A quintessential summer activity
Happy Weekend!
Quick links to all kinds of DC fun:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* The Great Indoors
* Swim Spots
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Paddling Options
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
Seize the Season
Where: Around the DC area
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.
Off the Beaten Museum Path
Where: Around the DC area
When: Hours vary by museum
Admission: Varies by museum
With road closures and museum access restrictions at and near the National Mall, it’s a great time to check out an off-the-beaten-path museum. Not to mention, if you don’t veer from the well trodden path of the 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 and these in MD and VA that may not be on your museum radar — but should be.
The Notebook
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm | Saturday & Sunday, 2pm & 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $44
The best-selling novel and inspired the iconic film is on stage in DC… The Notebook is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love, telling the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. Recommended for ages 13+.
Montgomery County Fair
Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds | Gaithersburg, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
There’s still a couple of days left of the Montgomery County Fair, so go enjoy carnival rides and games, farm animals, live entertainment, pony rides, the junk food gamut, pig races, and so much more while you can! Get a glimpse of what to expect in this post of one of our past experiences there.
National Book Festival
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mt. Vernon, DC
When: Saturday, 9am – 8pm
Admission: Free
This ha 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. Reserve tickets in advance.
Flower Festival
Where: Summer Farms | Middletown,MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Starts at $18.32/age 3+
Escape to Summers Farm for their annual Flower Festival and enjoy the beauty of the 8-acre field glowing with thousands of blooms! Over 35 different varieties and colors make for very Instaworthy photos. Walk through, pick your own, take stunning pictures, sip a local drink in their spacious tent, and relax at the farm.
Princess Party
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: Saturday, 10am & 12pm
Admission:
Sing along at one of Olney’s most popular programs for kids! They unite the powerful, positive, young women from across stage and screen into one empowering performance featuring songs from favorite animated movies and Broadway shows.
Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs
Where: The Puppet CO. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 2:30pm
Admission: $18
See a show on strings at the beloved puppet theatre… We all think we know the Big Bad Wolf from the classic fairytales, but what if it’s the same Wolf in both stories? What if there’s been a big mistake? What if the Wolf isn’t so big or so bad? Recommended ages 4+. Run time approximately 45 minutes.
Circus Vasquez
Where: Tysons II | Tysons, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $23-90
Experience some thrilling family entertainment at this circus founded in Mexico City! Circus Vazquez brings the excitement of a traditional big-top circus to life with dazzling acrobats, high-flying aerialists, skilled jugglers, and laugh-out-loud clowns. Featuring talented performers from around the world, it’s a family-friendly show packed with thrilling acts, colorful costumes, and nonstop entertainment for all ages.
Explore the Mill
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Explore the historic Peirce Mill, Rock Creek Park’s only remaining grist mill. Stop in to see and hear what life in the mill was like during the 1800s. Talk to a ranger, learn about local history, and get tips for suggested hikes in the surrounding area — maybe even hit the trail to the Nature Center, where you can explore exhibits and catch a planetarium show. See more about Peirce Mill in this KFDC post.
Chuck Brown Day
Where: Fort Dupont Park | Anacostia, DC
When: Saturday, 2-7pm
Admission: Free
It’s that special time of the year when DPR celebrates the music and history of DC culture. This year they are are excited to bring the largest celebration of Go-Go back to the historic Summer Stage at Fort Dupont. The Chuck Brown Band and several other acts will perform, so bring lawn chairs and blankets to hang out and watch them. There will also be a kids activities area and food trucks on site.
Asia in a Bite Food Fest
Where: Tinghey Plaza | Navy Yard, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free with timed tickets
This outdoor Asian street food fest will bring the vibrant Asian market experience to DC. Featuring 30–40 food vendors, 10+ crafty merchandise vendors, DJ music, and rotating food lineups, bring the wole fa and y our appetites! Sign up for one of several two-hour sessions each day.
Magic and Family Fun
Where: Lincoln Park | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Sunday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a morning of magic and family fun hosted by the Friends of Lincoln Park! Starting at 10am, The Great Zucchini will perform his hilarious magic show that kids love. There will also be refreshments available. Catch up with friends and celebrate back to school!
Washington Folk Festival
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Sunday, 12-7pm
Admission: Free
Get folksy at Glen Echo Park this weekend, as theannual Washington Folk Festival showcases the diversity of traditional music in Washington. Expect a jam-packed roster full of dancing, storytelling, and music ranging from American to International styles: bluegrass to Celtic, Klezmer to Americana, blues to Zydeco. Enjoy entertainment on six stages, hundreds of performers, a dedicated family-focused kid-friendly area, food trucks, and more!
Open House
Where: Petworth Library | Petworth, DC
When: Sunday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the reopening of the newly renovated Petworth Library at this Open House. Explore the updated library and enjoy activities for all ages — bilingual story time, a children’s craft corner and scavenger hunt, teen gaming lounge, Zumba, sidewalk chalk fun, and more!
Spirit Pride
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Sunday, 4pm
Admission: Tickets start at $33.80
Washington Spirit are back at home for a match against Orlando Pride. Watch some great women’s soccer action as they host the Orlando Pride. Not only are they playing them, it’s also a Pride Match that celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
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, you can take a spin on the carousel or mini train, and play some mini golf. 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!
Seize the Season
Where: Around the DC area
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.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* There’s a chance to win a free music lesson for your child and more from International School of Music in the latest giveaway!
* This Tuesday, August 25, is a fee-free day at National Parks in honor of National Park Week and the NPS 110th birthday. So, any parks that usually charge entry will be free admission.
* National Gallery Nights, the monthly after hours program at the art museum, are returning this fall — the first one, themed “American Icons” will be on September 10. The lottery for registration opens this coming Monday, August 31, at 10am and closes Thursday, September 3, at 12pm.
* New on Netflix, Don’t Say Good Luck is a really good watch with t(w)eens. It stars Adam Sandler’s super talented daughter, Sunny, and is rated PG-13.
* When I read comparisons of this novel to Elena Ferrante’s books, I bought it immediately. So far, it doesn’t disappoint.
* The cutest kids’ clothes, and reasonably priced.
* Honest Parks and Rec Soccer League Itinerary, Ages 4-5 League lol
* Do a little AI time traveling through these Chloe vs. History videos — so cool!
