The weekend is almost upon us and Washingtonians are getting ready to make plans for how to spend their limited free time in one of the best cities in the country, so we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in D.C. this weekend that you don’t want to miss!
1. Witness the beauty of Washington, D.C.’s Cherry Blossoms in their longest bloom in years
Washington, D.C.’s Cherry Blossoms are already officially in Peak Bloom, which hit on March 17th according to the National Park Services, the earliest the Cherry Blossoms peaked since 1990, when the Cherry Blossoms peak bloom was March 15th! This makes it the second-earliest peak bloom for D.C.’s Cherry Blossoms in recorded history! Now, the Cherry Blossom blooms are lasting an unusually long time, so take advantage and visit them while you still can!
2. Walk through history at the immersive experience, “Titanic The Exhibition“
If you’re looking for a unique experience and an excuse to get out of town for a little while, then a day trip to National Harbor, Maryland to experience the immersive “Titanic The Exhibition” is the perfect plan for you. The narrated experience takes you through the history of the tragedy and explores the personal stories of passengers who were on board the “unsinkable” ship the night that it went down.
Location: 254 Mariner Passage at National Harbor
3. Check out the temporary free art exhibit that took over an empty 300,000 sq-foot West End office building
The free art exhibit called Artomatic, will be running until April 28th and will convert the massive and empty former Urban Institute headquarters into an eight-story tall ‘museum’, containing areas dedicated to “visual art, performance, dance, film, spoken word, workshops and more,” according to a press release from the exhibit’s organizers.
The office space is currently empty but is slated for residential conversion at some point in the not-so-distant future, which means that this may get another opportunity to experience this again!
The hours of the exhibit are:
Wed-Thurs: 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sun: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Mon-Tues: Closed
Location: 2100 M Street NW
4. Experience Formula 1 racing at the Red Bull Showrun this Saturday
Whether you’re a motorsports enthusiast or want to check out this family-friendly free-to-enter event on Saturday on a whim, you’re certain to have a good time! There will be several Motorsport legends there including multiple F1 champions, a motorbike stunt driver, and more, at the Red Bull Showrun this weekend, which will take over Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday afternoon from 4 pm to 6 pm.
5. The Spy Museum’s “Bond in Motion” exhibit
Celebrating the James Bond saga, The International Spy Museum’s latest exhibition focuses on the various vehicles seen throughout the Bond’s legendary cinematic history. The exhibit contains 17 Bond vehicles ranging from his iconic Aston Martin to some of his motorcycles, submarines, and other gadgets he’s used along the way!
Tickets to the Bond In Motion exhibit only are listed at $13 per person, if you want to fully experience the Spy Museum, a combo deal between General Admission to the museum as well as the Bond exhibit is available starting at $40 for adults and $29 for children.
6.Visit the “Future of Orchids” exhibit at the Kogod Courtyard of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
You don’t have to be a plant lover to enjoy the peacefulness and tranquility of a room full of orchids! So even though this is an absolute must-visit for any plant lovers in D.C. this week, the fact remains that this is a great plan to keep in your back pocket to do with friends or even for a unique date idea!
The exhibit is a collaboration between the U.S. Botanical Garden and the Smithsonian Gardens, opened and will remain open until April, 28th. The exhibit features hundreds of live orchids and multi-media contemporary art pieces that convey the importance and necessity of environmental activism to ensure a sustainable future for these beautiful plants.
Location: 8th Street Northwest &, G St NW
7. See a movie at select AMC Theaters and get discounted food and drink
There’s a reason it’s a classic date idea—you can’t beat movies with a snack and a drink! Now, when you go to a movie at a participating AMC Theater, you can a discount on your drink and popcorn! Learn more here.
Location: Multiple Locations
8. Go on a mystery picnic foodie adventure around D.C. with friends
We like to keep an eye out for those inclusive plans that everyone can enjoy, and this mystery picnic foodie adventure around the city fits right in that category! The experience includes pre-booked and paid tastings as well as an incredible spread from local producers, which means that the quality of every ingredient is nothing short of spectacular. On top of that, the group behind this foodie adventure can accommodate any dietary requirements, so it’s a perfect foodie plan for any group even those that may have some dietary restrictions.
Location: Georgetown or Foggy Bottom (you choose)
9. Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience
This immersive experience is new to town and has quickly become a favorite of ours! The incredibly fun and picturesque experience is perfect for any occasion or to go with anyone, whether they be friends, family, or even a loved one. Make sure you wear a cool outfit and have enough space on your phone for a lot of photos because you’ll want to document this experience!
Location: 5333 Wisconsin Ave NW
10. Attend the 7th Annual National Cannabis Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds
Washington, D.C.’s seventh annual National Cannabis Festival is set to take place this weekend on both Friday April 19th and Saturday April 20th. The event will have food, drink, live entertainment including a performance from Wu-Tang Clan, and of course a lot of information and items available regarding the responsible use of cannabis.
11. Visit the “Going through Hell: The Divine Dante” exhibit at the National Gallery of Art
The “Going through Hell: The Divine Dante” exhibit at the National Gallery of Art examines the works of Florentine poet, writer and philosopher Dante Alighieri, who famously wrote the Divine Comedy, which famously tells the tale of “Dante’s inferno”. The exhibit dives into the cultural impact that this piece of literature has had, featuring both art and artists who were influenced by the publication.