Boating season has begun in the DC area
Happy Weekend!
Back-pocket posts full of ideas for local recreation:
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Best Outdoor Spots
* Peaceful Places
* Indoor Outings
* Bike Rides
Long Awaited Reopening
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $10/adult, $7/child, free for members
The National Building Museum reopens on Friday after being closed since even before Covid shut everything down. Visitors will be welcome on weekends, Friday – Sunday, to view the exhibits, browse the gift shop, and marvel at the stunning Great Hall. Two new exhibitions, Gun Violence Memorial Project and Justice is Beauty: The Work of MASS Design Group, sound interesting and timely, and a few more ongoing exhibits will be back. A heads-up that the children’s areas — PLAY WORK BUILD and Building Zone — are not yet open. Also of note: It’s still free to hang out in the Great Hall; just certain exhibits require tickets.
Victura Park is Popping Back Up
Where: The REACH | Kennedy Center, DC
When: Friday 4-9pm, Saturday & Sunday, 12-9pm
Admission: Free
The weekend wine garden is back at The REACH, the Kennedy Center’s immersive extension. Part of the lovely outdoor area transforms into Victura Park, a family-friendly pop-up wine and beer garden & café, offering snacks and sips that you can enjoy at socially distanced tables or in other areas. Be sure to stroll around the grounds, the large plaza (we’ve seen skates and scooters there), and the sweeping Kennedy Center terrace, where you can also enjoy great Potomac River views.
It’s Glow Time
Where: Around Georgetown, DC
When: Through June 27
Admission: Free
Georgetown Glow, the annual exhibition that usually takes place during the holiday season, was rescheduled for spring. See the neighborhood sparkle with modern light art installations throughout the bustling community. Take the fam to dinner, then go for a stroll to check them all out. Get a glimpse of a past light show here.
Mini Trains & Carousel Opening
Where: Cabin John in Bethesda & Wheaton Regional Park, MD
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $2.50
All aboard! Montgomery Park’s Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel are opening for the season. Take kiddos for a spin around the parks on replicas of an 1863 steam locomotive. Or go for whirl on the Carousel (Wheaton only). Plan for time on the playgrounds, too — both offer lots of fun for little ones. Read more about Cabin John here and Wheaton here.
Fairies in the Garden
Where: Annmarie Sculpture Garden | Lusby, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $5 suggested donation
Guaranteed to delight, the annual exhibit of fairy and gnome houses at Annmarie Sculpture Garden begins this weekend.This year more than 100 homes for sprightly creatures will be scattered throughout the grounds. Viewing them as you walk along a trail through the woods is fun for all. Plan for play time in the adorable Fairy Lolly, and stop in the Arts Center for more creative works. Get a glimpse of it all here and here. PS: The Fairy & Gnome Home Festival is next Sunday, April 18, in case you want to save a visit for then.
Go with the Flow
Where: Waterways around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies
Row, row, row your boat or kayak or canoe! Paddle season has started as several places have started offering boat rentals and more open this weekend. 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.
Bloomaroo
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Through Sunday
Admission: Varies
It’s the last weekend that the Wharf is celebrating the cherry blossoms with Bloomaroo. Enjoy food and drinks specials at many of the restaurants. Catch Anime Movies, including the newest Sonic the Hedgehog movie. Check out a special mural created by ARTECHOUSE, too. Ride the Wharf Jitney or hop on the Water Taxi to get an up-close look at what’s left of the bloom and more scenic sights of DC. For more about The Wharf, see this KFDC post.
Farm Fun
Where: Farms around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies
Easter may be over, but some of the farms that hosted egg hunts are still running and offering lots of fun for families. Great Country has a whole play area, farm market, and baby goats. Clark’s Elioak delights with its old storybook park installations and mini rides for kids. And Butler’s Orchard is even hosting Bunnyland for one more weekend. And check out the recent post for ways to Bring the Fun Home… from DC Area Farms!
Around the World Virtual Family Scavenger Hunt
Where: Watson Adventures | Online
When: Saturday, 4-5:30pm
Admission: $19
Just because you can’t travel widely doesn’t mean your family still can’t go around the world! This global virtual adventure will send you off to explore the world’s best museums and historic locations via links to eye-popping websites. Your challenge: follow our clues, find amazing objects, and answer tricky questions about them. Stops along the way include a 360-degree view of the ancient streets of Pompeii, Italy, prehistoric cave paintings in France, a swim around the Great Barrier Reef and a live panda cam in China, just to name a few.
Shakespeare Family Fest
Where: Shakespeare Theatre Company | Online
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Hear ye! Hear ye! Join the fun in a weekend of free virtual events for the whole family. Explore the magic of theatre with virtual performances of A Mini-Summer Night’s Dream and The Tiny Tempest, a stage blood demonstration, interactive workshops, crafting activities, and more. Meet Shakespeare Theatre Company staff and teaching artists and learn more about Classes for Youth and Teens and Camp Shakespeare. Drop in for a session or spend the whole weekend with them. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Pop-Up Street Theater
Where: Locales around Arlington, VA
When: Sunday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free
Catch Synetic Theatre’s final pop-up performances of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. They’ll be clowning around and bringing street theater to Arlington parks, as a pair of improv actors make appearances at the Art Wall in Virginia Highlands Park, the Crystal City Water Park, and the Long Bridge Park Esplanade. Follow @synetictheater on Instagram to see where they are and how long they’ll be there!
Go Fly A Kite
Where: Alethia Tanner Park | NoMa, DC
When: Sunday, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Wind down the National Cherry Blossom with this sweet giveaway rom the NoMa BID. Stop by Alethia Tanner Park and pick up a free kite kit — and put it together to fly from the large lawn. Plan for some time on the playground and bring along pups to play in the dog park. You can even bring along a picnic and make a day of it! The park is located at 227 Harry Thomas Way NE.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* A group of local middle middle-schoolers have taken their creative fun to the next level and started Glasswing Tie Dye, selling T-shirts with all kinds of cool tie dye designs.
* Washingtonian highlights five fun food events around DC this weekend.
* Just posted this week: Spring Things to Get Excited About Around the DC Area (some of them in this round-up).
* The Yards and Pacers Running are hosting Brunch On the Go, a guided stretch and run along the riverfront, followed by a curated to-go brunch from Yards restaurants Osteria Morini, Shilling Canning Co., and Chloe. It will be offered April 17, April 24, and May 1.
* Is your child practicing the recorder? 😂
