outdoor Archives - Beltway Bambinos

Drive-in’s and outdoor movies in and around Washington, DC

June 10, 2021

The Drive-In at Union Market – Washington, DC
Roll down the windows, feel that summer breeze and turn up the radio because the 9th Annual Drive-In at Union Market is back. A DC “must-do,” the series of six movies will launch the first Friday of every month through October 1. Movie audio will be transmitted through an FM transmitter on the radio. As always, all movies are shown with open captioning. Each movie showing costs $20 per car. “Sold Out” means that all 125 parking spaces have been reserved.
July 2: Wonder Woman 1984
Aug. 6: Sister Act
Sept 3: Crazy Rich Asians
Oct. 1: Cruella

Moonlight Movies: Flashback Fridays – Prince George’s County
Moonlit Movies are back! Outdoor movies have been a tradition in Greenbelt since 2014, and they continue this summer as a safe, fun way to get back to the movies! “Moonlit Movies: Flashback Fridays” feature nostalgic favorites on Braden Field, behind the Youth Center. Attendance is capped at 100 people. Each attendee requires a ticket. Please, no pets. New this summer: $5 snack packs! Pre-order your favorites here. Recreation and OGT staff will be at the entrance—behind home plate—to check you in. Masks use is suggested when you are not seated. Water-resistant picnic blankets are preferred to provide everyone with the best view. Chairs are allowed, the lower the better—circles will be spaced to give everyone the best view possible.
June 11: Jaws
June 18: Black Panther
June 25: Zoolander
July 2: Independence Day
July 9: Raiders of the Lost Ark
July 16: Back to the Future
July 23: Cool Runnings
July 30: Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Starlight Cinema – Fairfax, VA
Welcome to another exciting season of Starlight Drive-in Cinema which take place on Saturday evenings in August. These movie nights bring the community together and nurture community spirit with features that appeal to both children and adults. The 2021 season provides four movies, free for the public to enjoy. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal so feel free to bring a picnic, blanket, and chairs, and enjoy the movies.
Aug 7: Trolls
Aug 14: The Croods: A New Age
Aug 21: Onward
Aug 28: Raya and the Last Dragon

DC Party Box – Bethesda, MD
This drive-in theatre offers two showings on Thursday and Friday as well as daytime and evening showings on Saturday and Sunday. They feature a family friendly showing early and a more mature showing later. The theatre follows CDC required social distancing and currently guests have to remain in their vehicle and no more than 50 cars are admitted in.

Movies in the Park – Rockville, MD
Get outside this summer and head to Rockville’s free outdoor movies in the parks on the big screen, each Wednesday during August. Bring chairs, blankets, food and beverages, and enjoy four different movies at four different neighborhood parks throughout the city {to be announced}. Movies begin at dusk (approximately 8 p.m.) and are free.

Alexandria Drive-In – Alexandria, VA
What began as a six movie series has turned into a huge community initiative to bring entertainment and joy to the community in a time of need. The series will announce new films every month and feature a popular collection of movie classics and family favorites.

Bengie’s Drive-In – Middle River, MD
The BIGGEST movie theatre screen in the USA! Bengie’s offers TriPPPle features almost every Friday and Saturday night, DouBBle features on Sunday night with non-stop projection. The show always begins with the National Anthem. In between movies, they play intermission clips, classic cartoons, and vintage trailers. On Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, they have Dusk till Dawn, All Nite Shows!

Drive-In Movies at the Pfitz – Woodbridge, VA
July 3: National Treasure
July 31: Footloose!
Aug 7: Captain America
Aug 21: Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone

Family Drive-In – Stephens City, VA
This is a two screen, 64 year old classic, 484 car drive-in theatre. They offer movie sound via the traditional speakers or via stereo sound (through your car radio). There is a concession stand that offers theatre snacks or full meals. The space has a playground and is pet friendly.

TBA {hopefully}:
Adam’s Morgan Movie Nights: Schedule coming soon!!
Park Up Drive-in at RFK
Bethesda Outdoor Movies
NoMa Family Film Night
Capitol Riverfront Drive-In Movie Series
Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor: Currently just scheduled through June
Cinema Del Ray
Four Mile Summer Movie Festival at Four Mile Conservatory Building
Canal Park
Mosaic
Comcast Xfinity Outdoor Film Festival
Rosslyn Cinema

Pick your own fruit and vegetables near Washington, DC

June 3, 2021

Butlers Orchard (22200 Davis Mill Rd., Germantown, MD 20876)
A large variety of Pick Your Own crops are available at Butler’s Orchard on a seasonal basis. Please see the crop calendar. They grow over 23 different varieties of fruits and vegetables each year. Pick Your Own will be by RESERVATION ONLY! Passes grant access to our Pick Your Own Fields, the Farm Park Picnic Area, the Giant slides, the Nature Trail, and our Farm Park Animals. Visit Sheep, 2 miniature Donkeys, Goats, Chickens, and Charlie the Pig. (Some exclusions do apply.)

Homestead Farm (15604 Sugarland Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837)
Pick-your-own fruit including apples, cherries, pumpkins and more. Expected to reopen mid/late June.

Shlagel Farms (12850 Shlagel Rd., Waldorf, MD 20601)
Pick your own strawberry fields and greenhouses will be open 7 days a week from 10am-5pm during the berry picking season. Strawberries are priced by the pound for you to pick and they have containers or you can bring your own. During berry season the greenhouses are open and full of beautiful and unique hanging baskets and annual flats. They also have a milkshake trailer serving huge strawberry shortcakes, milkshakes and cones! No reservations needed. Daily updates can be found here.

Wegmeyer Farms (38299 Hughesville Rd., Hamilton, VA 20158)
Known for their delicious strawberries in the spring and unique and colorful pumpkins in the fall. They take great pride in what they grow – the taste, the quality, and the appearance – and strive for the best pure experience for all visitors. They also offer a drive-thru to pick up berries.

Larriland (2415 Woodbine Rd., Woodbine, MD 21797)
They harvest tons of fruits and veggies, check out the harvest calendar to plan a perfect outing. No need to make a reservation.

Great Country Farms (18780 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, VA 20135)
Another farm with a lot of fruits and veggies to pick. They are also known for their annual festivals, check out the calendar of events.

Waters Orchard (22711 Wildcat Rd., Germantown, MD 20876)
Doc Waters Cidery is now open. Waters Orchard will reopen for apple picking in September.

Mackintosh Fruit Farm (1608 Russell Rd., Berryville, VA 22611)
Pick your own is by reservation only. Here’s what you can pick! Be sure to visit the market and kitchen before heading home.

Sandy Spring Strawberry Festival is cancelled again but they are doing the berry best with a drive-thru fresh, local strawberry sale!

Outdoor swimming pools in and around Washington, DC

April 22, 2021

Looks like this summer will welcome swimmers to outdoor pools in some capacity. We are seeing more pools opening their doors for this summer which has us looking forward to cooling off, meeting friends and practicing our strokes at our favorite pool. There are several great pools in the area you can become a member of if you want a go-to place to splash around and become a regular swimmer at. Many of these pools offer multiple pools and some have swim lessons and even swim teams during a regular season! If you aren’t looking for a paid membership at a pool, DC DPR has a pool for you, free of cost if you are a DC resident. However, they have not announced yet if they will re-open {they were closed last year}.

Omni Shoreham Hotel Pool (NW DC)
Reopening with COVID-19 compliant procedures on April 15th until October 31st, open daily from 6am-10pm. Reservations are required for each guest attending the pool on Friday, Saturday and Sunday plus holidays and high demands days. Reservations are only available for registered hotel guests and pool members. One reservation per day, per hotel guest room or pool membership.

Beauvoir Pool (NW DC)
Beauvoir is pleased to extend pool memberships for summer 2021 to Beauvoir families, neighbors and friends. The Beauvoir pool is located on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral behind Beauvoir. The pool is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.

Cleveland Park Club (NW DC)
Cleveland Park, North Cleveland Park and Woodley Park residents are welcome to join the pool. The Cleveland Park Club’s pool offers open swim, swim instruction, and camp swim. In addition to the heated main pool, the Club has an in-ground kiddie pool, with continually filtered water. Voting members enjoy full access to the Club’s pool. Social + Activity members pay the discounted member rates for swim instruction and camp, but otherwise, do not have access to the pool.

JBAB Base Pool (SW DC)
Located next to the Bolling Club, the JBAB outdoor swimming pool offers lap swim, open swim and swimming lessons for ages 4 and older. Active duty service members and Air Force club members receive free pool access during the entire swimming season. Seasonal pool passes are available on site for frequent swimmers.

Montgomery County Recreation (Montgomery Co, MD)
Beginning May 1, 2021 pool passes will be available for purchase online. Non-county residents may purchase a pass to use our facilities.

Tilden Woods Pool (Rockville, MD)
For more than 50 years, Tilden Woods Pool has established itself as the summertime heart of the community. The pool comes alive with activities for the entire family, both day and night. Swim in a heated pool, enjoy cookouts, raft nights, or relax in the sun or shade. Don’t forget the spirited Tilden Woods swim team.

Merrimack Pool (Bethesda, MD)
The current plan is to open on May 15 and close on September 26. The swim and dive teams will return this season with scheduled practices. They expect to start the season with a reservation system and to limit pool entry to those who have reserved a particular time slot. They have a kiddie and intermediate pool in addition to the large pool.

Mohican Swimming Pool (Bethesda, MD)
Full memberships are available to those applicants residing in the area encompassed by the Capital Crescent Trail, the Potomac River, Goldsboro Road, and River Road, or in the Town of Glen Echo. Individuals living outside of this zone may apply for late summer only memberships.They have an expansive 8-lane, 25 meter competition pool and a large diving well with two 1-meter boards. In addition, there is a large kiddie pool and a large transition pool which is perfect for kids just learning to swim.

Old Farm (N Bethesda, MD)
The pool offers a host of summer activities that include swim and dive teams, family fun nights, potluck dinners, major holiday picnics, and more. Recreation area includes a basketball court, shuffleboard court, toddler play area with sandbox, and sand volleyball court. They offer a fenced-in baby pool and a roped-off, shallow section of the main pool for infants and new swimmers. Included in membership is the opportunity to play paddle tennis.

Robin Hood Swim Club (Silver Spring, MD)
Robin Hood Swim Club is a family-focused, member-owned neighborhood pool, located in a secluded setting off Randolph Road, close to New Hampshire Avenue. From the beautiful, newly renovated pool to volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, Robin Hood offers something for everyone. The renowned swim and dive teams welcome young swimmers and divers of all levels, and grownups get their game on in Robin Hood’s in-house volleyball league. With a social calendar packed full of activities for adults and kids alike, Robin Hood is the place to be for a summer-long vacation!

Potomac Woods (Rockville, MD)
There are no geographical boundaries for membership. They currently have full (bonded) and summer (temporary) memberships available. Facilities include a 25-meter heated pool with a diving well, water slide and beach-entry shallow end with many water features including fountains. There is a separate children’s wading pool.

Connecticut Belair Club (Silver Spring, MD)
Extra large main pool with diving well and a separate wading pool with a playground area. Tennis courts, volleyball, basketball, shuffle board, and ping pong. Radical tube slide standing 19 feet tall – while sliding over 100 feet into the water. They have a full service snack bar and many social activities throughout the season. Your kids can even Join the GATORS, a competitive, exciting & fun swim team.

Columbus Club (Arlington, VA)
The current operational plan is to open the facility for free swim, wading pool usage, picnic grounds by reservation only, and recreational equipment on the grounds. Pending any new guidance from the CDC and state, operational procedures are subject to change and will keep members informed.

Pools with waitlists:
Northwest Branch Pool (Silver Spring, MD)
Palisades Swim & Tennis Club (Cabin John, MD)
Chevy Chase Recreation Association: CCRA (Chevy Chase, MD)
Bannockburn Swim & Dive Club (Bethesda, MD)
Adelphi Pool (Hyattsville, MD)
Carderock Springs Swim & Tennis Club (Bethesda, MD)
Arlington Forest Club (Arlington, VA)
Tuckahoe Recreation Club (McLean, VA)

Living Well Health Club at Washington Hilton (NW DC)
Currently closed

Ktown StoryWalk allows for families to explore a free, outdoor walking adventure in Kensington

January 25, 2021

A stroll through historic Kensington, Maryland, will offer families a self-guided, socially distanced outing to read the book The Mitten by Jan Brett in store windows. The Ktown StoryWalk® by the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation starts at Frankly…Pizza! which is located at 10417 Armory Avenue, Kensington, MD. 20895 and features pages from the wintry children’s book spread out over 15 storefronts. The StoryWalk® will be available through January 31, 2021.

A free craft kit tied into The Mitten will be available for pick up in a box outside the Noyes Library for Young Children which is located at 10237 Carroll Place, Kensington, MD. 20895 on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 4pm for the duration of the StoryWalk®.

Families are encouraged to share a photo of the walk, a selfie at Noyes, and/or a photo of the completed craft on the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation Facebook page, post to Facebook and tag the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation, or post to Instagram and tag @makemorenoyes.

Families can also tune into free weekly storytimes on Tuesdays presented by the Foundation on Facebook Live. The weekly storytimes are continuing (you can also watch past storytimes) through their Facebook page.

Outdoor ice rinks in and around Washington, DC

November 24, 2020

In the past you could typically show up at local outdoor ice rinks. Of course, this year things will be different- most require a reservation so be sure to check each rinks protocols before heading out.

Color Burst Ice Rink at Merriweather District– Downtown Columbia, MD
The new Color Burst Ice Rink at Merriweather District is opening for the 2020 – 2021 season until January 31! The rink welcomes you with festive décor – the perfect place for date nights and family outings. There will be plenty of Holiday celebrations and themed events throughout the season, as well as music, food trucks, and the nearby Symphony of Lights at Merriweather Post Pavilion. For the safety and convenience of all guests, a limited number of visitors will be admitted to the ice rink every 30-minutes. All visits must be reserved in advance by purchasing a timed ticket(s) online.

Pentagon Row– 1201 S Joyce St, Arlington, VA 22202
Reservations required this season

Canal Park Ice Rink– 202 M Street, SE Washington, DC 20003
Typically open November – February and open on holidays

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink– National Mall at 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20408
No information yet, typically open November 15 and continues through March 7, weather permitting.

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

Rockville Town Square Ice Rink– 131 Gibbs St., Rockville, MD 20850
Typically open mid-October – mid-March

Wharf Ice Rink– 960 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Will not be opening this season due to the COVID 19 pandemic

Washington Harbour Ice Rink– 3050 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Postponing the opening due to the COVID 19 pandemic

The Lodge at The Yards socially-distant outdoor dining experience

November 9, 2020

Following the sold-out success of Glamp Yards in October, The Yards, DC’s most exciting waterfront neighborhood for living, dining, shopping and relaxing, is bringing back the socially-distanced curated dining experience with a new twist. While it may not be cold enough to ski, The Yards will host a socially-distanced après ski-themed area called The Lodge at The Yards, which will accommodate 2-4 guests each. Similar to Glamp Yards, the instagram-worthy individual areas will feature alpine-chic decor and cozy seating in an exclusive section of the Sun Deck. Special snacks and drinks only available for Lodge patrons from several of The Yards’ restaurants will round out the rustic experience – no skis, boots or lift passes required!

Lodge seating is available by reservation only and can be reserved for 90-minute windows for the evening on Friday, November 20th and during the day on Saturday, November 21st and Sunday, November 22nd.

On Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10:00am-11:30am, Lodge reservations will be kid and parent-friendly with safe, socially-distanced activities for young ones within the Lodge area. Now the whole family can enjoy a cozy outdoor experience with no waiting in line for ski lifts!

Reservations include snack boxes and drinks from a variety of restaurants in three different tiers:

Trail Run (serves 2 guests) – $50
Back Country (serves 4 guests) – $100
Double Black Diamond (serves up to 4 guests with additional exclusive treats) – $150

At the time of your reservation, you will pick up drink and snack boxes from your restaurant of choice and head to your Lodge seating area to relax and enjoy. Guests can also purchase items from other participating restaurants from The Yards via QR codes at their lodge site.

WHEN: Reservations can be purchased (TODAY) Monday, November 9th at 10am on Tock while they last! Lodge seats are reservation-only for all seatings and can be reserved for 90-minute windows with 30 minutes in between reservations for sanitization. The Lodge will be open from:

November 20th
- 4:30pm-10:00pm
Saturday, November 21st
- 10:00-11:30am for families
- 12pm-9:30pm
Sunday, November 22nd
- 10:00am-11:30am for families
- 12pm-7:30pm

WHERE: The Yards Sundeck, located between Ice Cream Jubilee and District Winery. Directions can be found here. The Yards is metro accessible via the Navy Yard Metro on the Green line and Capitol South Metro on the Orange/Blue line. Parking is also available on The Yards’ surface parking lots. The Lodge is rain or shine.

HOW: Reservations are open beginning Monday, November 9th at 10am via Tock. Reservations include snack boxes and drinks from the restaurant of your choice are available for $50, $100, or $150 per group.

SAFETY MEASURES: Guests will have their temperature taken before they enter the Lodge area and each space will be sanitized between service. Per DC COVID-19 mandates, guests will be required to wear masks anywhere outside their designated seating area and the Lodge will not exceed 48 people at any given time.

Breweries that have outdoor space for families in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC

October 23, 2020

Last year we published a blog post on family-friendly breweries which is a favorite of mine. We have not been going inside restaurants or bars however, so we bring you a list of breweries that have outdoor space large enough to social distance. Be sure to check the websites for protocols and hours as many breweries are closed a few days of the week. An alternative to taking the entire family to enjoy a brew– you can plan a great day date or overnight with adults and check out this Countryside Bike Tour published by Edible DC where you bike, drink and eat along the Washington and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) and the Rock Creek Trail. Note: not all have outdoor space necessarily.

Maryland:

Lone Oak Farm– Olney, MD
Tons and tons of outdoor space. Bring a blanket incase the many picnic tables are occupied. They even have a small playground.

7 Locks Brewing– Rockville, MD
Pretty small outdoor space but there are picnic tables nonetheless. Perhaps a better place to go with adults.

The Brookeville Beer Farm– Brookeville, MD
A perfect brewery to bring a blanket and relax on the lawn, grab a brew and a pizza.

Denizens– Silver Spring, MD
They accept reservations in their beer garden for parties up to 6 people. The beer garden seating is weather dependent. They have some fire pits, but as the weather chills, they recommend you bring your own blanket!

Waredaca Brewing Company– Laytonsville, MD
Reservations are for two hours and a maximum of six people. Walk ins, dogs and families are welcome!

Virginia:

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery– Leesburg, VA
Another great place to spread out a blanket and play games. They have corn hole and other outdoor games to play along with a playground. A reader recommends to visit Temple Hall Farm while you are out that way; a working farm open free to the public.

Solace Brewing Company– Dulles, VA
Not much of an outdoor area for families– better for a date.

Dirt Farm Brewing– Bluemont, VA
Right up the hill from Great Country Farm with the most AMAZING views. Hang with the kids picking fruit at GCF and then head up the mountain to relax on the great lawn and play some games while you imbibe. They are open to outdoor seating only with plenty of space.

Port City Brewing– Alexandria, VA
Port City Brewing is thrilled to be open and accepting limited reservations for outdoor seating.

Caboose Brewery Company– Vienna, VA & Fairfax, VA
Both locations are incredibly family friendly. The Fairfax location seems to have a larger outdoor space.

Washington, DC:

Wunder Garten Beer Garden– NE, DC
Lawn games, a children’s play area and many outdoor tables.

Right Proper Brewing Company– Shaw & Brookland
With a small outdoor area, kids can keep themselves busy for a bit but take some games for more entertainment. They now take resvervations.

Bluejacket– SE, DC
The patio is open and you order online once you are seated.

Bardo Beer– SE, DC
The strangest setup but one of the most inventive. Situated between Nats Park and the water. You can enter from Riverwalk or Potomac Ave/S Capitol St SE. Perfect for pre-game or post-game hangout. TONS of seating and fun outdoor games, right next to the river! Also, dog friendly.

Fun from home: 3 ingredient sidewalk chalk paint

July 9, 2020

Our fun from home series has given you an easy and quick slime recipe, directions to make a bird feeder with a milk carton, a recipe for homemade ice cream without a machine as well as a mesmerizing cloud dough recipe. Last week we showed you a quick, 5 ingredient healthy and refreshing popsicle recipe for our hot summer afternoons. Today we give you a new way for your kids to use chalk because if they’re anything like mine, they are bored with just going outside to use typical sidewalk chalk. We present you with a 3 ingredient quick way to make sidewalk chalk paint!

Supplies:
1/2 cup corn starch
Food coloring (as much as you want)
1/2 cup water
Paint brushes
Cupcake/muffin pan
Masking tape (optional)

Directions:
Mix equal parts of corn starch with water in a bowl. Once the consistency isn’t lumpy (it will be thick), pour into the muffin pan. Add food coloring to each cup. This is a way your kids can experiment with mixing colors also. Use paintbrushes to paint your sidewalk or driveway. Optional: Use masking tape on your sidewalk to create designs to paint, once the paint is dry remove the tape and see a stained glass design.