Get off the beaten museum path at Planet Word
1. There are a lot road closures to be aware of this week and coming weekend for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix taking place on the streets around the National Mall. This WTOP article lists all the closures and parking restrictions. Access to a few Smithsonian museums on the National Mall will also be modified August 21-23 — see details here.
This is a good time to check out some of the off-the-beaten-path museums in DC and others in Maryland and Virginia. There are so many fantastic places to visit beyond the Mall that will be easier to access over the next week. (And if you are wondering, tickets to the racing event are no longer available.)
2. The annual Library of Congress National Book Festival is this Saturday, August 22! It’s always a fantastic event, and I highly recommend going if you can. Book enthusiasts, young and old, come from all over for the day of reading-related activities, including plenty that are family-friendly. Works by more than 80 authors, poets, and illustrators will be showcased, and the creators themselves will be at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for special appearances. It’s a good idea to plan ahead if there are any authors you really want to see, so take a look at the complete list of them as well as the schedule — most presentations are first come-first serve, and people line up early to get seats. The Festival runs 9am – 8pm, and doors open at 8:30am. Admission to all of it is completely FREE, just reserve tickets in advance. Books and more items will be for sale.
3. Did you know that on Fridays, ice skating is free at Fort Dupont Ice Arena? It’s a great way to stay cool on a hot day, or just have fun whatever the weather may be. Two-hour time slots are available to reserve between 10am and 8pm — just go to this calendar to save your spots.
4. In case you missed it yesterday, there’s a giveaway going on for a chance to win a free music lesson plus more goodies from International School of Music!
5. All the first days 🥹
the pix of your daughter growing up … awww.