A peek at the start of this year’s lotus and water lily bloom
Happy Weekend!
Find all kinds of ideas for local fun in these go-to KFDC posts:
* 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
First Look at the Lotus and Lilies
Where: Kenilworth Aquatic Garden | Northeast DC
When: Throughout the weekend, 8am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The annual lotus flower and water lily bloom has begun at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, and while it has a ways to go until the peak, it’s still so pretty to see (though Kenilworth is wonderful anytime). Go get a glimpse of it at this early stage, and before the crowds get there. The festival to celebrate it all begins next weekend and runs through July 22 with special programming. See scenes from a past bloom here and learn about a great way to combine a visit with another activity here. And this post has more general info and background on Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.
Family ‘Hoppy’ Hour with King Bullfrog!
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 5-7pm
Admission: $10/child, $5/adult
Bring the family out to enjoy a Friday evening filled with live music perfect for all ages! This concert will be outdoors (weather permitting), perfect for little ones to run, dance, laugh, and play to the beat of their favorite songs!
Cinematery: Nightmare Before Christmas
Where: Congressional Cemetery | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 7:30-10:30pm
Admission: $10/adult, $5/under 12
This month’s installment of Congressional Cemetery’s summer movie series of Tim Burton films features Nightmare Before Christmas. Bring the whole fam (and your own low-lying chairs, blankets, food, and drinks — alcohol okay, too, also for sale) to watch among the tombstones. Gates open an hour before sunset and the movie begins at sunset, around 8:30pm. The Cemetery is a great place to enjoy during the day, too — one of my favorite neighborhood places! Read more about it here. And check out Teddy as a pup enjoying it here.
Family Feast
Where: All around DC
When: Ongoing
Admission: The cost of your meal
In case you missed it (or even if you didn’t), check out the just posted KFDC picks for kid-friendly eats in DC! It includes all kinds of places, from nicer sit-down restaurants to fast casual eateries to neighborhood grab-and-go spots. Having a fun meal out with the fam is an activity in itself, so make plans — and, in some cases, reservations — and bon appétit!
Romanian Weekend
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Friday, 5-9pm, Saturday, 12-9pm & Sunday, 12-8pm
Admission: Free
Join the Embassy of Romania and the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York for a a three-day extravaganza on District Pier celebrating the richness and diversity of Romanian culture with music, dance, food, wine, spoken word performances, concerts, and craft shows!
The World & Me Family Program
Where: Natural History Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
At this special The World & Me series program, join the museum to celebrate movement, music, and the planet we call home with DC dance company, Company | E, and music ensemble Sound Impact in an enchanting tour of the world in To Sail Around the Sun! Through dance, live music, and storytelling, To Sail Around the Sun travels beneath the springtime waves off the shores of Australia, deep into the summertime rainforests of Argentina, under the autumn leaves of Japan, and through the wintry snows of Kazakhstan in an adventure for families and children of all ages! This performance is set to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and will be performed live by a string quartet. The show starts at 11am, but go early to explore museum collections that are connected with their performance!
HBD, Alexandria!
Where: Oronoco Bay Park | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 6-9:45pm
Admission: Free
The City of Alexandria will celebrate its 274th (and the USA’s 247th) birthday on Saturday, with festivities for all ages — art activities, cupcakes, poetry, vendors to shop, and performances by Three Man Soul Machine and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra ending with a Grand Finale fireworks display at 9:30pm.
Family Day: Science and Poetry
Where: National Academy of Sciences | Downtown, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Kids and their families are invited to express themselves in words and images and to learn about the world around them through poetry. Join for hands-on activities exploring earth, animals, air, and water and take part in a Kids’ Parade around the Albert Einstein Memorial Statue (weather permitting). Visitors will also have opportunities to talk to scientists and engineers. Note: There is a waitlist for free tickets, but it’s worth getting on it in case they release more.
Summer FUN
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Free concerts in the fresh air, outdoor swimming, movies under the stars, sprayground fun… Activities exclusive to this time of year can be enjoyed all weekend long. Details on all of these seasonal staples and MUCH more can be found in the guide to summer in DC.
Sneaker Con
Where: Washington Convention Center | Mt. Vernon, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-7pm
Admission: Starts at $30
People who are really into their kicks will want to check out this event dedicated to all things sneakers. Touting itself as “THE Greatest Sneaker Show on EARTH,” there will be over 350 vendors buying, selling and trading sneakers; an eBay grail giveaway and live sneaker auctions; opportunities to meet popular sneaker influencers; and more fun sneaker-style fun.
Nats vs Rangers…at Hogwarts!
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Saturday, 4:05pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary
The Nats are hosting the Rangers this weekend, and Saturday is a Harry Potter Day! Nationals Park will transform into Hogwarts with themed magic sessions, house banners, and floating candles on the concourse, plus a photo booth, balloon twisters, caricaturists, face painters, and more! There are also games on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, and kids can run the bases after the Sunday game. If you plan to go, check these KFDC tips for doing a Nats game without breaking the bank.
United vs Inter Miami
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets prices vary
DC United is playing at home on Saturday evening, hosting Inter Miami CF. There was speculation a few weeks ago that Messi would be making his MLS debut, but looks like that won’t be the case. 🙁 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.
Bubble Days
Where: Maryland Science Center | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: $26.95/adult, $20.95/child
Join the best bubble party of the summer at Maryland Science Center’s annual event! Create your own bubble solution and test your bubble making skills to make giant bubbles, double bubbles, fizzy foamies, and more! See the world-renowned bubble artist Casey Carle in his suds-tacular show, Bubblemania! Get ready for two days that will be bursting with fun. Of course, explore the rest of the MSC while you’re there — it’s awesome! Read more about it here and here.
Saturday Morning Live! Presents: Arco Iris
Where: The National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 9:30am & 11am
Admission: Free
Catch a free performance at the National Theatre’s entertainment series especially for kids! This Saturday morning, audiences can see ARCO IRIS,Arts on the Horizon’s latest production inspired by a Zapoteca myth and Quechua legends about the rainbow. Recommended for ages 3-6, but all ages are welcome. Reserve tickets in advance!
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
All Aboard
Where: Tall Ship Providence | Old Town Alexandria, VA
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Starts at $17/age 3-13, $20/age 14+
The historic tall ship, Providence, is docked at the Old Town Alexandria waterfront and welcoming visitors. You can learn all about it and get an on a living history tours of the ship as well as sunset and specialty sails. Tours start at $17/age 3-13, $20/age 14+, and sails are $39/age 3-13, $49/age 14+. Visit the website to learn more and book tickets.
Baltimore, Hon!
Where: All around Charm City | Baltimore, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
DO a day trip or even an overnight up to Baltimore, where there are so many great family-friendly attractions, many of them in the comfort of AC. Explore the exhibits at Maryland Science Center. See some of the quirkiest, coolest art around at the American Visionary Art Museum. Play the day away at Port Discovery. Get an eyeful of the underwater world at the National Aquarium. View history in the works at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. And even more! This KFDC guide has the scoop.
Just Peachy
Where: Area Farms
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
It’s peach picking time at many local farms. If you want to get them at their peak, check out this list of area farms that offer pick-your-own (note that not all of them have peaches, so be sure to read descriptions… one that definitely does and we love to go to is Homestead Farms). And it’s always a good idea to check websites or call for updates to confirm availability when you plan to go.
Hikes to Like
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
The recommendation to hit the trail is a staple in these round-ups. And it looks like weather should be good for it at least one day. Take in pretty scenery, explore local history, or try to spy some wildlife. You can even work in some geocaching! This post has a a bunch of recommendations for places to tramp with kids. Some specific recs for right now: Roosevelt Island is always a neat locale to explore; head out to Harpers Ferry for hiking and history; walk in the woods with good shade at Pohick Bay or Fountainhead Regional Parks; or tramp in the city at Rock Creek Park.
Family Bike Ride
Where: Around the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
There’s a quick link to bike rides up top, but here’s a stronger recommendation just to get out for a family ride. There are a bunch of great routes for the whole crew to ride all around the area. This one on the Anacostia River Trail includes the lotus and lilies at Kenilworth and another park for some play. Cycle the Mount Vernon trail and stop at Gravelly Point to watch the airplanes. Another fun ride is down the National Mall to Georgetown then onto the Capital Crescent Trail. You can find even more recs for good two-wheel trips here.
**PLAN AHEAD**
Spanish Is the Language of My Family Book Festival
Where: National Postal Museum |
When: Saturday, July 15, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join this 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 lots of fun games, interesting crafts, and entertaining live music for the whole family! No registration required…just show up!
***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* As we’re getting into the thick of summer, it’s a good time to check out these beach recommendations and these pool gear suggestions.
* Virginia spas great for girlfriend getaways (h/t to Darcy’s 10 for July below).
* Summer dinner ideas.
* A friend said she’s getting these for our upcoming trip… and I hope she’s serious. 😉
* Amazon Prime Day, when you can get awesome deals on tons of great items, is next week. If you’re not yet a member, sign up now — so worth it!
* 10 Happy Things for July
