Photo by Pedro Ribeiro Simões
Our homes feel a little tight sometimes, correct? If you’re considering renting some extra chairs to host your guests for Thanksgiving, it’s likely you might also be anticipating the house feeling a little cramped. Put aside your anxiety and read on my friends. We live within walking distance of some pretty great cultural sites as well a fun for all ages. Since it’s not really hospitable to send them packing until Sunday, here are a few creative ways to get them out of the house for a few hours at a time.
Guest who bring kids are very ‘special’ guests. If the weather is good, send them to the new playground at Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th Street, NE) where there’s a field, hoops, a small track and spanking-new fun and challenging playground equipment — even swings! The Library of Congress is great for all ages, but they’re hosting a puppet show of “Where the Wild Things Are” in the Young Readers Center as well as a craft workshop at 11 a.m. There are multiple tours of the magnificent Jefferson Building each day so check the website.
There’s plenty for the history lovers to do and still be home for lunch. Send them to Congressional Cemetery to show them another side of Capitol Hill. Each Sunday there is a free-docent led tour of the cemetery to acquaint the public with the historic landmark’s history and ‘residents.’ The tours meet at 11 a.m. The US Postal Museum, located just across from the metro entrance at Union Station, is a gem and a quiet respite. In addition to the fascinating permanent exhibitions, there’s special exhibit that like a for interesting launch for dinner conversation. “Pacific Exchange: China and US Mail” looks at the relationship of the two countries through the study of stamps and mail. A bit dry to you perhaps, but there are indeed Philatelist lurking among us.
The Folger Shakespeare Library is another spot often overlooked by the tourist crowd in DC. A peek inside the exhibit hall will likely make them want to come back to see a performance of Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” in the Elizabethan theatre. There are afternoon shows as well as evening performances on Saturday and Sunday. If they’re saving their money for Cyber Monday, have them check out “Decoding the Renaissance”, a exhibit that explores the history of secret communication, revealing the surprising connections between Renaissance texts and modern methods of cryptanalysis.
If a bloody political drama isn’t their cup of tea, your guests might like the new show at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. “The Great One-Man Commedia Epic” opens Sunday with a matinee and night performance and runs through December 20. The tour-de-“farce” showcases one actor, twelve characters and thousand catastrophes.
If you’re still looking for things to do come Sunday afternoon, it might be time to remind your loved ones what they say about fish and houseguests.