Longwood Gardens is a world-renowned botanical garden located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The gardens were opened in 1921 by Pierre S. du Pont, and they have been attracting visitors from all over the world ever since.

Longwood Gardens is home to a wide variety of plants and flowers, including orchids, roses, tulips, and azaleas. The gardens also feature a number of fountains, including the iconic Dancing Waters fountain.

In addition to its beautiful gardens, Longwood Gardens also offers a variety of educational programs and events. Visitors can take guided tours, attend lectures, or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll through the grounds.

Here are some of the things you can do at Longwood Gardens:

• Visit the Conservatory: The Conservatory is home to a variety of plants from around the world. There are also a number of special exhibits that are held throughout the year.
• Explore the Gardens: The gardens are home to a variety of different gardens, including the Rose Garden, the Herb Garden, and the Japanese Garden.
• Watch the Fountains: The fountains are one of the most popular attractions at Longwood Gardens. There are a number of different fountains, and they are all choreographed to music.
• Take a Guided Tour: There are a number of different guided tours available at Longwood Gardens. These tours are a great way to learn more about the gardens and their history.
• Attend an Event: Longwood Gardens hosts a variety of events throughout the year. These events include concerts, lectures, and workshops.

Here are some of the event highlights at Longwood Gardens:

• Chihuly in the Glasshouse: This exhibit features the work of Dale Chihuly, a world-renowned glass artist. The exhibit features a variety of large-scale sculptures made from glass.
• Butterfly Wonderland: This exhibit features over 3,000 butterflies from around the world. Visitors can walk through a tropical rainforest and see the butterflies up close.
• Christmas Light Show: This annual event features millions of lights that are synchronized to music. The show is a popular attraction for families and couples.

Fairmount Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and it’s home to a variety of trees that change color in the fall. There are many trails to explore, as well as the Philadelphia Zoo, the Please Touch Museum, and the Shofuso Japanese Garden.
Wissahickon Valley Park is a beautiful wooded area with a variety of hiking trails. The park is also home to the Wissahickon Environmental Center, which offers educational programs about the natural world.
Schuylkill River Trail is a 12-mile paved trail that follows the Schuylkill River. The trail is a great place to go for a walk, run, or bike ride in the fall.
Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a 92-acre arboretum with a variety of trees and shrubs from all over the world. The arboretum is a great place to go for a walk or hike in the fall.
Franklin Square is a historic park in the heart of Philadelphia. The park is home to a variety of activities, including a carousel, a fountain, and a playground. In the fall, the park is decorated with pumpkins and other fall-themed decorations.

Trapped at home with the kids out of school this Veterans Day? Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do in the Washington, DC area. All the downtown museums are open on Veterans Day, including the National Gallery of Art, the Air & Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History & Culture, and all Smithsonian facilities. All 2026 Veterans Day Events are listed on our community events calendar at the bottom of this page.

Parking on Veterans Day

Because it’s a national holiday, it is a popular day for school groups to descend on the mall. There are also a number of free events that can attract big crowds, such as the the formal dedication of the new National Native American Veterans Memorial in 2022. It is also a popular day to visit other memorials, such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the the WWII memorial.

Due to heavy crowd pressure on the Mall, it is best to arrive by 9:30 am to secure a spot close to your destination. If you are unable to arrive by then, consider taking Metro to the National Mall. The closest metro stop to the Smithsonian Castle is Smithsonian Station (on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines), though L’Enfant Plaza Station is also a good choice.

Outdoor activities on Veterans Day

There are a number of outdoor activities within an easy drive of city center. If you don’t mind the crowds, the National Zoo and Great Falls are good choices. Some less crowded options include the Franciscan Monastery Gardens near Catholic University and the traditional Asian garden at Meadowlark Gardens and Nature Center.

DC Veterans Day Calendar:

Below are today’s events. Use the arrow buttons to scroll to November 11 to see this year’s scheduled Veterans Day events in DC.

This Evening

76°

Skip to: morning | afternoon | evening

6p

Petworth's Introvert Art Club

Petworth Neighborhood Library

Map Calendar

9/7 6p: Petworth Neighborhood Library presents the Introvert Art Club, an art club for introverts who love creating and connecting with other introverts.

More: libnet.info

---

Less

Event Page

When I first heard about a museum devoted to words, I thought: “nah, my kids will never go for that.” …and I’m an English major, with a zillion books in my house and an obsession with etymology. It just doesn’t seem like the kind of subject that would lend itself to a museum. What are the artifacts? What could I discover here that would change my perspective about language more effectively than, say, going to the library?

But then one of my neighbors looked at me, aghast, when I revealed that I hadn’t been there yet. He said: “It is so cool. You have to go…you should go tomorrow.” And so, the next day, I did.

I was not disappointed.

The museum is free. Begin by taking the elevator up to the third floor for an interactive presentation in front of the word wall. The format is a feat of engineering and artful invention, that reimagines the possibilities of projection infotainment.

Next, wind your way into the world of words gallery, which features speakers from many cultures introducing the influence that their linguistic heritage had on our shared language.

My favorite room, by far, is the library, with its floor to ceiling bookshelves, mirrored ceiling, and secret room (see if you can find it).

Making your way downstairs, you will find a floor devoted to the playfulness of the English language. There is an open karaoke bar, a recording studio where you can tell your story, and an interactive painting where kids are invited to change the world around them with modifiers.

Complete your journey on the first floor, where you will discover two galleries that articulate the apparently ineffable elements of humor and successful advertising. On your way out, step through the gift shop, which is well-appointed with classic literature and other gifts for the word fanatic in your life.

Peirce Mill had been grinding away for nearly a hundred years before Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. drafted his plans for Rock Creek Park. As the park grew and milling became less lucrative, the Peirce Mill transitioned into a tea-house for tourists.

Peirce Mill has been considered among the best spots in DC for outdoor recreation for over a hundred years. Local nature enthusiasts and birders also flocked to Peirce Mill. As the Federal Writer’s Project noted in 1942:

Rock Creek Park, in addition to being a natural woodland well suited as a habitation for native birds, draws an additional increment of bird-dwellers through a strange, but apparent, feeling of kinship for the captive birds in Rock Creek Zoo.

– The WPA Guide to Washington

When should I visit Peirce Mill?

Whether you’re a tourist or a local, plan your visit around summer weekends. The best time to tour is the second Saturday or fourth Saturday between April and October. On those days, the park service provides demonstrations at 11a and 2p. As part of the demonstration, a park ranger diverts water from Rock Creek to set the wheel in motion and grind grain to feed the livestock at Oxon Hill.

Not only is the wheel in motion, but all three floors of the rock building come alive. The park service recently closed the top floor, pending a safety review, but it is likely to open in 2020.

On the first and second floors, a ranger will walk you through the machinery, explain the function of each gear and conveyor, and let you touch the cornmeal as it comes out of the sifter in the basement.

Outside the mill, Park Rangers offer family programs on the second and fourth Saturdays. On a recent Saturday a ranger gave an ice cream demonstration (using an original recipe from Thomas Jefferson). After the demonstration, he served us a generous helping of free ice cream after our tour of the mill.

History of Peirce Mill

A small museum tells the history of the land and of the Mill from its beginnings in 1829 [1]. The original owners required dozens of workers to run the mill the mill each day. They relied almost entirely on slave labor. In 1862, the Federal Government handed Peirce Shoemaker $6,000 in compensation for the emancipation of his 20 slaves.

The history continues into the 1920s, when African-American entrepreneur Hattie Sewell took over operations of the mill tea-house. Although she doubled sales, her concession was cancelled as a result of “racism and political pressure from a neighbor and descendent of the Peirce family” [2]

If you’re a history buff, don’t pass up the opportunity to see an authentic mill operating in the heart of DC. Children, especially, will delight in the sound of the millstone, the smell of wooden gears, and the overall experience of how early America made its bread.

Explore More:

1. U.S. Park Service, Peirce Mill, 2018.
2. U.S. Park Service, Placard in Peirce Mill Museum, 2019.

THE ORIGINAL Potomac Heritage Trail extends for just 20 miles along the Virginia side of the Potomac River. The National Park Service has since expanded the definition to include over 800 miles of trail on both sides of the river, from the mouth of the Potomac to the Ohio River Basin. DC is the central node in this network connecting the C&O Trail, Mount Vernon Trail, Civil War Defenses of Washington Trail, and the Southern Maryland Potomac Heritage Trail Bicycling Route.

Jump to: Virginia Side | Maryland Side

For this guide, I’ll focus on the two banks of the river extending from Washington to less than an hour’s drive northwest of the city. This section of the river was the historical stomping ground of George Washington and a key passageway for the Underground Railroad.

Note for Cyclists: South of Key Bridge, Virginia trails are paved and well marked for cyclists all the way down to Mount Vernon. On the Virginia side, biking is prohibited (and unsafe) northwest of the Key Bridge except for the Great Falls segment from Difficult Run to the southeast border of Seneca Park and again from Elizabeth Mills Park through Loudon County [1]. The entire DC / Maryland side of the river — along the 193-mile C&O Canal — is flat and bike-accessible. Unlike Rock Creek Park and the Capital Crescent, the C&O trails are loose gravel paths best suited for mountain bikes and hybrids.

Note for Boaters: You can put in a kayak or canoe just about anywhere on the DC side — though there are safety issues as you get closer to Great Falls. The most popular DC put-ins include Jack’s Boathouse, Fletcher’s Cove, Lock 5, and, to the south, East Potomac Day Dock (on Hains Point, directly across from The Wharf). Farther northwest of the city, portage at Violettes Lock.

Most of the Kayakers I run into on the Virginia Side have put in at Roosevelt Island. Hauling a kayak down the Virginia palisades is nearly impossible, so the next proper boat launch is at Riverbend Park, with the lot just steps from the river. There’s also a good boat launch at Algonkian Park. I have seen kayaks put in at Chain Bridge, but I wouldn’t recommend it as there is a swift and dangerous undertow.

Virginia Access: Potomac Heritage

Jump to: Maryland Access

FOR A SCENIC view of the Washington Monuments, ride along the paved bike trail extending along the George Washington Parkway. The bike trail begins south of the city at Mount Vernon and extends north to the Key Bridge in Rosslyn.

Teddy Roosevelt Island

• Theodore Roosevelt Island ( 8 min)
• Access: Easy ( 2 min)

There are a number of parking areas along the GW Parkway, but the most popular is Teddy Roosevelt Island. Although technically in the District, it is only accessible from the Virginia side. From the (usually crowded) parking area on the GW parkway, cross the foot bridge to the loop around the island.

Although Eric Gugler’s Roosevelt memorial plaza on the Northern side of the island is the most common destination, there are a number of other interesting points to explore, including the ruins of a mansion owned by the family of Founding Father George Mason. Much of the natural scenery enjoyed by the island’s first inhabitants (Nacotchtank and Piscataway) remains, with particularly expansive views of DC on the eastern side. [4]

To access the Potomac Heritage Trail from Roosevelt Island, follow the trail that splits off from and goes under the concrete bike path overpass, immediately to the north of the parking lot. This part of the trail is wedged between busy traffic lanes and the river, so you’ll mostly hear engines as you step over detritus from past traffic accidents and homeless encampments.

Don’t give up! Continuing northwest takes you past the Key Bridge, then along an exposed shoulder of the GW parkway, and finally to a wooden pedestrian bridge beside the mouth of Spout Run. Here the trail transitions from wide-open spaces with expansive city views to a wilderness path along the base of high bluffs.

Take a last look at the houseboats and paddle-boards between the Georgetown skyline and the Three Sisters (small rocky islands that mark the turn-around point for most renters from Jacks). From here on out, the trail will be far more welcoming to those looking for a peaceful walk along the river and a taste of wilderness.

Adventure awaits! The area along the base of the bluffs are also thick with cormorants, Canada Geese, and more exotic water-fowl. Finally, you’ll come to the first of many waterfalls dumping into the Potomac from the Virginia bluffs. Just south of the steep waterfall at Windy Run is a series of narrow rock steps that will lead you back to civilization.

Windy Run

• Windy Run Park, Arlington, VA ( 6 min)
• Access: Intermediate ( 10 min)

Windy Run is the closest access point from central Arlington, but the hike down to the river is difficult. In spite of this, Windy Run is relatively unknown, even by locals, so you can usually find some alone time here even on a Saturday afternoon.

After parking at the trailhead off a suburban cul-de-sac, follow the easy trail down Windy Run. As you approach the first crossing, the trail becomes a set of rock steps. There are two more crossings before passing under the GW Parkway and a final crossing at the top of the bluffs. Ignoring the usual accidental death and dismemberment sign, follow the handrail down the right side of the falls.

From the base of the falls, proceed either south along the river (to a series of popular fishing holes and hammock spots) or north to one of the most isolated patches of wilderness in the city. In the morning, Great Herons roost along the shore here and, if you tread softly, you will likely catch them before they flush.

Continuing on the river path towards Donaldson Run, your first landmark will be a rock slide with a large boulder that seems to be balancing on a small corner (38.908, -77.098). Next, you’ll come to a thin waterfall that drizzles over a sheer cliff face (38.911, -77.102).

Near there, you might also see the remains of a June, 2020 car accident. After careening off the 100′ bluffs, the driver somehow managed to extricate himself from the wreck and walk to the river, where he was picked up by a DC rescue boat.

Further along are a couple of old steam boilers that were part of a 19th Century mining operation near the southern corner of what is now Potomac Overlook Park.

The last landmark before you reach Donaldson Run is the Rope Swing. I’ve always been too chicken, but many of my friends have done it (including one nut-job who dives off from the top of the tree), and they’re all still with us.

Potomac River Gorge (Donaldson Run)

• 3909 30th Street ( 8 min)
• Access: Intermediate ( 20 min)

Donaldson Run is a longer walk to the water, but this is one case of the journey being even greater than the destination. My kids call this “Parkour Gorge” because of the giant boulders and challenging river crossings, and it was once called Potomac Gorge by locals. It really is a gorge, with steep hills on either side and a wide open valley of giant trees by the river bottom.

The gorge also has a stunning history, dating back to the late nineteenth century, when Washingtonians kept a summer cabin in Arlington to cool off from the summer heat while remaining a short train ride from the city. Pola Negri (the silent film star) kept a house here, in what is now the Donaldson Run nature center. There was also a dam (long since washed out in a flood) that was used to form a swimming hole for the well-to-do.

The Gulf Branch “Precipice”

• N Nelson St & 36th Road North, Arlington, VA ( 10 min)
• Access: Difficult ( 9 min)

We call the access point at N Nelson “The Precipice” because it reminds us a little of the Precipice Trail in Acadia National Park. It is a difficult climb and especially hard to maneuver with fishing tackle or small children. A narrow trail with a handrail is hidden off to the left as you look down from the top of the falls.

Maybe skip the segment of trail from Gulf Branch to Chain Bridge. The fishermen dump their fish and trash here, so it’s a popular spot for vultures, and the stench can be strong on a summer day.

Chain Bridge

• 4101 N Randolph Ct ( 9 min)
• Access: Easy ( 3 min)

Though it has been rebuilt many times, the site of the Chain Bridge is the most historically significant crossing on the Potomac. It provided a safe escape route for the Declaration of Independence during the British invasion of Washington in 1814. The document was saved by the sole efforts of a government clerk named Stephen Pleasonton, who spirited Jefferson’s proclamation across the river and stashed it in a grist mill near the foot of the bridge. [7]

The base of the Chain Bridge is the most popular fishing hole in North Arlington, so arrive before 8a if you want to catch a fish. This is also where the fish begin to be safe to eat, as it is just above the city. Parking spots by the bridge are also scarce later in the day, but I’ve always been able to find a spot in the neighborhood at the top of the bluffs.

Turkey Run

• Turkey Run Park ( 17 min)
• Access: Easy ( 10 min

Turkey Run Park gets an A for accessibility. Directly off the GW Parkway (I recommend parking lot C1), you’ll find a gentle path down to the water. As the trail becomes steeper, you’ll descend well-maintained steps (thanks to the National Park Service).

As you near the river, the foliage becomes lush, almost reminiscent of a tropical rainforest. You might hear the call of a Carolina Wren or a Cardinal, and you are certain to find toads and dozens of tiny fish where the Potomac Heritage Trail crosses Turkey Run. The Potomac has a number of small, alluring islands along the shore here, so keep an eagle eye on your kids. The currents along this part of the Potomac are swift and deadly.

Scott’s Run

• Scott's Run Parking Lot ( 13 min)
• Access: Easy ( 20 min

Scott’s Run was originally the home of an early 20th Century Washington DC lawyer named Edward Burling. Real Estate Developers planned a riverside community until a grass-roots movement of local citizens successfully lobbied to turn the land into a regional park and nature preserve.

Today the park’s wide trails provide an escape from the suburban sprawl of Northern Virginian. If you’re hoping for solace (and a parking spot), arrive before 9a.

Difficult Run

• Difficult Run Parking Lot ( 21 min)
• Access: Moderate ( 30 min)

With wildflowers, bike trails, and rich history, Difficult Run offers something for everyone. We call it “Difficult Parking” because the lot fills up early on weekends, but 4x4s and adventurous pinto drivers can also park on the muddy shoulder along Georgetown Pike (anyone else will get stuck).

This is probably the most scenic hike down to the river. The trail follows the beautiful Difficult Run, which at times feels like a trout stream in Montana, especially around dusk. Kids will enjoy hopping from rock to rock and peeping fish along the fast-moving rapids.

This is also the secret southern entrance to Great Falls Park, and there is much to see here on this side. While the entire C&O Canal system is on the Maryland side of the river, George Washington’s Patowmack Company also planned a series of locks on the Virginia side to help boaters navigate around Great Falls. In 1793 Robert E. Lee’s father Lighthorse Harry Lee built a small town — which he called Matildaville, after his first wife — to provide housing for the canal builders. You can still see the locks and foundation of the Matildaville gristmill and iron foundry near the falls. [2]

Cyclists will appreciate the swoopy gravel trails which host the annual NoVa Epic Northern Tour race. Follow the trail southeast out of the parking lot to the Georgetown Pike crossing, where the trail turns north into Great Falls National Park. After the Great Falls overlook, head up through the North Lot to the Carriage Trail (closed to motorists) that connects to Riverbend Park. If you enjoy the riverside segment, you can continue on a spur that goes all the way to the southern border of Seneca Park and then track back and follow the loop to the right through the hills above Riverbend Park.

Virginia Side of Great Falls NP

• 9200 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VA 22102 ( 21 min)
• Access: Easy ( 5 min | 7 min)

Although it is far less crowded than the Maryland side, the trails around Great Falls NP in Virginia can get pretty busy on weekends. Beyond the spectacular views of the falls, you’ll also enjoy watching climbers and kayakers challenging themselves on the cliffs below. Kids also love exploring the rock halls and boulders along the river path. Entry fee is $15 per vehicle, free for National Park pass-holders and some organized groups.

Riverbend Park

• Riverbend Park ( 26 min)
• Access: Easy ( 2 min| 1 min)

The North Trail along the river in Great Falls National Park connects to Riverbend Park at the Washington Aqueduct dam (see above). Unlike the entire river to the southeast, Riverbend is outside the DCA flight path, so it starts feels like real wilderness, and silence is the most noticeable feature of these woods.

Bikers can ride on the entire Potomac Heritage Trail section from Weant Drive south of the boatramp to the park’s northwest border. Continue on foot along the river beyond Weant to enter Great Falls, or take Weant Drive to continue on bike. As you exit the park gate on Weant Drive, you’ll find a carriage road off to your left which continues to the North River Parking Lot in Great Falls National Park.

With a parking lot that is just steps from the river walk and boat ramp, Riverbend the most accessible park on the Virginia side. The park is most popular in the Spring, when bluebells and other wildflowers crowd the banks of the river. In Summer, there is an American Indian Festival with drums, traditional dances, and demonstrations of early life along the Potomac River.

The Bootlegger Trail loop is worth exploring for its variation of thick woods and open fields and is easily accessed with a bike or on foot. Alternatively, continue north for two miles from the boatramp to the park boundary. The Potomac Heritage Trail is not bike-able beyond the boundary, but you can continue on foot along the trail. In about 3 miles (1 hour) you will reach the boundary of Seneca Regional Park.

Seneca Regional Park

• Seneca Regional Park ( 30 min)
• Access: Moderate ( 25 min)

First a word of caution: don’t attempt to park at Watermark Place (on the Trump Golf Course side of the park). You won’t get pepper sprayed (unless you sit on the grass), but Judge Smails will absolutely tow your car. And as we learned the hard way, the official Seneca lot (half a mile away as the crow flies) is a 20 minute drive — by some unfathomable feat of Civil (or was it Social?) Engineering.

Still, you can legally stomp your muddy feet directly through the Trump Course by following the Potomac Heritage Trail at the bottom of the road near the lot. I recommend bringing a shovel to build sand castles in the traps or, if you’re feeling especially bold, fishing equipment to see what giant koi you might be able to pull out of the meticulously landscaped water features on Lowes Island.

East along that same trail will take you into the heart of Seneca Park, where the Potomac winds its way through a dozen tiny islands on the Virginia side. The waterside is littered with beer bottles and other detritus, and the bluffs become treacherous if you wander off the main trail for a better view of the river. Not my favorite Potomac access point, but the forest is cool in the summer and you can sometimes find wild raspberries by the trail.

Algonkian Park

• Algonkian Park ( 26 min)
• Access: Easy ( 5 min | 3 min)

Algonkian Park is a major recreation area for Fairfax County, with a waterpark, golf course and boat ramp. It’s also meticulously manicured along the river, which makes it a great place to have a family cookout or just sling a hammock and watch the river go by.

Elizabeth Mills Park

• Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park ( 35 min)
• Access: Easy ( 5 min | 3 min)

Further up the Potomac is Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park, an oasis squeezed between a golf course and a river. The parking lot is small, so plan to get there by 10a on weekends or just park in the neighborhood and walk down the hill.

Both the parking lot and the paved access trail are shared by the neighboring Landsdowne Golf Club, so be prepared to cavort with intoxicated bros in polos (maybe pack some bear spray?). When the paved golf cart trail turns left, continue straight onto the gravel path which winds gently down to the Potomac Heritage trail along the riverfront.

Aside from the occasional sound of screeching golf cart tires and burping men, the park is quite peaceful. Where the access trail meets the Potomac Heritage Trail, there is an excellent outcrop of rocks that forms a natural fishing pier. There are also plenty of good spots to toss a hammock and the trail is fine for easy mountain biking.

Further afield on the Virginia side

There are a number of other easy access points to the Potomac. Popular access points south of Teddy Roosevelt Island include Lady Bird Johnson Park, the Old Town Waterfront, and Mount Vernon. South of Mount Vernon, the river opens up substantially. If you’re looking for the feel of a beach within a 30 minute drive of DC, look no further than Leesylvania State Park.

Heading Northwest past the beltway, you won’t hit another bridge until Point of Rocks. At Harper’s Ferry, the Shenandoah merges with the Potomac. Northwest of there, it’s more of a mountain stream.

Maryland Access: C&O Canal Trail

Jump to: Virginia Access

MOST PEOPLE do the canal all wrong: going as far as they can in a day and never meandering. And sure, you can do that. It’s a 200-mile mule highway. It’s even possible to bike it in three days if you stop only for water, bathroom breaks and sleep.

But do your soul a favor. Step off the trail. Discover the sublime, hidden beauty just beyond the green curtain by the side of the towpath. If you take a moment to stop and wonder, you just might start to get a feel for the Canal’s important place in the American story.

As an entrepreneurial project, the canal was conceived by George Washington to provide a navigable shipping line between Georgetown and the rich coal fields near Cumberland.

Upon its completion in 1850, houseboats towed by mules and laden with manufactured goods from Georgetown began the long, four day journey up the nearly 200 miles of the canal. The canal also proved a crucial supply line for Union troops during the Civil War, surviving numerous attempts by Confederate sympathizers to destroy its massive rock walls. [2]

But what the Confederates could not destroy proved no match for nature and commerce. The Great Flood of 1889 disrupted travel along the canal and while the repairs languished, most of the trade shifted permanently to the more cheaper (though less energy-efficient) B&O Railroad, connecting coal country with the deep water port of Baltimore.

In 1950, plans to run a freeway along the Maryland side were foiled by a dedicated conservation group led by Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. Thanks to their efforts, the entire trail is now a National Park and protected playground for nature enthusiasts.

The easiest access for DC residents is Georgetown. You can park under the Whitehurst Freeway on K Street most days and hop on the C&O Trail. Nearby Jack’s Boathouse rents canoes for a modest fee. Just beyond Jack’s, the trail branches. To the right is the Capital Crescent Trail and to the left is the C&O Canal Trail, which extends for nearly 200 miles along the Maryland side of the Potomac River.

Most access points happen at the original locks that governed travel along the Potomac River. You will find a footbridge crossing the canal at every lock.

Jack’s Boathouse

• Jack's Boathouse, Georgetown ( 1 min)
• Access: Easy ( 1 min)

Slip under the Whitehurst Freeway to discover the bowels of Georgetown. Between the bustle of cars circling for a parking spot, you’ll find an odd mix of Potomac enthusiasts. Fashionable couples disembark for a night on the town while middle-aged jocks hustle dripping kayaks onto their SUVs. And then there are the college students, slinking behind dumpsters and the odd post in a mysterious cloud of smoke.

Welcome to Jack’s Boathouse (now known as the Key Bridge Boathouse), the terminus of the Capital Crescent Trail and beginning of the C&O Trail. They’ll take you on a paddle-board tour of the monuments for $60 a pop or lend you a canoe for a mere $16 per hour. To pick up the trail, head north beyond the private boathouses where the rowing clubs at Georgetown, GW and American University ply the waves at 6 in the morning (I don’t miss those days).

Although you can take the C&O, if you’re on a bike you’ll want to start on the paved Capital Crescent Trail where it begins just past the old stone overpass by the Potomac Boat Club.

From here the trail runs parallel to the C&O, but the foliage between the trails is too dense to make the switch in all but 2-3 places between here and Fletcher’s Cove, a 15 minute ride up the river. Stop along the way to enjoy the views of rowing shells plying the waves, or to admire the graffiti inside the nearly 200 year-old Foundry Tunnel.

Fletcher’s Cove

• Fletcher's Cove Boathouse, Canal Road Northwest ( 5 min)
• Access: Easy ( 1 min

With ample parking and a quintessential Lock House, Fletcher’s Cove (the official Mile 0 of the canal trail) is an ideal entry point into river life for those who are new to the city and lack equipment. The boathouse is a concession of the National Park Service and will rent you a canoe or row boat for about $25 per hour. They also offer guided tours of the cove and fishing tackle and licenses.

On a recent ride, I saw families cooking out, naked children swimming in the cove, a tightrope walker perched between two trees, and some cheerfully intoxicated fishermen. You can occasionally go inside the Abner Cloud House (considered the “finest example of Federalist architecture in Washington” by the Department of the Interior) to view antiques from the early 19th Century.

One note of caution for boaters, if you plan to paddle north of Chain Bridge, you are better off putting in at Lock 5 (above Chain Bridge), since the current around Chain Bridge is swift.

Chain Bridge

Between Fletcher’s Cove and Lock 5, there is a small lot just north of Chain Bridge. If you don’t mind the confusing traffic directions on Canal Road — just don’t trust your GPS directions — this is the ideal place to stop for one of DC’s best hidden gems.

First begin across the Chain Bridge to find the pedestrian ramp down to the trail. From there, bike less than a third of a mile north, keeping an eye out for a hidden trail heading toward the Potomac. Just after stepping into the woods, the trail opens onto an incongruent paved road blasted through the jagged boulders of the flood plain. There you will catch your first glimpse of the astonishingly close bluffs of Virginia.

Once you reach the river, take a moment to absorb the strangeness of this place, known locally as the Belvedere Viewpoint. Between the deadly rapids to your right and the familiar fishing grounds around the Chain Bridge are inaccessible mansions built right on the edge of the cliffs.

Who owns these multi-million-dollar maximum security compounds towering over the Potomac? One is owned by the Embassy of the State of Qatar, but a tax record search of the others will reveal only shell corporations [8]. If you take the Chain Bridge Road around the other end of these properties, you will discover a high-security perimeter and armed guards. If I ever write a DC spy thriller, it will begin here.

Lock 5

• C&O Canal Lock 5, Bethesda, MD ( 6 min)
• Access: Easy ( 6 min)

Continue a little farther up the C&O Trail to Lock 5. From this lot, says my trusty mid-twentieth century river guide, you can “portage into the feeder canal around High Island and into the broad Potomac above Feeder Dam No. 1.” [2] I’m not sure how that’s possible, given that the locks are now all hammered shut, but I have seen people loading kayaks into the lot, so I imagine you can take out at the river and hike through the woods without too much trouble.

The great treat for explorers at Lock 5 is the path up the Maryland Bluffs. Continue out of the lot to the spiral pedestrian walkway to the bridge over Canal Road. On the other side, the steep path heads up to a beautiful neighborhood of tastefully expensive mansions overlooking the Potomac river.

Lock 7

• Lock 7, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath ( 15 min)
• Access: Easy ( 2 min)

Between Lock 5 and Lock 7 is the Sycamore Island Club, a private volunteer-run club (think muddy boater camp). There’s an old pool table with scuffed flaps in the main room, canoes and views of the river. Club members ring a bell to get ferried across, and some members who are also senior officials at the CIA have been known to canoe across from Langley. Membership is only a few hundred a year, but the waitlist is 12 years long and there’s no booze on the island, so… [10]

Lock 8

• Lock 8, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath ( 15 min)
• Access: Easy ( 2 min)

Lock 8 is a good place to hop on to Cabin John Island, which has extensive trails to discover, otherwise, it’s a bit of a snore (unless you’re really into the history of 19th Century Potomac Lock technology). For this reason, there’s usually good parking.

Lock 10

• Lock 10, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath ( 15 min)
• Access: Easy ( 2 min)

Lock 10 is the ideal place for a beginner to launch a paddle board on the Potomac. The parking lot is directly off 495 and the walk to the river is short and not too steep. Swainson Island also forms a natural cove that keeps the flow manageable for unsteady novices.

Between Lock 10 and Carderock is an area known as Seven Locks, which is where the grade was so steep it necessitated building the locks practically on top of each other. The Beltway also cuts through this area, which makes for an interesting juxtoposition.

Carderock

• Carderock Recreation Area, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, Potomac, MD ( 8 min)
• Access: Easy ( 5 min)

With ample parking and wide open spaces, Carderock is where Washington goes for Potomac riverside concerts and al-fresco dining. The views are good from nearly everywhere in the park, with the exception of the southern end of the Billy Goat Trail, which veers away from the river and into a bit of a wasteland.

Angler’s Lot

• Angler's Footbridge, Billy Goat Trail Section A, Potomac, MD ( 10 min)
• Access: Intermediate ( 10 min)

The Angler’s Lot is the closest free lot to the Great Falls National Park, so it is often full. The National Wildlife Federation has named this portion of the Potomac as one of the 100 best birdwatching spots in North America and it’s easy to see why. The upper trail follows the woods above the canal and is a favorite for birdwatchers, who come to spot nesting Orchard and Baltimore Orioles as well as Tree Swallows, Ospreys, Ring-billed Gulls, Great Crested Flycatchers, Wood Ducks and Green Herons. [5]

The lower trail is the preferred path for families as it offers the easiest grade and open vistas of a couple of lakes to the south of the canal. Plan on a good hour hike along the rugged Billy Goat Trail if you want to see the falls from there (though you can bike it in about 15 minutes).

Great Falls National Park

• Great Falls Parking, Potomac, MD ( 10 min)
• Access: Easy ( 10 min)

There are a number of easy access points beyond Georgetown on the Maryland side. Those wishing to see Great Falls without a hike will have to pay an entrance fee to use the National Park Service lot, but there is a free (sometimes crowded) lot further south near the Angler’s Inn (see above).

But the museum at Great Falls is worth the trip and the Tavern, once a popular watering hole for Confederate spies during the Civil War, is a good place to find history and refreshment.

Violettes Lock

• Violettes Lock ( 12 min)
• Access: Easy ( 1 min)

Violettes Lock, also known as Lock 23, is a popular boat launch.

McKee-Beshers WMA

• Mckee-beshers WMA ( 42 min)
• Access: Easy ( 5 min)

McKee-Beshers WMA is Mourning Dove hunting ground from September through January (they taste like Chicken). My favorite time to go is in late July and August, when the fields are full of sunflowers planted to attract doves and songbirds that migrate along the Potomac. [9]

Points Beyond

Continuing further out of the city on the DC side will take you along the C&O Canal Trail, which was built in the early 19th Century to connect Georgetown with the early coal towns along the far western edge of Maryland.

The town of Williamsport, once the unofficial headquarters of the original hooligans — the Houley Gouley Gang — has a decent barbecue restaurant. [6]

It was along this great Potomac trail that Justice William O. Douglas — who was instrumental in the establishment of the C&O Canal National Park — found solace from the important decisions of his office. In 1968, he wrote:

Wherever one hikes in this area, his heart will be lifted by the flowering shrubs in the spring and the gold and red of the woods in the fall. Much of the way he walks in the steps of George Washington whose West Point training was in this valley, and with scouts and armies that fought the Indian wars and the Civil War. The valley is indeed rich in beauty and in history. [2]

– William O. Douglas

Explore More

1. Potomac Heritage Trail: Riverbend Segment, MTB Project, 2020.
2. Shosteck, Robert, Potomac Trail Book, Potomac Books, 1968.
3. Fisher, Alan, Country Walks Near Washington, Rambler Books, 1996.
4. Hedgepath, Dana, A Native American tribe once called D.C. home, The Washington Post, 2018.
5. Brown, Robert H. et. al., Where the Birds Are, The 100 Best Birdwatching Spots in North America, Grand Central Press, 2001.
6. National Park Service, Life and Death on the C&O Canal, Fall 2009.
7. Brennan, Emily, Foraging for Forgotten History Around Washington, The New York Times, July 2, 2013.
8. Arlington County Tax Records, Accessed July, 2020. 211 Chain Bridge Road is owned by the Qatar Embassy.
9. McKee-Beshers WMA Sunflower Conditions, Accessed July, 2020.
10. Melton, R.H., Where Paradise and People Remain Unspoiled, The Washington Post, October 25, 1995.

YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A WINTER SOMEWHERE, and with new snowmaking techniques at some resorts, you can experience west-coast snow conditions whenever the temperature falls below 32°.

The season open of all of these ski resorts varies based on the weather and rentals sometimes sell out, so be sure to check the resort website before you go. Also check road conditions: if the snow is so great that you can’t get out of your driveway, you may want to find a good sledding hill nearby instead.

Liberty ski resort 1.5h

If your goal is a short drive, look no further than Liberty Mountain Resort. There are only 16 trails (as you can see on the Liberty Trail Map), but the gentle grade (plus the ability to snow tube if the skiing fails) make this an ideal place to learn your little ones. Liberty is open from 8a – 10p, so you can avoid the crowds by hitting the road early or joining late for the night-skiing.

White Tail 1.5h

The White Tail ski resort is larger than Liberty and has a bigger drop, which makes it well-worth the only modestly farther drive, and experienced skiers can skip the lines by riding the express quad to the more advanced trails. Although tickets usually run $84 per day, you can sometimes score a 1-day lift ticket online for under $60. White Tail doesn’t make snow on all 23 trails, though, so it’s worth calling ahead and listening to the snow report before making the trip.

As a Vail Resort, White Tail benefits takes the Epic Pass and also has the benefit of the latest snowmaking technology. We find the snow here to be the best on the East Coast, with fresh, dry, sandy-crunch snow, even on mornings following a big melt and overnight freeze.

The White Tail Trail Map shows two additional cool features worth exploring. The Terrain Park — the base of which is pictured above — has ample opportunities for skiers and snow-boarders to practice their rails and get some big air. And then there’s the tubin’ hill…

Snow Tubing: Also worth exploring is the snow-tubing at White Tail, which is on the right as you turn into the lot. Snow Tubing is $35 for a two-hour slot and is not included in your ski tickets. It’s also the one thing you absolutely need to reserve in advance on-line. To go tubing, you must buy your ticket at least a week in advance using the link above, and you must commit to your two hour slot then. When you arrive, simply show them your bar code, grab the provided tube, and take the magic carpet up to your allotted lane.

Lodging: This place is so close to DC that you really don’t need a room, but if you’re not an early riser and still want to get the best snow, there are plenty of cheap, hotels nearby. We recently stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, which is about 10 minutes away and has clean rooms, a heated pool and a legit complimentary breakfast. The Hampton Inn and Hagerstown Inn are also affordable options nearby.

Bryce ski resort 2h

As I explain to James, the trick to getting off the chair lift is to … stand up. Would that everything in life were this easy. At Bryce, it is. The tiny resort has fewer than 10 trails and they’re all easy-peasy, so Bryce is not the place for you gnarly thrill seekers. But with strong snow and thin crowds, this is well worth the 2 hour drive.

Canaan Valley 3h

The last time I visited Canaan, it felt a bit like I’d just entered a hot tub time machine. While the down-rent resort has seen better days, the snow is unmatched in the DC region. 40+ trails and beautiful scenery (and the $60 lift tickets) make this a good pick if you’re up for the 3-hour, 180 mile drive.

Whitegrass (cross-country): If you’re looking for a very different experience, nearby Whitegrass offers $25 one-day passes and a wholesome, natural foods cafe.

Wisp Ski Resort 3h

The resort that owns Liberty also has a 34 slope ski resort on the shores of Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland. Aside from the gentle trails (perfect for beginners), Wisp is close to the lakeside town of McHenry, which has a few cool restaurants that feel less touristy than your typical resort town.

Although the trails are not open to mountain bikers in the summer, Wisp’s Mountain Coaster and ropes course are worth a visit in the warmer months.

Wintergreen Ski Resort 3h

Wintergreen’s proximity to Charlottesville puts it on the pricier side of DC area ski resorts: a 1-day lift ticket will cost you $119 ($218 for two days). But the views from the mountain-top hotel make Wintergreen our favorite place to stay. And at the bottom, there are a number of Cider and beer breweries to tour on a rainy day.

Summer Activities: Wintergreen isn’t just for skiers. In summer, it’s also a high-adventure camp, with zip lines, climbing, and ample places to kick back, like the Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub. The nearby Bold Rock Cider brewery is also worth checking out.

Seven Springs 3.5h

Pennsylvania’s Seven Springs ski resort is a bit of a haul, but the $89 1-day lift ticket ($163 for two days) won’t break the bank. Seven Springs is known for its terrain park and special packages for snowboarders.

Baltimore is a world apart from DC. The touristy waterfront is just the beginning. Here are some of my favorite, off-the-beaten-path destinations in Charm City, USA.

DAY 1: The Waterfront

On a recent trip to Baltimore, I had a tête-à-tête with a three-toed sloth and caressed a live jellyfish with my bare hands, and that doesn’t even begin to explain what makes Baltimore so special. I always wonder why I don’t come here more often. Maybe it’s the crowds, which can be pretty thick on the weekend, or maybe it’s the cost: the attractions on the waterfront can be expensive — but worth the splurge, now and then.

One note on cost: Although there are deep discount days when harbor attractions like the aquarium are virtually free, you shouldn’t do it unless you like wall-to-wall shoving matches. Instead, I like to put that cost into context. Imagine if, in the middle of DC’s dreary winter, you discovered a portal that could take you and your family to Australia or the Amazon rainforest for the day. What would that be worth?

9:30 am: Park by the aquarium

If you’re coming on a weekday or before 9:30 on a weekend, the free, 3-hour street parking in Little Italy is worth considering. It’s less than a 10 minute walk from the aquarium, and it sets you up nicely for a leisurely afternoon nosh at one of the best pizza joints in the country. If you need more than 3 hours or plan to arrive late-morning, though, fuhgettaboutit: there’s plenty of pricy parking across the street from the aquarium. Just remember to validate your ticket when you exit the museum. We went to one of the two main lots and it was $19 for the day, after the validation discount.

10:00 am: Visit the Amazon Rainforest

Let’s start in the rainforest of the National Aquarium, which sits above the main aquarium and has a lively array of tropical animals of the land and air. A Macaw kept his distance from my two kids as he preened his feathers and gave us the side eye. James kept noticing things that I would not have found on my own, like the three-toed sloth that was hiding up in the trees. Julia liked jumping on the explorer-style bridges and the canopy walk above the winding path at the forest bottom.

For me, the great joy was seeing a side of the Amazon rainforest that I’d never seen before. I’ve been to the Amazon (spent weeks there, in fact), but I was afraid to swim in the waters when I was younger and, after seeing all that lurks beneath the surface, I think I was a pretty wise lad. I also remember how excited I was when my guide at the Explorama Lodge found a poison dart frog on our walk through the dank forest. Today in Baltimore I saw a dozen different species of poison dart frogs, and all under better lighting.

10:45 am: Descend into Shark Alley

After the rainforest, we wandered down to the touch tanks at the entrance to the Atlantic tank. Guides are there to help you overcome your fear of touching live horseshoe crabs, skate, giant sea-snails, and, yes, even jellyfish. Also nearby is the puffin viewing area and the Peacock Mantis Shrimp, which is cool because usually these buggers bust through glass.

Past the touch tanks, you can look down over a gigantic, 270,000 gallon Blacktip Reef, which is full of sharks and other predators, zipping around searching for food and oxygen. The tank is designed as an enclosed oblong donut that allows people to descend 4 levels of ramps down to the bottom of the tank while being surrounded by some of the largest and most ferocious ocean animals. And their speed really is frightening: we heard a small child screaming unconsolably each time a shark darted by. The parents were screaming inside, I’m sure.

11:15 am: Step into the Australian outdoors

After the dark depths of Shark Alley, we passed through a revolving door to step into a brighter, more arid climate. A cacophony of bird call greeted us as kookaburras and cockatiels registered the threat of approaching primates (us). With two large waterfalls and an elaborately crafted lagoon, all sense of enclosure is erased. It really feels like a little park on the cusp of the outback: big enough for you to get lost (briefly) and small enough to be assured of seeing several of the 1,000 animals in this section of the complex.

Noon: Mangiare in Little Italy

There’s plenty of touristy fare right next to the Aquarium, like Phillips and The Hard Rock cafe. If you’re looking for more adventurous food, head on over to Baltimore’s Little Italy. Little Italy is one of our 6 Secret Cities of the DMV, and is full of dining options for pastavores and pizza monsters. It’s an easy 10-minute walk from the National Aquarium, or you can drive over to ample on-street parking options. Chiapparelli’s (pictured below) is a crowd favorite, offering huge portions on a budget.

1:30 pm Catch the dolphin show at The National Aquarium

Back at the aquarium, line up for the dolphin show, which usually requires advanced purchase on-line (or when you bought your tickets to the aquarium in the morning). The trainers do an excellent job of making the show entertaining for the kids and also educational for adults.

3:00 pm: Explore the tall ships in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

I’m not a big fan of the Harbor in the wintertime, but in warmer months it is a fun place to walk around. Many of the ships (including the USS Torsk, pictured below) are open for tours. The heart of Baltimore’s tourism scene, the harbor is also home to a million and one attractions, including the Maryland Science Museum, the Port Discovery Museum, the very strange (but very Baltimore) American Visionary Art Museum.

Day 2: Local Favorites

Many people think of the Inner Harbor as a tourist trap, but there is much more to it than the “first taste” we got yesterday. Today’s itinerary is also geared to families, but will also help you expand their horizons and find a deeper appreciation of the city.

9:30 am: Hike up Federal Hill

Park on the street next to the American Visionary Art Museum, which sits at the foot of Federal Hill. The short 5 minute walk up to the top will reward you with sweeping vistas of Baltimore. There’s also a small playground on top to keep your kids occupied while you sip coffee and prepare yourself for the day.

10:00 am: Tour AVAM

The American Visionary Art Museum was established with the premise that the world’s best artists had at least occasional bouts of insanity. Like Van Gogh, who famously sold only a few paintings in his lifetime, many mentally ill artists would be forgotten by history without visionary curators and promoters [1][2].

To celebrate the breathtaking beauty that sometimes emerges from the cray, the American Visionary Art Museum has assembled a collection of paintings and sculptures that is far more inclusive than the traditional art gallery. Be sure to roam the outbuildings beyond the main gallery, especially the wooden kinetic models in the Barn.

11:30 am: Tour the BMI

Sharing the crazy side of the harbor with the AVAM is the weirdly popular Baltimore Museum of Industry. With its gigantic equipment and industrial sculptures, it’s hard to tell sometimes which is art and which is functional.

Inside, a number of exhibits celebrate the long industrial history of Baltimore, from its early days as a shipping town, to the burgeoning technology companies of today.

1:00 pm: Nom Crabs and Oysters at Fell’s Point

For delicious seafood in historic surroundings, head on over to Fell’s Point. It’s hard to underestimate the significance of this neighborhood for the the Chesapeake Bay region, which has more coastline than the British Isles. Fell’s Point was established in the 17th Century as a shipping center, and quickly gained world renown for its shipyards, which produced the tall-masted schooners known as Baltimore Clippers.

It was also here that Frederick Douglass found his path to freedom. As he recounts in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, his master’s wife taught him to read and write before hiring him out to a nearby shipyard, where foreign dock-workers deprogramed him from acceptance of his bondage and helped him plan his escape.

And it was also immigrants who broadened the food horizons of Charm City in the 20th Century and made Fell’s Point the culinary capital of Baltimore. With a higher concentration of restaurants than anywhere else in the city, it’s hard to go wrong here. Side note: for a sense of what it was like to be an immigrant here in the 1940s, check out Baltimore filmmaker Barry Levinson’s greatest film: Avalon.

3:00 pm: Port Discovery Museum

The Port Discovery Museum is a children’s paradise in the heart of Baltimore’s harbor district. Expect to pay over $70 for a family of 4, but once inside, your children will thank you. Amy says she would happily pay $20 not to go to the Port Discovery Museum again, but you owe it to your kids to take them there once in their lives.

Keeping track of your little ones is the biggest challenge at the Port Discovery. There’s plenty to do with them, like the Egyptian adventure (pictured above) or the bubble zone (below), but once they’re in the rope spider-maze, you’re not likely to see them again for an hour or more. Fortunately, the museum takes safety seriously: you’ll need to match wristbands to leave the museum with your child.

Day 3: Arts & Culture

Once one of the largest ports in the United States, Baltimore (and its captains of industry) turned some of their wealth to the benefit of the city. There’s so much art here, in fact, that it’ll be hard to even scratch the surface in one day, but we’ll try.

10:00 am: Visit The Walters Art Museum

When America was in the depths of the Civil War, liquor baron William Walters spent his days wandering Europe collecting art. After the war, he returned to the US, investing much of his money in banking stocks and founding the Atlantic Railroad. In his spare time, he filled his house at Mount Vernon Place with his growing collection, and opened it to the public for a 50c entry fee [3].

His son Henry carried on the tradition and eventually donated the entire collection to the public, with a sizable enough endowment to ensure that entry would always be free.

This is, beyond measure, the most kid-friendly art gallery I’ve ever encountered. Children love the maze of secret staircases and hidden rooms. To their labyrinth of secret, kid-friendly passages, basement family room and courtyard popup art they have added what can only be described as a family playground for aesthetes.

11:00 am: Tour 1 Mount Vernon Place

My son would rather visit the dentist than an Art Museum. So I’ve come to associate cultural enlightenment with the sound of a low, constant moan. Not so at One Mount Vernon Place, which is right next to the Walters and also owned by the gallery.

You may find the augmented realty features in the various rooms to be a little gimmicky. But, hey, these creepy-cool talking busts will at least distract your kids from the fact that they are in an art gallery.

It is also hard not to be swept away by the odd mixture of post-modern ceramics in a neo-classical setting. And the infinity chandeliers in the main ballroom is something even an adult will enjoy.

When your kids finally realize that there in an art gallery and start to complain, take them to the art room. The neurotically manicured craft drawers and a magnetic wall with carefully selected art that you could take off the wall make your kids feel a bit like Henry Bemis in Time Enough at Last.

12:30 pm: Grab a bite and stroll Patterson Park

Patterson Park is Baltimore’s Central Park (they even have their own, Friend’s inspired Patterson Perk). Positioned on a hill overlooking Fell’s point and the city around the harbor, Patterson Park is a fine place to stroll. At the tippy top of the hill is the observatory (pictured below), an 1890s pagoda open intermittently to the public.

After you’ve worked up a sweat, head to the foot of the park (walk down, towards the onion domes of St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church) and cross the street to pick up a frozen treat at BMore Licks, which offers a stunning variety of soft serve flavors and hand-cranked ice cream.

3:00 pm: Get lost in the Baltimore Museum of Art

Because it’s so far from the Harbor, most folks miss the chance to tour one of the country’s preeminent art institutions, The Baltimore Museum of Art

4:30 pm: Watch the sunset at Fort McHenry

When this old Baltimore fort came under siege in the war of 1812, it inspired a young lawyer named Frances Scott Key to pen the Star Spangled Banner. A replica of the gigantic flag flies over the fort by day, and visitors are invited to climb over the battlements.

Explore More

1. The Real Story of Vincent Van Gogh’s Severed Ear, 2019.
2. Dorsey, John, The van Gogh legend … The Baltimore Sun, 1998.
3. William Thompson Walters, Wikipedia, 2019.

DC hosts a number of great outdoor ice skating rinks that open up in November and stay open through February. A few (such as the Capitals Iceplex) stay open throughout the year. When there’s not enough snow for sledding or enough cold to freeze your favorite ourdoor rink, you can always find a good place to slide inside.

Be sure to check the website of each rink, as some places (especially the Capitals Iceplex) are only open to public skating for a limited part of each day.

Canal Park | Washington Harbour | Pentagon Row | Reston Town Center | Veterans Plaza | Capitals Iceplex | National Art Gallery

7. Pentagon Row Skating Rink

With small crowds (especially on a Sunday morning), Pentagon Row is the ideal place to learn if you have your own skates. Although the Pentagon Row does rent out skates, they are easily the most uncomfortable skates I’ve ever put on and our legs looked like bruised avocados when we peeled them off. Someone must have gotten a really good deal on these. This is also the most convenient public transportation option as it is just steps from the Pentagon City Metro Station.

6. Canal Park Skating Rink

$9 admission / $5 rentals Canal Park Ice Rink shines with its sheer size. With islands in the middle of the rink and a longer run than any outdoor rink in the area, DC’s riverfront rink makes for the most visually interesting and is our top pick for a romantic date.

5. Washington Harbour Ice Rink

Although smaller than Canal Park, Washington Harbour is another good pick for a date, with the nearby shops of Georgetown and a number of close dinner options, including the upscale Sequoia.

4. Reston Town Center Skating Rink

If you’re looking for a giant Christmas Tree and old fashioned holiday decor, Reston Town Center Ice Rink is worth the 30 minute drive from DC. Be sure to book your dinner at Clyde’s in advance as the waitlist grows as Christmas nears.

3. Veteran’s Plaza – Silver Spring

The most popular Maryland rink is the Silver Spring Ice Rink at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring. With jumbotrons around and a light-show roof above, it feels a bit like skating through Times Square.

Local Secret: The Silver Spring Ice Rink at Veteran’s Plaza is inexpensive (~$12 for 1 hour, 20 minutes of rink time) but you can’t just show up. All tickets must be purchased, in advance, and you must show up at your allotted time.

2. Capitals Iceplex (TICKETS)

Our top indoor option, Capitals Iceplex is an excellent place to improve your triple axel in the offseason. As the name implies, this is also the official training rink of the Washington Capitals, so you’ll want to check first and register for an open skate time. Generally, though, you can skate around lunch and dinner time on Saturdays and mid-afternoon on Sundays. The Capitals Iceplex is also accessible, with ample and cheap parking in the public garage under the rink and a short walk to Ballston Metro Station.

1. National Gallery of Art Ice Skating Rink

The most famous rink in DC, of course, is the Sculpture Garden Rink at the National Gallery of Art. This is DC’s Rock Center, surrounded by iconic neo-classical grandeur and art. The rink is kid-friendly and a great place for people just learning to stand up on the ice. Price per person, including skates, is $12 – $13, and that buys you two hours on the rink (minus Zamboni time). Be sure to spend a moment among the sculptures, and head into the Pavillion Cafe for a cup of hot chocolate afterwards.

Hours at the Sculpture Garden rink are:

• Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

If eating Swedish meatballs at the IKEA cafe is your idea of a cultural experience, you need to get out more. Washington, DC’s international heritage goes well beyond the Smithsonian Folklife Festival or the seasonal embassy parties along Connecticut Avenue, and although many of its cultural centers (such as U-Street’s Little Ethiopia) are within the city limits, you may need to drive outside the city proper to experience the most authentic foreign communities. For it’s in the suburbs — usually on the back-side of an unassuming strip-mall — where the expat community thrives.

Take Arlington, for example. Just across the river from Washington, DC, Arlington has one of the highest concentrations of foreign-born residents in the United States, and the diaspora of DC’s suburbs span many different cultures, from the Salvadorian community along Columbia Pike to the proud Korean community of Annandale. Touring Washington, DC’s 5 Cultural Centers is a particularly good winter activity, as there’s plenty to do inside, and these places can make you feel like you’re touring the world, even when you’re stuck at home. Here are just a few of our family discoveries:

Annandale’s Koreatown

Washingtonians head to Annandale for Korean shopping and cuisine. If you’ve never had Korean Barbecue, start at Honey Pig BBQ, our favorite spot for bulgogi and K-pop. But that’s just the beginning. Oegadgib offers up all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ at an affordable price (last night we had dinner for three, including a bottle of Soju, for $110). More adventurous foodies find comfort at Nak Won and Yechon and JK Seafood (which is mostly raw, seasoned Korean fish). Somewhere between the lavish platter of fermented veggies that comes with every meal and your last order from the Soju menu, you’ll find yourself transported to another land.

The “Little Saigon” of Eden Center

One of DC’s best kept secrets is the Eden Center cultural center, where you can experience Vietnamese traditions, food and culture, just outside the DC city limits. The largest Asian-themed mall on the East Coast, Eden Center’s offerings go far beyond the restaurants that Anthony Bourdain visited in 2009. The Pho and Bun is good almost anywhere on the strip, and some of the secret hideouts inside even offer Korean barbecue and Thai street food. And don’t forget to wander! From inexpensive nicknacks to hand out at your next dinner-party, to the exotic produce and live seafood at the Good Fortune Supermarket, the offerings are nearly as endless as a bazaar in Saigon.

Local Secret: Parking is a real problem at Eden Center, so don’t come here after noon on a weekend. Even at 10 on a Tuesday, though, you’re likely to have trouble finding a spot in the main lot, in front of all the shops. Those in the know take the service entrance behind the mall, where there’s plenty of space. Just be sure to find a spot near one of the entrances to the indoor mall.

Chinatown

Although there is a standing argument over whether the best Chinese food in the area is Rockville’s Bob’s 66 (the old Bob’s Noodle House) or that Panda Gourmet in the Day’s Inn 2700 New York Ave NE, you can still find a decent noodle in DC’s Chinatown (near the Capital One Arena). And there are also some tiny shops that offer tourists the same inexpensive goods you’d find in its larger counterparts in New York, LA or San Francisco.

Arlandria / Chirilagua Cultural Center

This once-private neighborhood in Northern Alexandria (just North of Del Ray) was settled by immigrants from El Salvador’s Chirilagua in the 1960s. The population exploded in the 1980s as refugees from El Salvador’s civil war sought safety among their relatives and friends. Seeking to exploit the population growth of the region, developers “scheduled mass evictions of thousands of low-income renters” in Arlandria but, to their surprise, the tenants organized and fought back to hold on to their community.

Today, you can visit the beautiful mural outside the Tenants and Workers United, Alexandria, VA (which is both a cultural center and a place for civic activism) or grab a Plata Tipico or Pupusas at one of the many Salvadorean restaurants just south of Four Mile run. Many folks like the very authentic Señora Lola Taquería, which serves Tacos Languas (the taco that tastes you back), but if you’re not fond of extremely loud Conjunto Norteño music or just want a waiter who speaks English, you might try El Pulgarcito. And if you happen to be down that way on a weekend from 1-4pm, swing by the nearby Arlington Historical Society for a broader survey of Arlington’s historical context.

DC’s Other Little Ethiopia

With over 200,000 Ethiopian immigrants (and counting), DC is home to the largest Ethiopian community in the world (outside Ethiopia, of course!). Like the Salvadorean community, the Ethiopian community was built by refugees: in this case, people who were fleeing Ethiopia’s military coup in the 1970s. The community and best restaurants are spread throughout the region (Meaza on Columbia Pike is our favorite), but the biggest concentration are in DC’s Shaw neighborhood (9th and U) and the Build America Plaza, a strip mall and cultural center near Bailey’s Crossroads.

Today Amy and I walked around the perimeter of the Build America Plaza, which brought back memories of when I used to wander 9th and U on my lunch breaks at The Washington Post. We were looking for Nazret, which is one of Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema’s five favorite restaurants, but we couldn’t find it.

So we wandered over to Eyo (the Ethiopian sports bar, pictured above). This is not your usual sports bar. Whereas most sports bars smell of sour beer, Eyo has a faint incense smell (and no booze on the menu). Instead of blaring sports announcers, we heard pleasant traditional music (the big television showed a soccer match with the sound off). And in place of fish and chips, our generous host served platters of Injera heaped with wonderfully fragrant meat and vegetable delicacies.

After our lovely meal, we walked around the plaza. I had to coax Amy back to what looked like a service alley, but was in fact a whole other side of this expat Ethiopian community. There we found Nezret (which we’ll do next time). We also ran into a man with a lamb thrown over his shoulder and checked out the bulk spices in one of the many Ethiopian markets. I peered longingly into the window of the largest hookah store I’ve ever seen and remembered my younger days, when I would often find myself among friends at a hookah bar in the wee hours of the morning.

If I hadn’t read about this place in The Boston Globe and The Washington Post, I’m not sure I would have ever stopped in. I’m glad I did.

Baltimore’s Little Italy

As I am writing this, I have just returned from a giant meal at Amicci’s (pictured below) in Baltimore’s bustling Little Italy. I feel like I got hit by a garlic train. Although best known for its Italian Festivals (St. Anthony’s is the last Sunday in August & St. Gabriel at the end of March), Baltimore’s Italy never really takes a break from its heritage. I have, more than once, passed a random group of old men playing bocce, and Mamma Mia! did I mention the food?

Explore More

Abrams, Amanda, Capital melting pot? Not when it comes to food, Boston.com, 2010.

“Our History.” Tenants and Workers United, 2021.