ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor Travel Guide

***Please note that this ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor Travel Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This travel guide was most recently updated as of December 2025.***

Sparkling light displays, Christmas trees galore, and alll things holiday cheer, the Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor is truly a magical place to be during the holidays! Ever since I was a kid, I have been visiting the magic of Christmas at the via ICE! Gaylord National Harbor. Truly, Christmas at the Gaylord is a holiday tradition that I have enjoyed for decades now! And, with ALL of its holiday magic and glory, the Gaylord has become a popular spot to spend Christmas time for folks both near and far. At the same time, I am someone who gets SOOO overwhelmed by the holiday crowds: something I know I am not alone in experiencing. As someone who has visited the Gaylord National Harbor pretty much every Christmas season, I’m going to share a bit about how to avoid the holiday crowds (to the best that you can!) while still enjoying some Christmas cheer!

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor Travel Guide


 

What is ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor?!

One of the most popular offerings that the Gaylord National Harbor has is its annual ICE! Christmas display. ICE! Is an ice sculpture display based on a well-known Christmas-themed movie (themes rotate each year amongst all of the Gaylord Hotels across the country!). 2025’s ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor theme is … The Polar Express (2024’s ICE! Display is themed around A Charlie Brown Christmas). Other rotating themes include: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & Elf!.

My Experience at ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor

Here are a few key notes to keep in mind for your ICE! experience:

  • Upon arrival at the Gaylord National Harbor, all guests are to immediately follow the signs to ICE!. If you get lost in the big hotel that is the Gaylord National Harbor, then don’t fret, as several staff and fellow guests are happy to help guide you in the right direction. As of 2024, ICE!’s entrance and exit was housed in the Christmas Village, filled with magical Christmas gifts, a Build-A-Bear station, and fun holiday-themed activities.
  • Staff will let guests in based on their timed entry on their ticket. It is worth arriving at the Gaylord National Harbor 30 minutes-1 hour before your ticketed time to ensure you make it in on-time to fully enjoy your experience.
  • Come bundled up! Although big, blue puffer jackets are provided to all guests as the interior temperature of the ICE! displays are around 9 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s still worth bringing a hat, gloves, and wearing lined leggings/pants to ensure you stay warm and have the best experience possible.
  • Photos are welcomed all throughout the ICE! Christmas displays. Whether it be a camera, phone, or anything in between, ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor is the perfect opportunity to take all of the photos and capture all of your best memories!

Now, in addition to ICE!, what does the Gaylord National Harbor offer at Christmas time?!

The Gaylord Hotel offers everything from onsite restaurants and shops to Christmas trees and displays galore to sparkling lights and trees at every turn. Some of the many Christmas offerings in addition to ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor is listed below:

  • Sparkling lights line the trees that line the main hotel entrance. Truly, it’s a magical welcoming! And, once inside, Christmas trees lining the lobby hallway with an on-display gingerbread village.
  • An atrium Christmas tree that showcases unique atrium performances and periodic light displays galore throughout each evening. The lobby and second floor atrium balconies offer superb views of the tree and lights. At the lobby balcony, there is a restaurant and bar for guests to enjoy drinks and light bites on a first-come, first-served basis (crowds vary based on timing). To avoid the crowds though to get the optimal atrium tree views, it is recommended to take photos on the second floor balcony.
  • Onsite restaurants including the Old Hickory Steakhouse, a market and cafe, and a rooftop bar. Usually, I choose to dine at one of the many restaurants outside of the Gaylord in National Harbor (see the list here!). My favorites over the years include Redstone American Grill and McCormick & Schmick’s for more of a splurge and Potbelly and Chipotle for a more budget-friendly meal.
  • ICE! Christmas displays are truly an asset to the Gaylord National Harbor! As previously mentioned, the Christmas themes rotate amongst the Gaylord hotels across the United States, so visitors can enjoy a new theme year-after-year. ICE! Is an excellent photo opportunity and time to truly take in ALL of the holiday magic. Buy tickets here!
  • Outside the entry to ICE!, the Gaylord has its Christmas Village with several vendors, including a holiday-themed Build-A-Bear workshop, and boasts several opportunities to purchase holiday gifts for loved ones. Beyond the Christmas Village, the Gaylord has multiple onsite shops for your Christmas shopping (or treat yourself moments), too!

Crowds at ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor

Now, you are probably thinking, how do I avoid the holiday crowds to the best of my ability while visiting the Gaylord National Harbor?!

The best days/times to visit the Gaylord National Harbor are the following:

  • Thanksgiving Weekend and more specifically on Black Friday or the Sunday after in the evening
  • Any weeknight from Sunday evening-Thursday evening
  • Late afternoons on a weekend

The worst days/times to visit the Gaylord National Harbor are the following:

  • The weekend before Christmas
  • Any weekend after Thanksgiving during peak times (specifically anytime not late afternoons on the weekends)
  • The week of/before Christmas

Wrap-Up

Above all else, I find the Christmas cheer at the Gaylord National Harbor to be such a beautiful thing! Indeed, I go year after year and have been for decades to see this magical hotel light up every holiday season. And, I know that many of y’all get nervous about the Gaylord National crowds during Christmas. Crowds or not, the Gaylord National Harbor is an incredible place to be to ring the holiday season!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Summer Strolls – The Smithsonian Castle

One of the MANY buildings in Washington, DC that I simply cannot get over how incredible it is is *none other than* the Smithsonian Castle! Indeed, the Smithsonian Castle is a magnificent building and is one of the first places that I visited growing up with my parents time and time again in Washington, DC. Not only does this incredible place hold many memories of my own, but it also holds a vast history in Washington, DC and the United States as well as several memories of people from all across the globe.

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

Note: Currently, the Smithsonian Castle is closed to visitors for a few-years of renovations and restorations. It closed its doors on February 1, 2023, but will re-open once complete. However, its adjacent Enid A. Haupt Garden (home to some of the iconic magnolia cherry blossom trees!) and outdoor grounds remain open to the public during visitor hours.

About: The Smithsonian Castle opened its doors to the public in 1855 and has witnessed centuries of American history. It is the first-ever Smithsonian Institution building and also played homage to the first Smithsonian exhibit that opened to the public! Its home is alongside the National Mall where many of the Smithsonian’s other museums (and national monuments!) are located, including the National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, and African American History Museum. Currently, the Smithsonian Castle serves as the central information center for the Smithsonian. While its doors are closed as of February 2023, the Smithsonian Castle’s charm still reigns in ALLL of its glory!

Growing up, I used to visit the Smithsonian Castle with my Dad and brother probably at least 3+ times during the course of my high school years. I would, then, visit it again with friends in both high school and college in the years that followed. Needless to say, over time, going through the doors of the Smithsonian Castle began to feel a bit old and annoying to me. However, as time went by, I grew to truly love this building more and more and more. When the #IfThenSheCan exhibit showcasing 3-D printed statues of women in STEM (here) were scattered all across the National Mall including at the Smithsonian Castle (which I visited!!!), I truly began to appreciate the importance and beauty of this building that I frequented in my teens. Now that the Smithsonian Castle’s doors are temporarily shut to the public, I cannot help but admire it even more so. That all being said, I cannot wait until its doors reopen again!

While on my photoshoot of the Smithsonian Castle, I couldn’t help but admire its architecture at EVERY turn! I started off entering in via the adjacent Enid A. Haupt garden aka a favorite spot of mine to visit during cherry blossom season for the magnolia cherry trees (!!!!!) to check out the stunning gardens during the summer time. It was an EXTREMELY hot and humid Washington, DC day, but yet a great one to admire the Smithsonian Castle grounds right in front of my very own eyes. I happened to embrace my Hydrangea Girl Summer (if you know, you know!!) and found a few hydrangea bushes, too! I ended up walking ALLLL around (well, most) of the Smithsonian Castle grounds and was just in awe at every turn.

The Smithsonian Castle is, indeed, an amazing structure on the National Mall. It is one that I hold near and dear to my heart! Truly, a special place to me and many others!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Pre-Thanksgiving Weekend in Washington, DC!

Typically the weekend before Thanksgiving, ALL of the Christmas fun has typically begun in the Washington, DC area! And, as a Christmas enthusiast, I see that there is literally nothing better to do than simply enjoy ALL the holly jolly fun right in my own backyard. Ranging from hosting my first-ever Friendsgiving to visiting a Popup Christmas bar to a Christmas tree lighting and everything in between, I have enjoyed this past pre-Thanksgiving weekend essentially kicking off the holidays here in my city.

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

My best friend and fellow influencer Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram came to visit me over the weekend JUST IN TIME for Friendsgiving (!!!). We, then, did a bunch of activities around the city and went out to Bealton, Virginia for a winery day, too. I will note that although not everything is fully decorated and all things Christmas until around December 1, I am SO glad I got to show Lindsay a bit of Christmas in Washington, DC.

Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving was a bittersweet one, as I had to cancel my planned gathering last year due to burnout. SO, I am so so so thankful, grateful, and blessed to be able to not only host an incredible Friendsgiving this year but also have such incredible friendships here in the Washington, DC area. Many of my local friends were able to make it, too, which made it to be such an incredible and blessed gathering. Lindsay also got to meet all of my Washington, DC area friends and everyone there all became friends on social media and in real life (!!!!). One of the biggest gifts in my book is seeing my friends become friends with my other friends. I LOVE being a bridge to new and incredible friendships! Rosie my dog also joined in on the Friendsgiving fun, too, and brought us all SO MUCH JOY!

Downtown Holiday Market (Centered at 8th and F Streets NW, Washington DC)

Every year, Washington, DC’s Downtown Holiday Market brings Christmas cheer to the city pretty much daily now until December 23 from 12-8pm. Located just in front of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the Downtown Holiday Market brings local Washington, DC area businesses to the forefront to showcase their goods and allow locals and visitors alike to support them. While I find the Downtown Holiday Market to be a bit overpriced (depending on the merchandise) at times, I do LOVE supporting 1-2 local small businesses each year and learning about many others in my city. Lindsay and I LOVED taking photos in front of the fun props such at candy canes and reindeer and stars for folks to pose in front of and enjoying *none other than* the holiday vibes at the Downtown Holiday Market. Live music is there, too! We were there right as the sun had set, which made for such a magical experience!

Urban Roast (916 G Street NW, Suite C-2, Washington DC)

Known as Washington, DC’s premier pop-up bar, Urban Roast has been ALLL decked out for Christmas since the beginning of November! I have LOVED dining at Urban Roast for the vibes and drinks but less for the food (which to be honest is subpar). However, the staff there are super kind and make it worthwhile to come back time and time again. The Christmas decorations at Urban Roast was probably my favorite that they’ve done, too! Being transparent, I reacted adversely to something in the environment at Urban Roast which will make me sit out going back there any time soon. BUT, I am ALL about enjoying the vibes at this incredible pop-up bar while you can!

Bull Run Festival of Lights (7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA)

I treated Papa and I to tickets at the Bull Run Festival of Lights and it was AMAZING. Every holiday season, the Bull Run Festival of Lights takes over Centreville’s Bull Run Regional Park with SO MUCH Christmas cheer. When I was a kid, my family and I used to pack the family van and all go and enjoy the lights at Bull Run, so it felt magical to be back! This time around, Papa and I ended up going on a rainy Tuesday night and took Rosie with us. The cutest thing is that Rosie was looking out the window at the lights, too! Needless to say, we all enjoyed ourselves and had a holly jolly time!!

Morais Vineyards & Winery (11409 Marsh Road, Bealton, VA)

My fellow best friend Stephanie posted about the Fall Festival that Morais Vineyards & Winery was having when Lindsay was coming to visit, SO, in typical Katie fashion, I made arrangements for us ALL to go! Morais Vineyards & Winery is located about an hour away from me and Stephanie both in Bealton, Virginia and about 90 minutes South of Washington, DC. Stephanie and I had checked out Morais Vineyards & Winery while at the Mount Vernon Wine Festival back in October (here) and knew we wanted to check out the gorgeous vineyard in-person at some point. Morais Vineyards & Winery also serves as a wedding venue playing homage to Portuguese architecture and wine with some tastes of its home in the Virginia Wine Country, too. It is a STUNNING place! We all enjoyed some wine and checking out the food trucks and small business booths at the Fall Festival.

Old Ebbitt Grill (675 15th Street NW, Washington DC)

Old Ebbitt Grill is probably one of my VERY favorite restaurants. I write more about this incredible restaurant and its historical significance in Washington, DC and the United States as a whole here. And, since the notable Nutcrackers appear outside the doors of the magical Old Ebbitt Grill EVERY holiday season, Lindsay and I *just knew* that it would be a must-go for us! While I go into much more details on Old Ebbitt Grill in my previously linked post, this well-known restaurant is a unique one in that it brings together tourists and locals, alike, and has a strong international presence with both its clientele and staff making it such a unique place to be!

Old Town Alexandria Christmas Tree Lighting (520 King Street, Alexandria, VA)

The Christmas tree lighting in Old Town Alexandria took place on Saturday November 17 with special guests such as Santa and his elves. The Christmas tree is located right in front of the gorgeously historic Alexandria Courthouse in the heart of Old Town Alexandria’s King Street. Lindsay and I shopped at local shops on King Street before admiring the gorgeously lit tree. I spend A LOT of time in Old Town Alexandria, as it is one of my happy happy happy places, so to see the Christmas tree there the night it was lit brought me SO MUCH JOY!

The Willard Intercontinental Hotel (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC)

While not decked out for Christmas *just yet* (or at least when we went), the Willard Intercontinental Hotel is ALWAYS such a magical place to be. I took Lindsay here late on a Sunday night right after our dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill, as it is a few blocks away. This notable and iconic Washington, DC hotel has an iconic holiday tea at their in-house Peacock Alley and nightly carolers (something I want to check out this year!). More details on the holiday fun here. It was a such and brief visit for us both before the halls are decked out!

I have already found SO MUCH joy and things to be thankful for this holiday season. I have SO MUCH holiday fun to look forward to this season, and I hope you do too.

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Old Lucketts Store Holiday House 2023

If you know me, then you know that I LOVE a holiday market! On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee), I have not feared sharing Christmas content before Thanksgiving. Christmas time brings me SO MUCH JOY, so why not?! Anyhow, I went to the Old Lucketts Store Holiday House last year for the first time ever and LOVED it. And, when I had the day before Veterans Day off at work, I decided to take a solo day to clear my head and check out the Old Lucketts Store Holiday House for my 2nd year on *none other than* opening weekend.

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

Get your tickets here!

While I will not get into details in this post about the Old Lucketts Store Holiday House (you can read ALLL about it here though!), I did learn a few brand-new facts about it this year! Every year, the Holiday House gets a completely new interior look. I learned that the store owner goes to Atlanta, Georgia’s markets to shop for all-things Holiday House merchandise the week AFTER Christmas. This year, the owner hand-painted some of the wallpaper on the 2nd floor (I forget exactly which wallpaper, though!). Her works have also been featured in several magazines over the years, too. Another important note for 2023 is that the Holiday House IS via ticketed entry ONLY. Tickets this year are $25 excluding taxes and fees. However, I find the ticket price to be SUPER worth it, given the value of literally walking through a Hallmark Christmas movie and Pinterest board and shopping with complimentary bubbly, too!

Now, I will get into the meat of this post by sharing …. Pictures! Let’s take a virtual tour together!

My Favorite Room in the house (!!!!)

After shopping around the Holiday House, I shopped at the Old Lucketts Store, which is open year-round!

& last but not least, the Holiday House’s outdoor decor!

Happy Holiday season, everyone!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Experience at the Mount Vernon Wine Festival

Every Spring and Fall, George Washington’s Mount Vernon puts on an incredible wine festival, bringing in several participating wineries from ALLL across Virginia. As fellow Virginia wine (and wine in general!) lovers, my best friend Stephanie and I decided to experience the Virginia Wine Festival ourselves in early October 2023 and we were definitely in for a treat!

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

About the Mount Vernon Wine Festival: The Mount Vernon Wine Festival is hosted every Spring and Fall and allows guests to sample unlimited wines from wineries all across Virginia at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate in the evening. Guests also get a complimentary wine glass to take home, can admire the sunset on the estate’s East Lawn looking over the iconic Potomac River, and can walk through the first and second floors of the mansion. Tickets are starting at around $50 (which is what Stephanie and I both paid) and go up if you choose to purchase a charcuterie board or do VIP seating. Concessions are available for purchase, too. We opted to do General Admission. See more information on planning a visit to Mount Vernon in general and events here.

Around 20+ wineries (each with their own booth) participated at the Mount Vernon Wine Festival, allowing guests to get unlimited samples with admission. Bottles and glasses are also available for an additional purchase at each booth. I ended up doing some Christmas shopping for my family (wine is my best gift for loved one’s – haha!) and got 2 bottles for myself, too. Stephanie and I had an incredible time at each of the wineries that we were able to do complimentary tastings at. Each winery offered a unique flair, some of which’s wine had odes to the winery’s owner’s German, Polish, or Indian heritages. I LOVED getting to try several different unique wines, whether a celebratory, a dessert, or a go-to red or white. The wineries we tried included:

  • Horton Vineyards – a 3-generation women-owned winery, including the youngest daughter being the youngest woman winery owner in the United States!
  • Narmada Winery – an Indian-owned winery based near Washington, Virginia that pays homage to both Virginia wine country and its owners’ Indian heritage.
  • Morais Vineyards & Winery – a stunning winery AND popular Virginia Wine Country venue located in Bealton, Virginia.
  • Molon Lave Vineyards – the literal sweetest people were at their booth and they had the most Katie pink rose named *none other than* Katie’s Charm (!!!!).
  • North Mountain Vineyard & Winery – Paid homage to German/Polish heritage with some delicious dessert wines and the sweetest people at their booth as well.
  • Briede Vineyards – located in Winchester, Virginia with some amazing white wines.

Stephanie and I also were able to put our picnic chairs and blankets down on the East Lawn where we *maybe* spent 15 minutes the entire time we were there. Needless to say, we LOVED getting to sample several different wines from many many many vineyards across the Virginia Wine Country. We prioritized trying different vineyards over touring the mansion and it was for sure worth it and a blast to socialize with the staffers from each winery and other fellow festival guests. We definitely got our money’s worth and we will for sure be back to a future wine festival, too!

As fellow wine lovers, Stephanie and I LOVED getting to make a visit to the Mount Vernon Wine Festival. There are SO many incredible Virginia vineyards that we still have YET to check out. I know Stephanie and I both have our own winery bucket lists, too! I feel beyond lucky to live in an incredible state in the heart of wine country, featuring SOOO many incredible wineries to visit and enjoy some locally made wines at. And, it’s not every day that you get to strike a pose with the President and First Lady (!!!!).

XOXO – Katie <3

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Washington, DC Area Things To Do: August 2023

Is it JUST me or has summer just flown by wayyyyy too fast?! Happy almost-August y’all! As August approaches us *tomorrow*, I cannot look towards the future with anything but uber-excitement for this upcoming month with all that there is to do here in the Washington, DC area. Even though the heat and humidity are pretty brutal around here, there are still several ways to have fun (and stay hydrated!) both indoors and outdoors.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

The Washington, DC area offers a variety of multicultural and historical activities that are both free and extremely affordable. Needless to say, you can easily have a GREAT time locally while on a budget, too. Personally, I am REALLY looking forward to the Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week at the end of the month AND seeing Moulin Rouge on tour at The Kennedy Center.

Events:

  • Enjoy a summer evening in the Hillwood Estate Gardens at Dance on the Lunar Lawn – featuring a performance by dancers of the Dance Institute of Washington. Tickets are $5-$20. (August 16 at 5:30-8:30pm)
  • Celebrate Vietnamese culture at Tysons Corner Center’s VietFest featuring vendors, live music, and traditional dance performances (August 12-13)
  • Commemorate 50 years of Hip-Hop – an artistry shaped by Black Americans – at the National Museum of African American History & Culture’s family-friendly Hip-Hop Block Party with free admission (reservation required) from 11am-11pm (August 12)
  • Wine & dine at some of the Washington, DC area’s top restaurants via Metropolitan Washington Week Summer 2023 starting August 28-September 3 (more to come in a future blog post!)
  • Enjoy a late night at the museum via The National Building Museum’s Summer Block Parties (August 10 and August 24)
  • Test your knowledge with Trivia Night: US History and Imperial Revisions at the National Portrait Gallery’s Kogod Courtyard from 5-6:45pm with free admission (reservation required) (August 15)

Activities:

Looking to check out and cool down at one of the MANY vineyards and/or breweries in the Washington, DC area on a regular basis?! Then, you are IN LUCK: Reserve Pass is the app for you. With Reserve Pass, you have easy access to app-only deals and discounts, reservations, and a map-view to plan your visit accordingly to ALL the local vineyards/breweries in your area. The best part?! Many vineyards/breweries within the Washington, DC area are participating, meaning that you can access all of the great deals and events (such as Oyster day at Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery!!), reserve your visit right on the app, and best plan your visit accordingly.

Use the code ktloveswine for 40% off a yearly Reserve Pass membership. Happy wine-ing and dine-ing!!!

**Looking for fun things to do in the DMV & beyond, continue to follow @_thepinkchickadee on Instagram & this site for more posts on fun things to do on a regular basis.**

XOXO – Katie <3

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Washington, DC Spots: Artechouse

One of my biggest passions is finding applications of STEM concepts in the real world. When my influencer bestie Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram came to visit me in Washington, DC and really wanted to go check out Artechouse, I knew we had to go. Before Lindsay’s visit, Artechouse had been on my Washington, DC area bucket list for a while. And, to my surprise, Artechouse is an intersection of art and technological concepts such as artificial intelligence (AI) and sensors. Needless to say, one of my biggest passions in finding STEM applications in the real world was met while experiencing this super neat masterpiece!

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

About Artechouse:

Artechouse was founded in 2015 by its founders Sandro and Tati in the hopes of “redefining the way art is experienced and creating a supportive ecosystem for the future of art.” They have locations in New York City, Washington, DC, and Miami Beach. The name Artechouse combines the words art + tech + house! Throughout the year, Artechouse has unique exhibits to reflect the current times in its respective cities (such as a Christmas-themed exhibit during the holiday months) and Lindsay and I happened to see the Pixelbloom: Timeless Butterflies exhibit going on there then in honor of the current ongoing National Cherry Blossom Festival. Read more about Artechouse here: https://www.artechouse.com

Getting There:

Artechouse Washington, DC is located on 1238 Maryland Avenue SW in Washington, DC. It is an easy walk (5-10 minutes) a few blocks away from the Smithsonian Metro Station located on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. Lindsay and I found a group of ladies also going there as we were walking to Artechouse which made it easier to find for my directionally challenged self – LOL!

Admission:

When it came to tickets, Lindsay and I got the Date Package as it was $33/person (compared to $25 for general admission) and included admission and a drink voucher at the bar. I’m glad we did the Date Package to save some money and get everything all at once. However, many of the guests at Artechouse just got the General Admission tickets and were good to go even if they wanted to order a drink at the bar, too. It is important to note that upon admission into Artechouse, you have about 90 minutes to enjoy all of the unique features within the gallery!

Our Experience:

Artechouse was such a cool experience! A unique part of Artechouse is that the gallery replays the immersive art and technology around every 22 minutes. So, if you miss something the first time, then you can see it and enjoy it again! I will say, though, that in the main gallery Lindsay and I both felt a bit dizzy with the artwork moving around us, which is why many people sit down when enjoying it all. At the same time, Artechouse along with the main gallery and bar has a few additional galleries, including features that have sensors like building a butterfly – HOW COOL! The additional galleries were honestly a highlight for me at Artechouse, as I did get to experience real world applications of artificial intelligence and sensors. In my work professionally and charity with STEM For Her, I get to learn more about real-world applications in STEM and empower others who want to pursue their interests in it. So, Artechouse was definitely a happy haven for me in that way!

Along with enjoying the art and technology immersion in the galleries, Lindsay and I also enjoyed getting some drinks at the bar. Artechouse has unique cocktails on-theme with whatever the current exhibit is. They also have an app where you can add unique filters to your drinks which make is SO immersive and enjoyable (it ALSO brings in the sensors and artificial intelligence concepts, too!). Lindsay and I met a super sweet group of women in STEM who had connections to Indiana too – HOW NEAT! I love how small and special our world is and moments like these make it so much more unique, wherever each of us may be.

Wrap-Up:

Artechouse was such a neat immersive experience. I am SO glad that I finally got to go! I talked with one of my friends Brianna about going back to Artechouse for a Christmas-themed exhibit!!! I cannot wait to go back and see *even more* applications of STEM in the real world.

XOXO – Katie <3

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A Visit to the Tidal Basin at Peak Bloom!

*Just* in case you didn’t know, my favorite color is PINK!! And, well, I LOVE that the pink cherry blossom trees are well-known in my home city of Washington, DC. Peak bloom for the iconic cherry blossom trees for this year aka 2023 was this past week (March 23-29). And, it just so happened to be that my blogger bestie Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram was in town to visit me! We had the PERFECT cherry blossom-themed weekend here in the Washington, DC area! Today’s blog post will focus on our visit to the Tidal Basin at peak bloom.

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

The Tidal Basin is one of the most iconic places to see the cherry blossom trees in Washington, DC. Even though cherry blossom trees are planted in several different areas across the Washington, DC area even in the neighboring states of Virginia and Maryland and in my home neighborhood in Fairfax Station, Virginia, nothing really beats getting to see the cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin. People from ALL across the world come to visit the cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin! In fact, 2023 is the first year since COVID-19 that people from abroad are coming to see the cherry blossom trees along with Washington, DC area locals and visitors from all across the United States. That all being said, the cherry blossom peak bloom gets none other than CROWDED!

Personally, I get super overwhelmed and triggered by big crowds. I have NEVER liked crowded places and I refuse on the most part to be in a crowded place. I can likely thank my Mom for this one – LOL! I have learned since moving back to the Washington, DC area that there are a few times to go to certain places in the city than others if you want to see a big tourist and visitor heavy area that is popular (case in point: the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin!). On Instagram, I have seen SO MUCH hilarious content about the brutal crowds at the Tidal Basin in the midst of all the gorgeous photos that the fellow content creators took. The crowds are brutal at the Tidal Basin, y’all! In the case of visiting the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin, then it is best to go when the weather is rainy, cloudy, windy, overcast, all of the previously mentioned combined, OR at sunrise. In Lindsay’s and I’s case, we went to the Tidal Basin on an overcast Saturday afternoon the day that the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Kite Festival was postponed to that following Sunday.

Living in Washington, DC, I have noticed that people DO NOT like to come out in crowds if there isn’t a big event or it’s not a beautiful sunny day or it’s not 5am. That all being said, Lindsay and I were both so so so glad that we went on an overcast Saturday afternoon. It was Lindsay’s first time ever to the cherry blossoms, too! Lindsay had only been to Washington, DC once for a brief day before last weekend. Seeing the excitement on her face when she saw ALL of the monuments and cherry blossom trees along the National Mall made me SO happy. I feel beyond lucky to live in and call the Washington, DC area home. When I have friends come to visit, I feel so excited to see the excitement in their eyes when they come to the place that I call home.

Some of my favorite places alongside the Tidal Basin to see cherry blossom trees in the Washington, DC area are the following:

  • Washington Monument
  • The White House
  • Smithsonian Gardens
  • Old Town Alexandria
  • There are ALSO probably many more places that I am forgetting to mention as well!

I am SO happy that Lindsay came to visit me to see the cherry blossom trees! And, until next year, I am going to smile at the memories made this year amongst the cherry blossom trees.

XOXO – Katie <3

 

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My New Favorite Washington, DC Area Trail!

Ever since I went on mission trips in high school with my local church, I was a sucker for a scenic view whenever we would pass them! Although back in my high school church years we never really stopped at really any of the scenic views, I always used to love when we passed by them! Up until recently, I discovered a Washington, DC area trail that is pretty much a scenic view at EVERY TURN! And, that trail is …. the Mount Vernon Trail!

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

According to the National Park Service, the “Mount Vernon Trail is an 18-mile paved trail that stretches from George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island. It connects with regional trails, including the Potomac Heritage, Custis, Rock Creek, Four Mile Run, and Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trails.” It is also a short walk from the Arlington Cemetery, Rosslyn, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Metro stations which are accessible from multiple Metro lines. It is open daily from 6am-10pm and there are several parking spots along different parts of the trail. Papa and I parked at a lot right by George Washington’s Mount Vernon via an offshoot of Route 1. For more information on the Mount Vernon Trail, look no further than here: https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/mtvernontrail.htm

Papa, Rosie, and I parked, as I said before, right by George Washington’s Mount Vernon at one of the first pull off’s on the southern side of the trail. We walked not super far on the trail as Rosie aka my dog is a mega barker and guard dog when it comes to bikes and scooter and motorcycles, but the entire time we were there, I was beyond impressed with the trail. The trail’s scenic views at every turn, bridges, and flora, and nature make it worth a stop and a great place to workout while enjoying a great place. I find it super neat that the Mount Vernon Trail goes from George Washington’s Mount Vernon ALL THE WAY to the monuments in Washington, DC. Papa actually biked the entirety of the Mount Vernon trail from Virginia to the monuments years ago – how neat!! At the same time, my Mom has also biked along the Mount Vernon Trail for many of her workouts and LOVES it. Knowing the significance both historically and via the love that my family has for the Mount Vernon Trail makes me want to fall in love with this spot, too.

One of the things that I plan to do during peak cherry blossom season this year (which will be March 25-29, 2023!!!!) is to visit the cherry blossoms along the Mount Vernon Trail. Apparently, the Mount Vernon Trail is a GREAT place to see the cherry blossoms *without* the crowds of the Tidal Basin! Recently, I have been looking up places to see the cherry blossoms that don’t come with the crowds and lack thereof of personal space, so this trail favorite of mine will fit the bill.

A MAJOR perk of living in the Washington, DC area is the plethora of trails, parks, and scenic views that have some sort of historical and/or national significance and are FREE to all who visit and use them. The affordability and lack of money that it costs to visit some extremely notable sites is one of the reasons why I LOVE the Washington, DC area and city for others to visit, too. The Mount Vernon Trail is just one of MANY examples of affordable/free places to see in the Washington, DC area!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Washington, DC Spots: National Air & Space Museum

When I was 7, my Mom took me to the National Air & Space Museum’s iconic planetarium. At the time, I had a major fascination with astronomy, and my Mom wanted to allow me to explore that then-passion of mine more. While I do not have as much of a HUGE passion for astronomy nowadays, I do still have a fascination and interest in it. SO, when one of my best guy friends James and I were thinking of a place to go in Washington, DC to catch up, I *just knew* that the National Air & Space Museum would be THE ticket!!

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

Getting there: The National Air & Space Museum is located on the National Mall, just alongside several other iconic Smithsonian Institution museums AND the National Monument, United States Capitol Building, and Lincoln Memorial – just to name a few. Its address is 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560. If taking public transportation, it is easiest to access via the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station, located along the Blue, Green, Orange, Silver, and Yellow lines or the Smithsonian Metro station (which is what James and I did!) in the case that you want to take the more scenic route. You can also drive to the National Mall, too, but it can be more challenging and pricey to find parking there. Along with visiting the National Air & Space Museum, it is also very easy to visit the monuments, grab a bite at a food truck alongside the National Mall, and check out another Smithsonian Institution museum!

About: The National Air & Space Museum is one of the many FREE to visit & ICONIC museums located along the National Mall that are apart of the Smithsonian Institution. It is also well-known as the Air & Space Museum. This museum was established in 1946 as the National Air Museum and it displays aircraft, missiles, rockets, spacecraft, and other flight-related artifacts. They also have an iconic planetarium to this very day, just like they did when I was a kid with my Mom! The Smithsonian museum was recently updated after undergoing renovations during the bulk of the COVID-19 pandemic and re-opened to the public in October 2022. To learn more about the National Air & Space Museum, look no further than here: https://airandspace.si.edu/

Planning Your Visit: In order to visit the National Air & Space Museum, you must reserve a free timed-entry pass. The purpose is free timed-entry passes is for crowd control. I highly suggest reserving your passes at least a few days in advance or seeing if there any available the day of that morning at 8:30 or that afternoon at 12:30 via the front desk. I didn’t have a problem reserving tickets for James and I just a few days before. It’s important to mention that many items, including knives, pepper sprays, scissors, and wallet tools, etc. are banned from all Smithsonian Institution Museums and Washington, DC sites, alike. To reserve your timed-entry pass, look no further than here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1029945/timed-entry-washington-the-smithsonian-national-air-and-space-museum-general-public

James and I were IN AWE at the National Air & Space Museum!! Its remodeling has made it look absolutely STUNNING! We both started off by visiting an exhibit on the Wright Brothers and their invention of the aircraft/airplane and how aviation has evolved ever since they first took off in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. As someone who went to college and has many close friends who are either from or still live in North Carolina, I LOVED getting to see an exhibit that had roots in North Carolina. It was also fascinating to be able to learn about the hard work that the Wright Brothers put into developing the aircraft and the legacy that they’ve left behind to this very day. The remainder of the exhibits that James and I saw were more focused on *none other than* astronomy (!!!). I LOVED getting to see an exhibit on the planets, space crafts that visited our galaxy – in REAL life!!!! – and learn more about how our world is connected via technology. James and I both had an amazing time.

Unfortunately, the planetarium that I knew and loved and still do was not open at the very precise moment which James and I arrived to try and take a peek inside. However, if we had thought more ahead of time, then we would have. Seeing the planetarium is definitely something on James’s and I’s bucket list for the future.

James has been a close friend of mine since high school. He has always been someone that I can count on in life and to have a GREAT TIME with. I am so so so glad that we got to spend time together at the National Air & Space Museum. As someone who frequents the National Mall and Washington, DC in general A LOT from Northern Virginia, I got James hooked on the city, too, and was very proud to have done so.

XOXO – Katie <3

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