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Butler’s Orchard -22200 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, Maryland (301) 972-3299. TheAnnual Pumpkin Festivalis held weekends throughout October from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy activities like hayrides, exploring a hay maze, and various crafts and food options.
Explore Festive Holiday Activities in Washington, D.C.
The historic buildings of Washington, DC preserve the past and offer a fascinating glimpse into the changes in architecture and daily American life since the early settlement of the nation’s capital. Here is a guide to the 25 oldest and most significant Washington, DC historic landmarks, in order of date of construction.
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121, USA
Annapolis, the state capital of Maryland, is a beautiful historical seaport situated along the Chesapeake Bay. It is an easy day trip from Washington, DC, located in Anne Arundel County, approximately 32 miles from Washington and 26 miles from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Annapolis boasts more 18th-century buildings than anywhere else in the United States, including the homes of all four Maryland signers of the Declaration of Independence. This charming city is a delightful place to explore, featuring numerous museums, shopping opportunities, and restaurants.
Williamsburg, Virginia, also known as Colonial Williamsburg, is America’s largest interactive history museum, located just a few hours south of Washington, DC. The 301-acre restored 18th-century capital city of Virginia transports visitors back in time to the period of the American Revolution. Beating drums, trilling fifes, firework displays, theatrical programs, and interpretive characters are just a few of the entertainment elements that are designed to spark your interest in 18th-century Virginia.
Lafayette Park, also known as Presidents Park or Lafayette Square, is a stunning seven-acre public park situated directly across from the White House in Washington, D.C. This green space serves as an essential venue for public protests, ranger programs, and special events, making it a vibrant part of the city.
Chincoteague is a small town on the Virginia Eastern Shore and the gateway to the Virginia portion of Assateague Island. World-famous for its wild ponies, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and forest, providing a protected habitat for hundreds of species of animals and migratory birds. Visitors appreciate the peaceful environment and recreational activities such as hiking, biking, boating, swimming, fishing, crabbing, clamming, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. The town features unique shops, museums, fine restaurants, and a variety of accommodations, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, vacation rental homes, and campgrounds.
Many of Washington DC’s non-profit and educational institutions offer lectures, films, and classes on an extensive range of subjects. The nation’s capital serves as an excellent venue to explore topics from politics to history, as well as the arts and sciences. Below is a guide to some of the top places to attend educational programs.
Cox Farms Fields of Fear is a haunted Halloween attraction located in Centreville, Virginia. This event features a Cornightmare, a night-time hayride, and a giant slide illuminated by torchlight. Additionally, guests can enjoy outdoor classic horror movies, bonfires, and snacks. The spooky Imaginature Trail transforms into the terrifying Forest: Back 40, which doubled in length for the 2016 season, now covering half a mile of chilling surprises. The Forest is paired with two other haunting experiences: the Dark Side Hayride and the Cornightmare. The Firegrounds are the heart of excitement, equipped with several bonfires, a six-lane slide, live entertainment, delicious treats, and a variety of Fear Games, including the dark maze known as Nyctophobi. Remember, Fields of Fear is not recommended for children under 12 years of age; those under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Union Market is an artisanal food market in NE Washington DC featuring over 40 local vendors, and it’s a godsend for groups who all want to eat something different (and try something new). This hip DC market is home to all sorts of businesses run by up-and-coming entrepreneurs to well-known restaurateurs. Plus, you can shop for groceries and unique gifts to take home.
The Library of Congress in Washington, DC, is the world’s largest library, featuring over 128 million items including books, manuscripts, films, photographs, sheet music, and maps. As an essential part of the legislative branch of government, it includes various internal divisions, such as the Office of the Librarian and the Congressional Research Service.
Washington, DC is one of the most disabled accessible cities in the world. This guide provides information about transportation, parking, access to popular attractions, scooter and wheelchair rentals, and more.
4155 Linnean Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008-3806, USA
Getting ready for the Christmas holiday? A great way to start the season is to take the whole family out to a Christmas tree farm. You will find lots of great farms where you can cut your own Christmas tree in the Washington, D.C. suburbs of Maryland and Virginia. Many of the Christmas tree farms also sell wreaths, greens, ornaments, and other holiday items. Some farms sell out quickly, so it is best to go early and call to check on availability.
The annual George Washington’s Birthday Parade in Old Town Alexandria stands as the largest tribute to the country’s first president in the United States, making it one of the most vibrant President’s Day events in the Washington, D.C. area.
Spring is the prime season to explore Washington, D.C., as the city hosts dozens of vibrant cultural events, garden tours, wine festivals, parades, and much more. Here are the top spring events you shouldn’t miss:
Deep Creek Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Maryland, extends 12 miles and has a surface of 3,900 acres with 65 miles of shoreline. The four-season resort, located in Garrett County, Maryland, offers a wide range of activities such as boating, fishing, camping, swimming, hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding in the summer. In the winter months, visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing, and snowmobiling. Consequently, Deep Creek Lake represents a quiet and relaxing getaway destination, regarded as one of the region’s best-kept secrets.
Getting around the Washington, DC metropolitan area can be confusing. However, having the right maps can significantly enhance your experience, allowing you to easily plan your itinerary. These regional maps provide invaluable insights into streets, neighborhoods, parks, points of interest, tourist attractions, and more.
Black Hill Regional Park, located just north of Germantown, Maryland, offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, boating, picnicking, nature programs, and much more. Spanning over 2,000 acres managed by the Montgomery County Department of Parks, the park serves as an ideal setting for outdoor recreation and family gatherings. Naturalists provide astronomy, fishing, kayaking programs, hikes, and educational workshops year-round.