Picnic, play, or just hang out on the Capitol lawn this weekend
Happy Weekend!
These evergreen posts are full of ideas & inspo for local adventures:
* Swim Spots
* On the Water
* Indoor Outings
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Peaceful Places
* Bike Rides
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 Inside Out 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 2021 Summer Guide.
DC Reopenings
Where: Smithsonians on the National Mall, DC
When: Starting Friday
Admission: Free
The National Museum of Asian Art/Freer Gallery and National Museum of African Art reopen this weekend — with no timed-entry passes required. Both will be open Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 4pm. See what other Smithsonians are open and reserve passes where you need them here.
Fashion + FUN for All Ages
Where: Georgetown Park | Georgetown, DC
When: Friday, 5-9pm | Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 9pm
Admission: $28/adult, $19/age 4-15
Go “Inside the Wardrobe” at this new art installation/fashion funhouse in Georgetown. The 20,000 square foot space contains more than 20 exhibits/spaces, all them wildly creative, fashion-inspired, interactive, even kind of trippy. You can try on paper doll cutouts, play with size in a fun house, get a close look at beautiful handiwork, take pics in whimsical and delightful settings, strut the catwalk, and much more. Read more about it and see some snaps from a visit there in this new post!
Summer GLOW
Where: Alleys in Georgetown, DC
When: Starting Friday through September 26
Admission: Free
A new season of Georgetown GLOW, the free public art experience, begins this weekend! Three local artists will show commissioned artworks during Summer GLOW with light installations transforming a few of the neighborhood’s alleys. The pieces will be viewable by day, and brighter by night. I always recommend making an evening of it — take then fam out to dinner at one of the many dining options in Georgetown, then stroll around to enjoy the art!
Al Fresco Films
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by location
Several movie series and drive-ins are screening films on weekend evenings. Catch a flick at the Alexandria Drive-in, PG Stadium, and in Greenbelt. The KFDC Summer Guide has details on what’s playing where. And be sure to check that they aren’t cancelled due to weather.
Free Music in the Fresh Air
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
There are bunch of places where you can enjoy free live music around the area. Kick off the weekend with a concert at Yards Park. The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage is outdoors this summer. The US Air Force Band presents shows at the Air Force memorial. And there’s more music at a few more spots — get details on all of it in the Summer Guide.
Nats vs. Padres
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats are hosting the Padres all weekend, with games at 7:05pm Friday and Saturday, and at 1:05pm on Sunday. There will be Freedom Fireworks after the Saturday game and a kids’ mask giveaway on Sunday. And a reminder that the ballpark is back at 100% capacity, and the playground is open again.
Capitol Picnic
Where: Capitol Southeast Lawn | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The fence around the Capitol finally came down, and there’s going to be a community picnic to celebrate. BYO fare and blanket and meet on the southeast section of the lawn.
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.
Big Bloom: Lotus and Water Lilies
Where: Kenilworth Aquatic Garden | Northeast DC
When: Daily, 8am – 4pm
Admission: Free
It’s peak time at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens as the annual lotus and water lily bloom is on, and this is the most stunning of them all, imo. View scenes from a past bloom here and consider a great bike ride to go see them (and another ride that incorporates a visit there). And this post has more general info and background on Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.
Summer Splash
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
It’s the season for splashing around, and there are plenty of spray parks, outdoor pools, and waterparks around the area where you can have fun and cool off. The 2021 KFDC Summer Guide has details on where to go for water play — see info for sprays here, outdoor pools here, and waterparks here.
Swim in Nature
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
If want to find some spots to swim in fresh or saltwater, check out this round-up of places. Find beaches on the Bay (and even Atlantic), lakes and rivers, and swimming holes and creeks — all that welcome the public to take a dip!
Fairytales in the Sun
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: $20.50
Adventure Theatre is presenting live, in-person family entertainment again! Two one-act plays, The Flood in the Future by Lyra Yang and From Cinders to Ella by Michelle Lynch, will be performed outside in the grassy field next to ATMTC and the Irish Inn and Covid protocols will be followed. BYO blanket or chair.
UniverSoul Circus
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Tickets: $27+
The world-class, live entertainment attraction that has captured the hearts and imaginations of a new generation of families is celebrating its 23rd year of FUN. UniverSoul connects with progressive, upwardly mobile, urban pop cultures from around the world, embracing and celebrating the unique and familiar aspects of global cultures and ethnicities into a stellar production that blends circus arts, theater and music. A fresh, cool, and hip approach to live family entertainment!
Charm City Fun, Hon!
Where: Around Baltimore, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Not only is it nice to get a change of metro area scenery sometimes, Baltimore, our sister city just a 45-minute drive away is full of fantastic, family-friendly things to do. Find a whole post about all of them, including big attractions, suggestions for places to eat, and neighborhoods to explore.
I Scream, You Scream
Where: Ice Cream Jubilee & Kilwin’s | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Sunday
Admission: Free
We all scream for ice cream! Sunday is National Ice Cream Day, and a couple of ice cream shops in the Capitol Riverfront ‘hood are celebrating with free scoops. Ice Cream Jubilee (301 Water Street, SE) is giving them away from 1-3pm in an effort to encourage vaccinations among the younger population — everyone who pledges to get vaccinated as soon as they can and encourage their friends and family to do the same, receives a free sweet treat. And Kilwins (1250 Half Street, SE) is offering freebies 11am – 1pm. Just stop in the new shop and show a staff member that you’re following Kilwins on Instagram and Facebook.
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Children’s Performances are returning to Wolf Trap this coming week!
* The Library of Congress just reopened to visitors. Read more about the local and national treasure here.
* Just started watching The White Lotus on HBO and love it so far (though it’s hard to wait for new weekly episodes)!
* Where Should You Go On Vacation Next?
* Gen Z Lingo (and good use of it here).
