A presidential tour includes the Lincoln Memorial, accessible to visitors again
Happy Weekend!
A Presidential Tour
Where: National Mall & Tidal Basin | WDC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The National Mall is, hopefully🤞, reopening this weekend, and a tour of the structures memorializing past POTUS will be a perfect, timely activity. Walk or bike from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument, then head to the Tidal Basin, where the Jefferson and FDR Memorials are located. For even more, you can go off-Mall a bit to the newer Eisenhower Memorial at Independence & 5th SW. Or add in some nature at Theodore Roosevelt Island, where you can walk in the woods and see the memorial plaza dedicated to the 26th prez.
Unity | Peace | Forward
Where: The REACH | Kennedy Center, DC
When: Through February
Admission: Free
The Kennedy Center has responded to t his time of unprecedented challenges with art. This new free exhibit features three installations scattered across the grounds of the REACH. A video of quotes from around the world will be projected on the Video Wall each Friday and Saturday evening from 4:30–8:30pm during the exhibit and can be viewed online at any time. The intimate conversation between performers, artists, writers, and cultural leaders is a glimpse into the minds of creatives about their hopes, fears, dreams, and aspirations in a time of uncertainty and isolation. Get a glimpse on the Kennedy Center website.
Kids Virtual Concert
Where: Online
When: Friday, 10-10:45am
Admission: $5
Mr. Gabe, the Pied Piper of Takoma Park, is kicking off a weekly concert series for kids on Zoom starting today, January 22. Mr. Gabe’s shows are interactive musical fun for toddlers and preschoolers. He performs nursery rhymes, finger plays, traditional children’s songs, kid-friendly pop songs, and originals from his two award-winning albums. Kids will be encouraged to use their brains and move their bodies. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased through Mr. Gabe’s website. Subscriptions are also available ($20 for 12 shows). Email mrgabe@mrgabemusic.com if you’re interested in subscribing to the full series.
Flying Squirrels
Where: Brookside Nature Center | Wheaton, MD
When: Friday, 5:45-6:15pm
Admission: $6
join this evening program to learn about Maryland Flying Squirrels. They are abundant, cute, and active year-round, but few see them in the wild because they are nocturnal. The program starts on the Nature Center deck 30 minutes after sunset.Physical distancing and face coverings are required. Register in advance.
It’s All Downhill…
Where: Around the region
When: Through winter
Admission: Varies
Skiing is a perfect, fun, active way to take advantage of winter — and there are a bunch of ski resorts within a few hours’ drive that are great for young, newbie skiers (and veteran swooshers, too). SkiPA is a good resource for finding slopes to suit your crew, and there are more resorts in other parts of the region. The closest for day trips are Liberty, Whitetail, and Bryce. Other places that are farther away but good to check out for longer trips are Roundtop, Massanutten, Wintergreen, Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, Snowshoe, Timberline, and Wisp.
Open Studio Friday
Where: Online
When: Friday, 11am
Admission: Free
Get artsy with the National Portrait Gallery is bringing 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.
Skate Al Fresco
Where: Ice rinks around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
Glide under the sky and stars! Several ice rinks are open for the season with Covid precautions in place for safe, socially distanced skating. Pentagon Row, Silver Spring at Veterans Plaza, Rockville Town Square, and Reston Town Center are once again welcoming guests to skate the day — and night — away. The Color Burst Ice Rink at the Merriweather District in Columbia, MD, just started its inaugural skating season. And the ice rink at Cameron Run holiday Winter Village in Arlington is still open. [Note: You need advanced reservations at just about all of these places, so plan accordingly.]
A Winter’s Trail
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Sure it’s cold, but the right clothes and gear make any activity possible, so bundle up and get out for a walk in the woods. Tramp in places with scenic views, hike and explore history at interesting locales, and savor a sunny day outdoors. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for good places to go with kids. Some specific park recs for right now: Huntley Meadows, Potomac Overlook, Patapsco Valley, Harpers Ferry, and Rock Creek (Note that Peirce Mill discussed in the post is closed, but the hike from there is great with kids.)
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 hikes to art experiences to seasonal sports to garden explorations to all-season fun, there are all kinds of things to do that keep social distancing and safety in mind. All you really need are good layers and maybe a little extra outdoor gear.
Two-Wheelin’ Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
It will be cold but sunny, so wear some layers and get out for a bike ride — you’ve got your pick of them around the area. Take in the winter scenery, get some exercise, and have fun — all while easily social distancing. This post has a bunch of pedal-worthy recs, with something for riders of all levels. And this one is a particularly great stretch with young kids.
Inaugural Ice Cream
Where: Ice Cream Jubilee | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $22
Ice Cream Jubilee is celebrating the new year and new White House with new ice cream flavors – and tasting parties of special Inauguration Flavors where they’ll serve tasting flights of four mini-scoops (and a pint to take home). President Biden famously loves ice cream, so they want to use ice cream to spread enthusiasm for the new administration. They want to get kids and families excited about elections, government, and our country as they watch the swearing in from home… with ice cream, of course!
Art & Me Workshop
Where: American Art Museum | Online
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Join a hands-on, art making preservation workshop for ages 3-8 and parents. From Chicanx graphics to Japanese prints, explore how Smithsonian conservators preserve colorful artworks on paper in this engaging online workshop. Then create your own colorful print and a protective folder, so your artwork stays safe. Register in advance — a Zoom link and suggested material list will be sent to registered participants ahead of the workshop.
Drive-In Movie Night
Where: Bassett’s Restaurant | Poolesville, MD
When: Saturday, 5pm & 7:30pm
Admission: $40
The Bassett’s Restaurant presents a fun night with cheer and great food, while maintaining all CDC safety protocols as they host a Drive-In Movie: The War with Grandpa! Order delicious food beforehand by phone or online, and they will call you when your food is ready so you can pick up from the back door. Full bar also available. There will be two showings, at 5pm and7:30pm. Admission is per car (no limit on number of people), so bring the whole family!
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 personalized family outdoor explorations at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Take a family astronomy lesson at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Catch a critter at Huntley Meadows.. Details and registration for these and many more nature activities this weekend and beyond are available here.
Fun, Hon!
Where: Inner Harbor Area | Baltimore, MD
When: All Weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Head up I-95 for a change of city scenery. Explore the exhibits at Maryland Science Center. See some of the quirkiest, coolest art ever at the American Visionary Art Museum. Play the day away at Port Discovery. Get an eyeful of the underwater world at the National Aquarium. Or view history in the works at the Baltimore Museum of Industry (open by appt). All of these places are open with new safety protocols in place for COVID.
Chill Out(side)
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
During these social distancing times, outdoor adventures are our best activity bets, so don’t let cold temps stop you from having fun. Find loads of ideas for things to do and places to hang in The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids, a perennial go-to post.
The In Crowd
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.
Crystalline
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest DC
When: Through February 28
Admission: $12-17/child, $19-24/adult
ARTECHOUSE, known for its visually stunning digital art, has transformed the gallery 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, 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.
Adventure Takes a Moment to Sing
Where: Adventure Theatre | Online
When: Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Free
Adventure Theatre celebrates the new year with a digital production featuring a selection of songs from some of its favorite performers: Justine Icy Moral, Sarah Anne Sillers, Bekah Zornsa, DaVon Moody, and Karen Vincent. This special episode hopes to uplift children and families in every community and offer lighthearted joy in uncertain times with talent of local artists. To tune in, visit the Adventure Theatre Facebook page.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* It’s Alexandria Restaurant Week To-Go. Actually it’s two weeks — from now through February 7, get $49 take-out for two from participating restaurants.
* Watson Adventures’ Wizard School Virtual Scavenger Hunt is coming up on February 13 and March 13. The online fun often sells out, so snag tickets while you can!
* Winter at Virginia wineries.
* Fun with Bernie.
* Haha.
, one of them for kids.)
