Catch a Nats game — and possibly a gorgeous sunset, too!
Happy Weekend!
Links to keep handy for local fun and recreation ideas:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Swim Spots
* On the Water
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Bike Rides
* The Great Indoors
* Peaceful Places
Smithsonian Nighttime Adventures
Where: National Museum of Natural History | National Mall, DC
When: Friday, 7-11pm
Admission: $70-85
Hang in Natural History after hours! Kids ages 8-14 and their adult chaperones can join other night owls in this unique experience held on Friday evenings through August 12. Wander through the museum’s galleries to explore the Earth’s past, discover the wonders of the ocean, and more, all guided by the fun and challenging “Adaptation Game” filled with activities to complete. Cost is per person (adults, too) and includes exclusive access and activities in the museum, interactive exploration, and a pre-packaged individually wrapped snack.
Movies in the Park
Where: Virginia Highlands Park | National Landing, VA
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: Free
The National Landing BID will host its first Movies in the Park of the season, with a showing of The First Lego Movie. Arrive anytime after 6pm to grab a bite to eat at the food trucks or pack a picnic! The movie begins at 7pm.
SAAM Arcade
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum | Penn Quarter, DCa
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 7pm
Admission: Free
The annual SAAM Arcade is back! The museum’s Kogod Courtyard will be full of new games from indie developers, classic arcade games, and more. Join the celebration of Color, Line, and Form and the ways these essential art elements show up in video games and interactives. Test out some new games and replay some of the beloved older ones. A special scavenger hunt that connects video games and SAAM’s collections will also be available. See more about the American Art Museum in this KFDC post.
Nats vs. Cards
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats are back home and hosting the Cardinals this weekend. Catch them on Friday and Saturday evenings (7:05pm) and Sunday afternoon (1:05pm). There’s a new Kids Eat Free summer promo, and kids can run the bases after the Sunday game. Before you go, get some KFDC tips on doing Nats game without breaking the bank.
‘Tis the Season
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Make the most of quintessential summer activities around DC! Enjoy an open air concert at one of the many series in the area. Hit the beach. See a movie under the stars. Enjoy a special museum program. Get wet at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or waterpark. Feast on crabs. Ride mini trains and carousels at local parks. And so much more. More info for all of these pursuits is in the KFDC Summer Guide.
Serve Up Some Tennis Fun
Where: William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center | Rock Creek, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, gates open at 9am
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Enjoy the on-court excitement along with some special events as the annual Citi Open Tennis Tournament returns to DC and swings into action this weekend. Saturday is the first day of qualifying rounds, and they’ll continue on Sunday. Among the many great players this year are Andy Murray, Nick Kyrgios, and the legendary Venus Williams!
The Office Experience
Where: Woodies Building | Downtown DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $35-42
Take a tour of Dunder Mifflin…a re-created version of it, anyway. The just opened The Office Experience immerses you in the world of Michael Scott, Jim & Pam, Dwight, Angela, and the rest of their colleagues and friends. Explore re-created sets loaded with authentic, fun details; recall so many funny moments from the show; play actual games and put yourself into iconic scenes for both awesome photo ops and great laughs. The kids and I got a sneak peek of it, and we all thought it was a hoot! If your crew are Office fans, they’ll love it, too.
Otakon
Where: Washington Convention Center | Downtown DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Starts at $40, free/ages 8 & under
This weekend-long convention is a celebration of Asian pop culture — think anime, mange, video games, etc. — and its fandom. There are tons of fun opportunities for all ages. Pore over all kinds of manga, see some amazing costumes (and where one yourself), play video games, check out other kids of games and battles, join a dance party, bring little ones to the Ota-chan area where there are activities just for them… and so much more!
Out and About
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
The forecast indicates that this weekend’s weather is making up big time for last, so take advantage and enjoy some adventures outside. The round-up of The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids has ideas galore for doing just that.
All Ages Dueling Pianos
Where: Bobby McKey’s | National Harbor, MD
When: Saturday, 3:30-6pm (doors open at 2pm)
Admission: $27.50 – $32.50
The whole crew can enjoy an afternoon of music and fun at this dueling piano shows. The two hours of all-request live music paired with a lunch buffet is a great way to stay cool on a hot summer day. And this is a performance where kids are encouraged to wiggle in their seats, dance in the aisles, and sing along!
Last Call for Laurie Anderson: The Weather
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
This weekend is the last chance to check out the fantastic Laurie Anderson: The Weather exhibit at the Hirshhorn. The collection of multimedia works includes beautiful abstract paintings, captivating stories, interesting photography, original instruments, spoken word video sculptures, and much more. Most striking of them all is an entire black and white gallery hand painted by Anderson with sketches, quotes, poems, and passages — and you’ll want to examine all of them.
See the Sunflowers
Where: McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area | Poolesville, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Relatively cooler weather this weekend will make it a good time to see the sunflower bloom at McKee-Beshers. Nine fields showcase 30 acres of flowers — and it’s such a happy scene. Read more about it and see pics from a previous bloom here and view some from 2020 here. Sunscreen, hat, bug repellent, and water highly recommended. KFDC Tip: If you plan to go, pair it with a PYO blackberries outing at Homestead Farms, which is just minutes away. Or stop by Rocklands Farm Winery, also nearby.
Take a Hike
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Ongoing
Admission: Varies by locale
The milder weather will make it a great time to hit the trail. And while there’s a link up top for a round-up of local hikes, specific recs are also helpful: Fountainhead Regional Park in Lorton, VA (paddling ops, too!); Turkey Run Park in McLean, VA; Riverbend Park also in McLean, VA; Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, VA; Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, MD (more padling ops!); and Patapsco Valley State Park near Baltimore, MD (swimming ops too!).
Toy Story in Concert
Where: Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 8pm
Admission: $28
The National Symphony Orchestra brings Toy Story in Concert to Wolf Trap, featuring the Oscar and Grammy-winning score by Randy Newman as the full feature film is projected in HD onto screen in-house and on the lawn. Ever wonder what toys do when people aren’t around? Toy Story answers that question with a fun-filled journey through the eyes of two rival toys—Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Bring along a picnic dinner or plan to purchase food there.
Special Art-Making Event
Where: KID Museum | Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: $15
Guatemalan artist Ubaldo Sanchez will make one last visit to KID Museum to demonstrate the colorful practice of sawdust carpet making (Alfombra de Aserrín). Sanchez will guide visitors through the steps of sawdust carpet art, from design to completion. (Check out a time-lapse video that shows the process.) At the end of his visit, kids and adults will experience the ephemeral aspect of this artwork by destroying the sawdust carpet together.This all takes place at KID Museum’s brand new space at Bethesda Metro Center. Other activities, including Robot Tech Arena, Big Build Maze, Wonder Forest of Lights Exhibit, and much more will also be accessible. Tickets are timed entry, and advance online purchase is recommended.
Mr. Poppers Penguins
Where: Imagination Stage
When: Through August 7
Tickets: $14
Mr. Popper’s Penguins have waddled onto Imagination Stage, delighting audiences as only these loveable creatures can. The whimsical tale about dreaming as big as an Antarctic adventure, even in bleak times, sends a timely message to kids and adults alike. Recommended for ages 3-10. Read a full review of the show here.
Fantastagirl and the Math Monster
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Through August 21
Tickets: $25
On stage at Adventure Theatre…. Fantastagirl, a second-grade superhero who uses words to save the day, comes face to face with her worst nightmare: the Math Monster! When confronted with problems too big for words alone to solve, Fantastagirl must accept help from her friendly, furry, fraction-loving foe. While Fantastagirl and Math Monster use words and numbers to help her friends and scientist moms, something far more sinister than Math brews on the horizon.
Cinderella
Where: The Puppet Co.
When: Through August 28
Tickets: $15 (look for discount)
Rod puppets convey the classic tale of rags to riches, love at first sight (twice!), and getting what we all deserve. Don’t miss this fan favorite production, or your magical midnight curfew! Recommended for ages 5+. Run time is approximately 45 minutes.
Six
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Through September 4
Tickets: $65-150 (look for discount)
From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an exuberant celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over.
United vs. Orlando
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 5pm
Admission: Tickets start at $29
DC United is home this weekend with a match against Orlando FC on Sunday. I recommend taking public transportation as parking can be difficult. Or park in the Navy Yard neighborhood and walk from there. Plan to grab dinner after the match— El Bebe, All Purpose Pizza, The Salt Line, and Dacha are very convenient and my top recs for family-friendly spots to eat there. Purchase match tickets here.
Plan Ahead: Music & Stamps Family Day
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station Area, DC
When: Saturday, August 6, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Save the date for an in-person program at the National Postal Museum! Celebrate artist Rafael Lopez’s new Mariachi stamps with a Family Day next weekend. Music, crafts, stories, stamps, and more will be available throughout the day. If anyone needs to step away from the festivities, a Take-A-Break space will be available throughout the program. Recommended for ages 0-10 (though anyone can join), no advanced registration is required. Read more about the National Postal Museum here.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Since this Round-Up is out early, here’s something for Thursday evening: A Quiet Place 2 will be the featured film at Movies on the Pitch, the free summer series at Audi Field. Starts at 7pm, reserve tix in advance.
* AdMo Vibe, a series of free, outdoor concerts, will feature local artists in Kalorama Park on Columbia Road, NW on Wednesday evenings throughout August (excluding August 17) from 6-7:30pm.
* Check out the newest resident in the National Statuary Hall at the Capitol.
* Just finished reading and loved Crying in H-Mart and now starting on this much recommended book this much recommended book.
* This salad looks perfect for summer and tomato season.
* Love some light, flowy pants for summer — like these.
* Hahaha…relatable!
* We just kicked off a couple of weeks vacay in Greece if you want to see pics and follow along!
