May 28, 2012

Where to Play on the Weekdays: May 29 – June 1

Fun takes shape at the MathAlive! exhibit

 

Tuesday – Add a museum exhibit to the weekday mix and go see MathAlive! at the Smithsonian’s Ripley Center before it closes June 3. Admission is free.

Wednesday - Walk among hundreds of butterflies at Brookside Garden’s “Wings of Fancy” exhibit.  Witness the butterfly life cycle and see species from North America, Central America, and Asia.  Admission is $6/adult and $4/ages 3-12, free for children 2 and under (though strollers are not permitted). Tickets and parking are available at the Visitors Center and Conservatories.

Thursday - See Five Little Monkeys, Adventure Theatre’s latest show that audiences of all ages will find entertaining.  Tickets are $18 and still available for Thursday’s show as this post goes live.

Friday - Visit the Maryland Youth Garden at the National Arboretum. Stroll among a variety of plants and flowers, till soil in the compost station, and have some fun in the natural play space. Admission is free.

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under All ages, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Movies, Museums, Outdoor, Park, Spring, Theatre, Weekdays

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 25, 2012

The Weekend Round-Up: May 25-28

Get the weekend and "summer" started with a Friday evening concert at the Yards

 

Memorial Day weekend.  A time to honor those who have served and sacrificed for our country, the unofficial start to summer, an annual getaway for us.  But if you’re sticking around town — or visiting DC for the holiday weekend — you’ve got your pick of things to do. Whether you seek events to observe the holiday, are ready to embrace that summer feeling, or just want to enjoy some quality time with the kids over the long weekend, these ideas for family recreation should have you covered. Happy Weekend!

Summer in the City
Where: Throughout the area
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Celebrate the unofficial start of summer with an activity exclusive to this time of year. Jazz in the Garden begins this evening and other free concert series have already started; outdoor public pools, spraygrounds, and water parks open Saturday; the strawberry picking season is  underway; and blue crabs are making many a feaster very happy. This post has specifics on all of the special events and series that come with the warm months.

Sunset Celebration
Where: Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
When: Friday – Sunday, 6-9pm
Admission: $18/adults, $12/ages 6-11, free for children 5 and under
Visit Mount Vernon after the daytime crowds have departed for a special Memorial Day weekend celebration. Guests can take evening tours of the Mansion, relax and enjoy wine and desserts available for purchase, and delight in 18th-century music, dancing, games, and wagon rides. Stroll the lantern-lit grounds and immerse yourself in the 18th century as the sun sets on the plantation and costumed residents like the charming Lady Washington and her granddaughter Nelly interact with visitors. This family-friendly event celebrates the beginning of summer on the plantation

National Memorial Day Parade
Where: Constitution Avenue NW, 7th to 17th Streets
When: Monday, 2pm
Admission: Free
The annual National Memorial Day Parade celebrates and honors American veterans with a grand procession through the city. Get a curbside view of military units and vehicles, marching bands, flag teams, and hundreds of veterans as they travel up Constitution Avenue. This year’s parade will feature a tribute to the generation that served and sacrificed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, following the formal end of the war last December.

National Memorial Day Concert
Where: West lawn of the Capitol
When: Sunday, 8-9:30pm, gates open at 5pm (or Saturday for the dress rehearsal)
Admission: Free
Why watch on TV when you can be there in person? The 2012 National Memorial Day Concert will take place on the west lawn of the Capitol on Sunday from 8 – 9:30pm. Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna are hosting the event once again, and an all-star line-up of artists will join the National Symphony Orchestra in honoring those who have served and sacrificed for the U.S.  If you’re planning to go, this FAQ page on the concert website is worth a read. If you can’t make Sunday’s show or don’t want to deal with the crowds, Saturday’s dress rehearsal is also open to the public — gates open at 5pm, and the show begins at 7:30pm.

Memorials on the Mall
Where: National Mall
When: All Weekend
Admission: Free
Tributes to those who have served our country will take place at the many memorials and monuments on the National Mall throughout the weekend. Times vary, but you can look for schedules on the National Park Service website. The Mall is guaranteed to be crowded, so plan accordingly.

DC United Kids Day
Where: RFK Stadium
When: Saturday, 6:30pm
Admission: Free with admission to match
Kick it DC United-style before Saturday’s match against the New England Revolution! This family-friendly event is designed specifically with the smallest fans in mind. The fun begins at 6:30pm when gates open in the VW Garage. Kids get a passport upon entry that gets stamped as they complete a variety of fun, interactive stations, including a NASA Goddard Space Flight Center astronaut photo booth, soccer obstacle cours, Memorial Day Thank You cards for the troops, a cheer card station, and a National Air & Space Museum interactive motion exhibit. When they have 8-10 stamps, they can redeem their passport for an exclusive Kids’ Day goody bag.

Titanic: 100 Year Obsession
Where: National Geographic Museum
When: Daily
Admission: $6/adult, $4/ages 5-12, free for 4 and under
This is a must-experience for anyone with even a mild interest in the Titanic. Covering the ship’s complete history, from construction to completion, its demise to the search for remains, its discovery to continued exploration, the exhibit is presented through a variety of fascinating and many interactive displays. Read the KFDC review for more info.

Savage Gardens
Where: U.S. Botanic Garden
When: All Weekend (runs May 26 – October 8th)
Admission: Free
This exhibit all about carnivorous plants is opening at the Botanic Garden on Saturday. Savage Gardens tells the story of their astounding adaptations to inhospitable habitats. Through displays in the Conservatory Terrace, East Gallery, and National Garden, feed your senses with the captivating, the bizarre, the larger-than-life, real and imaginary world of these unique plants.

Say Aloha!
Where: National Museum of the American Indian
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10:30am – 5pm
Admission: Free
In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the museum welcomes Hawaiian artists, performers, and practitioners of traditional Hawaiian healing and culture. Visitors can learn about living a life of “aloha” by watching and learning about hula, watching films and presentations, and meeting and greeting Hawaiian guests.

Reap the Fruits
Where: Farms throughout the area
When: All weekend
Admission: Varies by location
The strawberry season is in full swing, and the pickings are still good at area farms. You can get in on the pick-your-own action; this post has all the info you need to get started.

Best in Shows
Where: Theatres around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Five Little Monkeys is at Adventure Theatre. Tiny Tots and Pinocchio are on The Puppet Co. stage. Shine and the Moonbeams is performing at Jammin’ Java. Find details on all of these shows in this post about live entertainment in late spring.

For even more ideas for fun with the kids, outside and in, check out these popular KFDC posts:

The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids

The Great Indoors

8)

Leave a Comment

Filed under All ages, Annual, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Farm, Festival, Free, Holidays, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Monuments & Memorials, Museums, Music, Outdoor, Parade, Park, Seasonal, Spring, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 24, 2012

Fascination of Titantic Proportions at the National Geographic Museum

An 18-foot model of the fated ship

 

With all of the hoopla over the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic a few weeks ago, Owen became one of the obsessed. The intrigue began when he saw promos for some of the Titanic shows airing on Nat Geo Wild (his favorite channel these days), so we recorded Rebuilding Titanic and have watched it at least 10 times since.

Needless to say, it’s been on my to-do list for awhile to take Owen to the Titanic: 100 Year Obsession exhibit at the National Geographic Museum. So, when he had a day off from school earlier this week, we headed over to feed his fascination (mine, too, actually… and not just because of my unremitting Leo crush).

It was apparent as we walked in that it was going to be one dynamic exhibit.  Covering the ship’s complete history, from construction to completion, its demise to the search for remains, its discovery to continued exploration, Titanic is presented in a variety of interesting displays. Some are as simple as tacked up documents — a letter confirming a voyage on the fated ship or a first-class dinner menu — while others use modern technology to tell her story, making for an engaging and interactive experience.

Past meets present as an iPad displays old images

What’s especially interesting is how it’s all integrated throughout the exhibit.You can view old video footage of the ship and photos on an iPad with a timeline of Titanic’s history.  Old photographs of the ship’s interiors and a wall adorned to emulate the first-class decor are displayed in the same area as a video of Titanic director James Cameron discussing the ship.

Details of the Titanic model

A model of the bow as it looks now

Larger displays include an 18-foot model of Titanic, complete with tiny lounge chairs on deck; replicas of a lifeboat and life jackets that were used in the movie; a reconstructed Marconi Room, where the ship’s communications took place; and a model of the bow discovered on the ocean floor. All were designed with remarkable detail.

Sending messages

Owen particularly enjoyed the interactive displays. A Morse Code station, back-to-back desks set up with systems to transmit signals included a list of codes that we could actually send for the other person to decipher.  We also spent a good amount of time at a digital interactive table searching for the ships ruins, then walking along an image of the ship’s bow projected onto the floor, each step highlighting 3-D images of an area.

Searching for artifacts

There are some eerie parts to the exhibit, too (not that a whole exposition dedicated to 100 years of obsession over a sunken ship and thousands of lost lives isn’t kind of eerie in itself).  To learn about how the communications officer ignored messages about icebergs from other ships because he was sending telegrams for first-class passengers was disturbing, as was the timeline of distress calls after disaster struck.

A short video featuring Bob Ballard, an oceanographer who was part of the team that found the ship’s remains, chronicles the search and discovery of the sunken vessel.  And later, James Cameron, who has continued to conduct his own explorations, walks viewers through a digital depiction of the ship’s final moments in another video at the end of the exhibit.

A video about the ship's final moments

On the way out, a wall is lined with movie posters of all the films about the Titanic.  And the “parting shot” is a ship’s bow, where guest could climb aboard for their own “King of the World” moment. Owen and I decided to skip it; somehow, it seemed more apropos for Leo and Kate.

Titanic: 100 Year Obsession is on exhibit at the National Geographic Museum through July 8.  The exhibition is included in museum admission: $8/adults, $6/members & military, $4/ages 5-12, free for children under 5. The museum is open 10am – 6pm daily.

 

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under DC, Educational, Exhibit, Gradeschoolers, Museums, Preteens, Spring, Summer, Teens, Tweens, Weekdays, Weekend

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

May 22, 2012

Summer in the City… and Surrounds

Fountain fun at the Yards Park, one of our favorite summer pursuits

 

It’s almost Memorial Day weekend, and if you were reading last year (or even two years ago) at this time, you know what that means to me.

Summer.

Forget the calendar or that school isn’t out yet. In my mind, we’re entering a new season. It’s time for water-inspired recreation, special eats, barefoot play, bonus attractions at everyday places, evening entertainment that might keep the kids up late on weekdays.  And we can experience all of it through some of the area’s quintessential summer activities, a few of which have already begun, many that are starting this weekend, and some that commence later on.

So, much of this list is reiterated from last year, but updated to reflect 2012 info. And this guide from the Washington Post  inspired some additions — all activities I’ve written about before, but just haven’t included in my “summer” post.

From swimming and spray grounds to al fresco music and films, pick-your-own berries to picking blue crabs, children’s theatre series to museum programs for kids, here are some of the best ways to experience summer in the city and its surrounds.

Outdoor Pool Season
Nothing says summer like swimming under the sun, and there are plenty of public pools in the area where you can jump in for free or a small admission fee.

  • DC outdoor public pools will open on Saturday, May 26, from 12 – 6pm and will be open weekends only until June 18.  After that, they will open daily, though all pools are closed one day a week for maintenance, so be sure to check the schedule before you go.
  • For outdoor swimming outside of the city, Montgomery County outdoor public pools will be open on weekends May 26 – June 10, then weekdays, too, through Labor Day — the Dept. of Recreation website has locations and hours.
  • In Northern Virginia, Arlington’s Upton Hill has a whole water park for guests to enjoy, and Alexandria has several places where the public is welcome to swim. Be sure to check the website for hours, as they vary from pool to pool.

Play in the Spray
Kids can run through fountains and splash around at many area spraygrounds. Several are within the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, and there are a few in other areas, too.

  • Starting May 26, DPR Spray Parks will be open Saturdays from 11am – 4pm. On June 18, they will open all other days of the week (check their website for hours).
  • For spray fun with a riverfront view, the Yards Park has fountains and a great location on the Anacostia.
  • The fountains at Georgetown Waterfront Park are now open and welcoming guests to splash around.  Not-So-SAHM recently posted about the newly renovated space along the Potomac.
  • Some of the area’s most popular spray parks—Lyon Village Park, Hayes Park, and Drew Park–can be found in Arlington.

Water Parks
Giant water slides, wave pools, waterfalls, sprays and splash pads…this is the stuff kids’ summer dreams are made of. There are actually several water parks around the area offering many of these attractions, just about all of them opening Memorial Day weekend for limited hours, until they open daily in a few weeks. Here’s a quick list — visit the websites for more details.

Summer Concert Series
Free music in the fresh air has become a staple of the season, and there are opportunities to enjoy just about every genre regularly at outdoor venues all around the area.

  • Experience live music amid art at Jazz in the Garden, the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden’s free concert series, every Friday from 5:30–8:30pm. The first performance is this Friday, May 25, rain or shine. Spread out a blanket, pack a picnic dinner, and enjoy the sounds of a variety of jazz artists.
  • Already underway, the Yards Park Friday Concert Series presents a new band each week on the boardwalk stage overlooking the Anacostia River.  Along with the free music, food and beverages are available for purchase. I always recommend getting there a little early, so the kids can play in the fountains before the concert starts. And on a hot summer day, it’s nice to continue the water fun even while the tunes are playing — you can still hear them from across the park!
  • The U.S. Air Force Band 2012 Summer Concert Series kicks off Friday, June 1 at 8pm, at the Air Force Memorial.  After that, you can catch free performances all summer long at locales around the DC-Metro area, including soem iconic spots, like the west steps of the U.S. Capitol, the World War II Memorial, the Air Force Memorial,and the Air & Space Museum. Show times vary so be sure to check the U.S. Air Force Band website for the complete summer schedule.
  • The park known by most families for its puppet shows, children’s plays, and carousel will present the Glen Echo Summer Concert Series in its Bumper Car Pavilion on most Thursday evenings June 14 – August 23.  All performances are free and begin at 7:30pm, rain or shine. And that carousel will be open for rides from 7 – 9pm.
  • Carter Barron Amphitheater’s annual concert series takes place amid the woods of Rock Creek Park. While most shows are free, a few require admission. See the schedule (to be released on May 24) for details.
  • All summer long, families can enjoy a variety of free fun at Rockville Town Square. Kids Night is every Tuesday with concerts for the younger set at 6:30pm and 7:30pm. And concerts for all ages on Friday evenings begin May 4 and runs through September 28 — enjoy live music, good food and beverages from 6:30-9:30pm.

Big Screen Under the Stars
Outdoor movies have become a DC summer tradition in the last few years with films al fresco in several neighborhoods. Even better, all of them are FREE! (*Before you make plans to enjoy any of the series, be sure to check schedules, as some movies may not be appropriate for children.)

  • The longest running, Screen on the Green, takes place on the National Mall on Mondays in July and August, though exact dates for 2012 have yet to be announced.
  • The NoMa Summer Screen, which includes a few family-friendly movies, begins May 23 and will run weekly on Wednesdays until August 8 on L Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue NE. Food and music start at 7pm, and the movie at dark.
  • The Capitol Riverfront will start Front Flicks on May 24 and run every Thursday evening at 8:45pm through July 26.
  • The National Harbor hosts  Movies on the Potomac, with a mix of films every Friday night starting May 25, and family movies every Sunday night beginning May 27.
  • Movies on the Square will take place at Rockville Town Square Thursdays at 8:45pm June 13 – August 22, and a bunch of kids flicks are included in the weekly line-up.

Movies at Theaters Near You
Special summer movie series for families at local theaters are a great way to keep kids entertained and stay cool when the weather heats up. Even better, these programs invite guests to view films on the cheap.

  • The Regal Summer Movie Express presents flicks for kids every Tuesday & Wednesday at 10am starting June 19. Admission is just $1. See the website to for the film schedule.
  • The Atlas Performing Arts Center presents a Summer Film Series every year, including A Family Series that usually takes place on Fridays at 5pm.  The schedule has yet to be released, so stay tuned for an update

Mini Trains, Carousels, & Mini Golf 
These extra delights bring even more fun to several parks around the area that are already great outdoor places to hang with the kids.

  • Watkins Regional Park opened its attractions on a limited schedule in early May, but come Memorial Day weekend, they can be enjoyed for extended hours almost every day of the week. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10am – 7pm; Sundays 12 – 7 pm, closed Mondays except May 28 (Memorial Day), July 4 (July Fourth Holiday; closes at 4pm) & September 5 (Labor Day).
  • Cabin John Regional Park opened its Miniature Train on weekends only back in April, but as of June 1 it’ll be operating daily 10am – 7pm through August 26.  After that, hours will be limited, so check the schedule.
  • The Miniature Train and Ovid Hazen Wells Carousel at Wheaton Regional Park started taking guests for spins on May 1 and will continue daily through August 26 (limited times after that). Hours are 10am – 6pm Monday to Friday, and 10am – 7pm Saturday & Sunday.
  • The Clemyjontri carousel has been running on weekends since March, but will be offering rides daily starting May 28 on weekdays 9:30am – 1:00pm,  and weekends 9:30am – 6:30pm.

Special Children’s Theatre Series
All the world’s an outdoor stage at these venues that present entertainment especially for children throughout the summer.

  • From late June through early August, Wolf Trap presents Children’s Theater-in-the-Woods, over 70 family-friendly performances at 10am Tuesdays through Saturdays. Amidst 117 rolling wooded acres and nestled in a shady grove, the stage is set for lively adventures in music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, and theater. All of the productions are recommended for children between Kindergarten and 6th grade. The full schedule of shows in available of the Wolf Trap website. And you can read a KFDC review of the series from last summer.
  • Backyard Theater for Children, Strathmore’s summer theater series brings music and mystery of exotic locales from around the world to kids – all outdoors under a big tent. Weekly performances take place every Thursday at 9:30am and 11:30 from July 12 – August 2. Admission is $8, free for ages 2 and under. Check the calendar for the line-up of performances.

Crab Feasts
Easily one of the best activities during summer in Maryland and neighboring areas (this is where I get non-DC-centric because I have to give credit where it’s due). Here are some suggestions for places to get ‘em, though the “best” is always a subject for debate.

Pick-Your-Own Berries
While the picking season starts in the spring with strawberries, it carries on through summer with even more delicious fruits — blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, plus more produce you can gather yourself. The strawberry season usually lasts until about mid-June, and this post has a list of farms with pick-your-own patches. For other berry picking opportunities later on, this post from last summer will tell you where to go (I’ll be posting an updated version as the season gets closer).

Drop in for Art
The National Gallery of Art’s summer drop-in series starts begins July 15 with art sessions for kids that are both educational and fun. Stories in Art, geared toward ages 4-7, is a fantastic program that introduces kids to art and encourages them to use their imaginations as they discover different works. Artful Conversations, designed for ages 8-11, uses observation and discussion to explore works of art in the museum’s collection.

1 Comment

Filed under All ages, Annual, Art, DC, Eats, Educational, Farm, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Movies, Museums, Music, Ongoing, Outdoor, Park, Play, Seasonal, Summer, Theatre, Virginia, Weekdays, Weekend

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 21, 2012

Grow with it at the National Arboretum

The Washington Youth Garden: Cultivated by kids for all ages to enjoy

 

If you’ve been reading this blog long enough, you know that the U.S. National Arboretum is one of my very favorite spots to hang with the kids in DC.  Not only does it top my list of best outdoor places, but it’s been a frequent recommendation as a recreational haven practically since day one (well, more like day 21, but I had to wait for Snowmageddon’s remnants to melt before suggesting readers go there).

The best thing about the Arboretum is that it’s so big, visiting never gets old.  There are myriad adventures to be had — different collections of plants and flowers to explore, lots of short trails to hike, exhibits to see, wildlife to view. This partly explains why, until a few days ago, we’d never visited the Washington Youth Garden. I say partly, because I knew it was there, but thought it was only open to school groups. And since there was so much else to do at the Arboretum, I hadn’t looked into it further to find out for sure.

But last week, I chaperoned a field trip to the Youth Garden with Owen’s class and learned that it is, indeed, open to the public.  Which is awesome.  Because it’s yet another fantastic element of an already-wonderful place.

Developed to encourage kids and families to connect with the natural world, the Garden is cultivated and maintained by local youth. A variety of plants and flowers are grown there, many of them edible and harvested seasonally. We toured — and tasted! — strawberries, sorrel, mint, and asparagus, among the many crops grown in the garden . (No pesticides are used, as our guide explained, and she encouraged the kids to nibble a little as she discussed the different qualities of the plants.)

"Brushing teeth" with mint

Right next to the actual garden is a natural play area where kids can engage with nature through self-directed activities.  Everything in the space is made of materials that come right from their environment — benches made from tree branches and tree stumps to sit on, wooden sand tables for kids to dig in, even xylophones constructed of wood where they can make music.

Just beyond that is a compost station, with signs explaining how the three-bin system works. During our tour, there were gardening tools available for the kids to till the soil a bit. The guide said they aren’t there otherwise, but guests not on a tour can still visit that part of the garden.

The compost station

A close look at what's in the soil: Worms!

From there, you can access a short trail that meanders through the woods behind the garden to get a look at the variety of plants that grow naturally in that small area.  Our guide encouraged the kids to notice the different shapes of the leaves, moss growing on a fallen tree branch, even the smell of the woods.  (And here I should note that guides are only available for school groups, but individuals are welcome to tour on their own.)

A short walk in the woods

Our tour of the garden lasted about an hour, though a visit there could last much longer at one’s own pace.  With other school groups coming through, the class spent the rest of our field trip exploring the nearby Fern Valley, having a picnic lunch by the Capitol Columns, and visiting the Koi pond. But next time I take my kids to the Arboretum, we’ll be lingering at the Youth Garden much longer.

The Washington Youth Garden is open during Arboretum hours from 8am – 5pm.  Admission is free.  You can find directions to it here.

1 Comment

Filed under All ages, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Fall, Free, Ongoing, Outdoor, Spring, Summer, Weekdays, Weekend, Winter

Tagged as , , , ,

May 21, 2012

Where to Play on the Weekdays: May 21-25

Looking for new reads at the library

 

Monday - Drop in for story time at your local library, or just go to check out books. See this old post from awhile back for a little background and quick links to libraries around the area.

Tuesday - As this post goes live, the forecast says there’s a good chance of rain just about every day this week, so explore nature indoors at a nature center. Most have live animals to visit, interactive exhibits, and hands-on activities for kids. And if weather does permit, there are miles of outdoor areas to roam, too. The Natural Capital blog has a great list of area nature centers along with a map depicting their locations.

Wednesday - See a show especially for little ones as The Puppet Co. Playhouse presents Old MacDonald’s Farm as this week’s Tiny Tots production. The lights stay on and doors stay open during these performances for the youngest audiences.  Showtime is 10am.  Tickets are $5 for everyone, including babies.

Thursday - Rock out at Discovery Theater as they present Shine and the Moonbeams as part of their “Tot Rock: Jammin’ at the Smithsonian” series.  Showtimes are 10:15am and 11:30am. Tickets are $3-6.

Friday - Visit the U.S. Botanic Garden, where there’s plenty to enjoy both indoors and out. Tour the plant collections,  and be sure to stop in the “Plants in Culture” exhibit where little ones will have fun sniffing the aromas of various plants and learning about their everyday uses. And if it’s a nice day, kids can flex their green thumbs in the outdoor Children’s Garden, where they can play in a miniature house, plant flowers (when available), and pump water.  Also outdoors is the National Garden, where you can stroll among the roses and other plants, run through a grassy area, sit in the small amphitheater,  and relax by the lovely fountain. Pack lunch to eat at one of several tables there or head over to the Mitsitam Cafe at the American Indian Museum across the street.

Leave a Comment

Filed under All ages, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Outdoor, Spring, Theatre, Weekdays

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 18, 2012

The Weekend Round-Up: May 19-20

See the turkeys during Claude Moore Colonial Farm's Market Fair

 

As if this round-up of special events isn’t enough, this list of outdoor pursuits is also a must-view this weekend if the glorious forecast holds up. (If not, then go here for indoor ideas.)  Happy Weekend!

Andrews Air Show
Where: Andrews Air Force Base
When: Saturday & Sunday, 8am – 5pm
Admission: Free
There’s excitement in the air! The Blue Angels, Golden Knights, and many more thrilling aerial performers will take to the skies this weekend at the 2012 Joint Service Open House and Air Show. The public is invited to Andrews Air Force Base to view amazing air stunts, as well as cool ground attractions on Saturday and Sunday. And to top it all off, admission to the show is free!

Music by the River
Where: The Yards Park
When: Friday, 6:30-8:30pm
Admission: Free
Kick off the weekend with free music in the fresh air. The Justin Trawick Group will be performing on the Yards Park boardwalk this evening. Catch the show and lovely views of the Anacostia River from the comfort of a blanket spread out on the grass. Get there early to let little ones splash in the fountains, and pack a picnic or purchase food there for dinner under the stars.

Market Fair
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4:30pm
Admission: $6/adults, $3/ages 3-12 and seniors, free for 2 and under
Celebrate spring at the local colonial museum and working farm’s first Market Fair of the season. There will be loads of activities for all ages to enjoy: Dance and sing to period music. Play quoits and other games, and watch a children’s puppet theater. See chickens, turkeys, pigs and other farm animals. Take a fencing lesson or watch the Blacksmith in action. Order herbs and flowers from the plant vendor and browse other colonial market stands. Purchase roast chicken, fresh vegetables, fruit pies and more. Tavern offers fresh lemonade and ginger ale, wine, beer and ale. Along with the special festivities, enjoy the ongoing offerings as you stroll the living history museum grounds and see farm family and community members in character and costume.

Strawberry Fields
Where: Area farms
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by location
The pick-your-own season has officially begun! Just about all local farms have opened their strawberry patches to the public, so you can get out there and reap the fruits. See this post for a list of area farms where you can gather your own strawberries, several offering much more than just picking.

Artomatic
Where: 1851 S. Bell Street, Crystal City
When: Throughout the weekend (runs through June 23)
Admission: Free
Art, anyone? The DC area’s biggest free creative arts event launches today at 6pm in Crystal City. Featuring work by more than 1300 artists, performers, musicians, filmmakers, fashion designers, and creatives of all kinds, the month-long festival is “by artists, for everyone.” The first time I ever attended one it was held on U Street on one floor of open space above a restaurant. About 10 years later, all kinds of art will be showcased throughout ten floors in building that is slated for demolition. And it’s not just art to look at — there will also be workshops, tours, and seminars for all ages throughout the month. Especially for children this weekend are a paper quilting bee,  a bubble wrap art workshop, and a drum circle for kids.  Learn more about Artomatic here and check out the schedule here.

Park It
Where: Parks around the area
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Celebrate Kids to Parks Day! The National Park Trust wants everyone to have an American park experience, so they’re inviting every family in America to visit a national, state, or local park and play outdoors on Saturday. As their mascot, Buddy Bison says, “Explore outdoors, the parks are yours!” Many parks around the area will be hosting special programs for the day — find out where you can participate one!

Happy Birthday, Hello Cupcake!
Where: Hello Cupcake Capitol hill
When: Friday – Sunday, 12-6pm each day
Admission: Free
To mark their first year on Capitol Hill, Hello Cupcake is hosting a three-day celebration at their Barracks Row location. From Friday through Monday, there will be all kinds of events, activities, and giveaways, including free cupcake decorating classes, games, samples, and face painting.

Strawberry Jubilee
Where: Great Country Farms
When: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 6pm
Admission: $10/child, $12/adult
The largest U-pick strawberry festival is this weekend, rain or shine. Get ready for lots of fun activities for all ages, including the popular diaper derby, pie-eating contests, tart toss, strawberry princess, KidzArt, great food, live music, and Strawberry wine-tasting with Bluemont Vineyard. As if that’s not enough to keep the family entertained for the day, there’s also the five-acre play area, complete with the Pumpkin Jumpin’ Pillow, slides, a pedal cart track, rope swings mazes, a tractor tire mountain, Cow Train ($2), and animal encounters. Whew!

Strike a Pose
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Explore the art of photography with at this special Family Day with activities for all ages. Be inspired by the museum’s exhibition, Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage, and discover the world through a new lens. Borrow a camera or bring your own for a photo-scavenger hunt and document your travels in an album to take home. Visit the photo station to practice your pose and add your portrait to the American Art Museum’s Flickr page.

Gaithersburg Book Festival
Where: Gaithersburg City Hall
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Admission: Free
The City of Gaithersburg welcomes you to their third annual literary event! Festivities will include the chance to see and meet some of the world’s best writers, from best-sellers to acclaimed up-and-comers; join in literary workshops; and a full day of fun at the Children’s Village. The Gaithersburg City Hall is located at 31 South Summit Avenue. For more specifics, see the Festival website.

A-Mazing Animal Fest
Where: Bladensburg Waterfront Park
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a fun-filled family event featuring birds of prey, reptiles, farm animals, a puppet show, food vendors, arts and crafts, and much more at the park located right on the Anacostia River. While you’re there, take a ride on the water — canoe, kayak, and rowboat rentals are also available on weekends from late May to the end of October.

Taste of Arlington
Where: Wilson Boulevard in front of Ballston Common Mall
When: Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free, but you must purcahse tickets to taste
Head across the river for a day of food, fun, and more food. Over 35 Arlington restaurants will be offering samples of their fare at the annual street festival in downtown Ballston. And while the food is the main focus, there will be plenty more to enjoy, including live entertainment, children’s activities, a moon bounce, and street performers. Tickets are available for purchase through the Taste of Arlington website, or you can buy them the day of the event.

Say “Om”
Where: National Mall
When: Saturday, 1:30-4:30pm
Admission: Free
In celebration of DC Yoga Week, help create the largest outdoor yoga class in DC ever! Yogis from around the city will gather at the Sylvan Stage on the Washington Monument grounds for a collective practice that welcomes children, too.

Fiesta Asia
Where: Pennsylvania Ave., from 3rrd – 6th Streets
When: Saturday, 10am – 7pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Asian Heritage Month at the annual street fair presented by the Asia Heritage Foundation. This showcase of Asian art and culture will include music and dance performances, martial arts demos, food, hands-on activities, and more. Especially for kids is the Kiddiz Cool Lounge, with origami, sidewalk chalk, doll making, henna art, story telling, balloon art, and more. While admission is free, be prepared to spend on food and marketplace fun.

Best in Shows
Where: Theatres around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by performance
Last weekend to catch Rapunzel at Imagination Stage. Five Little Monkeys is at Adventure Theatre. Tiny Tots and Pinocchio are on the puppet stage. Milkshake Trio performing at Jammin’ Java. Details on all of them in this post about live entertainment in late spring.

Monsuno Monster Power Tour
Where: Pentagon City Mall & Anime Pavilion
When: Saturday 10am – 9:30pm, Sunday 12-3pm
Admission: Free
So, I’m just starting to get wind of the new craze, but if it’s anything like Bakugan or Beyblades, I know there are some kids who will be pretty excited about this event. Stop by Pentagon City Mall on Saturday and Anime Pavilion in Falls Church on Sunday for special demonstrations on how to launch, spin, and battle by Monsuno Monster Power experts. Get freebies, exclusive discount coupons and more!

SunWise Kick Off
Where: National Children’s Museum Launch Zone
When: Saturday,
Admission: Free
Head to the Launch Zone to help kick off a summer of sun safety! The NCM, along with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SunWise program, have put together fantastic programs designed to encourage kids to be “sun wise” this summer. Guests will learn about UVB rays and SPF through exciting activities, such as making your own sun visor and UV color-changing bracelet. In addition, at 1pm and 2 pm, NCM will present its original production of Princess Sunni’s Birthday, where the audience can help Princess Sunni learn about sun safety while completing the Ancient Royal Challenges so she can become queen. The performances run approximately 20 minutes and are best suited for ages 3 to 8.

Encore Bookfair
Where: Barnes & Noble in Fairfax
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Join Encore Stage & Studio for a day of fun and theater at our Barnes & Noble Bookfair! A percentage of purchases will support Encore’s many exciting education and production programs including costumes, props and set dressing, score, and sound effects for our Act III performance of Pirates of Penzance, as well as scholarship for students to attend our summer camps! Also at the book fair will be a sneak preview of Encore’s upcoming performance, Charlotte’s Web at 3pm; face painting with a Charlotte’s Web character, and bookmark making. The Barnes & Noble is located at 12193 Fair Lakes Promenade Drive in Fairfax.

Arrrr… Merriment!
Where: Spotsylvania, VA
When: All Weekend, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $9, free or ages 5 and under
Ahoy! The shire is awash with pirates and privateers of all ages at the Virginia Renaissance Faire this weekend. Take a trip to the 16th century and join the festivities that include historical re-enactments, jousting, costume displays, crafts for kids, food and drink, shopping, and more. This is all taking place on the grounds of the Lake Anna Winery every weekend through June 10. Go here for directions.

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under All ages, Animals, Annual, DC, Eats, Educational, Farm, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Spring, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 13, 2012

Where to Play on the Weekdays: May 14-18

Hanging with Teddy at Rooselvelt Island

 

Monday – Get a dose of nature and history in one fell swoop at Roosevelt Island.  Hike the easy trails, look out for wildlife, and explore the Memorial Plaza to learn about the legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt. The entrance to the park is located right off the GW Parkway, just past the Rooselvelt Bridge.  It’s accessible only from the northbound lanes. If weather doesn’t permit, find an alternative activity here.

Tuesday – Attend Mommy & Me (& Daddy Too!), the Rockville Town Square’s free monthly program  for kids.  Storytime, interactive movement, arts & crafts, and merchant sponsored activities are part of the active learning and creative play. The free program runs from 10am – 12pm on the third Tuesday of every month. UPDATE: This event as been rescehuled to May 22 due to the weather forecast. Again, go here for a huge list of ideas for indoor fun.

Wednesday - Little ones can be a “scientist for a day” at the new, free Science + You exhibit housed in the Foundry Lofts right across from the Yards Park. Find out what to expect there in this post from last week.

Thursday - Take your pick of the many farms now open for the season to gather your own strawberries.  Just about all of the places offering pick-your-own opportunities are now welcoming visitors to their fields.  See this post for a list of them.

Friday – Join the dance party at the Atlas on H Street as the Boogie Babes present Bridgette and Dawn.  Showtime is 10:30am. Admission is $5/child, free for siblings 6 months and under.

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under Art, Class, DC, Educational, Exhibit, Farm, Free, Indoor Play, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Spring, Virginia, Weekdays

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

May 13, 2012

Nothing to Get Hung About this Strawberry Season

Think we picked enough strawberries?

 

The 2012 strawberry picking season has officially begun!  As of this week, just about all area farms offering pick-your-own opportunities will be open to visitors.  And I keep hearing how the unusually warm winter and early spring made for an extra bountiful crop this year.  Our experience at Schlagel Farms today definitely supported that theory — the berries were just as abundant as they were gorgeous. If you’re planning to hit the fields for some picking of your own, here’s the scoop on the berry season at several local farms (most of it duplicated from last year, but with updated info).  And if you have a favorite farm that isn’t on this list, feel free to mention it in the comments.  Happy Picking!

Schlagel Farms
Less than 20 miles from DC in Waldorf, Md, Schlagel Farms is one of the more popular pick-your-own berry places in the area with their season often beginning before other area farms. Their fields have been open to the public for a couple of weeks, and as of today the pickings are excellent! (We’ve got several large bowlfuls to prove it.)While there, you can also purchase bedded plants grown in their greenhouse. And you no longer have to worry about hitting the ATM before going—they started accepting credit cards (everything but AmEx) last year.  Schlagel’s is open for picking from 8am – 7pm seven days a week.

Homestead Farm
Strawberry season begins here on May 14 with what they call “seek and find” picking, but they expect a rapid increase in ripeness. Along with berry picking, there are animals to visit — goats, pigs, and chickens are some of the farm’s bestial residents. And Homestead scores high on aesthetics — the lovely pastoral setting in Montgomery County makes you feel like you’re way more than 20 miles from the city. The farm is open seven days a week from 9:30am – 6pm, though pick-your-own ends at 5:30.

Great Country Farms
At the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah Valley, Great Country offers more than just pick-your-own opportunities. The farm is well known for its big seasonal festivals and fun farm-themed attractions. A hayride takes you out to the picking fields, and kids might spy an emu or goat on the way. Visitors also have access to the barnyard, mazes, a cow train, and jumping pillow. The weekend of May 19-20 is the annual Strawberry Jubilee with live music, pie eating contests, tart tosses, tasty food, and more. Babies four to nine months can compete in the diaper derby, a crawl to the finish line, to compete for great prizes. Admission is $8/child $10/adult on weekdays, and $10/child $12/adult on festival weekends. Open daily 9am- 6pm.

Mackintosh Fruit Farm
The family-owned farm in the Shenandoah Valley opened their strawberry fields to the public this past weekend, and they claim the early and warm spring brought their best crop in years. Plan on lunch while you’re there—along with fruits and veggies, the farm also offers a variety of menu items prepared fresh every day from their own produce. Walk it all off afterward along a new trail that winds through the fields and woods of the farm. Open daily from 8am – 6pm.

Pick-n-eat?

Westmoreland Berry Farm
Their strawberries have been ripe for the picking since this past weekend, and they expect them to be available for another few of weeks. Right now, you can pick your own on Saturdays and Sundays, but check back soon to see if weekdays open, too. On weekends a hay wagon transports visitors to the picking fields. A goat walk is a also fun sight for kids. The farm is open 9am – 5pm Monday – Saturday, and 10am – 5pm Sunday.

Larriland Farm
About an hour’s drive from DC in Howard County, Larriland Farms has gotten really good reviews on Yelp for both it’s produce and beauty. The pick-your-own season begins with strawberries, and it expected to start around May 17-20 — as it gets closer, call or check online to confirm the opening date. Larriland employs Integrated Pest Management, meaning pesticides are a last resort, to keep pests below an acceptable level with minimum harmful impact on the environment. Hours are Tuesdays 9am – 8pm, Wednesday to Friday 9am – 6pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am – 5pm, closed Mondays (but open Memorial day 9am – 1pm).

Huber’s Farm
If you want to celebrate strawberry season, head to Huber’s Farm May 19-20 for an Old Fashioned Strawberry Festival. The farm is kicking off the start of the season with a weekend of fun—the Strawberry Express Hayride, a moon bounce, face painting, strawberry shortcake, and more.  The festival will run from 12-5pm both days. The berries will be ready for picking in a couple of weeks along with many other spring veggies. Hours will be from 9am – 6pm seven days a week.

Butler’s Orchard
The farm might be best known for it’s Halloween and Easter extravaganzas, but they have a bounty of great crops, too. Their strawberry season officially starts May 14, and the fields will be open to visitors everyday. During strawberry season their hours are 8am – 6pm during the week, and 8am – 5pm on weekends. 

Hollin Farms
Across the river in Fauquier County, VA, Hollin Farms kicked off strawberry picking this past weekend and expect it to last through mid June. Hours are 9am – 5pm, and they recommend calling ahead to confirm that picking fields are open. And a special P.S. to meat lovers: they pride themselves on their grass-fed beef.

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under All ages, Animals, Annual, Eats, Farm, Maryland, Outdoor, Seasonal, Spring, Virginia, Weekdays, Weekend

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 12, 2012

Treats In Honor of Mom

Sprinkles Cupcakes MOM Box is as yummy as it is gorgeous... trust me.

 

Moms are in for a treat — or a few — this Mother’s Day!  Several businesses have special promos going on in celebration of the big day. Here’s where you can find them…

Sprinkles Cupcakes brought back their glorious MOM Box, which features Dark Chocolate, Red Velvet, Vanilla and Lemon cupcakes. I was lucky enough to be gifted with one by Sprinkles after Sasha and I attended a cupcake decorating session a few days ago (just like this one last year), and we devoured those parcels of deliciousness faster than I should admit. If you want to treat mom to the best cupcakes in DC (imo) you can order the MOM Box here. You can also get a free cupcake on May 13 from 12-2pm by saying “People Like Us” when you’re in the shop. (A bonus tip: If you follow Sprinkles on Facebook or Twitter, you can get secret passwords for free cupcakes!)

Nando’s Peri Peri will celebrate Mother’s Day this year with a special promotion offered at all seven area locations.  On May 13, moms can enjoy a complimentary dessert of their choice with the purchase of any entrée. Nando’s main claim to fame is its Portuguese flame-grilled chicken, but it also serves a variety of delicious desserts. Dessert favorites include: Chocolate Spoon Cake, Raspberry Brulée Cheesecake, Dulce de Leche Cheesecake, Four High Carrot Cake, Naughty Nata (a Portuguese pastry), assorted cupcakes, and bottomless frozen yogurt.

Caribou Coffee will be celebrating the special day with a “Buy One, Get One Free” deal on May 13. Guests who show this coupon — either printed or on their smartphone — and purchase a beverage at participating Caribou coffeehouses will receive a free drink (specific offer details are at the bottom of the coupon).

Chick-fil-A restaurants are hosting a Mother-Son “Date Knight” on Monday, May 14, from 4:30-8:30pm. The evening will include special medieval-themed activities, a muscle car display, a knighting ceremony, and costumed medieval figures such as jesters, queens, and horses. Reservations are required, so go here to reserve a seating time.

Z Burger in Tenleytown and Southwest is giving free meals (regular, cheese or veggie burger plus a side of fries and a drink) to moms who say “ThankZ Mom” when they stop in on May 13 from 10:30am – 10pm.

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under DC, Deal, Eats, Holidays, Maryland, Virginia

Tagged as , , , , , ,