Stay cool and splash around at Yards Park
Happy Weekend!
Quick links for all kinds of ongoing fun:
* Best Outdoor Spots in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Peaceful Places
* Indoor Outings
* On the Water
* Bike Rides
Seize the Season
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Catch an open-air concert at one of several series in the area. Stay cool at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or water park. See a movie under the stars. Check out a seasonal exhibit. Go berry picking. Ride mini-trains and carousels at local parks. And much, much more! See the Summer 2019 Guide for details on all of these great pursuits.
Splash Around
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Starting Saturday
Admission: Free
This weekend is going to be a hot one. Luckily, spray parks, outdoor pools, and waterparks around the area have started welcoming guests to splash around and cool off. The 2021 KFDC Summer Guide has details on where to go for water play — see info for sprays here, outdoor pools here, and waterparks here.
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 also come in handy as temps rise. 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!
Play Work Build
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $10/adult, $7/child
The much missed exhibition/play space at the recently reopened National Building Museum will once again welcome guests starting this weekend! Play Work Build first opened back in 2012 as a temporary exhibit, but everyone loved it so much, it became permanent. With old building toys on display (and some to play with), plus big foam blocks for constructing all kinds of configurations, it’s a fun place to bring the kids within the museum. Capacity will be limited in the exhibit, and masks and hand sanitizing required. Timed-entry passes to PWB are included with admission. Plan to tour the rest of the exhibits and, of course, hang out in the Great Hall, one of the most stunning spaces in DC. Also, look out for the colorful front lawn in celebration of Pride Month!
Inside Info
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
If you’d rather stay cool indoors, there are plenty of options. Smithsonians and other venues have started to open, but timed-entry tickets are required, so make sure to reserve in advance. All are taking extra precautions to ensure COVID safety, which includes limited capacity.
Capital Harvest on the Plaza
Where: Woodrow Wilson Plaza | Downtown DC
When: Friday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Browse produce from local farms and artisan producers right downtown at Capital Harvest on the Plaza (CHoP). The farmer’s market is opening for its 13th season and will continue weekly through the fall. The convenient location at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW) is fun to stop by after visiting museums or for people working in the area. with a bounty of fresh, seasonal produce and a range of delicious prepared foods.
KC Entertaiment
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
There may not be shows on Kennedy Center stages just yet, but you can enjoy all kinds of fun and entertainment at The REACH on weekends. In celebration of Pride Month, Millennium Stage will present The Wig Party: A Capital Drag Festival on Friday and Saturday. Plus there will be dance lessons, yoga sessions, an arts market on the plaza, and the Victura Park pop-up offering snacks and sips in the beautiful outdoor area.
PG Drive-In
Where: Prince George’s Stadium | Bowie, MD
When: Friday, 8:30
Admission: $30/vehicle
The Bowie Baysox and Prince George County organizations are presenting Drive-In Movies at Prince George’s Stadium on Friday evenings in June. This weekend, see Avengers: End Game. Lot opens at 7:30pm, and tickets must be purchased in advance.
Movies in the Park
Where: Virginia Highlands Park | National Landing, VA
When: Friday, 8pm
Admission: Free – pre-registration required
See a movie under the stars at the weekly series in National Landing. Moana will be on the big outdoor screen this time. Bring chairs and blanket, pack a picnic or grab food from Sweet Frog and Capital Chicken & Waffles food trucks…and sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
Drive-In, in NoVa
Where: Alexandria Drive-In Movie Theater | Alexandria, VA
When: Friday & Saturday, 8pm
Admission: $40/car
You can also catch a flick from the comfort of your car in Virginia. See Guardians of the Galaxy on Friday night and Jurassic World on Saturday. Food trucks will be there both nights offering savory and sweet concessions with online ordering through Goodfynd. Purchase movie tickets in advance!
US Air Force Band Summer Concerts
Where: Air Force Memorial, VA & National Harbor, MD
When:Friday, 7:30-9pm & Saturday, 7-8:30pm
Admission: Free
Join The United States Air Force Band’s Concert Band for an evening of chamber music. Bring a chair and enjoy DC’s finest musicians playing some of the world’s finest music! Concerts are at the Air Force Memorial on Friday (1 Air Force Memorial Drive, Arlington VA) and at National Harbor’s waterfront on Saturday (Oxon Hill, MD). Parking info here and here.
Reap the Fruits (& Veggies)
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
Strawberries, cherries, even spinach are ripe and ready for harvest, and many area farms welcome guests to come PYO. 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.
Walk the Museum Walk
Where: Dupont-Kalorama Neighborhoods, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Get off the Mall and explore the many interesting sights and museums in the Dupont-Kalorama neighborhood during the 38th annual Museum Walk Weekend. Usually offering free admission and special programming at museums, this year is a bit different. Five diverse museums — the Phillips Collection, Dumbarton House, the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, Anderson House, and the Woodrow Wilson House — have created a self-guided walking tour around the area. Of course, you can still visit the museums, but be sure to check out guidelines and make sure tickets are available.
Virtual Pride Story Time
Where: American Art Museum Online
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s annual Pride Month program celebrates inclusivity and love for all. Enjoy a lively virtual story time performance with legendary DC drag queen Ruth Allen Ginsburg. Ruth brings fun for the whole family as she reads classic nursery rhymes and tales for children.
Haunted Tales Scavenger Hunt for Kids
Where: Watson Adventures Online
When: Saturday, 7-8:30pm
Admission: $19
Are you prepared to Zoom with ghosts? Kids and adults team up to explore real places that are said to be haunted, and you’ll learn the tales of the ghosts who linger there. You’ll follow a trail of clues across eerie websites, in search of answers to tricky questions. Ghost-plagued places include the Hollywood Hotel where Marilyn Monroe and other celeb ghosts haven’t checked out; the White House in search of presidential ghosts, and the Salem Witch Trial Memorial where you’ll learn the chilling fate of Giles Corey, just to name a few. For ages 10 and up. No previous knowledge is required. Teams of up to six can play together or remotely. Each team must have one adult. Advance booking is required.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Tees for Pride Month
* Two giveaways going on: Enter for a chance to win a round-trip airport assistance experience with SkySquad and a free music lesson for your child with the International School of Music!
* There will be some road closures in Arlington this weekend for the Armed Forces Cycling Classic.
* This story about a herd of elephants roaming 300 miles in China is wild.
* If you haven’t tried Instacart yet, you can get free delivery on your first order of $35+ June 7-13.
* Honest Reasons Why Women Don’t Want to Go Back to Work in Person 😏
* Good one.
* Who else loved Solid Gold? ✨
