Washington, D.C

Fun date and activity ideas for your DC-area Valentines and Galentines

Published

5 months ago

February 11, 2024

Fun date and activity ideas for your DC-area Valentines and Galentines

Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day mean that many of us are brainstorming ways to spend some quality time with our favorite people.

Plenty of restaurants are offering special Valentine’s Day menus or Galentine’s brunches, but maybe you want to switch things up this year.

From free dates to crafty activities, here are out-of-the-box activities and fun outings you can try for your Valentines and Galentines.

Free dates and activities in the D.C. area

Orchid conservation exhibit: About 350 flowers have come out of the Smithsonian’s orchid collection and into the Kogod Courtyard between the American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. Between the flowers, don’t miss the technicolor orchid sculptures created by Baltimore-based artist Phaan Howng using 3D scans of the plants. The exhibit is free to visit and will be open until April 28.

Middleburg’s 13th Annual Winter Weekend Sale: The “Nation’s Horse and Hunt Capital” in Loudoun County is the perfect place to hunt for deals Feb. 16-19. The area also hosts many wineries and restaurants to complete your quick day trip.

Millennium Stage: The Kennedy Center’s free stage has several concerts to choose from this week, including a performance by Justin Adams and Mauro Durante on Wednesday.

Unique D.C.-area date ideas for any pair

Cookology Cooking School: What’s more endearing than a delicious meal made with love? This Ballston Quarter cooking school offers a range of classes for adults and kids ages 3 and up – including a whole series of Valentine’s Day classes. Or, you can give your giftee a gift card to begin fulfilling their chef-y dreams.

Ice skating: The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden ice rink . You can also skate through Georgetown’s waterfront, The Wharf ice rink and Yards Park.

Monet: The Immersive Experience: Whisk your person away into the iconic landscapes of the impressionist painter Claude Monet. The exhibit includes larger-than-life digital renderings of the most famous impressionist paintings and backdrops ideal for a quick DIY photoshoot. It’s set to open the weekend after Valentine’s Day.

Profs and Pints: For about $15, give the gift of knowledge at this popular series of talks by professors on topics ranging from Emily Dickinson’s love life or Orcas vs. Yachts.

Plant stores: Freshen up your décor and get crafty at one of the D.C. area’s many plant stores. Plant House in Alexandria; PLNTR in Northwest D.C. and Plants Alive! in Silver Spring are great for workshops.

Spa World: The Korean spa in Centreville, Virginia, offers pools, saunas and poultice rooms made of red clay, gems, salt and more with general admission, plus you can book massages and other care services. Spa World offers gift cards and a selection of Groupons starting at $35 for a one-day general admission. (If you haven’t been to a Korean spa before, read the FAQ and etiquette advice before committing. Pool access is separated by gender, and no clothes are allowed in them.)

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Washington, D.C

Huge fire in Southeast displaces dozens, fire department says

Published

4 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

Huge fire in Southeast displaces dozens, fire department says

More than 70 people were displaced Tuesday in a huge apartment-house fire in Southeast Washington, the D.C. fire department said.

The two-alarm blaze broke out in the 2600 block of Bowen Road SE and was extinguished by 4 p.m., according to the department.

At least one person was rescued by ladder, the department said. Two people, including a firefighter, were taken to hospitals. No serious injuries were reported.

The fire apparently broke out on the top floor and attic area of a four-story apartment house and spread to adjoining buildings.

The cause was not immediately known.

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Washington, D.C

Washington DC expected to see record travel for Independence Day Weekend

Published

12 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

Washington DC expected to see record travel for Independence Day Weekend

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Fireworks go off above the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the US Capitol during an Independence Day fireworks display in Washington D.C., United States on July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mehmet Eser/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON – More than 1.8 million Washington-metro area residents are projected to travel 50 miles or more over the Independence Day holiday weekend, according to AAA.

This marks a 6% increase compared to last year and over 5% more than in 2019.

“With school out across the country, summer vacations are in full swing, and the 4th of July holiday seems like the perfect time for a getaway,” said Ragina Cooper Ali, spokeswoman for AAA in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

FILE-Travelers search for their suitcases in a baggage holding area for Southwest Airlines at Denver International Airport on December 28, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

“We are seeing that a residual impact of COVID has been greater work flexibility, affording many the opportunity to work remotely and extend weekend and holiday trips,” Ali added.

AAA estimates that more than 1.6 million metro-area residents—nearly 90% of travelers—will drive during the holiday week. This is an increase of nearly 6% compared to both last year and 2019. “Nationally, gas prices are trending about 11 cents lower than last year. Here, in the D.C. metro area, Tuesday’s average of $3.49 is a penny less than a year ago,” noted Ali. She added that while pump prices are expected to remain stable until after Labor Day, the hurricane season could potentially impact Gulf Coast oil production and refining centers, leading to fluctuations.

Air travel is also anticipated to be strong, with AAA projecting more than 129,000 D.C. area travelers flying to their July 4th destinations. This is nearly 7% higher than last year and more than a 12% increase compared to 2019. AAA’s booking data shows domestic airfare is 2% cheaper this Independence Day week compared to last year, with the average price for a domestic round-trip ticket at $800. Ali recommends travelers arrive at airports two hours early, reserve parking in advance, and opt for carry-on luggage to save time and money.

The “other” travel category, which includes buses, trains, and cruises, is also seeing a rebound, with over 79,000 District travelers expected to take these modes of transportation. This represents an increase of nearly 12% compared to last year, although it is still down more than 8% from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. “Baltimore and other hometown ports remain popular and convenient for many in our region,” stated Ali. She also noted that cruise travelers can find deals this summer as new ships entering the market lead to targeted discounts on older inventory.

Nationally, a record 71 million people are predicted to travel for the holiday this year, with more than 60 million hitting the roads. Air travel is also expected to set a record with nearly six million travelers, reflecting a 7% increase from last year and more than a 12% rise compared to pre-pandemic days in 2019.

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Washington, D.C

Hunter Biden suspended from practicing law in D.C. after gun conviction

Published

19 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

Hunter Biden suspended from practicing law in D.C. after gun conviction

Hunter Biden guilty verdict: What to know

What to know about Hunter Biden’s guilty verdict

07:31

Washington — The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has suspended Hunter Biden from practicing law in Washington, D.C., the court’s chief judge said in a filing Tuesday.

The “immediate” suspension, as Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby put it, follows Biden’s conviction on federal gun charges by a federal jury in Delaware. Federal law prohibits someone who improperly uses controlled substances from purchasing or possessing a firearm. The president’s son was found guilty of three felony counts related to his purchase of a gun in 2018 while he was addicted to crack cocaine.

The court said the “serious crimes” warranted the suspension of Biden’s ability to practice law in the district.

“[T]he respondent is suspended immediately from the practice of law in the District of Columbia pending resolution of this matter,” the order said, referring the matter to the D.C. Bar’s Board on Professional Responsibility for further investigation.

Biden is a Yale Law School graduate, although he hasn’t been a particularly active user of his law degree recently. He has been licensed to practice law in D.C. since 2007.

Scott MacFarlane contributed to this report.

Kathryn Watson

Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.

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