Farewell to a longtime staple of our little village
Happy Weekend!
Link up to all kinds of ideas for activities in these go-to posts:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Indoor Outings
* Little Kid Play
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
* Ice Skating
Ice Skating Wind Down
Where: Ice rinks around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
Skate your last loops at our local ice rinks. Both Canal Park and the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden rinks close after Sunday. Several others have already shut down for the season, and a couple more are only open through next weekend. See this post listing them all for details on where you can glide under the sky one last time this winter. (And with temps hitting the 70s, it’ll be a good idea to call ahead to make sure they’re open.)
History & Gardens
Where: Tudor Place | Georgetown, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $10 suggested donation for tours
Starting Friday, Tudor Place Historic House & Garden, reopens after being closed for awhile, and docent-led guided tours of the house will be offered again. It’s DC’s only historic house museum with family ties to Martha and George Washington — with over 18,000 objects, it contains the largest Washington collection outside of Mount Vernon. Tours are interesting for both kids and adults! Advance registration is suggested for timed entry tickets, and docent-led tours start on the hour. You can also tour the gardens and are welcome to bring along a picnic to enjoy on the grounds (FYI: No tickets are required for just the garden. Visitors to the historic house age 12+ must provide proof of vaccination upon entry and masks are required in all indoor spaces.)
Work It! FUTURES Career Day
Where: Arts & Industries Building | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
It’s #WomensFuturesMonth! Come face to face with the women scientists, inventors, changing the world—and find out how you can, too! Design video games, run an aquarium, build the next YouTube, probe the human brain, engineer rockets, and discover hidden jungles. Calling all young scientists, innovators, inventors, and creators for a career day—from the futures! Get advice and inspiration on the jobs of tomorrow and beyond from the experts; tour the opening of IF/THEN She Can, a groundbreaking display of 3-D printed statues of women in STEM; ask questions from gamechanging women at the top of their fields and learn more about the fun and possibilities in store. RSVP here.
NSO Music for Young Audiences
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: March 5-6
Tickets: $20 (use code 453479 for a discount!)
Enjoy a family symphony session! Discover the range of percussion instruments through two imaginative stories featuring assistant principal timpanist of the NSO, Scott Christian. I Dream of the Moon (A Young Boy’s Adventure Through Space) by Keeghan Fountain tells the story of a young boy’s journey from his own backyard to the furthest reaches of the moon in a non-verbal performance on the vibraphone with projected images of original artwork by Nehemiah Russell. Xavier’s New Friends by Peter Gilbert introduces the main percussion family instruments through Xavier the Xylophone as he searches for percussion friends to join his band. Local musicians will join Scott and other NSO percussionists to tell this story and highlight the rhythmic and melodic facets of the percussion section. Recommended for ages 5+.
Catch Me If You Can
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: March 4 – April 17
Tickets: $66-105 (look for discount)
It’s opening weekend for this new show at Arena Stage. Humor, music, and dance drive this rousing musical based on true events and a critically acclaimed film. See how a charming, young con man posed as an airline pilot, a lawyer and then escaped police custody all before he turned 22. The Tony-nominated musical comedy is jam-packed with dynamic numbers, and glamour and delight for the entire family. Where else, but Washington, D.C., could a musical about con men and being conned be the perfect story we need right now? Recommended for tweens and up.
Opt Outside
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
Warmer temps are good reason enough to plan an outdoor adventure, even if it’s cloudy. If you need some ideas for things to do, consult the round-up of the Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids.
Wonderful World of Watkins
Where: Watkins Regional Park | Upper Marlboro, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Go over the rainbow and beyond at Watkins Regional Park – there is so much fun to be had at the PG County locale. The adorable Wizard of Oz themed playground will have kiddos frolicking for hours. Be sure to stop by Old Maryland Farm to visit the animals, and spend time at Watkins Nature Center to view even more cool creatures and birds. Trails winding through the woods make for nice hikes, too!
Recreation Galore
Where: Anacostia Park | Anacostia, DC
When: Ongoing, dawn to duck
Admission: Free
Another great place to play the day away is Anacostia Park. Stretching along the river for which it’s named in southeast DC, the park is full of opportunities for recreation with a pirate-themed playground; two other playgrounds; a skating pavilion; tennis courts; and fields for playing ball or tossing a Frisbee. Plus, you can walk, run, scoot, or bike along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail or just find a table or nice spot in the grass to relax, have a picnic, and take in the views. Admission is free.
Family Bike Ride
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Warmer weather will make this a perfect weekend for a family two-wheel outing — you’ve got your pick of routes around the area. Enjoy the scenery, get some exercise, and have fun cruising around on two wheels. This post has a bunch of pedal-worthy recs, with something for riders of all levels, and this route is particularly ideal with kids.
Hit the Trail
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
The weather also make it a great time to hit the trail with the fam! Get out in nature to enjoy some QT together. This post has a bunch of recommendations for great places to go with kids. A few specific suggestions for this weekend: Riverbend to Great Falls is always a fave, Patapsco Valley State Park has a lot of great hiking options, hit the trail right in the city at Rock Creek Park, or enjoy the glorious nature of Prince William Forest Park.
Go Disc Golfin’
Where: Courses around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Hit the links, the chain links, that is! Disc golf is a great way to enjoy some family time outdoors. Not only is it fun and challenging, many of the courses are set up in scenic places. This post has info about one in College Park, and there are also great courses at Patapsco Valey State Park in MD, Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton, VA, Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, MD, Burke Lake Park in Burke, VA.
Play with Extra Zip
Where: Beauvoir Outdoors | National Cathedral, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
The National Cathedral Elementary School’s playground is easily one of the best in the city. With lots of climbing and sliding structures and spaces for all ages, plus a super fun zipline(!), your whole crew is guaranteed to have a blast there.
P.Nokio: A Hip-Hop Musical
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $28
Enjoy some live family entertainment! G.Petto is an ingenious computer games designer who one day discovers that his newest game character, P.Nokio, can live outside the computer! G.Petto is thrilled at the prospect of having a “son,” and with the help of the Graffiti Fairy, he teaches P.Nokio how to become a real boy. But, P.Nokio falls in with con artists and finds himself in a web of lies that endangers his father. To save G.Petto, P.Nokio must wise up, keep it real, and learn that words and truth are the mightiest weapons of all. It’s a completely contemporary, high-energy musical update of the beloved classic Pinocchio!
Riley O’Brien & the Lost Leprechaun
Where: Gunston Arts Center Theatre | Arlington, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $15/adult, $12/child & senior
Join Encore Stage & Studio, known for its by kids for kids theatre, on a trip to the Emerald Isle! After a row with her parents, adventuresome teen Riley O’Brien mysteriously finds herself transported to Ireland with Flanagan Hannigan, a Leprechaun-in-training, who needs her help to complete a final challenge. Meeting pixies, banshees, and other mythical creatures along the way, can they work together to discover the true magic of friendship and family?
Make Way for Ducklings
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Eco Park, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $25
Catch a show at the children’s theatre in Glen Echo Park. Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are exhausted from their search for a starter home when they land in the Boston Public Garden as a potential home. Surprised by a few conditions in the Garden, the Mallards move on to continue their search until their baby ducklings are born. When the ducklings begin to explore the world around them. The challenges of parenthood in the busy Boston environment create a fun bit of family drama. A classic story for all ages, this world premiere musical celebrates family, Boston, children, and the beings who make an unfamiliar place a home. Recommended for all ages.
Rapunzel on Strings
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $15
This weekend is the last chance to see Rapunzel let down her hair in this puppet version of the fairy tale at The Puppet Co., a charming retelling performed by just one person! Princesses can be named after vegetables, witches can have good intentions, and sometimes you need a little song to help you get you through your day. Recommended for ages 4+. Run time is approximately 40 minutes.
Intersect with the Performing Arts
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Varies – see the website
The Atlas’ annual INTERSECTIONS festival is back for its second weekend. The event presents an array of performances in music, theatre, dance, film, and spoken word. While previous years have included several events especially for families and kids, those focused activities won’t be offered this time around. However, there are performances that kids could certainly enjoy along with parents. See the schedule of them here.
Watch the Wizards
Where: Capital One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 7pm & Sunday, 3:30pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Wizards have a couple of home games this weekend. See the on court action against the Atlanta Hawks at 7pm on Friday and the Indiana Pacers on Sunday at 6pm. Plan on a pre- or post game dinner in Penn Quarter — there are plenty of family-friendly places to go in the neighborhood. Some recs: Jaleo, Zaytinya, Carmine’s, Clyde’s, and Shake Shack.
Spark the FUTURES: Science Family Day
Where: Arts & Industries Building | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Calling all young FUTURES agents: do-gooders, plant lovers, citizen scientists, activists, advocates, dreamers and creators. Celebrate the power of girls and women in STEM shaping a better future. Meet real scientists and see their work in action. Explore women in science and their contribution to a more hopeful future on kid-friendly tours. Stop by for pop-up talks and hands-on science demos and crafts for all ages. And experience the opening weekend of IF/THEN She Can, a display of more than 120 3-D printed statues of women in STEM. RSVP here.
Charm City Fun, Hon!
Where: All Around Charm City | Baltimore, MD
When: All Weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Head north to our sister city, Baltimore, where there are so many great family-friendly attractions there. Explore the exhibits at Maryland Science Center. See some of the quirkiest, coolest art ever at the American Visionary Art Museum. Play the day away at Port Discovery. Get an eyeful of the underwater world at the National Aquarium. View history in the works at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. And even more! This KFDC guide has the scoop on all of it.
Off the Beaten Museum Path
Where: Around DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by museum
If you don’t veer from the well trodden path of the National Mall now and then, you could miss out on some amazing museum exhibits and experiences. Check out this round-up of some these places in DC that may not be on your museum radar — but should be.
***MORE GOOD STUFF ***
* A great idea for helping people of Ukraine.
* The National Park Service announced predicted peak cherry blossom dates: March 22-25. (Though we all know by now that will likely change over the next few weeks.) View scenes from last year’s cherry blossom bloom here and here.
* For Women’s History Month, local author JoAnn Hill just shared 5 Five Stories of Influential and Fierce Women — and the DC Sites Associated with Them.
* A sweet read for littles: Another local author and illustrator, Aruna Lepore, just published Peanut the Penguin, a book for children age 3-8.
* This coming week, Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center presents FairyTales on Ice, a show featuring beloved characters from classic stories, all on ice skates!
* Warmer weather on the way has me thinking about summer dresses, and how cute is this one? (On sale, too!)
* From the Washington Post, six stellar stargazing spots.
* Farewell to, literally, one of our everyday places…a stone’s throw for over 20 years, since late 90s pre-kids to now with two teens ❤️
