The Weekend Round-Up: August 26-28

Enjoy a family outing and celebrate National Dog Day on a hike.

Happy Weekend!

* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Swim Spots
* On the Water
* Bike Rides
* The Great Indoors
* Peaceful Places
* Baltimore with Kids

Huzzah for Ren Fest!
Where: Revel Grove | Crownsville, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 7pm
Admission: $26/adults, $21/seniors, free/15 & under
It’s time for merriment! And the Maryland Renaissance Festival is all about it. The fantastic trip back to medieval times is an event that appeals to all ages and sensibilities. Enjoy jousting matches, kids shows, comedy acts, tight rope walkers, jugglers, puppetry, Celtic music…and that’s just some of the live entertainment. There’s also a pirate playground, giant slide, labyrinth and games, and some of the best people watching opportunities ever. Walk among knights, maidens, pirates, and wizards in a 16th-century Tudor village as you chomp on turkey legs and down cups of mead. It all begins Saturday and will run every weekend through October 23. And this weekend only, kids ages 15 and under get in for FREE! Be sure to reserve tickets in advance online, as they aren’t available on site.

Dog Day(s) of Summer
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place (but mostly free)
Friday, August 26, is National Dog Day, so do something special with your pup this weekend! Washingtonian has a round-up of ways to celebrate. And I recommend a hike at a place that offers decent shade — some good spots for it are Rock Creek Park in Northwest DC, Riverbend Park in McLean, Roosevelt Island in DC (but accessed from the GW Parkway), Turkey Run Park in McLean, and Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. And Congressional Cemetery is our go-to spot to let our Teddydog run off-leash.

Final Friday Night Fishing
Where: Diamond Teague Docks | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 5-8pm
Admission: Free
It’s the last chance to join Anacostia Riverkeeper for their summer Friday fishing program. All essentials are provided: rods, reels, bait, and lessons for first time fishers. Staff are there to answer any questions and help with casting, tips, and tricks. All ages are welcome. Register in advance. When you’re done, head to one of the many nearby Navy Yard eateries for a bite to eat.

Maryland State Fair
Where: Timonium Fairgrounds | Timonium-Lutherville, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $5-10 (rides, games, etc. are extra)
If you missed the recent local county fairs or want to enjoy even more rides, games, live entertainment, 4-H exhibits, and carnival fun, head north to the Maryland State Fair.  You can even see some  thoroughbred horse racing!  The Fair will be held this weekend and the weekends of September 1-5 and 8-11.

Open Streets Brookland
Where: 12th St btwn Franklin & Monroe NE | Brookland, DC
When: Saturday, 9am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Hit the Open Streets in Ward 5 on Saturday! The program from the DC Dept of Transportation and Mayor Bowser will shut down the road to cars and fill it with yoga, fitness classes, arts & crafts, games, a DJ, bands, bikes and scooters zipping by, foam and mist tents, and more.  Guests can snag lessons and free felmet from LIME along with their first ride free (new customers) as well as enjoy live music giveaways and more. Visit the website for a schedule of activities.

Around the World Cultural Food Festival
Where: Oronoco Bay Park, Old Town Alexandria, VA,
When: Saturday,11am – 7pm
Admission: Free
Returning after a Covid hiatus, this festival celebrates intercultural diversity and brings together authentic living traditions from different countries around the world. Learn, eat, dance, shop, and witness these vibrantly connected cultures. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Dance Class Demo
Where: District Irish Dance Academy | Tenleytown, DC
When: Saturday, 11am -12pm (kids) | 12:30-1:30pm (adults)
Admission: Free
District Irish Dance Academy is celebrating the opening of its new studio in Tenleytown with free tours and demo classes. Students of all ages at District have been finding their rhythm, whether pursuing a passion, hobby, or career path. Kids and parents can try it out for themselves. The youth class is from 11am – 12pm, and an adults Jigs & Swigs class is 12:30-1:30pm. Be sure to register in advance through the link!

Seize the Season
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Time is dwindling to enjoy some of the season’s best places and activities. Outdoor pools and spray parks, special museum programs and exhibits, music and movies in the open air, beach fun, mini golf and carousels rides, a good ol’ crab feast. Check out the Summer Guide to help you enjoy the best of the season as it winds down.

Check Out this Library
Where: MLK Jr. Memorial Library | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
MLK Library is so much more than your typical library.  Along with books to browse and check out for all ages from all genres, there is a cafe, an exhibit space, study and meeting rooms, a large auditorium, a recording studio, a gorgeous rooftop terrace, and what little ones will love most: a SLIDE in the Children’s section to zip down. It’s a great place for all ages to visit, and this weekend there will be exhibits on the first floor, plus a teen art opportunity, and back to school kits to pick up in the Children’s Library. Read more about the MLK Library in this new post.

Nats vs. Reds
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats are back home and hosting the Cincinnati Reds this weekend. Catch them on Friday and Saturday evenings (7:05pm) and Sunday afternoon (1:05pm). Giveaways include a Wonder Woman Bobblehead on Friday and a tote bag on Saturday for the first 10,000 fans.  Don’t forget about the Kids Eat Free summer promo, plus they can run the bases after the Sunday game.  Before you go, get some KFDC tips on doing Nats game without breaking the bank.

Take a Dip
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
As temps heat up this weekend, find some cool spots to go for a swim.   This round-up has details on where to do that. 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.

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!

Take Your Pick
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Apples are now available at some spots for PYO, and berries, peaches tomatoes, and a few others crops are some of the pick-your-own options at local farms right now.  This post has info on some good places to gather them.  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.

Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Parks throughout Fairfax County, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
The Fairfax County Park Authority hosts all kinds of events on weekends for guests of all ages. Join an evening campfire at Lake Accotink on Friday. Get creative at a tie dye session at Burke Lake Park — and learn to make your dyes. Learn about monarch butterflies and more at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.  Details and registration for these and more activities this weekend and beyond are available here.  And be sure to see what free performances are in this weekend’s lineup of the Summer Entertainment Series!

Hike+
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
Enjoy a family hike — then extend (and elevate) the day with some some snacks (or a whole meal) and sips after.  A few awesome combos for that: Sky Meadows State Park and Barrel Oak Winery; Sugarloaf Mountain and The Comus Inn or Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard; Great Falls (MD side) and The Old Angler’s Inn;  Patapsco Valley State Park and the Guinness Brewery.

Cinderella
Where: The Puppet Co.
When: Through August 28
Tickets: $15 (look for discount)
It’s the final weekend to see this show on strings!  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.

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. They’ll be great places to stay cool, too!

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* There are a few days left of Alexandria Restaurant Week.
* If you’ve got a construction vehicle obsessed kid, Diggerland in NJ looks road-trip worthy.
* Can’t wait to celebrate a friend’s birthday this weekend at one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants.
* I recently purchased this little appliance and it really comes in handy, especially for making single-serving gazpacho.
* Have you watched Only Murders in the Building on Hulu? So clever and entertaining with the most endearing, stellar cast!
* Is memory loss a symptom? 😂 😭