1. If you haven’t feasted on crabs this summer, it’s a good time to do it. Find recommendations for places to enjoy them in last year’s summer guide. Eater DC has even more good suggestions.
2. The apple picking season has begun! Check the round-up of PYO places to find out where you can go for it. And more fruits and veggies are available at just about all of them.
1. There are so many parks and activities to enjoy within the NoVa Parks system — hiking, biking, paddling golfing, disc golfing, fishing, playground fun, botanical explorations, and more. Check them all out here. (Note that some aren’t available right now due to COVID, but plenty still are!)
2. If rain has you seeking an indoor activity, the National Aquarium in Baltimore is open, and I hear they are doing a good job with social distancing and safety measures.
2. And on weekends through August, the Rooftop at Union Market Pop-Up Cookout features bbq specials, refreshing cocktails (kid friendly drinks, too), and sweeping views. Hours are 4-11pm Friday, 12-11pm Saturday, and 12-6pm Sunday.
3. The Kennedy Center’s Small Works Project with Mo Willems, an upcoming series that will spotlight stories of small ways people affect positive change, sounds wonderful — and they’re accepting submissions!
4. In case you missed it, a few days ago I shared recs for dresses that are perfect for hanging out at home, all of them under $25.
A peek into Ginkgo Gardens on Capitol Hill — a great place to purchase plants!
1. The gardens at Tudor Place in Georgetown have reopened. From 12-4pm Thursdays – Sundays, you can take a free self-guided tour through the 5 1/2 acres of flora with a reserved timed ticket entry. Tickets are for two hours of time, but you can reserve multiple slots for a longer visit.
2. The new National Children’s Museum was barely open a month before it closed due to COVID. But they’ve been providing online offerings for kids since then, including STEAMwork videos with cool experiments, virtual field trips, digital exhibits, a podcast, and more fun and educational activities to enjoy at home. Read a KFDC write-up about the museum from its brief pre-COVD days to see what you can look forward to when it’s accessible again.
3. The BlackStar Film Fest, an annual festival showcasing films by Black, Brown, and Indigenous people from around the world that usually takes place in Philadelphia is going digital this year. Starting today through August 26, view a variety of films, listen to panel discussions, and join more special events online. The schedule of events and “tickets” are available on the website.
4. An illustrated guide to house plants. (Wow, didn’t realize so many are toxic to kids and pets!) And Real Simple has 5 things to consider before bringing a new plant home.
1. The sun will be out later today, and Riverbend Park is great place to soak it up with kids. You can explore trails that meander along the river and through the woods, have a picnic, and enjoy pretty river views. It’s also a good starting point for a short hike to Great Falls, where you can take in magnificent vistas of the Mather Gorge. Riverbend Park hours are 7am to dusk. Admission is free.
3. Speaking of DC Public Library, their website includes a Teen’s Corner, a blog for DC teens, by DC teens. There are book and movie reviews, interviews, and more. Local teens can contribute to it — there’s info online for anyone interested.
4.Loudoun United FC, the second-division team of DC United is playing its first game of the 2020 season this evening — with fans in attendance. Up to 1,000 spectators are permitted under Virginia’s Phase 3 guidelines. The home opener against Pittsburgh kicks off at 7pm, and tickets are still available. How do you feel about people attending sports events right now? (FTR, I’m just sharing the information.)
