Shakespeare Theatre Company: Classic Theater

The Shakespeare Theatre Company is an internationally-known, award-winning company that celebrates the works of Shakespeare, as well as the dramas of other literary geniuses. The Shakespeare Theatre Company has received much recognition over the years, including several Helen Hayes Awards. The company occupies two different theater venues—the traditional and intimate Lansburgh Theatre dates from the 1800s, while the Harman Arts Center, open since 2007, houses Sidney Harman Hall, which is well-equipped with state-of-the-art features.

As their goals, the company strives to deliver outstanding productions, interesting educational opportunities, and cultivate appreciation for classical theater. The company offers many programs to engage learners of all ages to read classical texts, and it also has initiatives to prepare new generations for the art of theater. Programs for young people include subsidized student matinees with supportive materials for teachers, and “Text Alive!” that works with teachers to integrate theater into high school curriculums.

Shakespeare Theatre Company
Box Office: (202) 547-1122
www.shakespearetheatre.org

Lansburgh Theatre
450 7th Street NW
Metro City Metro Station
Washington, DC 20004

Sidney Harman Hall
610 F Street NW
Gallery Place Chinatown Metro Station
Washington, DC 20004

Cherry Blossom Parade

Looking for something to do this weekend? The 2013 Annual Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is this Saturday, April 13th from 10am until 12 noon. Tickets to sit in Grand Seating are $20.00, but it is free to stand throughout the parade's route. To find out more information about the route, please go to this link!

National Postal Museum: The History of Mail

The National Postal Museum is housed in a breathtaking marble building with an impressive 90 foot atrium. Situated across the street from Union Station, the museum gives visitors a glimpse into the history of the postal system, from the days of the Pony Express to old airmail biplanes to the current boxy postal truck. In addition, you get the chance to look at beautiful stamps from around the world, view historic correspondence that literally changed history, and find out interesting facts about the evolution of mail and the postal service. Bring the kids — they will enjoy learning about Owney the Postal Service Dog, a stray who made rounds with D.C. postal workers and became their much-loved mascot. Also, little ones get the chance to sit in an 18-wheeler delivery truck! After a visit here, you'll never look at mail the same way again. Admission is free, and the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

National Postal Museum
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Union Station Metro Station
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 357-1300

National Geographic Museum: A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

If you are enthralled by images of nature, foreign landscapes, and exotic cultures, a visit to the National Geographic Museum is a must! Here, you can behold exhibits such as explorations of the Etruscans, reproductions of DaVinci inventions, a pictorial display of Machu Picchu, as well as fifty years of photographs of American presidents taken by the official White House photographers. Similar to the much-loved magazine, the photography on site here is all breathtaking, inspiring, and educational. In addition, you can enjoy wonderful events that include live music, dance, film series, and lectures by Nobel Laureates. Visit the museum's website for dates and descriptions of all upcoming programs.  Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for kids, and the museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

National Geographic Museum
1145 17th Street NW
Farragut North Metro Station
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 223-5074

Artfully Chocolate: Alexandria Chocolatier

Anyone who adores chocolate knows that it deserves to be elevated to an art form. Artfully Chocolate agrees. Stop in to this monument to the mighty cocoa bean and immerse your senses in this delicious treat. Hot chocolate is a big part of the menu, with each drink named for a Hollywood star. The Liz Taylor is a glamorous dark chocolate concoction infused with lavender and topped with pistachio studded whipped cream. The Judy Garland is hazelnut flavored milk chocolate topped with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles — of course. Ice cream sundaes, truffles, milkshakes, and coffee drinks also star on the menu. Open every day.

Artfully Chocolate
2003A Mt. Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 635-7917  
 

Restaurant Week is BACK – Inauguration Edition!

Looking for a fantastic meal for a special occasion? Restaurant week is one of the best local deals to take advantage of. Beginning today, January 18th and running for 10 days until January 27th, certain restaurants will be featuring specific dishes on their menu!

You can either choose to do a three course meal per person for $35 or you can choose to spend it "date night" style and get an appetizer to share, two entrees, and a dessert to share for $35 total!

Click here to learn more information and make sure to make reservations early through OpenTable to get bonus points and a great seating time!

 

The George Washington Masonic Memorial

At The George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, you can learn about the interesting history of the Masonic Lodge, the secret organization to which people such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Charles Lindbergh, Harpo Marx, Winston Churchill, and Benjamin Franklin belonged. The memorial is a shrine to another of its famous members, George Washington, who was Charter Master of the Alexandria Lodge from 1788 until his death. A tour will enlighten you about the goings on of the Masons, as well as the life of the memorial’s namesake. General admission of $5 gives you access to the first and second floors of the museum. A guided tour is available for $8, which includes a visit to the observation deck, which has a spectacular panoramic view of the area.

Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 683-2007
 

River Farm: Historic Farm in Alexandria

Formerly one of George Washington’s five farms, River Farm is now the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. With 25 acres of landscaped grounds on the Potomac River, it’s one of the little known gems in the D.C. area and is open for public visits, as well as for rental for weddings and other events. A stroll through the farm’s André Bluemel Meadow takes you through a serene landscape of four acres planted with 100,000 flowering plants that are home to a variety of birds, insects and animals. The Children’s Garden is a great place for the little ones to explore nature’s wonders. Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. From April through September, open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Admission is free.

River Farm
7931 E. Boulevard Drive
Alexandria, VA 22308
(703) 768-5700
 

The Birchmere: A Legendary Performance Space in Alexandria

The Birchmere is legendary when it comes to performance spaces in the D.C. area. Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Dr. John, and Leo Kottke are among the many performers who’ve graced the stage. It’s a small, intimate space with unassigned seating, so if you want to sit up front, get there before six and take a number so you’re first in line when the doors open. The concert space is cabaret-style, with table seating at which you can order food and drinks. The menu features a hefty array of appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas, and hot entrees like Baked Rockfish and Smokehouse Ribs. A full roster of beers, wine, and cocktails are available.

The Birchmere
3701 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22305
(703) 549-7500
 

Friendship Firehouse Museum

Established in 1771, the Friendship Firehouse was the first volunteer firefighting company in Alexandria. Today it showcases the history of the years when the wooden buildings of the town were constantly threatened by conflagration, highlighting some of the major fires that occurred in 1827, 1855, 1871, and 1922. A tour gets you up close to antique equipment such as leather water buckets, axes, horse-drawn fire engines, hoses, and protective gear worn by firefighters. The Friendship Firehouse Festival takes place the first Saturday in August, with food and crafts booths, exhibits and live music. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is $2.

Friendship Firehouse Museum
107 S. Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838-4994