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    • Survive Daylight Savings
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Dino Safari drive-thru experience invades National Harbor

March 17, 2021

Dino Safari is a fun and educational drive-thru experience that features 40 full-size animatronic museum-quality dinosaurs you can experience from the comfort and safety of your vehicle and is invading National Harbor!

Dino Safari takes audience members – in their vehicle – to “Pangea National Park,” for an up-close-and-personal journey with the most fascinating prehistoric creatures from the mighty T. rex of North America to the giant amphibious Spinosaurus of Africa. 

Dino Safari was created in consultation with paleontologist Dr. Gregory Erickson and features fact-based, educational content in addition to an exciting storyline. Kids and families are guided through the fictional “Pangea National Park” by an audio tour (available in both English and Spanish) that plays through each car’s audio system, featuring fun and friendly characters. Each vehicle is given a “Survival Pack” containing your passport to Pangea with a scavenger hunt and other fun surprises for a more interactive experience.

On the Dino Safari adventure, audience members will learn through an audio narrator how dinosaurs evolved, where they called home, and the discoveries paleontologists have made about how they ate, moved, and behaved. Beware: along the journey, earthquakes might erupt, dinosaurs could battle, and audience members may have to help save a baby dinosaur’s life! So, buckle up for the adventure of a lifetime in this socially-distanced experience, and the perfect family spring break staycation activity.

DATES:
March 18 – April 11

Tickets are priced per car, beginning at $49.95 per vehicle of up to seven individuals, and are available through Dino Safari. Demand has been unexpectedly high with sellouts anticipated. Advance purchase is strongly recommended. 

LOCATION:
The Plateau at National Harbor
Intersection of National Harbor Blvd. & Waterfront St.
National Harbor, MD 20745 

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Filed Under: Education, Sponsored Post Tagged: DC, dino safari, dinosaurs, drive thru, maryland, national harbor

Ultimate Guide to Halloween in and around Washington, DC

October 11, 2018

Saturdays and Sundays only– 10:00am-6:00pm-: Eye Spy Train at Wheaton
All aboard the Wheaton Eye Spy Halloween Train! NO LONGER HAUNTED! This “not so scary” train ride is fun for the whole family – it’s all about fun, not fright! Each child will receive an Eye Spy card before boarding the train. As you ride through the woods of Wheaton Regional Park, look all around to find Halloween friends hiding, and mark them off the Eye Spy card. They’ll have fun Halloween activities in the Train Station Party Room, where snacks will also be available for purchase. Costumes are encouraged! Please bring a canned food donation for your neighbors in need – they’ll donate them to Mid-County United Ministries in Wheaton. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Date Night, Fall, Holiday Options Tagged: 2019, Alexandria, Avalon Theatre, Aviation Museum, bethesda, boo, Busy Bees, Cabin John Regional Park, Congressional Cemetery, costumes, Eastern Market, Frying Pan Park, gigs, Glen Echo, Glover Park, Halloween, headfirst, Hilloween, Jetties, John Henry, Kennedy Center, music, National Air and Space Museum, National Building Museum, national harbor, National Zoo, parades, Spy Museum, The Kennedy Center, train, Tregaron Conservancy, Tudor Place, Wheaton

Tricks and Treats around Washington, DC this Halloween

October 9, 2017

Post has been updated and can be found here for 2018

I can’t count the number of times our son wore his “Max” costume from Where the Wild Things Are. Between parades, school, special celebrations and on Halloween he got lots of practicing saying, “Let the wild rumpus start”! Here’s a guide that will help your child get mileage out of their costume(s) this year. Of course, check out our guide to Festivals and Orchards, as many of them have a special Halloween celebration as well as their day-to-day happenings. DC Library also will have a variety of Halloween celebrations, including Creepy Crafts & Pumpkin Decorating! Check out Facebook and Instagram for updated events.

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[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Holiday Options Tagged: 2017, Alexandria, Avalon Theatre, Aviation Museum, bethesda, boo, Busy Bees, Cabin John Regional Park, Congressional Cemetery, costumes, Eastern Market, Frying Pan Park, gigs, Glen Echo, Glover Park, Halloween, headfirst, Hilloween, Jetties, John Henry, Kennedy Center, music, National Air and Space Museum, National Building Museum, national harbor, National Zoo, parades, Spy Museum, The Kennedy Center, train, Tregaron Conservancy, Tudor Place, Wheaton, Woodend Nature Sanctuary

Your guide to getting outdoors this holiday season in and around Washington, DC

December 1, 2016

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(Photo: Seasons Greenings at The U.S. Botanic Gardens)

Get outdoors and enjoy the chill of the air while sipping a good cup of joe and hot cocoa for the Bambino(s). Here are some festive places to visit all while being outside.

Outdoor Ice Rinks: 

HolidayFunCanal Park Ice Rink– 202 M Street, SE Washington, DC 20003

Tyson’s Corner Center Ice Rink– 1961 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA. 22102

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink– National Mall at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW

Washington Harbour Ice Rink– 3050 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Silver Spring Veteran’s Plaza Ice Rink– 8523 Fenton St., Silver Spring, MD. 20910

Rockville Town Square Ice Rink– 131 Gibbs St., Rockville, MD. 20850

Pentagon Row– 1201 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA 22202

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(Photo: Funzug)

Outdoor Festivities:

National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse– The National Mall
The National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is the beginning of three weeks of celebration in holiday music in the nation’s capital. Musical groups from Washington D.C. and across the country provide holiday entertainment to the countless visitors for a one of a kind holiday experience set against the backdrop of the National Christmas Tree. Dec. 2-Jan.1.

Christmas at Mount Vernon– 3200 Mt Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121
The holidays are full of delight at George Washington’s estate. Join for candlelight tours of the Mansion, a dazzling display of fireworks set to Christmas music (Dec. 16-17), dancing, fire-side caroling, Aladdin the Christmas camel, and so much more! Nov. 25-Jan. 6.

Holidays on the Harbor– 165 Waterfront St. National Harbor, MD. 20745
Each weekend, from Nov. 19 to Dec. 17, National Harbor 12:00pm-2:00pm you can see holiday performances and they show holiday movies on Saturdays at 2:00pm. Be sure and warm up inside the Gaylord Resort and then bundle up to check out ICE!. Get your tickets in advance though.

Holly Trolley Fest at National Capital Trolley Museum– 1313 Bonifant Road Colesville, MD 20905
Celebrate the season with toy trains and Santa aboard the streetcars from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18.

Seasons Greenings at The U.S. Botanic Gardens– 100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20001
Season’s Greenings opens on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24- Jan. 2. The best times to visit Season’s Greenings are weekdays early in December or on select Tuesday and Thursday evenings in December when the Conservatory is open until 8 p.m. with live seasonal music. Aside from these extended holiday hours, the Conservatory is open every day of the year, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free of charge.

Festival of Lights at the Mormon Temple– 9900 Stoneybrook Drive Kensington, MD 20895
As one of the D.C. area’s great community traditions, the Festival features free performances nightly in the comfortable, state-of-the-art theater located in the Visitors’ Center while the Temple grounds glow with 650,000 lights. Begins Dec. 1 and lasts through Jan. 1 from 10:00am-10:00pm.

Zoo Lights at The National Zoo– 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Join the thousands of visitors who make ZooLights a part of their annual holiday tradition. ZooLights includes live music performances, tasty winter treats, and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping. More than 500,000 environmentally-friendly LED lights transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland. New this year will be a dazzling light show set to music, snow-less tubing, trackless train and ride the carousel! Nov. 25-Jan. 1 (exception: Dec. 24 & 25) hours are 5:00pm-9:00pm.

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens– 1800 Glenallan Ave Wheaton, MD 20902
Step into a magical winter wonderland illuminated with more than one million dazzling colorful lights shaped into hand-crafted, original art forms of flowers, animals and other natural elements. Stroll from garden to garden enjoying twinkling tree forms, fountains, sparkling snowflakes overhead and more. Nov. 25-Jan.1 (closed Dec. 24 & 25) Hours and prices vary by night.

Bulls Run Festival of Lights- 7700 Bull Run Dr Centreville, VA 20121
Experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car; turn out your headlights and just follow the magical glow. After viewing the lights, bring your family and friends to the holiday village to enjoy rides, refreshments, and of course, photos with Santa Claus. The festival happens annually at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, Virginia. Nov. 23-Jan.8 hours and prices vary depending on the day

Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens– 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court Vienna, VA 22182
Bring the family to enjoy the magical Winter Walk of lights in Vienna, Virginia. The garden is transformed into a half-mile, animated walk of lights. Revisit perennial favorites such as the Lakeside Lights, the Fountain of Lights, and the Holiday Nature Walk – and look for new displays each year. Put on your walking shoes and bring the family to experience a Northern Virginia festive tradition. Round out your visit by roasting marshmallows, and sipping on hot beverages by the fire. (Available for purchase at Light Refreshments). Nov. 18-Jan. 8 from 5:30pm-10:00pm.

Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park– 301 Watkins Park Drive (Route 193) Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Bring a little twinkle to your holidays. Don’t miss this spectacular holiday drive-through event featuring more than one million twinkling lights! This year’s Festival features fun new displays. Nov. 25- Jan. 1 from 5-9:30pm. $5 ca/van, free on Christmas.

Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park– 11950 Clopper Rd., Gaithersburg, MD.20878
The wondrous display of lights at Seneca Creek State Park will be open nightly Nov. 25 through Dec. 31. (closed on Dec. 25). The 3.5 mile drive through the enchanted setting of Seneca Creek State Park takes you past more than 365 illuminated displays and 65 animated vignettes that light up the night. Themed areas include Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Victorian Village, the North Pole, and much more.

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Filed Under: Holiday Options, Outdoor Play, Winter Tagged: Christmas Lights, Christmas Tree, Ellipse, Ice Rinks, Mormon Temple, mount vernon, national harbor, national mall, National Zoo, Santa, Trolley Museum, U.S. Botanic Garden, Zoo Lights

Weekend Picks

November 13, 2015

This weekends post is full of fun on Saturday! Be sure and check out our Indoor Fun post as well as the Theater Roundup post so you have a warm place to escape to as the weather gets cooler.

Friday-th

6:00pm: Family Movie Night Inside Out playing at Marie Reed Auditorium
(18th and Wyoming Sts. NW)
Admission is free, and concessions will be sold.  Come join the fun hosted by Marie Reed Elementary School PTA.

6:30pm: The Singing Lizard at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW)
Shes back in town this weekend. Catch her if you can!
[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Weekend Picks Tagged: art, bloombars, family, festival, holiday, Imagination Stage, national harbor, park, The Singing Lizard

Weekend Picks: Memorial Day tributes, splashing around and day trips

May 22, 2014

With the holiday weekend among us, we’ve chosen a few well-known picks that pay tribute to Memorial Day. We’ve also put together a short list of suggested Day Trips that won’t keep you and your family in the car too long but will get you “away”. 

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Rockville Hometown Holidays: Saturday and Sunday- 2:00pm-10:00pm, Monday- 9:00am-1:00pm
(30 Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD 20850)
Over 30 bands will perform this weekend at HTH. Check out the kids activities as well; ¡Uno, Dos, Tres con Andrés! plays on the Town Square Stage at 5:00pm on Saturday. Rockville will have a Memorial Day Parade beginning at 10:30am  at Martins Lane and N. Washington, and ending on Monroe Street.

Rolling Thunder– Events all weekend long
The weekend begins on Friday with a Candlelight Vigil followed by a Wreathlaying Ceremony and their annual roaring Memorial Day Parade motorcade through downtown. Complete schedule here.  

Visit the Capital Wheel at the National Harbor
(165 Waterfront St National Harbor, MD 20745)
Did we mention the 42 enclosed gondolas are temperature controlled? Soar 180 feet above the Potomac River and spot DC’s finest sights. Price per ride: $15/adults; $11.25/kids 3-11; Free/kids 2 and under.

Viva! Vienna!– Saturday and Sunday 10:00am-10:00pm and Monday 10:00am-6:00pm
(245 Maple Ave. W, Vienna, Va)
Rides, music, crafts, children’s stage, street vendors, food and Memorial Day Tribute. Children’s event schedule here. Free admission.

Copy of 061910 3pm raft_0Day Trips:

In Shenandoah National Park, hike from waterfall to waterfall, climb the rocky Old Rag Mountain, go biking or take a guided horseback ride. If you need to cool off, head over to Shenandoah River Outfitters and go rafting, tubing or kayaking on the shady river. 75 miles from downtown D.C. at its northernmost point; see all park entrances here.

Unknown-1North Shore: Bay Avenue and Fifth Street, North Beach, MD 20714
Want to go to the beach but a 3 hour drive is not in your plan? Our family enjoys the short drive (38 miles) to North Beach. White sand, a playground within the fenced in beach and a pier with plenty of fisherman to watch. The beach charges admission in the summer months and rents umbrellas and chairs too. There is also a cute town to explore; a sandwich shop, Sweet Sue’s Bake Shop and Coffee Bar, a candy store and a few antique shops selling beachy decor. 

Take a step back in time in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.  Although West Virginia is a small state, 012_West_Virginia-Harpers-Ferryit’s packed with history and beautiful scenery. Kids will have fun visiting this National Historical Park. Visit Harpers Ferry for the Civil War history and re-enactors. Hike one of the many trails in the area for a spectacular view of three states—West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland—at once. Amtrak provides one train from Union Station to Harpers Ferry per day but it’s a short at about 67 miles from D.C. Harpers Ferry Adventure Center can get your hooked up with kayaks, tubes and more if you’re feeling adventurous. If you happen to go on Monday, be sure and stay for the Music in the Park Concert at Bolivar Children’s Park from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

 

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And of course the kids haven’t let you forget the pools open this weekend. Here is a list of Washington, DC pools with hours and addresses. Most hours are as follows (check because your closest pool may be under renovation) Memorial Day weekend hours: May 24th, 25th & 26th (Sat, Sun & Mon) from 12 pm to 6 pm. Weekend operations (Sat & Sun), May 31st through June 22nd. Full operational hours to start June 23rd, 2014!

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Not a pool person? Let your child run around and splash in the spray parks. A few in DC are The Yards Park and Georgetown Waterfront Park and a list of spraygrounds in Arlington.

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Filed Under: Holiday Options, Weekend Picks Tagged: day trip, DC, fair, festival, harpers ferry, Hike, holiday, kayak, memorial day, national harbor, north beach, pool, road trip, rockville, rolling thunder, Shenandoah National Park, swim

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