Find the Fun from A to Z - It's Time to Explore!
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Anacostia Skating Rink. Photo by Jennifer Chase.
It’s time to get outside and discover an alphabet of adventures
By Austin Graff, with contributions by Tim Ebner, Aparna Krishnamoorthy & Matt Yan
This pandemic has been a living nightmare. There’s no sugarcoating it. We’re all living in an altered reality, and our health and safety have taken on new priorities. But even in the worst of times, my 3-year-old daughter has helped me see a different side of the COVID-19 pandemic—and, believe it or not, there is fun to be had in the day-to-day moments.
But first, let me take you back a bit. When the pandemic shut down schools and childcare centers this spring, my wife and I were attempting to balance full-time jobs while caring for a toddler at home.
After weeks of juggling endless Zoom meetings, Daniel Tiger episodes and stress-eating as much takeout food as possible, we both realized we needed to do something different.
Enter our new plan to “find the fun from A to Z.”
Every morning, my daughter and I would wake up to explore a new neighborhood in Washington, DC, with the letters of the alphabet as our guide.
A is for Anacostia. B is for Brookland. C is for Colonial Village, a sleepy spot tucked away by Rock Creek Park.
Once there, I explained that place’s history in a way a toddler would understand it. I also shared these lessons with a photo story on Instagram and have since gained a loyal following of viewers.
These adventures took a lot of work and required permission from my employer, but I rearranged my schedule, working early in the morning and late at night. That way I could take mornings off to teach my daughter on what would become a series of field trips.
It’s now nearing the end of the year, and we’ve gone through the alphabet four times exploring DC and its surrounding suburbs.
In the process, I’ve stumbled across some off-the-beaten-track places and returned to favorite spots within a four-mile radius of our Southeast DC house. Each outing is a chance to learn new things.
Little did I know that just a few miles from my house is a New Deal–era federally built town with a co-op coffee shop and an Art Deco theater called Greenbelt.
Also, I quickly found an abundance of gardens and green spaces—thank you, Google Maps!
Vienna, VA, is home to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, with 100 acres of trails leading to gazebos and sculptures. Meanwhile, just north of the Beltway in Wheaton, MD, Brookside Gardens is almost 17 times bigger than the United States Botanic Garden on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
Finding these places gives me a sense of wonder as if I’m in a faraway land when really, I’m exploring my city’s backyard.
The experience has deepened my love for this region—to know a place is to experience every part of it.
Our alphabet adventures took us to the patios and murals in Park View, the parks of Kenilworth, the views from Washington Highlands and into some delicious delis in Langdon.
The reward, for me, has been a stronger connection to my city having walked all 131 DC neighborhoods, plus many beyond the District. That adventure can be yours too.
Pick a theme and a time that works best for your schedule and get moving. You might stumble upon a hidden restaurant, which happened to me in Riverdale Park, MD—shout out to 2Fifty Texas BBQ, a Salvadoran-immigrant-owned barbecue pit house that’s as good as anything in the Texas Hill Country.
To help get you moving, we’ve mapped out an A-to-Z guide that requires only a good pair of walking shoes, bike pedal power or the gas in your car.
Exploring our beautiful region during this pandemic has been the silver lining to the nightmare we all face. I encourage you to get outside, maintain safe social distance, wear a mask and savor each moment of fun.
Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavilion | 1500 Anacostia Dr. SE, WDC
Even as the pandemic continues on, everything feels normal at the Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavilion. As the sun starts to set, local DJs crank up the tunes, often DC’s homegrown go-go music, as roller skaters dance, gliding through the open-air pavilion. This is the only skating pavilion within a federal park, and it’s 100% pure joy.
The skating pavilion has many moods. When it’s empty, it doubles as a wide, flat surface for workouts or riding bicycles and scooters with the kids. During the late afternoon and early evening it fills with local skaters lost in the tunes, and free of all worries. The pavilion is also located within one of the city’s largest waterfront parks, Anacostia Park.
If roller skating isn’t your thing, go anyway. The pavilion is an experience. Grab some chicken green curry from Thai Orchid’s Kitchen, or a crab cake from Moruss Seafood & Crab House, both located nearby in the Fairlawn neighborhood. Or pick up fried chicken and fish sandwiches from Anacostia’s Open Crumb. Then sit along the side and enjoy the music and skaters dancing. Afterward, walk along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail as the sun sets over the water.
Go early to beat the crowds, around 6pm, and take the entire family. Just south of the pavilion is a pirate-themed playground, and to the north is another open space, River Terrace Park. The riverwalk trail leads to both, and you may spot a deer or wild turkey along the way. —Austin Graff
Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral.
Bishop’s Garden | Pilgrim Road, Washington, DC
Need a moment to sit in solitude with a view? Bishop’s Garden on the grounds of the National Cathedral is a lush garden with plenty of grass, perfect for a leisurely picnic. Within view is the Washington Monument, and the garden has several socially distanced benches with a gazebo overlooking the cathedral’s Gothic architecture. Meanwhile, wander a bit to find the trail, which leads to an amphitheater stage in the nearby Olmstead Woods. —Tim Ebner
Corn Maze | 5620 Butterfly Lane, Frederick, MD
Get lost in the fall season by wandering through a giant corn maze on the Summers Farm in Frederick, MD. There are limited, timed-and-ticketed entries for safe social distancing, and you’ll wander a while; the 2.5-mile path is extensive and includes two scenic bridges hidden within. There’s also a sunflower field perfect for getting lost in the beauty of nature, and the farm also offers pumpkin picking and the most delicious apple cider donuts. —Tim Ebner
Donaldson Run | 2845 Marcey Rd., Arlington, VA
On the west side of Arlington’s Potomac Overlook Regional Park is a creek entirely shaded by trees, which pours into the Potomac River. Start at the southwest side of the park and hike through the creek toward the river, passing an abandoned dam and graffiti under the George Washington Memorial Parkway. It’s a watery oasis near the city, and it’s the perfect place to kick off your shoes and get your feet wet. —AG
Photo by Austin Graff.
Embassy Row Stroll | Massachusetts Avenue NW, between Dupont Circle and Observatory Circle
While overseas travel may be a long way away for many of us, a walking trip around the world is not too far. Embassy Row, the section of Massachusetts Avenue NW between Dupont Circle and Observatory Circle is home to over a dozen of the 170-plus embassies that are located in the city, and it might be the closest we get to foreign soil.
Start at the northern end near Observatory Circle with the Embassy of Finland, the first “green embassy” in the country. Nestled into Rock Creek Park, the LEED-certified building looks like a modern glass cabin in the woods and features tons of natural light, open areas and a picturesque landscape.
As you walk south, keep an eye out for the Embassy of Brazil, a striking glass-and-steel construction that is an example of 1970s-era Brazilian contemporary architecture. As you continue your walk, you’ll pass the embassies of Turkey, Korea, Japan and Italy along the way. Although not every building on Embassy Row is an embassy, most of them are mansions and large homes constructed by the nouveau riche of the 1880s—hence the original name of Millionaires’ Row.
Farther south is the Embassy of Indonesia, a Beaux Arts–style 50-room mansion that was originally constructed as a private residence for Evalyn Walsh McLean, who was the last private owner of the Hope Diamond. It was also home to the Red Cross before being purchased by Indonesia. A statue of Saraswati, Hindu goddess of knowledge and wisdom, is installed outside.
As you reach the southern end of Embassy Row it’s a short walk over to Dupont Circle, where you can hit up Pizzeria Paradiso for pizza and beer, Mission for tacos and margaritas, or cross over to the other side of the circle for some French pastries from Un Je Ne Sais Quoi—there’s a world of flavors! —Aparna Krishnamoorthy
Franklins Beer Garden and Tiki Bar | 5123 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD
This locally owned Hyattsville mainstay is a bit of everything rolled into one: a restaurant, brewery, general store and art space. Over the summer, they opened a biergarten-style outdoor space for eating and drinking in their parking lot while adhering to social distancing. The tables, which are set up underneath tents, have an Oktoberfest feel to them.
Another recently opened and separate outdoor space has a tiki theme. It’s appropriately named the “Quarantiki Room” and complete with sand, bamboo fencing and locally crafted picnic tables. Whether you are drinking a Hurricane or a beer, it feels like a mini-vacation.
Speaking of beer, Franklins brews a wide variety of styles and has about 18 beers on tap at any given time. The beers are never pasteurized, and no chemical preservatives or additives are used. Selections can include German-style pilsners, IPAs and double IPAs, ambers and ales, sours with fruit, stouts and more.
Beer flights are available, if you want to try a few different options before making a choice. Their beer list also includes a list of upcoming brews, so you can plan your future visit if something catches your fancy. The fall menu includes seasonal offerings featuring tart and bitter flavor profiles. Beer is also available to take home in bottles or growlers in various sizes. Franklins is also popular for their homemade root beer, which makes for a great non-alcoholic option.
Outdoor tables are set up to seat six, and beer and food menus are available via a QR-code menu that you scan with a phone. Masks are required and seating is first-come, first-served. Waitstaff sanitize the benches before seating parties, so you can drink easy knowing safety precautions are taken seriously. —AK
Gravitas | 1401 Okie St. NE, Washington, DC
Chef Matt Baker recently created a four-course, $80 prix-fixe tasting menu, featuring seasonal fall flavors as well as standout dishes like his crispy Berkshire pork belly served with mojo verde, heirloom beans and saffron rice. The restaurant caters to special occasions and date nights in Ivy City. More recently, the rooftop bar and culinary garden, dubbed The Conservatory, opened for socially distanced drinks. —TE
Huntley Meadows State Park
Huntley Meadows Park | 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria, VA
This is the largest public park in Fairfax County, and features 10 miles of trail that weaves through the forest until it turns into a boardwalk over wetlands, home to turtles, frogs, beavers, butterflies and herons. Make sure you walk the boardwalk to the end of the wetlands—and on weekends, go early to spend time alone in nature’s solitude. —AG
International Spy Museum | 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC
Late last year, the International Spy Museum opened its $162 million facility on L’Enfant Plaza. A COVID-19 shutdown was temporary before the museum instituted new safety protocols and limited crowd sizes to be among the first DC museums to reopen. All guests must wear masks and social distance while indoors.
When you arrive, an elevator will take you up to the main exhibit, the largest public collection of espionage artifacts. In true James Bond style, every guest is given a secret mission to complete during the visit, bringing the museum to life. Budget at least two hours to experience the museum, and another hour to explore the surrounding area.
Walk through L’Enfant Plaza to see the city’s finest examples of Brutalist architecture in government buildings with views of the National Mall. Then take the stairs from Benjamin Banneker Park to the District Wharf. Here, you’ll find the oldest continuously operating fish market in the country with stands selling fresh Chesapeake seafood.
A crab’s throw from the Fish Market are two businesses worth your time. Southwest Soda Pop Shop and Falafel Inc. The former is a Black-family-owned shop selling soft-serve ice cream and root beer floats. Next door is Falafel Inc, a social enterprise selling $3 sandwiches and za’atar-spiced fries. A portion of each sale goes to help feed refugees. —AG
Jug Bay Wetlands | 1361 Wrighton Rd., Lothian, MD
Surrounding 1,500 acres of wetlands with boardwalks and hiking trails along Maryland’s Patuxent River is Jug Bay Wetlands. Walk the boardwalk finding frogs, play tic-tac-toe on the board made from shells along the trail and enjoy hundreds of butterflies at the nearby Glendening Butterfly Garden. —AG
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens | 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE, Washington, DC
In a neighborhood with the same name, Ward 7’s Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens was originally filled with lotus and lily flowers over 100 years ago. Some of the trails are closed due to the pandemic, but one remains open and connects to the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, which extends for 20 miles weaving through Wards 7 and 8 and parts of the Hill East neighborhood in Northeast DC. —AG
Lincoln’s Cottage | 140 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW, Washington, DC
Behind a gated campus near Petworth in Northwest DC is a cottage built in 1842 that was used by four presidents: James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, Rutherford Hayes and Chester Arthur. Most famous, of course, was its namesake, Lincoln. The building became a museum in 2008 and now offers safe-distanced outdoor tours of the property. Nearby is Slash Run, a rock-n-roll-themed bar serving eclectic burgers and deep-fried pickles with patio seating. —AG
MLK Deli | 3113 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE, Washington, DC
Found in the basement of a rowhouse in historic Congress Heights, MLK Deli is famous for its wings and Maryland-style crab cakes. Sandwiches also come stacked high here. For an extreme appetite, go for the MLK King Club or Big Chair Beef Rueben, named in honor of the Anacostia statue. Order on their website (themlkdeli.com) or by calling ahead (202-597-5897) for takeout orders only. —AG
Nino’s Bakery | 1310 L St. NW #100, Washington, DC
Weathering a now-empty downtown Washington, DC, is a bakery named after owner Miranda Rinaldi’s dog. Every morning, Nino’s makes small-batch croissants using traditional Italian and French methods. The croissants go fast so get there when they open at 8:30am Tuesday through Saturday for takeout only. —AG
From the @opencrumbdc Instagram feed.
Open Crumb | 1243 Good Hope Rd. SE, Washington, DC
This takeout restaurant’s small sign is easy to miss, but don’t. The place has become a takeout staple in Anacostia, a historic neighborhood considered one of DC’s first suburbs before Washington and the District of Columbia became coterminous in 1878.
Peter Opare, Open Crumb’s owner and chef, comes from a restaurateur background. His parents ran Ghana Café for years in Adams Morgan, then along 14th Street NW, until increasing rent closed their doors. Last year, Opare chose Anacostia to open his first restaurant.
The restaurant has several safeguards in place for COVID-19. Orders are handed to customers through a small opening in a plexiglass window, and you are required to wear a mask upon entry.
Open Crumb sells $6 fried chicken and $8 fried fish sandwiches served on milk buns, baked fresh daily. Borrowing from his mother’s cookbook, Opare makes several Ghanaian dishes including jollof rice and fried plantains.
Most come here for the fried chicken sandwich, which is one of the city’s best options. After you order, wander the streets of Anacostia finding all the murals: Luis Peralta Del Valle’s portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. at the corner of Good Hope Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, and Hamilton Glass’ car painting on Murphy’s Auto near the Anacostia Public Library. —AG
Hook Hall welcome spring visitors. Photo by Susan Able.
Patio Dining in Park View | Georgia Avenue between Princeton Place and Lamont Street NW
While there are more patio options in the city now, you might find yourself wanting to do a patio crawl. The Park View neighborhood is a great option to eat al-fresco. These spots are close enough to make for a day of patio hopping, but also work well individually for a socially distanced meal outdoors.
Hook Hall: Over the summer, this massive warehouse was transformed into a tropical hideaway with swings, bean bags, colorful furniture and a menu to pair (think: island tacos). It feels like a tropical destination, with a lot of details thought through, including USB-charging ports included in all cabana rentals. Cooler weather might eventually bring a different theme, but you are guaranteed fun décor, spaced out tables, private rentals on tables and cabanas, and creative food and cocktails, like a guava Gin Rickey. On-leash dogs are welcome too.
The Midlands Beer Garden: This massive beer garden has plenty of outdoor seating, beer, cider, wine and cocktails and a casual food menu of bar snacks, bratwursts, hot dogs and sandwiches. It’s family and dog friendly, as a bonus.
Mr. Braxton Bar & Kitchen: This new addition to the neighborhood is an American bistro offering burgers, sandwiches and wings as well as entrees like a rack of lamb or hemp-crusted salmon. The back patio features a funky floor-to-ceiling mural with butterflies and black swirls. String lights and plenty of greenery add to the cool vibe and patio heaters help keep the space feeling warm and inviting during the fall months.
Tabla: A more casual sibling to Georgian restaurant Supra, the menu here is centered around two of the most popular Georgian dishes: khachapuri (bread with cheese and other additions) and khinkali (soup dumplings). Kebabs and a selection of Georgian-American mashups are also available. The patio, which seamlessly transitions into the kitchen, makes for a good option any time of day. —AK
Quarry House Tavern | 8401 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD
Sometimes you just need a juicy patty-melt burger and some deep-fried tater tots, and this Silver Spring tavern, which is one of the oldest operating bars in Montgomery County, knows how to deliver. Owner Jackie Greenbaum has kept Quarry House Tavern going for more than a decade, even after it faced a devastating fire in 2015. But one of the biggest challenges came during COVID-19. Quarry House, which has forever been a subterranean dive bar, made the transition to street-level this summer with enhanced safety protocols. Note that Quarry House is currently closed for on site dining, but that is due to resume soon. —TE
From the Instagram feed @unionmarketdc
Rooftop Lawn at Union Market
1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC
DC rooftops have become the perfect place to gather outside and maintain distance. And recently Union Market launched Hi-Lawn: a new concept from the restaurateurs of Tiger Fork, The Fainting Goat and The Royal.
Situated on the massive rooftop on top of Union Market, Hi-Lawn will serve drinks and picnic baskets curated by Chef Nathan Beauchamp out of a brightly painted shipping container. Later this fall, a second shipping container will open, where they’ll serve up classic barbecue items like burgers, sausages and Mexican street corn.
Head over to play a game of cornhole on their artificial turf, spread out for a picnic with some friends or just sample some of the draft cocktails on top. With ample room to socially distance and beautiful views of the city, Hi-Lawn will make a great weekend activity and a perfect complement to the already food-centric Union Market neighborhood. Just remember to wear a mask and reserve your table ahead of time. —Matt Yan
Scoot Around Town | Georgetown and Foggy Bottom, DC
Find yourself in Georgetown wanting to explore?
We’ve got you covered with a scooter path with stops for food, drinks and views along the way.
For a quick bite before you hop on a scooter, head to Taïm (1065 Wisconsin Ave. NW) for some falafel—an easy grab-and-go snack. Each pita comes filled with either green or harissa falafel, hummus and pickled veggies. For a more sit-down and luxurious experience, grab your scooter and ride a few blocks over to the Four Seasons (2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW).
Afterward, hop on your scooter and head down towards the Georgetown Waterfront. Take in views of the Potomac River with the National Mall looming in the distance. Then grab your scooter and head on the path along the water to the Kennedy Center.
The performing arts venue’s newest space The Reach features an expansive outdoor park, and on weekends it’s where you’ll find the pop-up Victura Park, a seasonal beer and wine garden. Spread out on the lawn with friends, family or pets, or take a seat at one of the distanced picnic tables. Enjoy entrees like burgers and chicken sandwiches from Chef Erik Bruner-Yang of Maketto, or dive into a charcuterie board and some salmon rillettes. The drinks are also aplenty, with selections of beer, wine, seltzers and specialty cocktails like the Muckers Club, a cocktail for two with Tito’s vodka, bourbon, Lillet Blanc, raspberry and lemon. —MY
Photo from @visitwashingtondc
Titanic Memorial | 1425 4th St. SW, Washington, DC
Did you know? The iconic Leo and Kate pose from James Cameron’s 1997 Titanic movie comes from a small 1931 memorial along the Southwest Waterfront. It used to stand where the Kennedy Center is now. Dedicated to the men who gave up their lives to save women and children on board the Titanic, the memorial offers views of the Washington Channel and a long granite bench, a quiet spot to reflect by the water. —AG
The Glamorous Glennis, a Bell X-1, a single engine, single seat, mid-wing rocket plane with international orange paint scheme. Photo from the Smithsonian.
Udvar-Hazy Center | 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy., Chantilly, VA
While the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall remains closed until further notice, the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA, is open. Free-timed passes can be purchased online. And you are required to wear a mask. Fortunately, it’s easy to social distance in this enormous hangar space that houses the Discovery Space Shuttle. —AG
Virginia Theological Seminary | 3737 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, VA
For a reflective moment, head to this theological seminary in Alexandria, VA. Guests and dogs (on a leash) are welcome at this 1823 Episcopalian school, the second-oldest accredited Episcopal seminary in the United States. Used as a hospital during the Civil War, the grounds now house bountiful gardens, manicured lawns and nooks perfect for reading under a shady tree. —AG
The Ruby Slipper slides at Watkins Regional Park.
Watkins Regional Park | 301 Watkins Park Dr., Upper Marlboro, MD
If the neighborhood playground isn’t cutting it, drive 25 minutes outside of the city to Upper Marlboro, MD. Watkins Regional Park has two themed playgrounds. The first is horse racing themed, but don’t let it distract you from the star: a Wizard of Oz themed playground with a yellow brick road leading to ruby slipper slides and an Emerald City climbing wall.
Once you’re done counting the rainbows at the Oz-themed playground, walk around the park. You’ll also find plenty of running and biking trails, outdoor fields and tennis courts.
If walking through the large park builds up an appetite, head to Main Street Coffee & Treats in downtown Upper Marlboro. Here you’ll find locally sourced coffee, sweet potato pound cake and pulled-pork sandwiches on the menu. Get yours to go and wander through this historic city.
Find the over-200-year-old grounds of Trinity Episcopal Church. Within the cemetery, you can find the gravestone of a Revolutionary War soldier. Next, walk to Schoolhouse Pond and find the tomb of Dr. William Beanes, a figure in the War of 1812 with Francis Scott Key connections. Finally, visit the grounds of the Darnall’s Chance House Museum, a museum about 18th-century life in a building built in 1742. The pandemic stopped tours, but the grounds are open to the public. —AG
Malcolm X Park | 16th Street NW & W Street NW, Washington, DC
Known to many as Meridian Hill Park, the unofficial name of this 16th Street park is Malcolm X Park. That name is used frequently by Washingtonians, which resulted in a petition to rename the park, still awaiting official action since 1969. The gorgeous, historic, urban park is divided into a lower park with a reflecting pool, plaza and symmetric stairways that go to the upper park, which has a large grassy area and wooded space.
The elevated vantage point makes for lovely views of the city, and the grand cascading fountain is just stunning. This green space in the heart of the city is where people go for a walk, to read a book, to throw around a frisbee or just to be lazy in the afternoon.
Of course, all of this makes it one of the most popular parks in the city, but there’s enough reason for it. Sunday afternoons are especially delightful. A 40-year tradition of Sunday afternoon drum circles persists during COVID-19: At 3pm the park fills, while also maintaining social distance. There are drummers, dancers and a general beat and buzz. This energetic environment brings families, hula-hoopers, jugglers and a whole slew of people just there to enjoy the vibe.
The convenient Columbia Heights location also makes it ideal for a takeout picnic from the 14th Street corridor or Adams Morgan strip—Colada Shop, Restaurant Judy and Donburi are some favorites. Grab a picnic blanket, bring some snacks or takeout, take the dog and kids, and go soak in the sun and the beats at Malcolm X Park. —AK
It’s always a good time for ice cream at Ice Cream Jubilee!
Yards Park | 355 Water St. SE, Washington, DC
Overlooking the Capitol Riverfront, you can easily spend an entire day here trying the many restaurants in the area. Walk across the pedestrian bridge and boardwalk—the award-winning sculptural bridge showcases cool architecture and a view of the Anacostia River. After crossing the bridge, stroll along the boardwalk, which connects to the Anacostia River Trail. It’s a great area to walk, bike, skate or scoot. It’s especially great for kids to get some active time too, although the water features, which are usually the big draw, are closed until further notice.
You can picnic and play in the open green space—the large grassy area is perfect to put down a blanket and enjoy a picnic. There are plenty of newer options in the area to pick up a picnic spread. La Famosa features Puerto Rican favorites such as pastelitos (savory-sweet turnovers) and tripleta sandwiches. Yellow, the Levantine café, has pastries and breads with Middle Eastern flavors such as a za’atar and labneh croissant or ras-el-hanout buns, and the Caribbean-style Bammy’s has island flavors such as conch fritters, jerk chicken and goat curry.
Of course, there are plenty of restaurants for outdoor dining with glorious views of the water too. District Winery has a large open patio with fire pits for the fall. All Purpose’s roof deck is open for pizza. Osteria Morini serves comforting pasta dishes, and The Salt Line is for seafood lovers and also has a great cheeseburger.
For dessert, hit up Ice Cream Jubilee for unique scoops like apple butter oatmeal, banana bourbon caramel, and marionberry. —AK
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji at the National Zoo.
The National Zoo | 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC
The National Zoo now offers timed-entry passes, so you can see your favorite monkeys, big cats and elephants without all of the crowds. Don’t forget to say hello to giant panda Mei Xiang and her new baby cub! —MY
Austin Graff is a contributing writer at The Washington Post. Austin has lived in Washington since 2007. He grew up as an American in Russia, attended boarding school in Germany, has lived in Kazakhstan and China and has traveled to almost 70 countries.To see more of Austin Graff’s local adventures with his family, follow him on Instagram: @austinkgraff
