Fort Washington

Now that the weather is getting nicer you can actually enjoy outside activities! Which is great because DC has a lot of stuff to enjoy outside.

First up, Fort Washington National Park.

Fort Washington is about a half hour from the center of DC, so if you're already on the south side of the city, give this spot a try.  Guarding the pathway of the Potomac River, see some of the original buildings and weaponry from the war.

BD's Mongolian Grill

I know I don't tend to write about restaurants, but this one is so good.  It is BD's Mongolian Grill, and while there are other locations across the country there is on in Bethesda, MD.

The idea is that you grab a bowl, go up to a buffet style table and select meat, veggies and sauces/seasonings.  Then bring it to a communal grill and they grill it up right in front of you!  And it is... how do I say, so good.

 

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This place is right off the Bethesda metro stop (red line), and also right by Bethesda Row, for your (window) shopping pleasure. {photo via}

Annapolis

Like I said in an earlier post, one of the reasons DC is great is because it is close to other cities. One place that is nice for a day trip is Annapolis.

 

Annapolis is a quaint city, home to the Naval Academy.  In fact the whole town is very Go-Navy. Stroll around St John's College, then down Main St. and browse the shops.  Catch a show at Rams Head Tavern, eat dinner by the water.  

Oh yeah, and go back in August and run/cheer for the Annapolis 10 miler.

Baltimore

Not only are there a bunch of great things to do here, but another perk of living in DC is that it is close to many other cities.  The first one that I'll talk about is Baltimore, MD.  (I'm not going to go into the whole gamut of things to to in Baltimore, but I'll point out a few highlights.)

First off, getting there is pretty easy/cheap whether you have a car or not.  With a car it's about an hour drive from DC on the BW parkway.  If you don't have a car, you can:

• Use the MARC train, but that does not run on weekends.
• Use AMTRAK
• Use a bus service.  Some of these services have been dubbed the "Chinatown Bus", as these routes were probably set up by Chinese to go between cities, though now they are open to everyone.  They go from the Chinatown in one city to the Chinatown in another.  

With Baltimore you do have to be somewhat careful to avoid the high crime areas.  Just watch The Wire, you'll get the drift.  Inner Harbor is a pretty nice part of the city.

I have two recommendations for things to do while in Baltimore:

1. American Visionary Art Museum.  Don't be fooled by the very cheesy/kid looking website.  This is an art museum for the... off beat.  I don't usually like art museums, but I definitely liked this one.
2. If you have a chance, and it's in season, check out the Baltimore Blast! (indoor soccer.  more fun than it sounds, promise.)  

Both the Baltimore Blast and American Visionary Art Museum have coupons in the entertainment book here and here.

 

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Take a Class

... you mean, voluntarily? 

See, now that you've graduated school you can take the classes that you want. And you don't have to learn useless stuff. Like, the name of Beowolf's mother. So what do you want to learn? Cooking? Art? Something else?

Classes can be somewhat expensive, but here are a few options...

Cooking:

• What's Cooking (Dupont Circle), about $60 a class.
• Cake Love (various locations).  I can't get the classes page to load, but it seems like a cool concept!
• L'Academie de Cuisine (Bethesda), about $85 a class
• Sur La Table (various locations), um Ultimate Bacon Menu class? Yes please.

Art: 

• Washington Studio School (Dupont Circle), drawing, painting and sculpture
• The Torpedo Factory (Old Town Alexandria), lots of different classes including photography, ceramics and jewelry.

Something not art or cooking? Try looking at a community college like University of DC (Van Ness Metro, on the red line) or NOVA community college (multiple campuses, though not metro accessible).

 

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Go Skiing or Ice Skating

One of the good things about DC is that it is close to a lot of other cities/stuff. This includes (and will be future posts) Annapolis, Baltimore, Philadelphia, NYC, and...

Skiing!

Well, I am no ski buff.  I did try snowboarding once, and if I could give any advice it is this: when deciding between snowboarding or skiing for the first time, choose skiing.  Looking down the hill you'll always see snowboarders sitting, but you'll hardly see any skiers.  I henceforth conclude that skiing is much easier.

(Whitetail Ski Resort)

Anyway, here are some ski resorts within driving distance from DC.

~1.5 hours: Ski Liberty, Whitetail

2 hours: Ski Roundtop, Bryce Mountain Resort

3.5 hours: Canaan Valley Resort, Seven Springs, Wintergreen Resort

Not into skiing? How about ice skating?

There are a couple indoor ice rinks in the area, but several outdoor ones as well!

• During the summer it's Jazz in the Garden, but during the winter the pond in the sculpture garden is transformed into an ice rink.  Skate just a few blocks from the Capitol!
• In Northern Virginia? Go ice skating outside at Pentagon Row (by the mall).  Looking for classes, year round skating or just a bigger rink?  The Capitals (DC's hockey team) practice at Kettler Ice Plex, but there are public skating sessions too.
• In MD? Try Silver Spring Outdoor Ice Skating, Herbert Wells Ice Rink in College Park, Wheaton Ice Rink,  or outdoor skating in Rockville Town Square.

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Free Movies

Like movies?

Like seeing movies for free?

Like seeing movies for free before they've been released to theaters?

Then I'd suggest you follow Buzzbo on their website, facebook or twitter.

The advance screenings that they post are usually last minute (maybe a day or two's notice).  You'll have to print out a pass and then it's first come first served until the theater fills up (minus the seats that have been reserved for media).  Usually if you go 30-45 minutes early you should be fine.  Being your smartphone to pass the time, or a... what is it called again, the thing with stuff written on pieces of paper, oh yeah, a book or something.  

Be careful to note which theater it's playing in, especially since there are some Baltimore theaters mixed in.  Common theaters include Regal Gallery Place in Chinatown, E St Cinema downtown, AMC Loews in Georgetown, Regal in Bethesda, MD, AMC Mazza Gallerie in Friendship Heights, and Regal Majestic in Silver Spring.

So keep an eye out and I hope you get in!

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Run!

[Even if you don't run, keep reading! There's something here for you too!]

There is a great running environment and community here in DC.  Not only will you find great places to run (around the National Mall, anyone?), there are great running groups and races.

For example, DC Capital Striders is a great running group that has weekly runs in DC and VA.  Probably the most popular are the Monday and Thursday evening runs around the Mall area.  You can also look for running groups (as well as any other possible type of group) on www.meetup.com.

In my opinion, the best motivation to run is to sign up for a race.  There are a lot of great races in the area.  Some of my recommendations:

National Marathon (26.2 miles- because 26.3 would be crazy): The only marathon entirely in DC proper.  A great course too.

Marine Corps Marathon (26.2 miles): Through Virginia and DC.  Ends at Iwo Jima.

National Half Marathon (13.1 miles): my recommendation for a great distance and a great course.  Still a challenge but not as consuming as a marathon.

Baltimore Marathon and Half Marathon (26.2 and 13.1 miles): Make sure to incorporate hills in your training.

Cherry Blossom 10-miler:  This race is so popular the entire registration process is now done by lottery.  BUT if you volunteer one year you get a registration code for the next year.

Army 10-miler: Hoo-ah!

Annapolis 10-miler: This one is usually in August, so it might be a tad hot.

There are also usually shorter races that go along with the longer ones, such as the Marine Corps Marathon 10K.  Almost all of these races sell out very quickly, so be sure to mark the date for when registration opens! Otherwise most races will have a transfer process for people who bought one but cannot make the race.  Of course there are shorter races too, as well as holiday themed ones, such as St Patrick's Day, Turkey Trot and Jingle All The Way.

And all you non-runners, I haven't forgotten about you! Volunteer for a race! Yes, you have to get up at the crack of dawn, yes it might be cold, but volunteering is extremely rewarding.  But you do get a free t-shirt.  Or make an inspiring and memorable sign and stand on the sidelines; you never know the effect you'll have on a random runner.

Dance!

While the first snowfall of the season is melting away, it's the perfect time to strap on your dance shoes and hit the floor! (Yep, that sounds as corny in type as it did in my head.)

ANYWAY, even if you know nothing about dance, there are places that can teach you.  I don't know a ton about dancing, so I'll give a couple suggestions here that I've actually done, but I'm sure you could find a wealth of other information using the Googles.

If you want to take a dance course in a studio I suggest checking out Joy of Motion.  They have locations on H St NE, Friendship Heights, and Bethesda (sadly the Dupont Circle location has closed).  They not only have classes where you can drop in, but class series' (6 weeks, 1 hr a week). 

These classes can be a bit expensive, especially the drop in ones, but every once in a while I see the 6 week courses on a coupon website, so be on the lookout for that.

If you don't want a formal program, places that have salsa dancing will usually have some sort of instructional session earlier in the night.  For example, Clarendon Grill (right off of the metro stop) has Salsa Mondays.  Starting at 7:15pm there is basic salsa instruction, at 8pm is intermediate/advanced where they will teach a sequence of moves, and 9pm the DJ comes on and everyone dances!

Especially with salsa, don't worry if you don't have a partner!  Especially if you're a girl :)  At least when I've been to Clarendon Grill the guys have far outnumbered the girls, so there will most likely be someone asking you to dance.  Partners usually change every song too, so if you come with someone you may end up dancing with others anyway.

It's a great way to exercise and meet new people!  Have fun!

 

ICE!

This one is a little bit of a splurge, so if you see a coupon or deal for it- get it. 

It's called ICE! and it is basically a winter wonderland of... ice.  Before you walk in they give you a giant parka.  "I don't need this," you may think.  "I have my very thick winter coat."  Take the parka.

 Everything is made of ice.  Walls of ice. Carved ice.  Colored ice.  And you can touch it all. But because you can touch it they have to make sure it won't melt.  And that is why it is not only very, very cold inside but there are fans blowing as well.  It is cold.  It took me about 1/2 hour to walk through the whole thing, but I ready to get out at that point.

Inside, though, is amazing.  There is a slide! made of... ice! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.  This year is is a Madagascar theme.

ICE! is located in a series of tents at National Harbor.  It is $25 for an adult, less for military and kids, and runs though January 8th.

You will most likely have to drive to National Harbor, right across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.  You can also walk or bike over the WWB, but it's kind of a hike.  There is no free parking at National Harbor (so don't bother looking for it), but there are several parking garages and a few metered spaces (that take credit cards).