Spend a day (or a whole evening!) at a museum for some cool fun
Happy Weekend!
Go-to posts loaded with ideas for ongoing fun:
* 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
Stay Cool in the Sprays
Where: Spray parks in DC
When: Through Sunday
Admission: Free
With the Hot Weather Emergency activated, Mayor Bowser and DC DPR are extending hours at 16 District spray parks. They will be open from 10am – 9pm through the weekend. See the locations where you can splash into the evening here. (PS: See more spray park locations around the area here.)
The Great Indoors
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
This list of over 100 ideas for adventures around the area that take place indoors is always a good one to keep handy in the summer (or any time of year, really), but especially as temps soar. Many are well known attractions, but sometimes we need reminders about even the most obvious spots. You’ll likely find lots of nice surprises listed, too! (PS: This post is a good one to check, too.)
Ladybug Release
Where: American Indian Museum Gardens | National Mall, DC
When: Friday, 10am
Admission: Free
See firsthand how the museum’s croplands are protected natural pests! Convergent lady beetles, aka ladybugs, are a natural pesticide used by groundskeepers to maintain the health of the gardens. Join experts from Smithsonian Gardens outside the museum on the National Mall to learn how to identify a ladybug and other fun insect and garden facts. Guests will be able to place a few ladybugs on plants, too!
Smithsonian Nighttime Adventures
Where: National Museum of Natural History | National Mall, DC
When: Friday, 7-11pm
Admission: $70-85
Hang at the Natural History Museum after hours! Kids ages 8-14 and their adult chaperones can join other night owls in this unique experience. Smithsonian Nighttime Adventures welcomes guests to one of the world’s most visited museum after the crowds shuffle out for the day… Wander through the Fossil Hall, where dinosaurs cast giant shadows. Learn about Earth’s past, discover the ocean’s aquatic wonders, blast off to the moon, visit pollinators, and walk softly past mysterious mammals. Enjoy games and challenges, hand-on crafts, and learn how to eat like a T-rex while playing The Game of Survival. Ticket sales close at noon on Friday, July 28.
Kids World
Where: Franklin Park | Downtown DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
The DowntownDC BID is hosting an immersive celebration of youth and learning: Kids World will debut at Franklin Park for three fun-filled days. Free and open to all, the action-packed event feature a variety of creative pop-ups, hands-on activities, playful installations, and more to entertain and educate young visitors and their families. Dive into the worlds of literacy, health and fitness, creativity, science and nature, entrepreneurship, and more! The park is located at 13th & I NW.
Otakon
Where: Washington Convention Center | Downtown DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Starts at $40, free/ages 8 & under
This weekend-long convention is a celebration of Asian pop culture — think anime, mange, video games, etc. — and its fandom. There are tons of fun opportunities for all ages. Pore over all kinds of manga, see some amazing costumes (and wear one yourself), play video games, check out other kinds of games and battles, join a dance party, bring little ones to the Ota-chan area where there are activities just for them… and so much more!
Summer at the Reach
Where: The Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Enjoy free programming all weekend at the The REACH at the Kennedy Center. On Friday evening, see a screening of The Princess Bride at sundown. on Saturday, enjoy performances and activities at the River Pavillion from 1-5pm, then a happy hour with DJs, dancing, and lawn games from 6-11pm. And the Moonshot Studio will be open with artsy fun for all on Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 4:30pm.
The Spirit of Women’s Soccer!
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets start at $15
You don’t need to travel across the globe to catch some exciting women’s soccer action. It’ll be right here at Audi Field on Friday as the Washington Spirit play NJ/NY Gotham FC. Some of the team’s stars will be missing — they’re playing in the World Cup! — but it’s still a great opportunity to enjoy some fútbol and support women in sports!
Serve Up Some Tennis Fun
Where: Rock Creek Tennis Center | 16th St Heights, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, gates open at 9am
Admission:Tickets start at $15
The annual Mubadala Citi DC Open Tennis Tournament swings into action this weekend. Among the many players competing this year are Andy Murray, Nick Kyrgios, and the legendary Venus Williams! Saturday is the first day of qualifying rounds, and they’ll continue on Sunday.
Build-a-Brick Weekend
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $7/child, $10/adult
Build with LEGOs at the museum dedicated to building! In this special program, kids (or anyone) can assist artist Rocco Buttliere in the construction of a 6-foot-tall LEGO brick that will be on display in the new exhibition, Brick City! The gigantic brick requires 610 lbs of LEGO bricks and lots of helping hands, so join in. No registration to participate in building, but tickets are required to see Brick City — purchased ahead online or day-of in the visitor center.
Maker Morning Summer Celebration (POSTPONED!)
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
It’s a Summer Celebration at the Hirshhorn before their in-person programming takes a nap in August! Guests should bring their unique selves to this one-of-a-kind art party. They’ll be reuniting with Boolean Girl to share inspiration with favorite artworks and create n bold and innovative LED sculptures.
Virginia is for Cat Lovers
Where: Dulles Expo Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: $20/adult, $15/senior, $10/child
Here kitty, kitty! The CFA Cat SHow will be in the area with over 35 different types of purebred and household pet cats will compete for top cat in six different judging rings throughout the day. Meet Egyptian Mau, Maine Coon Cats, Persians, Siamese, Norwegian Forest Cat, American Shorthair, Burmillas, and as many as 30 more breeds. You can sit and watch cats on the judging table or walk around and visit with the cats between judging. No matter what time you arrive you’re bound to see your favorite breed being judged — and guaranteed cute kitty sightings.
‘Tis the Season
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Make the most of quintessential summer activities around DC! Enjoy an open air concert at one of the many series in the area. Hit the beach. See a movie under the stars. Enjoy a special museum program. Get wet at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or waterpark. Feast on crabs. Ride mini trains and carousels at local parks. And so much more. Info for all of these pursuits is in the KFDC Summer Guide.
Kids in the Castle
Where: Heirich House | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 2-3pm
Admission: Free
The historic Heurich House is hosting Kids in the Castle, when they present activities especially for young visitors. With a theme of “Immigrant Stories” and recommended for ages 4-8, the event will explore the history of people who have migrated to our country with discussion about what immigration looks like in DC, a related book reading, and a craft activity. After that, families are invited to meet and support their immigrant neighbors at the 2nd annual KAMA x Heurich Immigrant-Owned Mini Markt from 3-7pm. Register in advance!
Adams Morgan Eats in the Streets
Where: Around Admas Morgan, DC
When: Saturday, 1-8pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the culinary scene in Adams Morgan in the neighborhood streets! Taking place during the launch of the 2023 Adams Morgan Pedestrian Zone, Eats in the Streets will showcase around 50 restaurants and retailers in streatery spaces along the road closure. Sample cuisines, purchase meals to go, enjoy free entertainment, and wander through an open street closed to vehicular traffic. Free fitness classes, face painting, a Foamboree for kids, balloon twisting, chalk art murala, and other fun activities will be available, too –- see a schedule here.
All Ages Dueling Pianos
Where: Bobby McKey’s | National Harbor, MD
When: Saturday, 3:30-6pm (doors open at 2pm)
Admission: $25-29.75
The whole crew can enjoy an afternoon of music and fun at this dueling piano shows. The two hours of all-request live music paired with a lunch buffet is a great way to stay cool on a hot summer day. And this is a performance where kids are encouraged to wiggle in their seats, dance in the aisles, and sing along!
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
* Freaky Friday at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre
* Beauty and the Beast at The Puppet Co.
* Cambodian Rock Band at Arena Stage
* The Play That Goes Wrong at The Kennedy Center
* The Fisherman and His Wife at Adventure Theatre
* Disney’s The Lion King at the Kennedy Center
* Seussical: The Musical at Keegan Theatre
* UniverSoul Circus at National Harbor
* Cyrano de Bergerac at Synetic Theater
United vs Pumas
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 8:30pm
Admission: Tickets prices vary
DC United is playing Pumas on Saturday evening in the Group Stage of the Leagues Cup. As always, I recommend taking public transportation or parking in the Navy Yard neighborhood and walking to Audi Field from there. Plan for a pre-match bite — El Bebe, All Purpose Pizza, The Salt Line, and Dacha are conveniently located and my top recs for family-friendly spots to eat there. Look for tickets here.
See the Sunflowers
Where: McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area | Poolesville, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
You can still see the sunflower bloom at McKee-Beshers. Nine fields showcase 30 acres of flowers — and it’s a brilliant scene. Read more about it and see pics from a previous bloom here . Sunscreen, hat, bug repellent, and water highly recommended. KFDC Tip: If you plan to go, pair it with a PYO blackberries outing at Homestead Farms, which is just minutes away. Or stop by Rocklands Farm Winery, also nearby.
Take a Hike
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Ongoing
Admission: Varies by locale
Looks like temps on will drop a bit on Sunday, a good time to hit the trail. And while there’s a link up top for a round-up of local hikes, specific recs are also helpful: Fountainhead Regional Park in Lorton, VA (paddling ops, too!); Turkey Run Park in McLean, VA; Riverbend Park also 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 too!).
Family Feast
Where: All around DC
When: Ongoing
Admission: The cost of your meal
Sharing a fun meal out, is always a great (and tasty) family activity. The recent post sharing KFDC picks for kid-friendly eats in DC includes all kinds of places for it, from nicer sit-down restaurants to fast casual eateries to neighborhood grab-and-go spots. So, make plans — and, in some cases, reservations — and bon appétit!
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* The Women’s World Cup schedule for your weekend match viewing.
* Joselito, one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants, has some great summer specials going on!
* A good DC IG to follow.
* Watermelon recipes to help stay cool.
* Been seeing these travel sets all over the internet. Very cute, but are they really worth it??
* What are your Top 5 Taylor Swift eras?
