Enjoying the winter scenery at Roosevelt Island
Happy Weekend!
Seasonal Social Distancing
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
Don’t let the Covid cold months keep you from getting out around the area. This round-up is full of recs for activities that are accessible now. From cool hikes to art experiences to seasonal sports to garden explorations to year-round fun, there are all kinds of things to do that keep social distancing and safety in mind. All you really need is the right apparel and maybe a little extra outdoor gear.
Inside Info
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
There are some places still welcoming visitors indoors, all of them with extra safety protocols in place. This post listing open venues around the area also includes museums that reopened but closed again due to rising covid rates. The current status of of all of them are noted.
Open Studio Friday
Where: Online
When: Friday, 11am
Admission: Free
Get artsy with the National Portrait Gallery as the museum brings its weekly art workshops to you virtually. Every Friday, they post a YouTube video with a new activity or technique. Just like in the IRL workshops, all ages are welcome to get creative with artist Jill Galloway inspired by the museums’s collection.
African American Family Festival
Where: PG Parks | Online
When: Saturday, 11:30m – 3:30pm
Admission: Free
Join Price George’s County Parks as they close out Black History Month. This virtual festival includes all kinds of workshops, performances, storytellers, crafts, and a virtual marketplace with vendors selling culturally relevant African and African American goods and products. Jump in for free via Facebook Live.
More Black History Activities
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout February (and beyond)
Admission: Varies by activity
There are many great events and activities throughout the DC area to celebrate Black History — during this last weekend of February and beyond. Museum programs, guided and self-guided tours, visits to significant sites, and more are enlightening and entertaining for all ages.
Last Call for Crystalline
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC
When: Through February 28
Admission: $12-17/child, $19-24/adult
The current exhibition at ARTECHOUSE closes after this weekend. The gallery known for its visually stunning digital art has transformed into a blue-hued haven intended to evoke calm and peace during a turbulent time. Like all of the exhibitions there, just about all of it is interactive (but not hands-on), as the images change with viewers’ motions, encouraging play. Immersing into the depths of the color, even just for a little while, is a dazzling and delightful escape from the bizarre Covid world outside.
Fun at Fairfax Parks
Where: Parks around Fairfax County, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
There are new events from the Fairfax County Park Authority all the time, and this weekend has a fresh batch of nature-inspired activities for guests of all ages. Enjoy a private program about nocturnal animals and a campfire at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Join a geocaching workshop at Lake Fairfax Park. Take a twilight boardwalk stroll at Huntley Meadows. Details and registration for these and many more nature activities this weekend and beyond are available here.
Cache in Around DC
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
The workshop mentioned above inspired this rec. Geocaching is a super fun way to explore some of your favorite outdoor places and discover new ones. It’s like a scavenger hunt, and perfect for adding a little adventure to your outings. Even better, you can pick and choose where and when you want to do it. This KFDC post has info on how to get started.
Campfire Ring Rentals
Where: Parks in Montgomery County, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $25/hour – $100 total
Sit around a cozy campfire roasting marshmallows and sharing stories with friends and family. Montgomery Parks is helping make this happen by offering campfire ring reservations at four different locations. Visit the website for more details.
Maple Trail Walk & Sugaring
Where: Brookside Nature Center | Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 2:30pm & Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
This weekend also wraps up Brookside’s annual Maple Sugaring Days. The maple trees are taped, and you can take a self-guided tour to learn how maple sap gets from the trees to your table. The trail has been available onsite during February, and a naturalist is on hand weekends to talk about the boiling process, too. Dress for the weather and wear boots — Sugaring Season is also known as Mud Season! The Maple trail walk is free and open from dawn to dusk, the naturalist is there during the hours listed above. Start the Maple trail walk at our 1400 Glenallan Avenue parking lot location – just look for the sugar maple leaf signs. Make time to explore the grounds of Brookside Gardens while you’re there — it’s a lovely place to wander around!
Art Walk
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Take a stroll and enjoy some art, too. There are several places and ways to see creative works on a walk outdoors. The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden recently reopened with daily hours 11am – 4pm. Annmarie Sculpture Garden has lovely grounds decorated with large pieces and smaller pops of art. Browse and shop the art and more at Eastern Market’s weekend outdoor flea market. And MuralsDC will help guide you to works by local artists all over the city.
Take & Make It: Waterfowl
Where: Black Hill Visitor Center | Boyds, MD (for pick-up)
When: Saturday, 2-3pm
Admission: $2
It’s a new twist on an old favorite! Stop by the Black Hill Visitor Center to pick up a waterfowl craft kit to work on at home and check out who is visiting the lake. Inside the kit are directions for a craft to help you see the birds and a sheet to help identify the birds visiting Black Hill or a pond near you. The kits also include coloring pages and some information on waterfowl. Stop by anytime during program hours to pick up your craft kit.
Skate Al Fresco
Where: Ice rinks around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
Glide under the sky and stars! The ice rinks at Pentagon Row, Silver Spring at Veterans Plaza, Rockville Town Square, Reston Town Center, Cameron Run, Merriweather District, are welcoming guests to skate the day — and night — away with extra safety measures in place for Covid. Advanced reservations are required at just about all of these places, so plan accordingly.
Bring Home the Adventure
Where: Adventure Theatre | Online
When: Sunday, 2pm – Monday, 8pm
Admission: Free
Join Adventure Theatre for their first ever Stream-A-Thon, hosted by Artistic Director Chil Kong! It will feature 30 hours of programming celebrating musical theatre with presentations by stars of Broadway, film, and stage; AT’s Academy students, including members of the Pre-Professional Program; local artists; partner and community organizations; and many more incredible guest appearances. The digital marathon replaces ATMTC’s annual Gala as our signature fundraising event to support our mission of serving children and families in the community with exceptional theatrical experiences. Enjoy it all on Adventure Theatre’s YouTube page.
Mother Tongue Film Festival
Where: Smithsonian Online
When: Sunday through May
Admission: Free
The virtual Mother Tongue Film Festival is running through run through May, celebrating cultural and linguistic diversity as it showcases films and filmmakers from around the world. The event highlights the crucial role languages play in our daily lives. All films are free to watch online.
***More Good Stuff***
* Upcoming REI classes.
* Books to watch for in March.
* What to stream this weekend.
* Can’t wait to try this!
* Super cuteness.
