free things to do

free things to do

Virginia Polar Dip: Are You Brave Enough to Get Freezin’ for a Reason?

I asked my husband, Mike, to describe what the water felt like when he did Freezin’ for a Reason. I should probably pretend that he said something like, “It felt like a refreshing dip in an invigorating pool.” I’ll be honest. His response was,”It was like getting hit by a bus.” But Mike was laughing as he described it,…

February 4, 2015

February Events in the Reston Area

Don’t let the weather turn you into a hermit! Even though it’s the coldest time of year, Reston still offers plenty of fun things to do. Here are some event highlights for February in the Reston area. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2015 Freezin’ for a Reason – Virginia Polar Dip 2pm, Lake Anne Plaza, Reston Every winter, hundreds…

February 1, 2015

The Ultimate Guide to Kids’ Indoor Fun in the Reston Area

When the weather outside is frightful, it’s the perfect time to relax under a cozy blanket with a book. Unless you’re a kid, that is. For kids, it’s the perfect time to bounce off the walls. If you’re looking for ideas for indoor activities for your kids, we have lots of suggestions for you. Here is a…

January 27, 2015

BEAD: The Latest Exhibit at the Greater Reston Arts Center

I’ve long admired jewelry artists who can create beautiful items with beads, but I’ve never known much about the use of beads in other forms of art. I’m not even sure I’d given it any thought before I heard about this exhibit. So I didn’t know what to expect when I headed to GRACE to see…

January 16, 2015

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Events in the Reston Area

Today, January 15th, is the 86th birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The holiday in his honor occurs this coming Monday, January 19th, and the upcoming three-day weekend is filled with events to celebrate his contributions to the nation. Here are some ways you and your family can celebrate MLK, Jr. Day in Reston, Northern Virginia,…

January 15, 2015

Ten Reasons to Come to Lake Anne in the Middle of Winter

Lake Anne really shines in the warm months. Boat rentals, concerts, farmers markets, festivals, and outdoor dining make it a summertime delight. But so much is going on at Lake Anne Plaza all year round, and you really should come in the winter, too. Here are some reasons why: 1. There’s wild nightlife. Anyone who shrugs off Lake…

January 12, 2015

Indoor, Free Fun for Children at the National Museum of the American Indian

Now that the holidays are over, we have little to distract us from the next two months of bitter cold. Yet the kids still expect to go out, even if that means their parents will be grumbling through chattering teeth. Fortunately we live in an area with lots of indoor amusements for children, many of which are free….

January 6, 2015

Start the New Year with a First Day Hike at Virginia’s State Parks

If you’re like lots of people, you start each year invigorated and committed to getting fit. It’s a fresh start! You are motivated! And then you discover an overcrowded gym packed with all the other resolution-makers, and the thrill is gone. Or maybe you spend the first day of January in your traditional spot on the sofa, recovering…

December 30, 2014

New Year’s Eve Events in the Reston Area

This article is from 2014. You can find the 2016-2017 New Year’s Eve events HERE. 2015 is almost here! If you are still looking for ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve, we have lots of ideas for you. Here are events for December 31, 2014 in Reston, Herndon, Vienna, Falls Church, and other parts of Northern…

December 29, 2014

Two DC Area Botanic Gardens, Two VERY Different Holiday Displays

It’s the first day of winter break and already you are at a loss for what to do with the kids. Well you’re in luck, we spent the weekend exploring two of the DC Area’s best botanic garden holiday displays — The U.S. Botanic Garden in DC and Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA. Both were…

December 22, 2014

Tysons Corner Center’s Christmas Market and Winterfest 2014

It’s the final weekend before Christmas, so with any luck, you’ll be spending the next few days smugly relaxing at home with all your holiday preparations finished. But more likely, you’ll be spending the weekend rushing around the mall with the rest of us procrastinators. If you’ll be heading to Tysons Corner Center over the next few days,…

December 19, 2014

Reston Holiday Parade 2014: Photo Gallery

On the day after Thanksgiving each year, Reston Town Center welcomes the winter holidays with an all-day celebration, called “The Holidays are Here!” One of the highlights of the day is a parade down Market Street. This year’s 24th annual Reston Holiday Parade featured several community groups, including dancers, bands, ROTC groups, cheerleaders, and Scout troops. Macy’s-style balloons…

November 28, 2014