Last chance to immerse in infinite polkadots at the Hirshhorn
Happy Weekend!
Quick links to loads of ideas for ongoing activities:
* 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
Last Call for One with Eternity
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Through Sunday
Admission: Free
This weekend is the final chance to see the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the Hirshhorn. Including two Infinity Rooms, the yellow and black polkadot Pumpkin, plus a couple more pieces and elements that illustrate Kusama’s fascinating life and artistry, all ages will dig it. Important to note is how to get tickets: Next-day passes to the exhibit are released daily at noon on the Hirshhorn website. All visitors age 12 and up must have a pass; children ages 12 and under do not need a pass if they are accompanied by an adult passholder. Each adult passholder may bring up to two children into the exhibition and each Infinity Mirror Room.
Rock Out on the Riverfront
Where: Yards Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 6:30-8:30pm
Admission: Free
Take a little time trip back 20-30 years at the Yards Park’s Friday Night Concert series — Friends of Pluto will be performing tunes from the 90s, 2000s, and beyond. Stake out a spot in the grass to enjoy the show (or dance on the boardwalk) and plan for dinner there, too — food and drinks will also be available for purchase or you can BYO picnic. Go early to let the kids play in the water features and run around in the grassy areas. It’s a fun time for the whole fam!
Celebrate the Lotus & Water Lilies
Where: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens | Northeast DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Experience the glorious wild wetlands of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens! The annual Lotus & Water Lily Festival begins on Saturday and runs through July 22, with special programming every day (view the schedule here). Of course, the spectacular beauty of blooming lotus flowers and water lilies at the only national park dedicated to growing aquatic plants is a main focus of the event. Get a glimpse of the amazing flower display before you go — and consider biking there for a little extra adventure!
Spanish Is the Language of My Family Book Festival
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station Area, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join a family-friendly book festival following the release of Spanish Is the Language of My Family, written by Michael Genhart and illustrated by the National Postal Museum’s Guest Artist John Parra. The day’s events will include tons of fun games, interesting crafts, and entertaining live music for the whole family! This event is free and does not require advanced registration.
MLS All-Star Soccer Celebration
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 4:30-9:30pm & Sunday, 3-7pm
Admission: Free
Kick off the MLS All-Star celebration at The Wharf. The ultimate fan experience will feature special guest appearances by MLS players, musical activations and performances, culinary offerings, a watch party experience for MLS matches, and the opportunity to sample Coca-Cola refreshments.
Seize the Season
Where: Around the DC Area
When: All weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Summer is whizzing by, so enjoy the season while you can with activities that only occur this time of year. Some ideas: Start off the weekend with a free outdoor concert at Yards Park, then continue the fun on Saturday and Sunday with water play at a pool or spray park. Or enjoy a special summer program like Look Here at the Building Museum or Fairies in the Garden at Annmarie Sculpture Garden. Wind it all up with crab feast on Sunday. Get details about all of these summer diversions and even more in the 2023 Summer Guide.
Little Critters Nature Play
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9:30am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Drop in with little ones for hands-on activities and story time at the Zoo! Have a wild time exploring animals and the natural world through creative, free-choice activity stations in a brand-new indoor/outdoor classroom. Dig for horseshoe crabs in the sand table, make lunch for a bird in the mud kitchens, or just join for a story or two. Read Aloud Storytimes take place at 10am 11am, and 12pm. The play area is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families, but all ages are welcome. (PS: The Zoo is fun for older kids, too… read more about it in this KFDC post.)
Take a Hike
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Ongoing
Admission: Varies by locale
It looks like it will be a mix of weather this weekend, but there should hit the trail. And while there’s a link up top for a round-up of local hikes, specific recs are also helpful: Roosevelt Island within the Potomac; Fountainhead Regional Park in Lorton, VA (paddling ops, too!); Riverbend Park in McLean, VA; Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, VA; Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, MD (more paddling ops!); and Patapsco Valley State Park near Baltimore, MD (+ swimming ops!).
Touch a Truck Community Day
Where: Westfield Montgomery Mall | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Head to Westfield Montgomery Mall for this free, family-friendly Touch a Truck Community Day event. The day’s main attractions include special appearances, games, and giveaways by the Rockville City Police, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Bethesda Chevy Chase Fire Department, Gaithersburg City Police, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Maryland Department of Transportation, and Montgomery County Police Department. Each department will showcase their vehicles — a police car, fire truck, and a SWAT Armored Truck — in the Cheesecake Factory parking lot on There will also be bouncy fun, a kids magician/entertainer, face painting, and giveaways.
Summer Fest Market
Where: Woodley Park Metro | Woodley Park, DC
When: Saturday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
Woodley Park Main Street’s Summer Fest Market is bringing the ultimate summer shopping experience. Join an exciting day filled with local artisans, and a vibrant community atmosphere.
High Wheelin’
Where: Frederick, MD
When: Saturday, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Penny farthing, anyone? Get a curbside seat to America’s only high wheel race in historic downtown Frederick, MD. The National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race is a unique event that celebrates the history of bikes. Watch the fun along the .4 mile route and plan to enjoy more time in the Frederick — the downtown area is great to stroll, eat, and shop!
Model Trains + Thomas
Where: Historic Vienna Train Station | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 2-7pm
Admission: Free (donations accepted)
Chug on down to the Historic Vienna Train Station for their first Open House since the pandemic began. See and hear HO scale model trolleys and trains, including Thomas and some of his friends on display and in operation. It’s a great family fun and activity for the young and young at heart. The Station is at 231 Dominion Road NE, Vienna, VA along the W&OD trail just past the Caboose.
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
* The Fisherman and His Wife at Adventure Theatre
* Disney’s The Lion King at the Kennedy Center
* Seussical: The Musical at Keegan Theatre
* 1776 at the Kennedy Center
* DinoRock presents Dinosaur Babies at The Puppet Co.
* UniverSoul Circus at National Harbor
* Cyrano de Bergerac at Synetic Theater
On the Fringe
Where: Theaters around DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by performances
The Capital Fringe Festival is underway, and while most of the entertainment lineup this weekend is recommended for tween ages and up, there are a few all ages events, too. More details and ticket sales are on the Capital Fringe Festival website. And, parents, consider catching a performance for a KidFree night out.
Word Up
Where: Planet Word | Downtown DC
When: Throughout the weekend, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Passes are still available for this weekend to visit Planet Word, the outstanding museum all about language. It’s full of fun and interesting exhibits, most of them interactive, with something for all ages to enjoy — including wonderful bits of magic. Our whole family loves it! Admission is free, but you need to reserve timed-entry passes. Be sure to read a KFDC write-up about it before you go!
Off the Beaten Museum Path
Where: Around DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by museum
There are many more museums that are off the well-trodden path of the National Mall. And with the heat and rain in the forecast, it’s a good time to explore. If you don’t veer from it now and then, you could miss out on some other amazing exhibits and experiences that aren’t as well known. Check out this round-up of some museums in DC that may not be on your museum radar — but should be.
Nature & Recreation in Annapolis
Where: Quiet Waters Park
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $6/car
Head east to explore a new park! We discovered Quiet Waters kind of serendipitously several years back, and have enjoyed it many times since. Hike in the woods under a leafy canopy, paddle the South River, take in scenic vistas, and even view some art. Read more the locale in this KFDC post.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Just a reminder about the recent post of KFDC Picks for Kid Friendly DC Restaurants — because it always come in handy.
* Finally dined at The Bazaar by José Andrés and it did not disappoint!
* Nordstrom’s big Anniversary Sale begins on Monday, but you can preview it now.
* Looking forward to watching Season 2 of this show with my girl.
* And this movie later this year.
* Perfect summer cocktail… clink!
