Kids’ Day
Start your Saturday at Turtle Park (4500 Van Ness St., NW), where the sandbox is big enough for lots of kids to play at once. Then try Craft Kids, every other week at the Tenley–Friendship Public Library (4200 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-244-3212). The craft varies—recent projects have included pumpkin masks and paper turkeys. For lunch, make your way to Comet Ping Pong (202-364-0404), where kids both young and old will love the pizza and table tennis. Wrap up the day with a stop at Barston’s Child’s Play (5536 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-244-3602), a 24-year-old, family-owned toy store that’s sure to inspire holiday wish lists.
Girls’ Day Out
Head to the intersection of Wisconsin and Western avenues, Washington’s version of Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive. The shops in the Collection at Chevy Chase, Mazza Gallerie, and Chevy Chase Pavilion—from Barneys Co-op to Neiman Marcus to J. Crew—will fulfill any fashionista’s needs. Then stop for lunch at M Cafe Bar (301-986-4818), where you can refuel with a salad and glass of wine. Nearby is the sleek, Swedish-style Hela Spa (301-951-4445). A $200 package includes a deep cleansing, eyebrow styling, and massage; treatments are also available individually.
A Casual Date
Buy the makings for a picnic at Calvert Woodley Wines & Spirits (4339 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-966-4400), which has one of the District’s best selections of wine and cheese. Then walk to Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens (202-686-5807; closed in January), former home of heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. Enjoy a meal in the museum’s cafe—open Tuesday through Saturday and some Sundays for lunch and afternoon tea—or, in warm weather, pick up a picnic map from the front desk to find a spot in the gardens. While there, tour the Georgian mansion and its collection of Russian and French decorative art ($12 suggested donation). After lunch, walk to Politics and Prose (202-364-1919), the legendary independent bookstore. If you’re still going strong, take in an independent or foreign film at the historic Avalon Theatre (202-966-3464).
