Tag Archives: DC Fall Festivals

February 22, 2023 · 5:36 pm

Five Things: February 22, 2023

The Mothership at the National Museum of African American History & Culture

1. If you’re looking for things to do the rest of this week with kids on February Break, it’s a great time to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Right now, during Black History Month, is a meaningful time to go. (And if you have been, there is so much to be gleaned, teach to kids, contemplate, and celebrate, you can never visit too much.) It’s a huge museum with a lot of exhibits to navigate, some of them very heavy and somber, so be sure to read the KFDC Guide to visiting the museum with kids. There are still tickets available for a few time slots Thursday and Friday — none available this weekend — so snag them while you can!

2. We’re out of town this week, but I’ve seen a bunch of posts on social media about the early cherry blossom bloom at a few locations around the area. Some of the cherry trees are showing off their pink flowers at Congressional Cemetery, the National Arboretum (note that the linked post and pics are from 2020), National Harbor, and in LeDroit Park. As for the famous trees around the Tidal Basin, we’re still awaiting their peak prediction, but should hear soon!

3. Several new shows are opening at DC theaters this week — Into the Woods, King Lear, The Hula Hoopin’ Queen, and Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue. Get details on all of them in this round-up of winter entertainment, including discount links, and see what else is coming to local stages soon.

4. How about a change of city scenery and a good meal? Annapolis Restaurant Week is February 25 – March 5.

5. What a cute idea for a birthday party!

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Tagged as DC Culture, DC Fall Festivals, DC Kids Activities, DC Lifestyle, DC Take Out, DC with kids, DMV Events and Activities, Family Friendly Activities in DC, February 2023, Fun Things to do with Kids in the Washington DC Area, Kid Friendly DC, Places to Go with Kids in DC, Winter 2023

February 14, 2023 · 1:40 pm

Five Things: February 14, 2023

King and Queen in the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden

1. Are you looking for a last minute family Valentine’s Day dinner idea? Get take out! It doesn’t have to be fancy, just something fun that everyone will ❤️! These are a few of our favorites places for picking up (or having delivered) a yummy meal :
* Surfside… The fajita box is perfect for families, and they give you so much, there are always leftovers.
* Shouk has the most delicious plant-based food (and this is coming from a non-vegetarian).
* The Italian Store is where to get the best pizza in the DC area (imo), plus the subs are awesome, too.
* Takorean does a great fusion of Latin American and Korean cuisine — and they have a sweet deal on tacos today (3 tacos for $7.95 or one taco for just $2.65).
* The Roost is a go-to for us because the neighborhood food hall houses several eateries, so we can each get what we’re craving — sushi, pizza, burgers and sandwiches, noodles, salads, and more.

2. One of our local museums is joining the reality TV scene! The Hirshhorn and MTV are pairing up for The Exhibit: Finding the Next Great Artist. The series begins on Friday, March 3, at 9pm on MTV, and Smithsonian Channel will re-air it on Tuesday, March 7, at 9pm.

3. If you love to celebrate Mardi Gras, head to The Wharf on Saturday for an afternoon of fun festivities! You can also bring a taste of Mardis Gras from New Orleans to DC!

4. Do you ever use the shopping website, ThredUp? In a nutshell, it’s great for getting deals on secondhand clothes (for adults and kids), and for consigning your own stuff. If you’re a new user, you can get up to 50% off an order with the code NEW.

5. 28 (!) years 💕

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Filed under 2023, DC, Five Things, Winter

Tagged as DC Culture, DC Fall Festivals, DC Kids Activities, DC Lifestyle, DC Take Out, DC with kids, DMV Events and Activities, Family Friendly Activities in DC, February 2023, Fun Things to do with Kids in the Washington DC Area, Holiday Events for Kids in DC, Kid Friendly DC, Places to Go with Kids in DC, Valentine's Day 2023, Winter 2023

February 7, 2023 · 8:01 am

Five Things: February 7, 2023

Capitol view from the Old Post Office Tower

1. When friends were visiting a few weeks ago, I took them to several of my go-to places for wowing out-of-town guests, including the Old Post OfficeTower. Located in the Waldorf Astoria hotel, but operated by the National Park Service, visitors are welcome to go up in the tower. It’s one of the tallest structures in DC and offers some of the best vistas of the city. Hours are 9am – 4pm daily, and admission is free. (PS: I’ll share my other “wow” spots soon!)

2. A couple of years ago during peak Covid winter, I posted about creating a perfect outdoor setup to be able to hang out safely with friends. But who says outdoor winter hangs can’t still happen? With mild temps on the way, it seems like a great time to reshare these ideas for making a nice outdoor space for the cold months.

3. If you haven’t yet seen the round-up of Valentine’s Day activities, be sure to check it out soon. There are a bunch of events happening this weekend, several that require advance registration.

4. How amazing was this performance at the Grammys ?!

5. 10 Happy Things for February 💕

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Tagged as DC Culture, DC Fall Festivals, DC Kids Activities, DC Lifestyle, DC with kids, DMV Events and Activities, Family Friendly Activities in DC, Fun Things to do with Kids in the Washington DC Area, Holiday Events for Kids in DC, January 2023, Kid Friendly DC, Places to Go with Kids in DC, Winter 2023

February 1, 2023 · 9:38 am

Five Things: February 1, 2023

Hey, baby! Look for the putti at the Library of Congress

1. Do you know the meaning of the cherub sculptures along the staircases in the Library of Congress Great Hall? Known as putti in Italian Renaissance art, they represent various occupations of American life during Thomas Jefferson’s time. If you look closely, you can see that they’re all holding objects that symbolize their pursuits — a cogwheel for the mechanic, a spade for the gardener, a lyre for the musician, a rabbit and gun for the hunter, etc. After countless visits over many years, I only just learned this on a recent visit when an out-of-town friend asked a docent about them! This is just a small sample of all the interesting tidbits to be gleaned and architectural details to admire in the stunning space. Have you been? The LOC is open Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm, and admission is free with timed-entry passes. Read more about the iconic DC spot in this KFDC post.

2. Next time you’re waiting for a flight with kiddos at DCA, take them to Curiosity Runway! The new children’s playspace comes from the National Children’s Museum, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, and The Boeing Company. It’s located in Terminal 2, just after the airport’s North Security Checkpoint between the C and D Gates.

3. A treat for Valentine’s Day: Barracks Row is offering a Sweet Tooth Dessert Tour passport that gets you a dessert from 19 restaurants on Capitol Hill. That’s a lot of desserts, but you don’t have to get them all at once. The passport is good from Friday, February 10 through Sunday, February 19. Cost is $29.

4. Are you deciding between a fun-focused or educational summer camp for your child? Some thoughts on the topic in the Washington Post.

5. The Family Edition of a super fun game!

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January 25, 2023 · 9:35 am

Five Things: January 25, 2023

Objects from many museum collections on view in the Smithsonian Castle Commons room

1. The Smithsonian Institution Building (aka Smithsonian Castle) will close starting next Wednesday, February 1, to undergo a five-year renovation. So, if you haven’t yet been or want to see it again before it’s inaccessible, you only have a week. What’s in the Castle? It’s home to the Smithsonian Visitor Center, a small cafe, and a sampling of some of the collections you can find in the many museums.

2. Spring Break is just a couple of months away for some local students, and closer to three months for most DC kids. Either way, if you’re still making plans and thinking about taking a trip, you might find some inspiration from these family getaway ideas.

3. Have you checked out Groupon lately? There currently are some great offers on fun things to do around the area, including a two-hour session at the St. James Super, Awesome, and Amazing activity center; this weekend’s Jurassic Quest dinosaur show; the Washington Auto Show; local sports tickets; classes for kids; and much more!

4. Two movies I recently watched and recommend: To Leslie (Andrea Riseborough so deserves her Oscar nomination) and Armaggedon Time (Anne Hathaway should have gotten one, too). [Note: These films are rated R, and suggested for adults (or teens and older).]

5. A great listen with a legend.