scavenger hunt

DC Scavenger: The National Mall

May 25, 2023

When many think of the nation’s capital city, the National Mall is undoubtedly one of the first areas that comes to mind. The landscaped strip spanning from the US Capitol to the iconic Lincoln Memorial is a national treasure trove chock-full of monuments, memorials, museums, and art installations that help make up the fabric of the capital city and country. It’s been estimated that more than 24 million people visit the National Mall each year: that’s more visitors than the Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon national parks combined.

In this second guest blog post of her DC Scavenger series, local author JoAnn Hill takes us on an active pursuit throughout this national treasure. Below are 4 of 23 clues featured in the National Mall chapter of DC Scavenger. This time no photos are included. Take your Bambinos on a hunt and let us know in the comments if you had luck finding the 4 clues below! Check out JoAnn’s book DC Scavenger to solve and discover more clues and sites around the National Mall and throughout the entire city.

JoAnn Hill is the author of Secret Washington, DC: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure and DC Scavenger, which goes beyond the typical guidebook; it’s an interactive treasure map spanning seventeen distinct neighborhoods throughout the District. If you think you know everything there is to know about DC―even the most weird, wonderful, and obscure parts of it―get ready to embark on an adventurous discovery of DC’s most cherished gems.

National Mall Clue #1
The House that Roy built may trip you out,
Looks to be moving, may cause you to doubt,
Black edges and colors of yellow and red,
This optical illusion may mess with your head.

National Mall Clue #2
Garden named for a gal, a nice reprieve,
Ripley, believe it, you won’t want to leave.
Amble on through, this fountain’s at its core,
Revel in the flowers and plants galore.

National Mall Clue #3
A more recent addition to the Mall,
Tribute to Black life, history, and all.
Learn of stories, culture, present and past,
Museum so huge, walk slowly, not fast.

National Mall Clue #4
A rare tribute here to the women’s role,
Risking their lives when the war took a toll,
We honor these women who gave their all,
Find this touching statue near the famed wall.

DC Scavenger: Georgetown Edition

December 16, 2022

JoAnn Hill, local author of Secret Washington, DC: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, recently released her second book, DC Scavenger, which goes beyond the typical guidebook; it’s an interactive treasure map spanning across 17 distinct neighborhoods throughout Washington, DC. Here you’ll explore nearly three hundred and fifty of DC’s most cherished wonders by deciphering clever clues and examining ambiguous photos across the city’s four quadrants. Throughout your pursuit you’ll encounter world-renowned monuments and their lesser-known counterparts, innovative artworks promoting activism and celebrating diversity, overlooked historical markers, convivial markets and eateries, and architectural oddities.

JoAnn’s first DC Scavenger blog post takes us to Georgetown. Situated along the Potomac River, the historically quaint neighborhood of Georgetown is one of the city’s most prestigious and cherished areas. Tree-lined, cobblestoned streets, grand homes, charming eateries, and a bevy of chic boutiques have been drawing individuals for centuries. Throughout the years, Georgetown has managed to preserve its historic authenticity, while simultaneously establishing itself as an entertainment and dining destination in and of itself. This neighborhood spree commences along the P Street Bridge and wraps up along the waterfront, one of Georgetown’s premier attractions.

We’ve got a scavenger hunt for you– perfect for the whole family that allows you to explore our city; the exact reason Beltway Bambinos was created. Below are 4 of 23 clues featured in the Georgetown chapter of DC Scavenger. Can you identify the 4 clues? Check out JoAnn’s book DC Scavenger to solve and discover more clues and sites around the Georgetown neighborhood and throughout the entire city.

Georgetown Clue #1
Lovely museum, library, and home,
Its immense grounds so enticing to roam.
Its walls have lots of stories to tell,
Gardens and parks cast a magical spell.

Georgetown Clue #2
Walk over to N, look at the blue wall,
Nosy neighbor and dog are watching us all,
They both look so real, a gal and her pup,
Art’s all around, you just need to look up.

Georgetown Clue #3
How high is the river? Learn by the tide,
A kayaker’s pictured; watch as he glides
Alongside the water at this lovely park,
Is just one of many informational marks.

Georgetown Clue #4
At the center, where people come to meet
Sails and taxis and boats you can greet,
This tower stands right here in the center,
Gathering spot welcomes all to enter!

JoAnn Hill, author of DC Scavenger and Secret Washington, DC: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, has affectionately called Washington, DC home for over twenty years. She has written extensively about DC living, its food, and her world travels on her blog dcglobejotters.org and other mediums and publications. Through her writing and research, she shares stories and tips that inspire the insatiably curious traveler. When she’s not writing and exploring, you will find her teaching yoga, barre, and group fitness classes, indulging in DC’s culinary and theater scenes, and spending as much time outside as possible being active. JoAnn is the co-founder of Capitol Teachers, a full-service tutoring company servicing the greater DC area. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband Thalamus and dog Jackson.

Weekend Picks: November 18-20

November 18, 2016

the-pop-ups

Saturday-

8:30am-9:30am: Capoeira for Kids Ages 3.5-7 at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Capoeira provides physical fitness for children, ages 4 and up. It is intended to be a no- to low-contact martial art that helps children with gross motor planning and gross motor skills. Children will also learn maculele (a dance done hitting sticks against your partner’s sticks), samba, capoeira instruments, and Portuguese through this fun, interactive class. Classes are $15 each or $120 for a series of ten classes.

9:30am-10:30am AND 10:30am-11:30am: Harambe with Baba Ras D at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community.With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambe” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children. Recommended for ages 0 to 7 years. $7 per child $3 per adult suggested donation.

9:30am AND 11:00am: Rainbow Puppets: The Really Big Dinosaur Show at National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW)
Imagine that rare dinosaur fossils could talk . . . what amazing stories they could tell! Well there’s no need to imagine as Rainbow Puppets presents a musical romp through prehistoric times including a dinosaur beauty pageant, a dancing T-Rex and a long-necked dinosaur who measures sixteen feet from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. It’s not called “The Really Big Dinosaur Show” for nothing!

10:00am: 19th Annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade
Parade units will consist of eight marching bands; glittering Thanksgiving and Christmas floats; a 12-foot inflatable turkey and penguin; the Montgomery County Recreation “T-Recs” 12-foot dinosaur; beauty queens; fire engines; and performing dog and rescue animal groups. As always, the Parade will culminate with Santa’s float playing holiday music and featuring the smiling, rosy-cheeked elf, sharing his candy canes.

10:00am-2:00pm: Children’s Maker Faire at Oyster Bilingual
(2020 19th St., NW Washington, D.C. 20009)
There will be over 60 builders signed up to exhibit their projects. Admission is free.

2:00pm: The Wizard School Scavenger Hunt at The National Gallery of Art
(Enter at 6th and Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20565)
Follow in the footsteps of young wizards on a field trip to the National Gallery of Art in search of art that echoes characters, places and enchanted objects in the famed Harry Potter books and movies. Be prepared to track down a powerful sorceress, a Snape-like potions master, flying owls and dragons, Hagrid-like giants, centaurs and unicorns like those you’d see in the Forbidden Forest, strange mermaids and sharks that seem straight out of the Triwizard Tournament, fierce knights in armor, and cloaked and masked figures as scary as any Death Eater or Dementor. Wizards and muggles alike can play and enjoy this hunt. The hunt is not an addition to or variation on Harry’s adventures, but instead references to the books will provide a surprising bridge to many strange and wonderful works of art. It’s a great way to discover—or rediscover—the museum. Ages 10+ Sign up online

Sunday-

5:30pm-7:30pm: Mommy Nearest Playdate at Strathmore
(11810 Grand Park Ave. Bethesda, MD 20852)
See a live music show featuring The Pop Ups

5:30pm-7:30pm: DC Nibble & Squeak at Blue Duck Tavern
(1201 24th Street Northwest Washington, DC, 20037)
Join for a special #Tykesgiving DC Nibble+squeak celebration at Blue Duck Tavern! Blue Duck Tavern is a casually-chic West End tavern, serving up the freshest seasonal foods of the Mid Atlantic.We will have an exclusive seating at the renowned Chef’s Table where we will enjoy a 3-course family style meal customized by the Chef based on regionally sources, fresh and seasonal and ingredients.

Weekend Picks

December 18, 2015

Many places take a break around this time of year, but there’s still plenty to do. Be sure and visit Zoo Lights and catch a holiday show! We’ve got plenty of holiday festivities and ice rink info here.

Ice! Featuring Santa Claus is Coming to Town is still going on at The Gaylord National Harbor. Guests can walk-through holiday attraction, kept at a chilly 9 degrees, marvel at two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculpture, have fun on five ice slides, walk and see the 7 individual rooms depicting the story of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and see The Frostbite Factory – a live carving zone.

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