10 Things to Do in D.C. This Weekend!

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

By Caroline Morris

Just about a year ago, Catholic University transitioned its students to online learning. As we round the corner on a year of restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic, many students are back in D.C. with a need for some safe activities outside the confines of the dorm rooms. Check out these great ten things to do in D.C. this weekend:

1. Warm up at the Campfire by the Creamery. Held from 5-7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at Union Market through March 27, this event is a unique way to sweeten your weekend. Groups of up to 6 can grab a fire pit and a s’mores kit for only $25 to enjoy some socially distanced fun.
2. Visit the Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens (pictured above)! Having reopened on March 2, Hillwood Estate is the perfect place to explore. With guided or self-guided tours, indoor and outdoor options, and even select times for dog walking on Sunday mornings, Hillwood is a great excursion for any masked-up group! You can book your tickets and time slot in advance here. 
3. Take in the new exhibit “Seeing Differently” at the Phillips Collection. The Phillips Collection, the first museum of modern art in America, celebrates its centennial anniversary this month. The exhibit will highlight over 200 works from the 19th century to the present. “The exhibition will explore the complexities of our ever-changing world through themes of identity, history, place, and the senses,” the website advertises. Get your tickets (for only $10 with Student ID) quickly before they sell out!
4. For those not yet ready to venture outdoors, the Simply Sondheim revue is a musically magnificent online option. The production is being streamed online by the Signature Theatre through March 26, and features over 30 songs from the iconic composer’s canon. Check out the stream for a musically jam-packed night!
5. If you like saving money and history, touring Dumbarton House in Georgetown is an ideal option for your weekend. Students get free admission with ID to this historical D.C. home. The estate is home to several garden terraces and winding pathways that will be perfect for an afternoon stroll. Tickets can be booked here!
6. Get active this weekend! Rental bikes are available in Georgetown so that you or a group can bike along the beautiful waterfront. The weather is supposed to be gorgeous, so it’s the perfect time to get outside. Head over to Big Wheel Bikes to rent your bike! 
7. Celebrate the start of March Madness! Selection Sunday for the tournament is on March 14, and Church Hall is ready to provide beer and nachos to snack on while you watch the big teams get picked. 
8. If you’re looking for an open space for a relaxed picnic with friends, check out Meridian Hill Park. It’s a beautiful space with a cascading fountain, a reflecting pool, and cool historical statues to check out. As the weather starts to warm up, sometimes there’s nothing better than just getting outdoors with people you love and good food.
9. Curl up with a new-to-you book! D.C. is home to many second-hand and rare book stores that bring together the feelings of light academia and adventure. Check out Capitol Hill Books or Second Story Books to find your next favorite novel.
10. Rendezvous at the International Spy Museum! Get your fill of espionage in person at the museum, open Thursday through Monday. The museum is also offering a slew of online programming this March centering around Women’s History Month. Tickets can be reserved online here, at a discounted student price of $22.95.