August in the Neighborhood: Staycation edition

Washington, DC has an abundance of historical sites, beautiful vistas and fun activities. Some of them are quite close to home.

Enjoy our national park. Rock Creek Park has a number of activities and sights for all ages… including stargazing.

The National Capital Astronomers host a free monthly program near the Rock Creek Nature Center.

One Saturday each month from April through November, the National Capital Astronomers and NPS set up telescopes just south of the intersection of Military and Glover Roads. The August 10th gathering starts at 8:30 p.m. on August 10th. For younger (or older) stargazers with early bedtimes, the Rock Creek Nature Center at 5200 Glover Road (off Military) has the only planetarium in the national parks system. The planetarium shows each Friday, Saturday and Sunday (and the occasional Thursday) are for ages 5 and up. Visit the NPS Rock Creek Park calendar for more. (A couple of tips: You’ll need to do some scrolling to find the month’s event listings, but they are there. Also, it is helpful to filter the search results with a keyword like “planetarium.”)

The Nature Center is also a good place to look or listen for birds, and during special ranger programs, learn more about all kinds of local wildlife. You can even meet the Nature Center’s resident box turtle, Pokey. Turtle time happens Thursdays at 11 a.m.

Or, for something completely different: Learn to immerse yourself in “forest bathing.” This walking meditation originated in Japan, and Rock Creek Conservancy is organizing two forest bathing walks this month from Trail 9.

The Hillwood mansion in June 2020.

See history come alive at the Hillwood Museum and Peirce Mill. The Hillwood Museum, at the home of the heiress to the Post cereal fortune, is famous for its beautifully-kept gardens and Fabergé egg collection. The museum at 4155 Linnean Avenue also hosts special exhibits and events.

Peirce Mill, at 2539 Tilden Street, will take you further back in time, with demonstrations on August 10th and 11th showing off the latest in early 19th century corn-grinding technology. Kids call also learn how ice cream was made on August 10th, and on August 24th, DC Square Dance Collective and Friends of Peirce Mill are hosting a free summer square dance. They’ll even teach you to do-si-do as you go.

So much to do, so little time… Visit the farmers markets at UDC and Sheridan School. Hear authors discuss their works at Politics and Prose. Try all the neighborhood restaurants.

And please tell us: Are any of your favorite local summer sights and activities missing?