Plan ahead for next weekend
Happy Long Weekend!
Easy links to all kinds of ideas for DC family activities:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* The Great Indoors
* Swim Spots
* On the Water
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Peaceful Places
Season Finales
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
This weekend is the last for some of the pursuits we’ve been enjoying all summer, outdoor swimming pools and special museum programs among them. If you’re hoping to explore Look Here at the Building Museum, see the fairy houses at Annmarie Sculpture Garden, or jump in at an outdoor public pool, then get on it this weekend! For details on these and other seasonal activities that will continue for a few more weeks, check out the 2023 Summer Guide.
Back to School Bike Ride
Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: Free
Celebrate the new school year with a big group bike ride on Saturday! Hill Family Biking, which organizes monthly family-friendly group bike rides in and around Capitol Hill, is hosting a Back to School Ride. The “progressive bike party” will cruise by DCPS elementary schools in the neighborhood, starting at 10:30am at Maury Elementary (13th & C, NE). Participants can either begin there or join the ride at the school of their choice. Younger bikers and their families are encouraged to join at Peabody Elementary (425 C Street NE), the halfway mark. The whole ride should be about 4-5 miles and will end at Watkins Watkins splash pad and athletic fields to cool off after the ride, play some games, and enjoy treats from the Maracas Ice Pops Trike. Anyone is welcome to join, not just Capitol Hill families!
First Saturday
Where: National Gallery of Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join the National Gallery of Art for their monthly First Saturday, a special day-long affair with multiple free programs for kids of all ages. Enjoy a story time for little ones, create sculptures from clay, try out the new Sketching Lab, browse the museum’s pop-up library, and, of course, tour the exhibits — all for FREE!
Virginia Scottish Games
Where: The Plains, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 9pm
Admission: $20-30/age 12+, $5/ages 5-12, free/under 5
Celebrate Scottish heritage at this annual fair featuring everything from music and dance to sports and games to food and cars, even Scottish dogs. Much of it will be showcased through competition, but there is plenty that all visitors can partake in, too. Two-day adult passes are available for $30.
Day Trippin’
Where: Around the DC area (and a bit beyond)
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by adventure
The long weekend is a great time to head a little further out and enjoy a day trip. Some ideas for where to go:
* Zip up to Baltimore, where there are so many great attractions for families.
* See the spectacular underground world of Luray Caverns.
* Enjoy hiking and history at Harpers Ferry.
* Go to Calvert County for art adventures at Annmarie Sculpture Garden, a beach day at Calvert Cliffs State Park, maritime explorations at the Calvert Marine Museum, or even a pontoon boat excursion from Solomons Island.
Horse Around on the Mall
Where: National Mall, DC
When: Thursday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Stop by the Horse Stables Education Center on the National Mall to see the residents and learn about their history. The U.S. Park Police Mounted Unit opened the horse stables back in June to house their equine team, and the public is welcome to visit the Center Thursday to Sunday to get more insight. The stables are located just south of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool across Independence Avenue from the MLK Memorial. While the Center is open Thursday – Sunday, you might see the horses in fenced in areas outside on other days.
Art Cart: Colors of Emotion
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Kids’ programming is back at the Hirshhorn this Saturday with Art Cart.This session is inspired by the art work of Rachel Jones, who uses her paintings to show the thoughts and emotions we all have inside. Find the Art Cart on the Plaza outside and pick up colorful materials to get creative. Head inside, too, and explore the exhibits — and to cool off!
SummerFest
Where: Olney Theatre Center | Olney, MD
When: Saturday, 1-6pm
Admission: Free
Olney Theatre is winding down the summer season with free activities and performances happening all day. There will be backstage tours; Irish, Thai, Persian, and folk dancing; all kinds of musical performances; a book sale, food trucks, outdoor games, and an artist marketplace. All are welcome to join the fun!
Nats vs Marlins
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Tickets start at $13
The Nats are hosting the Marlins all weekend. Catch a game on Friday at 7:05pm, Saturday at 4:05pm, or Sunday at 1:35pm. There will be a mug giveaway on Friday, and kids can run the bases after the game on Sunday. Be sure to check out these KFDC tips on how to do a Nats game without breaking the bank.
Hike & Hang
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the Weekend
Admission: Varies by place
There’s a link to a round-up of family hikes above, but sometimes it’s better to plan a hike around the après hike destination, places where you can relax and enjoy food and drinks, the kids can play, and the scenery adds to the enjoyment. A few awesome combos for that, where you can hike and hang: Patuxent River State Park and Waredaca Brewery, 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.
Merriment Galore
Where: Maryland Renaissance Festival | Crownsville, MD
When: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
Admission: $24/adults, $21/seniors, $12/7-15, free/6 & under
Take a glorious day trip back to medieval times at Ren Fest, where there is something for everyone. Besides the amazing variety of entertainment — jousting matches, cheeky comedy shows, juggling acts, Celtic music, and much more — walking among knights, maidens, pirates, and villagers in a 16th-century village as you chomp on turkey legs and down cups of mead is an interesting little jaunt back in time that any age can enjoy.
Summer at the Reach
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
It’s the last weekend for the Kennedy Center’s summer series, where you can enjoy free programming at the The REACH. On Friday evening, see a screening of the documentary Washington Jazz and Art Institute: In Their Own Words at sundown. On Saturday from 1-5pm Step Afrika will be there for a demo performance and a class (3pm). Then from 6-11pm, enjoy happy hour with DJs, dancing, and lawn games. And the Moonshot Studio will be open with artsy fun for all on Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 4:30pm.
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 also be held September 7-10.
Labor Day Weekend Festivities
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
Admission: Free
It’s an exciting weekend at Glen Echo. The annual Labor Day Art Show runs throughout the weekend with all kinds of art to check out. On Sunday and Monday, you can also enjoy the Social Dance Showcase, with live music and a variety of different dance styles. There will be short beginner lessons at the start of each dance, and all dances are open to people of all skill level. No partner required.
DC United vs Chicago
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $27
Kick it at a DC United match as they host Chicago on Saturday evening. Audi Field is a great stadium with excellent views of the action on the field as well as the city skyline. I recommend taking public transportation since parking can be difficult. Or park in the Navy Yard neighborhood, grab dinner at one of the many eateries (El Bebe, The Salt Line, and All Purpose are my top recs), then walk from there.
Joe Holiday Family Magic Show
Where: Capital Hilton | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 1-1:50pm
Admission: $10
Bring the whole family to watch as magician and illusionist, Joe Holiday, puts on an incredible fun-filled family magic show. Holiday is an expert at keeping the kids laughing and the adults amazed. Individuals of all ages are welcome at this show. And note that this is part of the DC Festival of Magic, a weekend showcasing the best magicians from all over the country. There will be even more performances geared toward adults — check them out here.
The Spirit of Soccer
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 5pm
Admission:Tickets start at $15
The Washington Spirit are hosting the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday evening. Enjoy some amazing soccer play — and a fun, action-packed chance to support women in sports. While you’re there, you can stop by the Community Corner in the southwest corner of the stadium to learn more about local organizations and businesses from Wards 6, 7, and 8. Purchase match tickets here.
How ‘Bout Them Apples?
Where: Farms & orchards around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
The apple picking season is underway! Several farms in the area have opened their orchards for guests to start gathering. This list of area farms and orchards offering pick-your-own opportunities has details on where you can harvest them. I always recommend calling ahead to be sure the fruits are available the day you plan to go.
Labor Day Concert at the Capitol
Where: U.S. Capitol Building West Lawn | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 8pm
Admission: Free
The National Symphony Orchestra annual Labor Day concert returns to the West Lawn of the US Capitol! Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez wil lead the NSO as they perform classics by John Williams, Duke Ellington, Florence Price, Johannes Brahms along with modern masterworks by today’s most prolific composers. The concert also features Grammy winner Sharon Isbin, the first guitarist to be named Musical America’s Instrumentalist of the Year. Gates open to the public at 3pm, and if the show is at 8pm is too late, you can catch the open dress rehearsal at 3:30pm.
Labor Day Parades
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Monday
Admission: Free
For some holiday pageantry on Monday, head to Maryland — both Gaithersburg and Kensington celebrate with Labor Day parades. The 80+ year tradition in Gaithersburg includes fire engines, high school marching bands, giant balloons, horses, and clowns in its procession through Olde Towne. Kensington is hosting its Annual Labor Day Parade and Festival. Dance troupes, equestrian groups, fire trucks, circus performers will be part of the show making its way through town starting at 10am. The fun will continue afterward at a festival on Antique Row with live music, food vendors, crafts, and more.
Off the Beaten Museum Path
Where: Around DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by museum
Hot days this weekend will make it a great time to do some indoor exploring, maybe at a not-so-well-known place. 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***
* There’s still time to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a free music lesson and more with International School of Music!
* Adventure Theatre is offering KFDC readers a discount on fall class, plus a chance to save on new shows!
* A fun way to discover Dupont Circle (and other parts of the city).
* The Mitsitam Cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian is closing for renovations from September 5 – late spring 2024.
* The Kennedy Center is launching a ”Thank an Arts Teacher” campaign this September, and you can share your story.
* For peops with pups, Eater rounded up the top dog-friendly patios around DC.
* Just took advantage of J. Crew’s awesome Labor Day Sale and got this dress for a lot less than when I first mentioned it here. (Use code SHOPNOW.)
* Boden also has a great sale now — 30% off everything, including the cutest girls and boys clothes (and women’s, too).
* Ideas for a Labor Day menu.
* For real.
