Some of the fancy wings at Brookside Garden’s butterfly exhibit
Tuesday – Head to the National Building Museum for play time in the Building Zone ($3/person) and the PLAY WORK BUILD exhibit ($10/adult, $7/child). Make time to hang out in the Great Hall, a magnificent space perfect for an indoor picnic (BYO or buy a bite at the Firehook Bakery there). Museum hours are 10am – 5pm. Exhibit admission is free for NBM members.
Wednesday – Learn about the area’s wildlife, enjoy hands-on activities in the Nature Center, see the night sky, take a hike, and visit horses at Rock Creek Park. The Nature Center is open Wednesday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm, and admission is free. If you’re keen on seeing stars, there’s a planetarium show at 4pm. You can also visit the equine residents at the nearby Horse Center for free (pony rides are not offered on weekdays this time of year).
Thursday – Savor the great autumn weather as you go memorial hopping on the National Mall and around the Tidal Bason. The Lincoln, Jefferson, FDR, & MLK Memorials make for a nice walking tour and history lesson. You can also go in (and up!) the Washington Monument to take in some of the best views of DC — it’s open 9am – 5pm, and tickets are free day-of (get there early to make sure you get them). In the evening, enjoy some early Halloween fun at Frying Pan Farm Park’s annual Boo-Stravaganza for children ages 3-8. The event run 6-8pm. Admission is $10/child.
Friday – Walk amid a butterfly haven at Brookside Garden’s amazing Wings of Fancy exhibit while it’s still open through October 25. Plan to tour the rest of Brookside’s lovely grounds while you’re there. The exhibit is open 10am – 4pm. Admission is $8/ages 13 and up, $5/ages 3-12, free for 2 and under. The park is open sunrise – sunset, and admission is free. For more about the exhibit and Brookside, read about a KFDC experience there.
