Tag Archives: July 2025

1. Have you been to the National Museum of African Art?  Located among the National Mall museums at the Enid Haupt Garden, it’s often overlooked, because there’s not much of it above ground.  Just the pavilion entrance is at ground level, but below are galleries filled with about 12,000 objects — the largest collection of African art in the U.S.  There are works that all ages will find interesting, plus engaging interactive elements.  As you’re looking for indoor places to beat the heat (and/or rain), keep this one in mind.  Hours are 10am – 5:30pm, and admission is free. And for more ideas for indoor outings, check out this post.

OSGEMEOS window art at the Hirshhorn

1. If you haven’t yet been seen OSGEMEOS: Endless Story at the Hirshhorn, try to get there this week and a half!  The wonderful exhibit showcasing the art of identical twin brothers Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo closes after August 3.  It’s one the whole family can enjoy — vibrant and fun, with pieces ranging from their early sketches as young boys to large-scale paintings and sculptures created as adults. Hours at the Hirshhorn are 10am – 5:30 Tuesday through Sunday, 12-5:30pm on Monday.  Admission is free.

2. I mentioned Harpers Ferry Waterpark a few weeks back when it was opening, and now here’s a peek at a visit there.  KFDC Contributor Emily took her kids and said they had a blast!  It looks like a fun, refreshing way to spend a hot summer day.  You could even make it a longer outing or an overnight, there’s so much to do in Harpers Ferry.  Read more about the town in this KFDC post.

3. Women’s soccer is returning to DC soon!  The Washington Spirit will be back at Audi Field on August 3 with a match against the Portland Thorns — tickets on sale here.  The NWSL has been paused since late June while many players have been competing in the 2025 UEFA Women’s Championship.  And on August 30, DC Power FC, a professional women’s soccer team in the USL Super League, will kick off their second season at home.  Tickets are on sale here.

4. If you want to get a jumpstart on back-to-school prep, begin with a main item: The backpack.  I loved the L.L. Bean packs my kids carried for years.  They are very durable, come in lots of nice colors and patterns, and you can get them monogrammed.

5. Movies and TV shows to stream now.

1. The lotus and water lilies are blooming at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, and the vast stretches of the pink and white flowers are such a breathtaking sight!  The annual Lotus & Water Lily Festival is this coming weekend, July 18-20, and will offer all kinds of activities to celebrate the bloom and explore the park. If you can’t make it, try to visit to during the week — ranger tours are offered Monday – Wednesday 11am & 2pm, and after hours at 6pm on Wednesday.  You can also just roam around on your own.  View scenes from a previous bloom, and read about a fun way to get to them. The park is open daily 8am – 4pm (10am – 8pm festival weekend), and admission is free.

2. Beloved DC sandwich shop Bub and Pop’s just opened at its new location in NoMa (100 Florida Ave NE).  And you can bring the whole fam there for great food and some fun.  Along with delicious hoagies — about as close to Philly style as it gets in DC! — there are play ops at the spot.  It’s in the former space of The Eleanor and still has pool tables, mini bowling lanes, and a bunch of arcade games (plus, a bar for adults).  Hours are 11am to 8pm Tuesday – Saturday (closed Sunday & Monday). Get a peek here.

3.  If you like to plan ahead, then take advantage of ticket deals for big shows coming to DC theatres over the next few months…
* The Sound of Music at Kennedy Center in September
* Damn Yankees at Arena Stage in September
* Fiddler on the Roof at Signature Theatre in November
* Step Afrika!’s Holiday Step Show at Arena Stage in December

4. Top Tier Lessons, a service that connects college student athletes with parents in the community looking for sports lessons for their kids, has a giveaway going on right now.  Go here and follow instructions for a chance to win a private lesson, a soccer ball signed by the GW team, and a Starbucks gift card.

5. Currently reading this novel and just got this collection of short stories and this book (both on Darcy’s recommendation) to bring on vacation.