1. Spring is a perfect time to visit Dumbarton Oaks Garden, as the many blooming flowers make the already lovely Georgetown locale even prettier. You can stroll among beds of colorful tulips, see gorgeous periwinkle swaths of wisteria, and delight in even more seasonal blooms. The rest of the beautifully landscaped (and hardscaped) grounds are so nice to wander around, too. Hours are 2-6pm, Tuesday – Sunday., and admission is $7. And if you’re looking for something to do before the afternoon opening, Montrose Park right next door is a great place to take kiddos to play. Or you can grab a bite to eat at one of the many dining options in Georgetown. (Note that the Dumbarton link above is to a post from last spring, but updates have been added.)
2. Plan for the weekend: The Literary HIll BookFest, an annual celebration of books and authors held each spring on Capitol Hill, will be back “home” in DC’s historic Eastern Market for its first in-person event since 2019! This Sunday, May 1 from 11am – 3pm, the event will feature more than 50 authors, poets, booksellers, publishers, literacy groups, and more, including award-winning children’s author Ginger Park; scientist and former Smithsonian director Eva Pell, author of the ResQ series for middle schoolers about endangered animals; Allison McGill, author of The Adventures of Duke the Therapy Dog; Terry Catasus Jennings, author of the children’s series, Definitely Dominquita, and many more.
Visitors will have the unique opportunity to contribute to a podcast for kids hosted by award-winning public radio journalist and children’s author Kitty Felde, partake in the vibrant literary culture of Capitol Hill through timely panel discussions, help compose this year’s community-penned poem, enjoy a full slate of activities in our bustling Children’s Corner, peruse titles from beloved East City Bookshop and Capitol Hill Books, and meet some of their favorite authors of fiction, poetry, children’s literature, mystery and more. The BookFest is completely free and open to the public, with a poetry open mic immediately following the main event, where established and aspiring poets will address an enthusiastic crowd.
3. National Harbor is bringing back its free Movies on the Potomac series that will run May 1 – September 30. Every Sunday (“family night”) at 6pm and Thursday (“date night”) at 7pm, guests can see a free film on the big outdoor Plaza Screen right on the waterfront. Movie-goers are encouraged to bring chairs and order take-out from one of the many nearby restaurants. It’s starts this Sunday with a screening of Sing 2. You can view more of the movie line-up here.
4. 40 Under-the-Radar Flicks to Watch with Kids at Home.
5. I’m so used to streaming shows, I often forget they air sooner on network TV. Thus, I was thrilled to realize there is a whole new (though sadly, final) season of Better Things, one of my very favorite TV series ever, on FX. Starring Pamela Adlon, it’s about a divorced actress raising her three daughters, and her character is so cool and real and funny and relatable. (In an episode I just watched, when one of her daughters calls her a Boomer, she responds, “For the last time, I am not a Boomer. I am Generation X. We are the coolest generation.” I can’t count the number of times I’ve told my kids exactly that!) Anyway, if you haven’t seen the show, I highly recommend giving it a watch. And if you’re already a fan…. isn’t it just the best?
