Summer Camp. With performances of the The Miraculous Magical Balloon, students and parents will get a feel for how physical, active, and fun their summer camps are! (And for an idea of the kind of unique productions Synetic is know for, read a review of a past show here.
Around the World Virtual Family Scavenger Hunt
Where: Watson Adventures Online
When: Saturday, 4-5:30pm
Admission: $19
Just because you can’t travel widely doesn’t mean your family still can’t go around the world! This global virtual adventure will send you off to explore the world’s best museums and historic locations via links to eye-popping websites. Your challenge: follow our clues, find amazing objects, and answer tricky questions about them. Stops along the way include a 360-degree view of the ancient streets of Pompeii, Italy, prehistoric cave paintings in France, a swim around the Great Barrier Reef and a live panda cam in China, just to name a few.
Vamos United!
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets start at $40
DC United is home this weekend, and there’s a match against Philadelphia Union on Sunday evening. Safety measures for Covid are in place, including limited capacity, which is 5,000 fans right now. FYI: Capacity has increased to 36% will be at full capacity starting June 11!
Les Colombes at National Cathedral
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* See a cascade of 2,000 origami doves Les Colombes (The Doves) at National Cathedral (tickets for Junes dates are available)
* CityDance School & Conservatory is offering a combo of online and in-person programs for young dancers this summer.
* Need some outdoor game recs for summer? We love Kadima, Kan Jam, and Spike Ball,
* 38 Standout Dining Destinations Around D.C.
* If you’re watching Mare of Easttown (I highly recommend it, if not), then you have to see this .
* Zoomies!
