With the holidays fast approaching, friends and family headed your way will be eager to see the sites. Here are some creative and different things to do beyond the typical must-see landmarks, such as Arlington National Cemetery, the Marine Corps War Memorial and U.S. Air Force Memorial.
The Outrun Gravity Games
Nov. 24, 12-1:30 p.m.
Work up a post-feast sweat with Outrun Gravity, which will provide physical challenges to test your knowledge, teamwork, balance and coordination skills – no matter your fitness level. Tickets are $25. //8350 Broad St., Tysons
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Just down the road from Arlington sits the estate of Martha and George Washington, a majestic mansion on the Potomac River. Included with the ticket fee ($28/adult, $15/child ages 6-11, free for children younger than 5) is a self-guided audio tour of the vast grounds, gardens, Washington’s tomb and historic outbuildings. A tour of several rooms inside the mansion costs an additional $2 per person. Upcoming special events, which may carry additional fees, include a Thanksgiving Buffet at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant on Nov. 23, Mount Vernon by Candlelight (Nov. 24 and 25 and Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, and 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m.) and Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon fireworks show (Dec. 15 and 16, 5:30-8:30 p.m.). Also consider the once-a-year Death and Mourning of General George Washington Tour on Dec. 11 and 17, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., a 60-minute tour that looks at the first president’s final 36 hours. // 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Hit the ice where the Washington Capitals practice atop the Ballston Quarter parking garage. This 20,000-square-foot training center features two indoor National Hockey League-sized rinks, a full-service ProShop and a snack bar. Come out for public skate sessions, drop in on a class or game, or sign up for hockey, skating or figure skating lessons. Of course, watching the pros practice is always an option, too. Practices are free and open to the public. Find the schedule here. // 627 N. Glebe Road, Suite 800, Arlington (Ballston)
The State Theatre
Burn off some Thanksgiving calories by moving to blues music by The Nighthawks and Motown by The Soul Crackers when they take the stage for a double-header on Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. Or swing by Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. to see The Warped Tour Band perform your fave pop-punk and emo songs from the late ’90s through early ’00s. // 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Signature Theatre
Ragtime, a Tony Award-winning musical look at America at the turn of the 20th century, will be on stage during Thanksgiving weekend. It tells the intertwining stories of three families set against historical figures and the music and styles of the time. Catch 2 p.m. matinees or 8 p.m. performances on Nov. 24, 25 and 26. On Dec. 2 and 9, backstage tours of the show are also available. // 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Synetic Theater
There are no shows over Thanksgiving weekend while the physical theater company prepares for performances of The Golden Fish (Dec. 8-Jan. 7) and Snow Maiden (Dec. 9-Jan. 6), both of which promise to delight audiences of all ages once the holiday season is in full swing. // 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington (Crystal City)
Capital One Hall
Home to two performing arts theaters, several restaurants, and an 11-story-high sky park, The Perch, which includes a beer garden, outdoor amphitheater, climbing elements for kids and a dog run, this two-year-old entertainment hub in Tysons offers fun for the whole family. Over Thanksgiving weekend, move to the music of Turkish rock band MaNga on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. or blues artist Joanne Shaw Taylor on Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. Check the website for more shows, including comedians, ballet performances and kids’ sing-a-longs. // 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Winter Lantern Festival
After three consecutive years of sell-out runs, the festival returns to Lerner Town Square at Tysons II from Nov. 24-Feb. 18, 2024, with more than 1,000 handmade Chinese lanterns and lights. Guests can weave through displays inspired by Chinese myths, legends and zodiacs, and ride illuminated swings, seesaws and other interactive attractions. The festival will be open from 5-9 p.m. Plan on spending an hour—and at least $21.99/adult and $15.99/child. // 5025 Galleria Drive, Tysons
Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse
On Nov. 24 and 25, comedian Alonzo Bodden will perform four shows. A regular panel member on NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, you might also recognize the funny man from the third season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and his 2019 standup special, Alonzo Bodden: Heavy Lightweight on Amazon Prime Video. // 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington (Columbia Pike)
A Very Victorian Christmas
Go back in history on Nov. 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cherry Hill Farmhouse in the City Falls Church to see how Christmas was celebrated in the Victorian age. Costumed re-enactors welcome guests of all ages for 19th-century holiday cheer, including decorations, music and children’s activities from that era. While you’re there, visit the farm, which was part of a pre-Revolutionary War plantation and is on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places. // 312 Park Ave., Falls Church
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Elf, a holiday movie about a human (played by Will Ferrell) raised by Santa’s elves, at the Elf Movie Party on Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. The event includes props, a gift wrap competition before the film and your own elf hat. Reserve a reclining seat for $16.42 plus fees. // 1660 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Black Heritage Museum of Arlington
Founded to celebrate the African American journey to freedom in Arlington County, this small museum on the Pike features exhibits on Arlington’s historically Black neighborhoods, the desegregation of Arlington public schools, pivotal community leaders and Freedman’s Village, a Civil War-era settlement for formerly enslaved people. It looks at a history many of us were not taught in school, including the vital role African Americans played in the formation and development of Arlington County, and the heritage and struggle of the black experience in Virginia. Check the website for hours. // 3045b Columbia Pike, Arlington (Arlington Heights)
Arlington Historical Museum
Home to the Arlington Historical Society, this museum is free and open to the public, with a self-guided tour through Arlington’s history. The building itself is historic, too. It’s housed in the oldest schoolhouse in the county, complete with a school bell you can ring. Visit weekends from 1-4 p.m. // 1805 S. Arlington Ridge Road, Arlington
Ball-Sellers House
Owned and operated by the Arlington Historical Society, this farmhouse in the Glencarlyn neighborhood was built in the early 1700s by farmer John Ball and is the oldest structure in Arlington County. Three generations of the Carlin family owned it next, including William Carlin, a tailor for Martha and George Washington. While there, be sure to check out three bronze plaques that the historical society and Black Heritage Museum of Arlington installed Oct. 28 to honor the lives of three people once enslaved at the home by the Carlins. Note that the home-turned-museum is free and open to the public from 1-4 p.m. on Saturdays from April through October, but private tours are available at other times, weather-permitting. // 5620 Third St. S., Arlington (Glencarlyn)
Victorian Architectural Styles Walking Tour
Take a self-guided walking tour of some notable properties in the City of Falls Church. “The Little City” is home to many 19th– and early 20th-century buildings, such as the Birch House (circa 1855) and Falls Church Presbyterian Church (1884). A downloadable map lists 19 places to admire, mostly along East Broad Street between South Street and North Washington Street.
David M. Brown Planetarium
Part of Arlington Public Schools (APS), this planetarium named for hometown astronaut David M. Brown, who perished on the space shuttle Columbia, offers public programming several nights per month during the school year. APS hosts hourlong events the first weekend of each month and Friends of the Planetarium hosts others on the third weekend of the month. On the first Monday of the month, Jonathan Harmon hosts the 90-minute Stars Tonight program, a look at stars and celestial phenomena. Check the website for the next shows, which cost $5 per adult and $3 per senior citizen and child 12 and younger. Note that the planetarium accepts cash or checks only and doesn’t offer reservations. // 1426 N. Quincy St., Arlington (adjacent to the campus of Washington-Liberty High School)
DEA Museum and Visitors Center
First opened in 1999 and renovated in 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration Museum grew out of a special agent’s collection of narcotics law enforcement badges. Today, it’s an interactive learning environment full of artifacts, personal histories and hands-on educational activities. Current exhibits include “DEA at 50,” which looks at agency milestones of the past five decades; “DEA at Work,” which offers a glimpse into how special agents, forensic examiners and researchers carry out their work; and “Drug Waves,” a study of how drug use changes in tandem with technological, medicinal and societal trends. // 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington (Pentagon City)
Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
Not all museums need the name Smithsonian to be inspirational. This art museum occupies Virginia Square building constructed in 1910 as the Clarendon Elementary School. Today, the landmark structure houses nine exhibition galleries, working studios for 12 artists and three classrooms. At 17,000 square feet, it claims to be one of the largest non-federal venues for contemporary art in the DMV. Check the events calendar for upcoming programs, such as Yoga in the Galleries on Saturdays (10-11 a.m.) and Mondays (6:30-7:30 p.m.), or just go browse the exhibits. // 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Civil War Visitor Center at Fort C.F. Smith
Forest bathers will be delighted to discover that this 19-acre park has a nature trail. But be sure to also stop at the visitor center, which houses exhibits and archaeological artifacts relating to Union soldiers and how they defended Washington, D.C. between 1861-1865. Kids even can try on replica Civil War costumes (Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays, 1-5 p.m.). Also worth a look-see are the park’s Civil War earthwork ruins, the best-preserved ruins of the 22 forts that were located in Arlington. // 2411 24th St., North, Arlington (Woodmont)
The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
Situated on the grounds of the Pentagon, this 2-acre outdoor memorial invites guests to take a moment of silence to remember the 184 people who died there and on American Airlines Flight 77 when it crashed into the iconic building in 2001. A 24-minute audio tour is available for download or by calling 202-741-1004. The memorial is accessible round the clock, every day of the year. // 1 Rotary Road, Arlington
Falls Church Farmers Market
Yes, a farmers market! This one in The Little City is open year-round with tons of local vendors and live music, giving festive vibes with a side of veggies. Grab a coffee from Catoctin Coffee Company, something sweet or savory from Kate’s Crepes, and lots of fresh produce, fish, meat and poultry to take home. The market is open Saturdays, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. April-December and from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. January-March. // 300 Park Ave., Falls Church (City Hall parking lot)
Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Rink
At 7,200 square feet, this outdoor ice rink is the largest in Northern Virginia and second largest in the state. Plastic penguin skating trainers are available for those who need a helping hand (er…wing). Group or private youth and adult lessons can also be scheduled. Spectators can lounge next to the accompanying outdoor firepits. Check the website for hours, which vary by day of the week and holidays. Prices range from $10-$13 for rink access, and skate rentals are $6/pair. Because the rink is nestled amid restaurants and shops and a stone’s throw from the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City shopping mall, there’s no shortage of places to grab a post-skate hot cocoa, treat or full meal. // 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
CEB Tower Observation Deck
Take in the capital skyline from on high. Towering 400 feet above Rosslyn, this 12,000-square-foot observation deck has floor-to-ceiling windows that provide a panoramic view of the Pentagon, Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery and other famous landmarks. Be sure to have a valid form of ID to access the deck, and check the website for special holiday hours. // 1201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 115, Arlington (Enter at 1731 N. Moore St.)