Thankful, but Bored. What to Do?
Okay, so your kids are spending too much time in front of the TV, and the in-laws want to go somewhere, but “not the Smithsonian, for the love of God,” and you’re scrambling for stuff to do this week. Never fear, the stalwart crew at inReads is here to swoop in and carry your whole family off into vacation paradise, with lots of suggestions of fun local things to get into.
There are quite a few hours to fill on Thanksgiving Day before the feasting begins. And for those with family in town, coming up with activities can turn into quite the dilemma. Luckily, the U.S. Botanic Garden is not only open but unveiling its popular annual holiday exhibit “Season’s Greenings.” The show boasts a massive Christmas tree, a plethora of poinsettias, and model trains winding through plant-based models of D.C. landmarks. For those too busy watching football or baking pies to drop by on Turkey Day, the show runs through early January, with musical guests performing Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
The Maryland Christmas Show at the Frederick Fairgrounds looks like it should be a lot of fun. It’s going on from November 23-25. Enjoy the works of 500 artists and craftsmen offering fine art, pottery, furniture, quilts, jewelry, clothing, wreaths and garlands, toys and Christmas ornaments.
National Harbor Christmas Tree Lighting is taking place on November 23, 2012, 5-7 p.m at the Waterfront Plaza, National Harbor, Maryland. The waterfront community will kick off the holiday season by lighting up the sky with fireworks and a 65 ft Christmas tree decorated with 20,000 lights. Sip some hot chocolate and enjoy story-telling, an ornament-making workshop and holiday music.
Also at the National Harbor this year is ice skating! At 11,800 square feet, the new Washington Harbour Ice Rink is D.C.’s largest outdoor ice skating venue and is also larger than New York City’s Rockefeller Center rink. The Ice Rink will be open annually from November until March for recreational skating every day, including all holidays. They are opening the day before Thanksgiving. On December 1st, “Winter on the Water,” will take place, offering ice skating performances, choral singers, a St. Lucia procession, and creative lighting effects, along with special food and beverages served outdoors by Washington Harbour restaurants.
Washington D.C. also celebrates the season with a wonderful lineup of holiday shows and live entertainment. Tickets may sell out fast so plan ahead and reserve your seats early.
The Washington Post always has a huge community calendar listing if you’d like to go above and beyond. Also from last weekend’s Post is this great list of recommended attractions depending on your houseguests’ personalities.
About The Author:
Jane Jonas
Jane Jonas is the CEO of Eyeth Studios, LLC (http://www.eyethstudios.com). Jane grew up in the Bay Area, and has always been somewhat obsessed with technology and literature. Her first efforts at entrepreneurship came in elementary school. At age seven, she used her Apple IIc to write up newsletters with stories and jokes, and then peddled them to the neighbors. That early drive for independence and creativity has never faded. Throughout her career, she has been involved with establishing underground newsletters with groundbreaking journalism stories, interviewing, filming and editing videos, designing and producing websites, and administrating employees. This diverse background led to the formation of Eyeth Studios in 2006. In her spare time, Jane enjoys mothering her two rhodesian ridgebacks, cooking gourmet messes, and reading as much as possible. Her personal website and CV may be found at janejonas.com.
