Happy Weekend! Happy Juneteenth! And Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!
Go-to posts full of ideas for activities around the area:
* Swim Spots
* On the Water
* Indoor Outings
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Peaceful Places
* Bike Rides
Father’s Day Weekend Fun
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
It’s a special day for the dads this weekend, and there are a bunch of great ways for the whole fam to celebrate if you’re still looking for ideas, from ballgames to brunches to outdoor recreation. See a whole round-up of them in this post, some of which are included below.
Joys of Summer
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Summer officially begins on Sunday, and there are activities galore to ring it in! Water fun, outdoor concerts, movies under the stars, and more seasonal fun. Make a splash at an outdoor public pool or a spray ground, enjoy a special exhibit, and so much more. The 2021 KFDC Guide to Summer Around the DC Area has the scoop on where and when you can experience all the joys of season.
Juneteenth Lighting for Freedom and Justice
Where: Washington National Cathedral | Woodley Park, DC
When: Friday & Saturday, 9pm
Admission: Free
In honor and celebration of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, the Washington National Cathedral will light its west façade. Join as they celebrate the joyous day of liberation and work towards a just and equitable world for all. When visiting the grounds, wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.
Glow With It
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.
Al Fresco Films
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by location
Several movies series and drive-ins are screening films on weekend evenings. Catch a flick at the Alexandria Drive-in, PG Stadium, and in Greenbelt. The KFDC Summer Guide has details on what’s playing where. And be sure to check that they aren’t cancelled due to weather.
Millennium Stage
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Friday & Saturday
Admission: Free
For World Refugee Day, the Kennedy Center is presenting fun and inspiration to celebrate the courage and resilience of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution and violence. Music and dance performances, an arts market, DJ sets, and more will be on the plaza. Plan to visit Victura Park while you’re there. The pop-up wine garden and cafe on the grounds of The REACH is a great place to hang out and enjoy a nice day.
Juneteeth Celebration
Where: Brookland Arts Walk | Brookland, DC
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Swing through Brookland Arts Walk on Saturday to shop Black owned creative businesses. All of the artist studios will be hosting a Black owned business pop up, so there will be lots of activity, handmade goods, music, art, and good vibes all around!
Make a Splash
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.
Swim in Nature
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 in rising temps. 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!
Nats vs. Mets
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats are hosting the Mets all weekend, with games Friday at 7:05pm, Saturday at 1:05pm and and 6:05pm (make-up game), and Sunday at 1:05pm. Celebrate Father’s Day at the ballpark , and kids can get a t-shirt giveaway, too!
Root for the Baysox
Where: Prince George’s Stadium | Bowie, MD
When: Father’s Day Weekend
Admission: Starts at $10
The Nats aren’t the only team in town. If you want to enjoy baseball on a smaller scale, the Bowie Baysox, one of the local minor league teams, are hosting the Akron Rubber Ducks all weekend, and there’s extra fun and special promos to enjoy — post-game fireworks, Witch & Wizardry Night on Saturday, and giveaways among them. On Sunday, the first 500 dads will get a #1 Dad Baysox T-shirt, plus kids and dads can run the bases and play catch on the field post-game. Read about one of our past Baysox experiences here.
Kids, Eggs & Kegs
Where: City-State Brewing Company | Northeast DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am
Admission: Free, but plan to purchase food and drinks
City-State Brewing’s new family-focused event begins this weekend and will be held every Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy food trucks, games, and toys, plus non-alcoholic beverages. While City-State is always family-friendly, this event is specifically tailored to families with young children. Options for kids include: board games, arcade games, sidewalk chalk, toys for toddlers, DC-themed coloring pages, free Goldfish snacks, and tasty kid-friendly drinks. City-State has changing tables in the restrooms. The fun starts at 10am at the brewery located at 705 Edgewood St NE.
Charm City Fun, Hon!
Where: Around Baltimore, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Not only is it nice to get a change of metro area scenery sometimes, Baltimore, our sister city just a 45-minute drive away is full of fantastic, family-friendly things to do. Find a whole post about all of them, including big attractions, suggestions for places to eat, and neighborhoods to explore.
Over the Rainbow & Beyond
Where: Watkins Regional Park
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Here’s an old KFDC fave that’s finally (almost) fully back in action and a great place to spend a day enjoying loads of free, fun activities: Watkins Regional Park! Kiddos will love frolicking on the adorable Wizard of Oz themed playground. Old Maryland Farm, with animals to visit, is open (though capacity is limited, so there could be a wait). The Nature Center is also welcoming visitors by reservation (go here to book yours), and you can also hike some short trails nearby. Park hours are dawn to dusk, 11am – 4pm at the Nature Center and Old Maryland Farm. Admission to all of it is free.
StoryWalk: The Power of Everyday Heroes
Where: Downtown Kensington, MD
When: Starting Saturday through July 18
Admission: Free
The Noyes Library for Young Children invites families are invited to read 10 Hidden Heroes by Mark Shriver on posted signs as they stroll through Warner Circle Park (adjacent to the library at 10237 Carroll Place) in Kensington. In this fun-filled and inspiring seek-and-find book, Shriver highlights the various ways children and adults can be real-life heroes in their everyday lives. A free craft kit related to the book will be available for pick up in a box outside the Noyes Library on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 4pm.
Wizard School Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Where: Watson Adventures Online
When: Sunday, 3-4:30 pm
Admission: $19
Grab your magic wands for a wizarding adventure that takes you to museums across America in search of art that echoes characters, places, and magical objects in the famed Harry Potter books and movies, all without leaving your home. You’ll track down slithering serpents, Hagrid-like giants and eerie figures as scary as any Dementor. This hunt references the books and provides a surprising bridge to many strange and wonderful works of art. For ages 10 and up. This game can be played either together or remotely with up to six players per team. Each team must have one adult. Advance booking is required.
***More Good Stuff***
* More Juneteenth celebrations around the area.
* Posted a couple of days ago: Summertime Must-Haves for Little Ones.
* Get ready for Amazon Prime Day, when you can score fantastic deals on all kinds of goods — June 20-21!
* Plan for July 4th fireworks on the National Mall!
* Dad jokes 😄
