Tag Archives: August 2023

 

Happy Weekend!

Link up to loads of ideas for local fun in these go-to posts:
* 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

Summer Fun
Where: Around the DC area
When: All weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Summer break is starting its wind-down as kids begin heading back to school on Monday (mine, anyway).  But plenty is still going on to enjoy the season… Spraygrounds, special exhibits, music and movies in the open air, beach fun, crab feasts, mini golf and carousel rides. The Guide to Summer in DC has all the inspo you need to eke the most out of the season.

Fair Play
Where: Arlington, Montgomery, and PW Counties | VA & MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
County fair season continues as Arlington’s annual fest is underway, and Montgomery and Prince William counties host their final days. All are chock full of amusement for everyone, with carnival rides and games, farm animals, live entertainment, pony rides, the junk food gamut, pig races, and so much more. This post has the whole scoop on all of the county fun.

Summer at the Reach
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Enjoy free programming all weekend at the The REACH at the Kennedy Center. On Friday evening, see a screening of A League of Their Own at sundown. On Saturday, enjoy performances and activities by Youth Poet Laureate All Stars at the River Pavilion from 1-5pm, then happy hour with DJs, dancing, and lawn games from 6-11pm. And the Moonshot Studio will be open with artsy fun for all on Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 4:30pm.

MTB in the DMV
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies, but mostly free
There’s a brand new post, written by our very own Owen, with recs for places to mountain bike around the area. As he says,”whether you already have a genuine interest in mountain biking, are thinking about getting into it (with or without kids), or you’re into the outdoors and looking for more ways to enjoy it, this round-up of places to MTB will help get you going.”

Peace Out
Where: Around DC
When: Ongoing
Admission: Free
Sometimes you just want to go someplace that’s pretty and quiet, where you can chill out and think (or not), and enjoy your serene surroundings. This post has a round-up of of those very places, where you can find peace and calm, all of them right here in the city.

Big Dig Potato Harvest
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 6pm
Admission: $12/child or $14/adult
Head to Great Country for take a wagon ride out to the fields to dig up your own potato treasures. After digging, play all day in the five-acre play area, with attractions including Putt Putt golf, the Farm Ninja Warrior obstacle course, mazes, swings, slides, animals to visit, and feed, and so much more! PYO peaches will also be available this weekend.

Chuck Brown Day
Where: Chuck Brown Memorial Park | Northeast, DC
When: Saturday, 2-7pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate a local musical legend that took the spirit and culture of DC across the world. BYO lawn chairs or blanket and enjoy an afternoon of free live entertainment with Rare Essence, Doug E Fresh, and the Chuck Brown Band will be performing. Bring the whole fam — there will also be a kids activities area, food trucks on site, and The Chuck Brown Foundation will be giving out free backpacks for the kids (starting at 1pm). Limited free parking will be available on the field at 24th & Franklin Streets NE.

Dolley Day
Where: Dumbarton House | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Join Dumbarton House to celebrate the anniversary of Dolley Madison’s flight from the White House to Dumbarton House in 1814. On Saturday, Dolley herself will be there to share stories about her life and teach some of her favorite games! There will also be yard games and ice cream (one of Dolley’s favorite foods) available to add to the fun. The museum will be open for FREE self-guided tours with a special handout about Dolley.

Beauty and the Beast
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Through August 27
Admission: $15
Terry Snyder’s Beauty and the Beast features half height marionettes, a projected magic mirror, and two storytellers guiding our audience through a sweet retelling of the original Beauty and the Beast tale. Will they fall in love in time to break the curse? Run time approximately 45 minutes.Recommended ages 4+.

Moulin Rouge: The Musical
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Through September 24
Admission: $45-199
Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Recommended for ages 12+.

Cambodian Rock Band
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: Through Sunday
Admission: $66-105 
It’s 2008 and a father-daughter duo are heading to Phnom Penh; she to prosecute a notorious Cambodian war criminal, he 30 years after escaping then-Communist rule. In a psychedelic theatrical extravaganza set to some of the country’s most popular rock music, including from Dengue Fever, Cambodian Rock Band shines a light on the country’s vibrant ’70s rock scene and how an entire generation of musicians was purged by the Khmer Rouge, as it brings long-buried family secrets back to life. Recommended for teens and older.

Guided Hike
Where: Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park | Sandy Spring, MD
When: Saturday 10-11:30am
Admission: $8/age 6+, free/5 & under
Learn about the experience of 19th century freedom seekers and Montgomery County residents in a guided hike of the Underground Railroad Experience Trail. Discover techniques used for navigation, eluding detection, and finding food/shelter on the perilous journey. The hike covers two miles on a natural surface hiking trail, and the content is appropriate for ages 7 and up. Admission to the Woodlawn Museum is included.

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. Patuxent River State Park and Waredaca Brewery.

Sunflower Festival
Where: Summer Farms | Middletown,MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $19.50/age 3+
Escape to Summers Farm for their 4th Annual Sunflower 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.

Savor the Bay
Where: City Dock & Susan Campbell Park | Annapolis, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $15, free/12 & under
How about a day filled with delicious seafood, live entertainment, kids activities, food demos and competitions, loads of shopping options, vendors, exhibits, contests? You can enjoy all that and more at the annual Maryland Seafood Festival. Even better, it all takes place right in charming Annapolis.

Family Day
Where: Oatlands Historic House & Garden | Leesburg, VA
When: Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: $30/family
Join an afternoon of fun games, crafts, snacks, and activities, along with a scavenger hunt for the entire family. The Little Red School house (which is rarely open to the public) will be open for visits along with self-guided tours of the mansion. Bring along food to enjoy lunch in one of two picnic groves.

Go with the Flow
Where: Waterways around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies
Row, row, row your boat or kayak or canoe or SUP! Paddle season is flowing on, and the weather this weekend looks like it will be perfect to enjoy some time out on the water . Boating in DC has several locations in the District and a few NoVa Parks offer it, too. This post about places to go with the flow has more details.

Beachy Keen: Sand, Surf, & Fossils
Where: Around the area
When: Daily
Admission: Varies by beach
Summer calls for beach time, and there are several places within day trip-distance from DC that are nice for sand and surf — and maybe a little fossil hunting. Head out to Calvert Cliffs State Park or Flag Ponds Nature Park. Or go east to Sandy Point State Park. Play paleontologist and look for prehistoric fragments along the Potomac at the Purse Area in Charles County, MD (be sure to check the tide table).  You can also make a bigger trip out to Westmoreland State Park, about a two-hour drive away in Montross, VA, where you can hike, beach, fossil hunt, and even camp.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Alexandria Restaurant Week is on from now through August 27.
* See a little birthday celebration for Xiao Qi Ji at the National Zoo on Monday at 9am (they’ll be giving the giant panda a cake)!
* Washingtonian has the 61 best dining deals around DC.
* 23 best Airbnb experiences around the world. (Have you ever booked an Airbnb experience? We did a sailing excursion in Greece, and it was fantastic!)
* Half-way through this book, and it’s an entertaining “beach read.”
* A friend just let me know about this great sale… and how cute is this?
* Ken Things Ryan Gossling Can’t Live Without.

 

Happy Weekend!

Quick links to posts loaded with inspo for local fun:
* 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

All’s Fair
Where: Montgomery, Prince William, & Howard Counties | MD & VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
County fair season continues as Montgomery and Prince William kick off their annual fests that are chock full of amusement for everyone in the fam. Carnival rides and games, farm animals, live entertainment, pony rides, the junk food gamut, pig races, and so much more. You can also find it in Howard County, where the fair is on for its final couple of days. This post has the lowdon on all of the county fun.

National Book Festival
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mt Vernon, DC
When: Saturday, 9am – 8pm
Admission: Free
Book enthusiasts, young and old, come from all over for the day of reading-related activities. Works by more than 70 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 served, and people line up early to get seats.

Nats vs A’s (& $5 Kids Tix!)
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats are back home and hosting the Oakland Athletics this weekend. Catch them on Friday and Saturday evenings (7:05pm) and Sunday afternoon (1:35pm).  Kids tickets are just $5 for all of the games — purchase here!  There are also giveaways including Racing Presidents George & Tom Bobbleheads on Saturday and a kids book tag on Sunday, plus they can run the bases after the game.

Kids Workshop 
Where: Lowe’s locations around the DC area
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Bring your mini-DIYer to Lowe’s for some building fun. Open the tailgate and unload the fun for this monthly Kids Workshop. Attendees can build their own little Pickup Truck toy using real tools. All participants will receive a kit with materials. Be sure to reserve a time slot! Walk-ins are welcome, but space is not guaranteed.

Hello Kitty Cafe Truck
Where: Pentagon Row | Pentagon City, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 7pm
Admission: Free
Barbie may be all the rage right now, but Hello Kitty is a pop culture trend to be aware of this weekend. The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will be at Pentagon Row on Saturday, offering some supercute treats & merch (while supplies last). Stop by for a snack and to snag some fun items!

LEGO Discovery Center Opening Weekend
Where: Springfield Town Center| Springfield, VA
When: Ongoing
Admission: Starts at $28.99
The much anticipated LEGO Discovery Center just opened at Springfield Town Center.  I will start by letting you know tickets are sold out through August 13.  So, consider this a heads-up to reserve yours now for a future date.  The 32,000-square-foot is sure to delight and thrill LEGO enthusiasts. Launch rockets on a LEGO Space Mission, journey on the Imagination Express, explore a LEGO Mini World, take a workshop with a Master Model Builder, ride a dinosaur-themed carousel in DUPLO Park, experience 4D sensory cinema, and much more!  Read all about it in this guest post by KFDC Contributor Emily Moise.

Summer Sidewalk Sale
Where: Delray & Old Town | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday,
Admission: Free
Do some back-to-school (and more) shopping in Alexandria this weekend! This annual event features more than 40 boutiques stepping out of their storefronts and offering deeply discounted summer merchandise. In Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, browse unique finds at the Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market and more. Plus, enjoy pop-up live music performances along King Street from 11am – 4pm as well as pop-up vendors along the 0 block of King Street. The Torpedo Factory in Old Town will also be participating — visit 71 studios and nine galleries to shop directly from the artists while they create!

The World & Me: Exploring Elephants
Where: Natural History Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate World Elephant Day with the museum and local author-illustrator Jennifer O’Connell through storytelling, art-making, exploration, and play! Jennifer will present her new picture book, Elephants Remember, at two different times (see schedule here. The book tells the true story of how conservationist Lawrence Anthony saved a herd of wild elephants by gaining the trust of the herd’s matriarch. Jennifer will show and discusses her process of researching, writing, and illustrating the book as well as share her painting of a life-size baby elephant and a cardboard cut-out of an adult African elephant ear.

Ice Cream-Making Demo
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Head to Peirce Mill to learn all about the frozen treat brought over from France by Dolley Madison. Watch the ingredients being poured into the dasher, learn about the brine that freezes the cream, and take a turn cranking the handle to make old-fashioned ice cream. A historic recipe by Thomas Jefferson with a modern adaptation will be available to take away. Read more about Peirce Mill in this KFDC post.

Hip Hop Dance Open House
Elements Urban Arts Collective | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free but RSVP required
Get ready to groove, because the Elements Urban Arts Collective dance studio is turning up the heat with the most epic Hip Hop Dance Open House ever! Unleash your inner dancer and join the party as they celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop with class demos, activities, games, ciphers, and more. All ages welcome, but 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Peach Fuzzitval
Where: Great Country Farm | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday, 9am – 5pm
Admission: $14/child & $16/Adult
It’s another weekend celebrating peak peach picking season at Great Country Farms! Along with tons of fun activities, you can also learn how the peaches are grown and used in food and drink and enjoy the results as well. Kick off each morning with fresh apple cider donuts , then later on get the whole family involved in peach eating and peach pit spitting contests and family water games. All the fun farm attractions will be open, and there will also be live music to entertain the crowd.

Show Time
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
There’s all kinds of entertainment on local stages this weekend. Here’s what and where you can catch it (and you can find show details and any discount links here):
* Nate the Great at Imagination Stage
* Beauty and the Beast at The Puppet Co.
* Cambodian Rock Band at Arena Stage
* Moulin Rouge: The Musical at the Kennedy Center
* The Play That Goes Wrong at The Kennedy Center
* UniverSoul Circus at National Harbor

Summer Fun
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Take advantage of all the activities that come with the season! Have some water-inspired fun. See a special exhibit.  Enjoy free music outdoors and movies under the stars. Go with the flow on local waterways. Hit the beach. Feast on seasonal treats. And so much more. Details on all of this summer fun around DC can be found here.

King Bullfrog Concert in the Park
Where: Lincoln Pak | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 5-9pm
Admission: Free
King Bullfrog, the high-energy acoustic act playing folk, rock, and original music for kids and their grownups, is teaming up with the National Park Service to play a free concert in the park on Saturday. KFDC Tip: Grab some food at Eastern Market or Wine & Butter (across the street from the park) and enjoy a picnic in the park along with the show!

Pirates & Wenches Fantasy Weekend
Where: Rock Hall, MD
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
Buccaneers and landlubbers of all ages! Head out to the Eastern Shore for a fun, unique experience. This town-wide family-friendly event will be loaded with kids activities, shows, and costume contests. Check out the website for details and schedules. Pirate attire is highly encouraged!

Entertainment in NoVa Parks
Where: Fairfax Parks | Fairfax, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Enjoy music and more live performances in Northern Virginia parks! The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series has a bunch of shows happening this weekend at parks all around the county. Bring along picnic, blankets, and lawn chairs to enjoy the best local and regional entertainers. See what’s on the schedule here.

C&O Canal Boat Tours
Where: C&O Canal | Georgetown, DC
When: Starting Friday
Admission: $15/adult, $10/senior, $8/child
Take a one-hour guided historical tours along the first mile of the C&O Canal National Historical Park that starts in Georgetown. Learn about the fascinating history, technology, and culture of the Canal, and the surprising stories of the people who lived, worked and played nearby over the past two centuries, while you enjoy a cruise on the water and the surrounding scenery. (Note: These are offered Wednesday – Sunday through October.)

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 it’ll be a great place to stay cool. Read more about the MLK Library in this KFDC post.

Open Swim
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Hot temps this weekend calls for spots to cool off — so this round-up of places to swim around the area will come in handy. 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!

Family Feast
Where: All around DC
When: Ongoing
Admission: The cost of your meal
Sharing a fun meal out, is always a great (and tasty) family activity.  The linked post sharing KFDC picks for kid-friendly eats in DC includes all kinds of places for it, from nicer sit-down restaurants to fast casual eateries to neighborhood grab-and-go spots. So, make plans — and, in some cases, reservations — and bon appétit!

Think Outside
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
From the looks of the forecast, this weekend if going to be perfect for outdoor adventures. And there are tons of options around the DC-Metro to have fun al fresco. Take a hike, go to a beach, hit a playground, explore a historical site, visit animals, or see what else there is to do under the blue skies in this post with tons of ideas for outdoor fun. (And for inside activities, The Great Indoors post list over 90 ideas!)

*** MORE GOOD STUFF***
* How to help those affected by the Maui wildfires.
* World Central Kitchen is also a great organization to donate to — they are in Maui providing meals for evacuees and first responders.
* Stock up during Maryland Tax Free Week, August 13-19.
* The National Postal Museum is presenting another Guest Artist Series virtual program this Wednesday, August 16.
* The annual DC Bike Ride, when 20 miles of streets are car-free for bikers, is on September 9, and you can register for tickets now.
* Wirecutter named this and this the best backpacks for young students.
* Great deals on trendy pants and jeans for teens.
* Speaking of teens, thank you to my daughter for introducing me to this delicious smelling, reasonably-priced, truly helpful lip balm.
* A great digital illustration/explanation of offsides by Washington Post.
* Swiftie dads 💙 (the comments, too!)