Life
25 Fall Experiences in the DMV
September 11, 2020 @ 12:00pm
With the city slowly reopening this summer, we’ve been getting more and more used to shutting down our laptops and venturing back into the outside world. Whether you are comfortable putting your mask on and stepping out or want to stay home and do something creative, stay busy this fall with our list of 25 in-person and virtual events.
See Baby Animals at The National Zoo
Visit baby cheetahs and the new baby panda at the National Zoo, now open with revised hours. Face masks and free timed passes required. Ongoing and free. Follow on Instagram @smithsonianzoo. 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; www.nationalzoo.si.edu.
Have Drinks with a View at Victura Park
With plenty of outdoor tables and open space to set up a picnic, Victura Park at The REACH is a casual outdoor wine bar set up on the landscaped grounds of the Kennedy Center expansion. Open on weekends, it is family- and dog-friendly and offers great views of the Potomac and Roosevelt Island. Ongoing. Follow on Instagram @victuraparkdc. 2700 F St. NW, DC; www.victuraparkdc.com.
Stroll the Artsy Gardens at Glenstone Museum
A quick trip to this private art gallery transports you to 300 acres of manicured landscape, beautiful sculptures and outdoor art. Reservations required. Ongoing and free. Follow on Instagram
@glenstonemuseum.12100 Glen Rd. Potomac, MD; www.glenstone.org.
Pick Your Own Bouquet at Change of Plants Farm
Nonprofit Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture provides private flower cutting experiences at Change of Plants farm, where you and your quaranteam have exclusive access to a field of flowers. Cut your own bouquet as you wander around the rows of flowers and crops. Ongoing. Tickets $25-$125. Follow on Instagram @arcadiafood. 5387-5399 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy. Alexandria, VA; www.arcadiafood.org.
Enjoy Drive-In Movie Night at Park Up DC
Watch a different feature each weekend at this pop-up
drive-in movie experience set up at RFK Stadium that doubles
as a family-friendly and safe way to bring groups together. Ongoing. Tickets $29-$45. Follow on Instagram @parkupdc. 2408 Independence Ave. SE, DC; www.parkupdc.com.
Check Out Artina 2020 at Sandy Spring Museum
Artists use sculpture to explore environmental responsibility, reimagining solar energy as an art form in this outdoor sculpture garden. Artina 2020 showcases exhibits ranging from those using sunlight as the medium, energy source or subject and others that explore how light, sun and energy intersect. Now through November 7. Free. Follow on Instagram @sandyspringmuseum. 17901 Bentley Rd. Sandy Spring, MD; www.sandyspringmuseum.org.
Explore Glendening Butterfly Garden
A couple miles up the road from the Jug Bay Wetlands in Maryland is a butterfly garden where dozens upon dozens of butterflies flutter between the flowers. Butterfly murals and a red barn serve as a backdrop. Ongoing and free. Follow on Instagram @jugbayws. 5702 Plummer Ln. Lothian, MD; www.jugbay.org.
Tour President Lincoln’s Cottage
Known as the cottage where Lincoln developed the Emancipation Proclamation, this D.C. cottage offers safely distanced outdoor tours complete with storytelling of the important legacy created here. Ongoing. Tickets $5-$12.50. Follow on Instagram @lincolnscottage.140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW, DC; www.lincolncottage.org.
Cook with Top Chef Finalist Eric Adjepong
Learn to cook West African-influenced dishes such as jollof risotto with Chef Adjepong, whose passion lies in introducing diners to West African cuisine and the impact its diaspora
has had on South American, Latin American, Caribbean and American food. Ongoing and virtual. Tickets $50-$80. Follow on Instagram @chefericadjepong. www.chefadjepong.com/classes.
Visit Civil Rights Hero Rosa Parks’ Residence
Head to the museum at the Mansion on O to see the rooms she lived in for more than a decade and listen in to the virtual storyteller. While there, explore the Dupont Circle mansion’s many secrets, and bring home a knickknack or two. Ongoing. Tickets $30. Follow on Instagram @omansion. 2020 O St. NW, DC; www.omansion.com.
Take a Private Boat with Gone Fishin’ Charters
Spend a great day on the water and learn to fish with Captain Ray around Annapolis Bay. If that sounds like too much work, you can simply cruise or just have fun with friends aboard. Ongoing. Contact for rates. 726 2nd St. Annapolis, MD; www.fb.com/gonefishincharters.
Test Your Abilities as a Spy
Go on an undercover mission and test your spy skills as you explore the reopened International Spy Museum. Following a visit, join a Spies & Spymasters happy hour or another virtual program such as spy chats or spy trivia. Ongoing. Tickets $16.95-$24.95. Follow on Instagram @spymuseum. 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW, DC; www.spymuseum.org.
Stroll Through the Sculpture Garden
Explore the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, which offers a relaxing setting in which to enjoy works of modern sculpture. Be your own guide and get the tour via your mobile phone while there. Ongoing and free. Follow on Instagram @ngadc. Constitution Avenue and 7th Street in NW, DC; www.nga.gov.
Enjoy the Seven Reasons Cocktail Experience
A tasting menu of cocktails paired with small bites of food is the latest experience offered by the trendy, Latin-focused Seven Reasons. Available at the bar, cocktails are the main course at this liquid cuisine tasting. Ongoing. Tickets $135. Follow on Instagram @sevenreasonsdc. 2208 14th St. NW, DC;
www.exploretock.com/sevenreasonsdc.
Tune into a Virtual Performance from Sixth & I
The eclectic venue is putting on shows from local artists, holding talks and featuring virtual panel discussions. Ongoing and virtual. Tickets range from free to $20. Follow on Instagram @sixthandi. www.sixthandi.org/events.
Go Apple Picking
Head to one of the many orchards outside D.C. for the fall pastime of apple picking (and eating apple cider donuts!) Catoctin Mountain Orchard, Larriland Farm and Great Country Farms are all set up for distanced apple picking. Masks are required. Ongoing. Prices vary. www.catoctinmountainorchard.com, www.pickyourown.com and www.greatcountryfarms.com.
Log In to Live from Strathmore
Support local musicians by tuning into Strathmore online every Wednesday evening for a special series of livestreamed concerts in multiple genres presented straight from the living rooms of D.C.’s best musicians. Free. Follow on Instagram @strathmorearts. www.strathmore.org/events-and-tickets/live-from-the-living-room.
Cook Paella with Xiquet Chef Danny Lledó
Learn to cook paella via Zoom with America’s “most awarded paella chef” Danny Lledó of Valencian fine dining restaurant Xiquet. Pick up paella kits at the restaurant and prepare to learn the secrets to making this famous dish perfectly every time. Ongoing and virtual. Tickets $35. Follow on Instagram @xiquetdl. www.xiquetdl.com.
View the City with Float Boat 360
For a relaxing experience, rent a Float Boat, pack up some nosh, and leave it to the guide to charter you around the Potomac. Ongoing. Tickets $240. Follow on Instagram @floatboat360. 168 National Plaza, Oxon Hill, MD; www.floatboat360.com.
Wander Through Brookside Gardens
A beautiful outdoor adventure awaits at Brookside Gardens: 50 acres of trails, lawns, bridges, ponds with turtles, and playgrounds. Ongoing and free. 1800 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, MD; www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens.
View Maps + Imagery of D.C. Neighborhoods
Learn about gentrification and the history of D.C.’s neighborhoods via the Right to the City digital exhibit from the Anacostia Community Museum. Free, ongoing and virtual. Follow on Instagram @smithsonianacm. www.anacostia.si.edu.
Dig into American History
Check out one of the National Museum of American History’s online exhibits. “Food: Transforming the American Table 1950-2000” illustrates how drastically American dining habits changed over the years. Free, ongoing and virtual. Follow on Instagram @amhistorymuseum. www.americanhistory.si.edu/food.
Immerse Yourself in the Story of Jane Goodall
The National Geographic Museum released a virtual tour of “Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall,” which illustrates the fascinating scientist’s life and the chimpanzees she studied in Tanzania. Free, ongoing and virtual. Follow on Instagram @natgeomuseum. www.nationalgeographic.org/events/visit.
Go to a Green Spring Gardens Park Class
Check out a variety of outdoor class options in a wide range of interest areas related to gardening at this Fairfax County Park. Learn about bulbs and how they can add flair to the garden, planting a fall vegetable garden, composting and more. Classes for toddlers, young adults and adults are offered. Ongoing. Tickets $30. 4603 Green Spring Rd. Alexandria, VA; www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring.
Get Crafty with the Phillips Collection
For a crafty hands-on experience, check out family-friendly activities from the Phillips Collection. Learn to make maracas or create pieces inspired by art in the museum. Step-by-step instructions and commentary are provided via the Phillips Collection website. Free, ongoing and virtual. Follow on Instagram @phillipscollection. www.phillipscollection.org.
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