15 Best Places to Go with Kids

in the Washington DC Area

 

1. National Zoo

© Jessie Cohen/National Zoo

One of the most kid-friendly places to visit in Washington, DC is the National Zoo where you can see more than 400 different species of animals. The National Zoo is set within the beautiful Rock Creek National Park and is a part of the Smithsonian Institution. Admission is FREE!

More Info

 

2. National Museum of Natural History 

© Smithsonian

At this favorite Smithsonian museum, kids enjoy examining a wide variety of artifacts including an 80-foot dinosaur skeleton, an enormous prehistoric white shark, and a 45-and-a-half carat jewel a known as the Hope Diamond. The Discovery Room is a great hands-on display for young children. Feel the skin of a crocodile, examine the jaws and teeth of different animals or try on clothes from around the globe. More Info

 

3. National Air & Space Museum © NASM

The Washington, DC museum displays the largest collection of air and spacecraft in the world. Visit here and learn about the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight.

There are IMAX films and planetarium shows several times a day. Children marvel at the lifesize exhibits.

For an excursion outside of the city, visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the second location, near Dulles International Airport.  More Info

Click on the link for numbers 4-15 of the 15 Best Places to Go with Kids in the Washington DC Area.

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5 Great Gardening Apps

By Lisa Kaplan Gordon

These apps take the guesswork out of gardening.

All you have to do is dig.

Let’s just agree there’s an app for everything, and gardening is no exception. I tried out a number of apps for the iPhone (though some of these have Android versions) and picked a few that will help your garden grow.

1. Food Gardening Guide (free for iPhone, iPad, Android): Mother Earth News has produced this delightful and comprehensive guide on how to grow your own food. Chapters are titled “All About Growing (whatever),” and they deliver info on planting, harvesting and storage, saving seeds, pest and disease prevention, growing, and kitchen prep. For instance, did you know you can harvest carrots, store them over the winter, and replant in spring to generate seeds?  Now you do.   Read More >

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Maryland Live! Casino

Maryland's newest gaming and entertainment experience.

Opens June 6, 2012 at 10 p.m.

Located at Arundel Mills Mall, the $500 million multi-use complex spans 12 acres.

The project will include 4,750 slot machines and electronic table games, nationally-acclaimed restaurants, an entertainment venue and other first-class amenities.  Read More >

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY,MD, April 26, 2012 ~ PRNewswire

Maryland Live! Casino has announced that the opening date for the new $500 million gaming and entertainment destination, located at the Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, MD, will be June 6, 2012, at 10:00 p.m.(pending approval from the Maryland State Lottery Agency).Read More >

 

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June 2-3, 2012 ~ Festivals and Events through out Montgomery County, MD

 

Taste of Georgetown 2012

A Food Festival in Washington, DC

At a Taste of Georgetown, approximately 30 of Washington, DC’s most distinguished restaurants serve sample portions of their signature dishes. The food festival includes live jazz provided by Blues Alley and children’s activities such as caricature artists, balloon makers and jugglers. Proceeds from a Taste of Georgetown will benefit the homeless outreach providing psychiatrist care, shelter and meals through the Georgetown Ministry Center. Date:  June 2, 2012  11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

http://dc.about.com/od/foodfestivals/a/tasteofGeorgeto.htm

 

Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend

June 2-3, 2012. Visit museums near Dupont Circle featuring free admission and special activities for all ages. Dates: June 2-3, 2012

http://dc.about.com/od/museums/a/DKMSWalk.htm

Imagination Bethesda 2012

A Children’s Street Festival in Bethesda, Maryland

Date & Time: Saturday, June 2, 2012 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Imagination Bethesda is a children’s street festival celebrating children and the arts, including musical performances, dance troupes, roving entertainment and hands-on art & craft activities. The free event in downtown Bethesda features face painters, costume characters, balloonists, jugglers and more. Local businesses and educational organizations will host a variety of activities to entertain and energize the 12-and-under crowd. 

Imagination Bethesda is a FREE event produced by the Bethesda Urban Partnership and is sponsored by MIX 107.3 FM, DC50 (WDCW-TV), The Gazette, Washington Parent and Bethesda Magazine. 

http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/ImaginationBeth.htm

 

Washington Folk Festival 2012

June 2-3, 2012

12-7 p.m.  

Glen Echo Park. Presented by the Folklore Society of Greater Washington, the free festival features hundreds of musicians, storytellers, dancers, and craft vendors representing the rich cultural diversity of the Washington area. Audiences will enjoy American musical traditions such as bluegrass, blues, and swing as well as international traditions from across the globe. Rain or shine.  Read More >

The DC Jazz Festival 2012

The DC Jazz Festival is an annual event that features more than 100 jazz performances at concert venues and clubs throughout Washington, DC. The festival presents major jazz artists from around the world and introduces emerging artists. Celebrating musical styles from Bebop and Blues to Swing, Soul, Latin and World music, the DC Jazz festival includes performances at several museums, clubs, restaurants, and hotels. 

Dates: June 1-10, 2012

http://dc.about.com/od/musicfestivals/a/DEJazzFest.htm

 

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Memorial Day 2012 in Washington, DC

 

Special Events for Memorial Day Weekend

By Rachel Cooper, About.com Guide

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died serving our country. This is a great time to honor our veterans and famous Americans by visiting the monuments in Washington, DC. The Memorial Day weekend also marks the beginning of the busy summer season and the Washington, DC region celebrates with family friendly events and special services. Here is the 2012 Memorial Day event schedule:

National Memorial Day Concert
Sunday, May 27, 2012, 8 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.
PBS sponsors a FREE concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The concert features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and other guest artists along with the National Symphony Orchestra. See Photos of the Performers for the 2012 Concert.

 

National Memorial Day Parade

Monday, May 28, 2012,

beginning at 2 p.m.

The parade of Marching Bands and Veterans units from all 50 states steps off at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Streets, NW and proceeds along Constitution Avenue, past the White House, ending at 17th Street. The National Memorial Day Parade is sponsored by the World War II Veterans Committee and includes patriotic floats and helium-filled balloons.  See Photos of the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC.

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally

Sunday, May 27, 2012. Departure from the Pentagon at 12 p.m. Speaker Program and Musical Tribute 1:30 p.m. at the Reflecting Pool across from The Lincoln Memorial. Thousands of motorcycles ride through Washington in an annual demonstration seeking to improve veteran benefits and resolve POW/MIA issues.  See Photos of Rolling Thunder

For more events and information, Click on Read More >

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 Free Summer Concerts in Maryland

By Rachel Cooper, About.com Guide

Summertime brings great free concerts to the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. Pack a picnic, grab your lawn chairs and head outdoors to listen to great local music. Here are some suggestions of places to find free concerts in Maryland. For more information and the concert schedules, please click on the links.   

National Harbor
National Harbor, Maryland. Enjoy free jazz concerts along the Potomac River on Friday evenings.

Bethesda
Veterans Park, Norfolk and Woodmont Avenues, Bethesda, Maryland. Concerts include a range of music including jazz, rock, blues, international and swing. Performances on Thursday evenings. 

Gaithersburg City Hall Concert Pavilion
31 South Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, Maryland. A variety of performances are offered for children, adults and the whole family.

Rio Entertainment Center
Gaithersburg, Maryland. Live music is played outdoors on Saturday evenings. 

BlackRock Center for the Arts
20105 Town Commons Road, Germantown, Maryland. Free outdoor concerts are available on Saturday evenings. 

Strathmore Hall
10701 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland. Free outdoor concerts are held on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. 

Glenview Mansion
603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, Maryland. On select Sunday afternoons free concerts are offered.

Rockville Town Square
Rockville, Maryland. Free outdoor concerts are held on the Square on Thursday evenings. Kids nights and outdoor movies also entertain families throughout the summer. 

Downtown Silver Spring
2 locations, Ellsworth Drive and Veterans Plaza. Free summer concerts feature a variety of musical styles – from swing, jazz and soul to Latin, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll. 

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A brief history...What is Mother's Day?

Mother's Day 2012 is observed on the second Sunday of May and celebrates the important roles that mothers serve in society.

Anna Jarvis of West Virginia started the holiday in 1908 to pay tribute to mothers, but it wasn't until 1914 that President Woodrow Wilson made the holiday official by signing it into law.    Read More >

Mother’s Day is in honour of the best mother who ever lived ~the mother in your heart.  Anna Jarvis 1864–1948 

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FUN ACTIVITIES FOR MOTHER'S DAY

Mom might tell you that being loved by her family is all she could ask for on Mother's Day. Good to know Mom's consistent!

But the fact remains, this is the one day of the year to celebrate Mom officially, so let's make sure that this is an enjoyable and memorable occasion for Mom!

One option: Surprise Mom with special activities based on her interests. We've organized some activity ideas into two groups below:  Outings & Trips and Fun at Home.

Outings & Trips

Plan the Perfect Picnic

Imagine, a wild flower meadow, bright blue sky and a warm sunny afternoon. A family picnic may be just what Mom needs.

 How to Plan the Perfect Mother's Day Picnic

 

Mother’s Day Brunch or Dinner

Mother’s Day brunches are very popular. Find restaurants in your area that offer a Mother’s Day brunch. Make reservations well in advance. Another thoughtful option is to take Mom out for a nice dinner in honor of Mother’s Day.

 Tips for a Nice Brunch or Dinner Out on Mothers Day

 

Schedule a Day-Trip

Drive to a unique and creative destination with the whole family. That might be to a beach or hiking area, or a nearby city. Alternatively, Dad could plan ways to add a touch of romance to the getaway, for example, showing the kids where he proposed to Mom.

 Read More About Planning a Day Trip

 

Opt for a Weekend Getaway

A mud bath at a spa, a wine country getaway, camping, hiking, kayaking or visiting the city, taking the weekend to celebrate Mother’s Day can be a relaxing, soothing—even invigorating change of pace.

 Explore Your Options for a Weekend Getaway for Mom

 

Splurge on a Special Experience!

Brunch on a boat? Hot air balloon ride? Sailing for a day? Spa adventures? Skydiving? Yeah, Xperience Days can set that up for you and Mom! And they now operate in most major U.S. cities.

 Check out XperienceDays.com! 

Fun at Home

Games

Unite the whole family with a fun game or active and challenging pursuit on Mother’s Day.

Gather around a lively board game, pair up on the tennis court or shout out the clues to her favorite crossword puzzle.

 Board Games and Outdoor Fun with Mom

 

Crafts for Kids to Make

A great way to keep the kids happy on Mothers Day is to keep them busy making something for Mom. Check out our list of 151 fabulous craft ideas.

 Craft Ideas for Kids to Make

 

Mother's Day Clip Art

Put clip art on a Web site or blog to surprise Mom, or print it out and have fun with it!

 Mothers Day Clipart

 

Printable Cards and Coupons

Print out one of these colorful and cheery cards brighten Mom's day.

 Free Printable Mothers Day Cards

 Free Printable Mothers Day Gift Coupons

 For more ideas and information, visit this website: http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/

 

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Maryland Capital Region Wineries~Ten in our area!

Read More for Fun Events featured on the the Winery websites!

 

 

 

 

Berrywine Plantations/Linganore Winecellars

13601 Glissans Mill Rd

Mount Airy, Maryland 21771

Celebrate and enjoy the peace and tranquility of a 60-acre vineyard that sits on 230-acres of beautiful rolling hills. Sample a full range of classical estate bottled, award-winning grape and semi-sweet pure fruit wines.  Read More

         

Black Ankle Vineyards

4463 Black Ankle Rd

Mount Airy, Maryland 21771

Delicious European-style wines sustainably grown on our beautiful 142-acre farm. Experience a unique straw bale tasting room and taste for yourself.  Read More

Distillery Lane Ciderworks

5533 Gapland Road

Jefferson, Maryland 21755

Distillery Lane Ciderworks, Maryland's first producer of hard cider, is located on a historic farm just outside of Burkittsville. Our 2000+ apple trees provide unique fruit for eating, baking, and cider. Read More

 

Elk Run Vineyards

15113 Liberty Rd

Mount Airy, Maryland 21771

Using new world research and technology along with old-world traditions focused on producing high quality wine from high quality grapes. Read More

 

Frederick Cellars

221 N. East Street

Frederick, Maryland 21701

Frederick Cellars, a city winery, offers a unique city setting. Our vineyards, located in Middletown and Annapolis, can be visited by special arrangement. Read More

Loew Vineyard

14001 Liberty Rd

Rt 26

Mount Airy, Maryland 21771

Family-owned vineyards and winery; premium estate bottled wines. Tastings, tours, picnic area available. Read More

Orchid Cellar

8546 Pete Wiles Road.

Middletown, Maryland 21769

Enjoy our meticulous recreation of some old recipes. We use modern knowledge of chemistry and microbiology only to understand the process, not to interfere with it.Read More

Penn Oaks Winery

11 Midhurst Road

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Come and taste the nine varieties on one of our scheduled tasting events. Penn Oaks is conveniently located to Washington, D.C., and only 45 minutes from Baltimore.  Read More

Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard

18125 Comus Road

Dickerson, Maryland 20842

Nestled at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain and identified by our red barn, silo and windmill, Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard is known for its award-winning wines.  Read More

Wine Trails-Frederick Wine Trail

19 East Church Street

Mount Airy, Maryland 21771

With the Frederick Wine Trail, you are invited to discover some of Frederick County's best agricultural bounty: its beautiful vineyards and outstanding wines.  Read More

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Bethesda Summer Concert Series

May 01, 2012 - Jul 31, 2012

A free summer concert series is held in Veterans Park on Thursday evenings from May through July. The concert series showcases jazz, rock and roll, swing, and international music.

Location:  Norfolk Avenue

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

Event Hours: 6-8pm

Phone: 301-215-6660

Website: http://www.bethesda.org

 

Bethesda Art Walk

May 11 -Bethesda Art Walk features a dozen galleries and artist studios that open their doors on the second Friday evening of every month.

Bethesda also has a yearly Literary Festival, a Fine Arts Festival and a summer concert series.

 

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival

May 12-13, 2012

Delight in fine art created by 130 of nation's best artists, live entertainment and Bethesda restaurants! 

For more information, visit the Bethesda city web site.

 

Bethesda Theater Performances for Families

April 9 - May 29 - Imagination Stage Live Performance

Rapunzel. Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave. Call for times. Ages 4+. $10-$22. 301/280-1660.

 

April 12 - June 3 - The Puppet Co. Playhouse Puppet Performance

Pinocchio. The Puppet Co. Playhouse, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call for dates & times. $10, everyone; FREE, ages 2 & under. 301/634-5380.

 

April 27 - June 3 - Adventure Theatre Live Performance

Five Little Monkeys. Adventure Theatre, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. 11am, 2pm & 4:30pm. Ages 3+. $18. 301/634-2270

Rockville: 2012 Hometown Holidays~ Memorial Day Weekend Celebration and Parade

May 26, 2012, May 27, 2012, May 28, 2012

Enjoy a weekend in Rockville that includes food, music, kids activities and more at the Rockville Town Center.

For more information, visit the website:  http://www.rockvillemd.gov/towncenter/ 

Event Hours: Sat-Sun,1-10pm; Mon, 9am-1pm.

Phone: 240-314-8620

Rockville City Website: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/

       

Silver Spring: Taste the World in Fenton Village on Sunday, May 06, 2012

 

Taste the World in Fenton Village, a community event featuring the international flavors and cultures of 24 restaurants in the Fenton Village neighborhood just south of Downtown Silver Spring. Music from around the globe.  Small tasting plates at $2-$5.    

Location: Parking Lot 3, Silver Spring Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910.  Event Hours: 1 - 5 p.m. Phone: 240-832-3078

Website: http://www.tastetheworldfentonvillage.org

Gaithersburg: 4th Annual Kentlands Day Festival

The City of Gaithersburg and the Kentlands Market Square Merchants are proud to present the 4th Annual Kentlands Day Festival.  This large-scale community event takes place in the Kentlands Downtown on Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The festival features a parade, a "Taste of Kentlands" food expo, a children’s carnival, live performances on several stages, and a classic car show, business fair and silent auction.  For more information, visit the website:  http://www.kentlandsday.com/

 

Gaithersburg: Washingtonian Center/Rio

Summer Concert Series

Starts this Friday, May 4th from 6:00 pm - 9:00pm featuring:

Sons of Pirates  

Free live music from various groups every Friday and Saturday night 6-9pm! On the Rio patio near the paddleboats.

For the full list of groups featured for the Summer Concert Series, and other events, visit the Website: http://www.washingtoniancenter.com/events.cfm?id=5

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