1. Check out the National Cathedral’s Bishop’s Garden – While the Cathedral is closed to visitors, the Bishop’s Garden is open to visitors. With gorgeous, lush flowers, trees and bushes, the surroundings change beautifully with each season. Of course, don’t forget to wear your mask and practice social distancing! More information on the Bishop’s Garden here.

2. Visit the new panda cub at the National Zoo – Giant panda Mei Xang gave birth to an adorable cub on August 21st. Its iconic black eye marks are starting to appear, which is exciting! Check out the pandas and other animals at the zoo, which is currently open. Face coverings and passes are required, and there are new hours too. More information on the National Zoo here.

3. Watch planes land at Gravelly Point – Gravelly Point is a park in Arlington, VA located north of Reagan Airport. It’s a popular spot for plane watching, as they go right over park-goers heads. More information on Gravelly Point here.

4. Walk the C&O Canal near Georgetown – There’s nothing like exploring the C&O Canal trail near Georgetown on a cool fall afternoon. There’s even a new app out too called “C&O Canal Explorer” that helps guests explore the nearly 200 miles of the C&O Canal National Historic Park. More information on the C&O Canal here.

5. Enjoy the peace of Rock Creek Park – Rock Creek Park is an oasis in the middle of the city. The park is a nearly 2,000 acre city park officially authorized in 1890 (making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government). More information on Rock Creek Park here.

6. Stroll through CityCenterDC – The upscale shopping district is back with social distancing precautions. There is a seasonal overhead display in Palmer Alley that offers glittering views. There’s nothing better than window shopping too at places with gorgeous window displays and luxe items. More information on CityCenterDC here.

7. Have a photo op at the Albert Einstein Memorial – The giant Albert Einstein memorial outside the National Academy of Sciences is a great option for a photo. The bronze figure weighs four tons and is 12 feet tall. More information on the Albert Einstein Memorial here.

8. Relax on the Spanish steps – Did you know DC has a set of Spanish steps? The Kalorama location is in a peaceful corner of the city. It was finshed in 1911 at the height of the City Beautiful movement. The steps were originally meant to be a pedestrian connection between S St. and Decatur Place. More information on the Spanish steps here.

9. Visit the Titanic Memorial – DC also is home to a Titanic memorial (that looks eerily like the Kate Winslet pose in the iconic scene with Leo). The memorial is at the northern tip of Ft. McNair and is dedicated to “the brave men who perished in the wreck of the Titanic on April 15th, 1912.” The plaque also goes on to say: “They gave their lives that women and children might be saved.” More information on the Titanic Memorial here.

10. See the DC Alley Museum – The DC Alley Museum is an open-air site with colorful murals painted on garage doors in Blagden Alley. It’s the perfect place for some fun Instagram photo ops. More information on the DC Alley Museum here.

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The two have launched”Picnic in the Park” to promote local parks and restaurants. The initiative is currently in nine county parks to make it easier for those spending time outdoors to find nearby restaurants for takeout and delivery.

If you which to go picnicking, each park has signs with a QR code for visitors to scan to be connected with the MoCo Eats website. From there, almost 1,000 restaurants are listed. Visitors can then connect and order directly from the restaurant of their choice.

Each park has a designated delivery area where outdoor diners can meet a driver and get their orders.

Picnic in the Park locations include:

• Jessup Blair Local Park
• Norwood Local Park
• Acorn Urban Park
• Wheaton Regional Park
• Wheaton Local Park
• Germantown Town Center Urban Park
• Wall Local Park
• Olney Manor Recreational Park
• Takoma Urban Park

The post “Picnic in the Park” Launches to Promote Montgomery County Parks & Restaurants appeared first on Washington, D.C. On The Cheap.

      

1. Secondi Clothing – This secondhand store in Dupont Circle has been in business for 34 years. New arrivals are welcomed all day, every day. Best of all, they have a huge online presence to make pandemic shopping easier. If you spend $500 or more dollars, shipping is free. 1702 Connecticut Ave. NW DC

2. Frugalista – Frugalista is a thrift shop in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of DC. They offer lots of fun, colorful items including lots of summer hats and frocks with a hip flair. 3055 Mount Pleasant St. NW DC

3. Fia’s Fabulous Finds – Fia’s Fabulous Finds has offered upscale brand-name ladies clothing and accessories since 2012. They’re located in Petworth and carry items from all your favorite designers like 7 for All Mankind, Ralph Lauren, Betsy Johnson, J. Crew and more. 806 Upshur St. NW DC

4. Joint Custody – This secondhand shop features a variety of clothing, records and electronics. It’s a convenient shop located in the busy U Street corridor. Their vintage t-shirts and sweatshirts are perfect for these work-from-home days. 1530 U St. NW DC

5. Meeps Vintage – This cozy vintage shop has offered Washingtonians unique pieces since 1992. They also sell costumes and accessories too! Meeps is open every day of the week with varied times. 2104 18th St. NW DC

The post Today is National Secondhand Wardrobe Day—Here are 5 Great Thrift or Vintage Shops in DC appeared first on Washington, D.C. On The Cheap.

      

1. Visit the National Zoo – The zoo is back—with a brand-new panda cub too! Hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. with a last admittance at 3 p.m., visitors will be limited and there are new safety protocols in place. Entry passes are required as are face coverings for those ages 6+ (recommended for 2-6). FREE on foot/via Metro, parking is $30/car, visit here for more information.

2. Strathmore’s Live from the Mansion Series – On Wednesday, Strathmore continues its virtual concert series with Cecily, who will be singing vintage soul, jazz and R&B. If you’re feeling stressed due to the year’s events, this is a great stress reliever. FREE, visit here for more information.

3. Support your local concert venues and buy some merch – If you haven’t done any online shopping in awhile, 9:30 Club, The Anthem, Merriweather Post Pavilion and Lincoln Theatre have an online store. The store is full of fun tank tops, t-shirts, hats and more to help them stay afloat during these tough times. You can also donate directly to the “I.M.P. Family Fund” to help employees of the venues with need-based relief. $5-$149, visit here for more information.

4. Grab a special edition banana split cupcake at Sprinkles – It’s especially important during this crazy year to treat yourself, right? For today (August 24th) and tomorrow (August 25th) only, Sprinkles is offering a banana split cupcake. The cupcake is a decadent banana cake with marshmallow cream and strawberry frosting, topped with chocolate ganache, peanuts and a cherry. $4.99, visit here for more information. Sprinkles is located in Georgetown at 3015 M St. NW.

5. Check out the mural of Ida B. Wells at Union Station – Through Friday August 28th, check out a 1,000 square-foot mosaic of suffragist and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells. “Our Story: Portraits of Change,” is an interactive photo mosaic and art installation commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and women’s right to vote in the U.S. Free, visit here for more information.

The post 5 Things to do This Week in the DC Area appeared first on Washington, D.C. On The Cheap.

      

The sandwiches are typically $15.25 and made with sour orange marinated pork loin, genoa salami, ham, provolone, Swiss and a yellow mustard-pickle relish. The sandwich is served with crunchy plantain chips.

Interestingly enough, the “National Cuban Sandwich Day” started out as a prank in 2016. A reporter from the Tampa Bay Times wanted to see how many news agencies would run a story about a fictional food holiday. The holiday ended up catching on. In fact, two-time James Beard award-winning Chef-Partner Guillermo Pernot said they’re “embracing” the holiday and they “feel strongly that we Americans need more flavor in our lives as well as another day off from work to enjoy food and family.

The restaurant’s management has even filed a Change.org petition to make August 23rd an “official federal food holiday.”

Those who want the sandwich are encouraged to order and pay ahead to pick up their sandwiches from the restaurant’s pop-up carryout station (along H St. NW). Delivery is also available within a two-mile radius from orders from Cuba Libre’s website.

More information on Cuba Libre can be found here.

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The Yards at Home will be getting into the spirit of the event with virtual cocktail classes, DJ sets and more via The Yards’ Instagram page.

The Tiki boxes are available for $25 and include:

• 2 pre-mixed cocktails
• 2 Tiki glasses
• Cocktail umbrellas, bamboo straws and stir sticks
• Cocktail napkins
• Temporary tattoos
• A raffia fan
• Leis

Virtual content begins Wednesday and continues throughout the rest of the month with a Tiki cocktail class with Caribbean restaurant Bammy’s, a frozen piña colada demo with Ice Cream Jubilee, a steel drum band concert, live DJ sets with DJ Alex Love and a lei making demo.

Pre-ordered boxes are available at The Yards Sundeck Thursday August 27th from 3-7 p.m. You can order a box here through August 27th.

The post Mark Your Calendars: Tiki Yards Returns August 27th—Reimagined appeared first on Washington, D.C. On The Cheap.

      

• Check out the D.C. Potter Movie Experience – Harry Potter superfans, rejoice! This weekend the Bullpen (yep, the one you’d go to for Nats games) is hosting a “DC Potter Movie Experience,” two nights of drink specials, costume contests and of course, screenings of the movies—all socially distanced of course. For more information, click here. Movies are Friday and Sunday at 8 p.m. & are $15-$20. Both movies pass is $30.

• Enjoy some live music at Jammin Java – The concert venue/bar/café is offering live music outdoors with a mix of local musicians on their patio. All shows are free with donations accepted for the selected musician’s charity of choice. Jammin Java is also donating $1 for every beer sold. Capacity will be limited due to social distancing precautions. For more information on the concerts, click here. Thursday through Saturday beginning at 7 p.m.

• Take a guided tour of Congressional Cemetery – If you’re ready for Halloween and the upcoming fall season, on Saturday, the docents at the cemetery offer weekly Saturday morning tours via Facebook live. They chat about all who are buried in the cemetery, from politicians, musicians, war heroes and more. For more information, click here. Saturdays 11 a.m.-12 noon.
  
• Visit the National Museum of Women in the Arts – The National Museum of Women in the Arts has reopened! They’re back this Sunday, August 16th, with free admission. You must reserve a spot beforehand to assure proper social distancing. Expect to see exhibits like Graciela Iturbide’s Mexico and Return to Nature, a collection of women’s contributions to nature photography. For more information, click here. Sunday 12 noon-5 p.m. Reservations required.

• Learn about drinking in the Federal period with the Dumbarton House – Guest curator Kelly Bresnowitz and the Dumbarton House are offering a virtual event Friday evening. The event will talk about Dumbarton House’s current exhibit, “Pick Your Poison,” which talks about drinking during the Federal period. Bresnowitz will speak first and then there will be a Q&A session about how our founding fathers sipped cocktails. Then, the Dumbarton House will reimagine a classic colonial cocktail. While virtual, space is limited. In honor of National Rum Day August 16th, there will be discounted admission. Use the discount code: PickYourPoison. For more information, click here. Friday 7-8:30 p.m., Members $15, General admission $20.

• Visit Tudor Place – Tudor Place’s lush garden has reopened! The outdoor area is open Thursdays through Sundays 12 noon-4 p.m. Self-guided visits of the garden are available for free. You’ll need to reserve a timed ticket entry for a two-hour window. Guests who want more time can reserve more than one slot. Entry after 3:30 p.m. will not be allowed. Bathrooms are open for ticket holders only. For more information, click here. Free admission.

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They are then told to scan the QR code at the register, fill out the online submission form and be automatically entered to win lots of prizes. Prizes include:

• A grand prize of a $400 gift pack including a Bradley Beal jersey, $100 Cane gift card and a Raise Nation premium membership
• A first prize winner will get a John Wall jersey, $50 Ethiopic gift card and a Raise Nation e-membership
• Second prize winner gets a $25 HalfSmoke gift card and a Raise Nation e-membership
• Third prize is $50 to FishScale

The participating Black-owned restaurants include:

• FishScale at 637 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001
• DCity Smokehouse at 203 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001
• HalfSmoke at 651 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001
• Mr. Smith’s of Georgetown at 3205 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20007
• Pleasant Pops at 1781 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009
• The Kitchen Jerk at 703 Edgewood Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20017
• Roaming Rooster at 3176 Bladensburg Rd. NE, Washington, DC 20018
• Ethiopic at 401 H St. NE, Washington, DC 20002
• Souk at 705 8th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003

Happy eating!

The post Area Restaurants, Feed the Malik, Raise Nation LLC Launch Black-Owned Restaurant Sweepstakes appeared first on Washington, D.C. On The Cheap.

      

• The Big Bad Woof – The Big Bad Woof offers a virtual tour to check out the space and see their eco-friendly pet supplies. Right now, they have curbside pickup and local delivery every day of the week. Check their website for phase 2 hours as businesses reopen. They have plenty of toys and treats to spoil your furry loved one, from squeakers to Kong balls and more. 6960 Maple St. NW, Washington, DC 20012
  
• Howl to the Chief – Howl to the Chief also offers ordering online and in-store pickup. Dogs will be pleased to find out they offer lots of toys and dozens of extra comfy dog beds. Their Capitol Hill location is easy to find and near lots of restaurants too, so you can grab some takeout treats for yourself too! 733 8th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003
  
• Doggy Style Bakery, Boutique and Pet Spa – This Dupont Circle shop typically offers a “barkery,” retail shop and pet spa. Right now, their policies are changed a bit (no barkery, limited grooming). However, they do offer curbside service and local delivery for Fido to celebrate his special day. 1642 R St. NW, Washington, DC 20009
  
• Loyal Companion – Loyal Companion has pet shops along the East Coast, with a large cluster in our area. They offer lots of adorable dog toys like a smiling plush avocado, brightly colored balls and more. Locations in Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Vienna, Herndon, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Columbia, Olney and DC
  
• Olde Towne Pet Resort – If your pet is just as stir crazy as you’ve been these last few months, this luxury pet resort and day care has you covered. They’re currently offering a “COVID Recovery Special”—50 percent off of all suite types for stays through November 15th, 2020. Day camp and other activities are just $19 through October 2020 too! Dulles, Springfield and North Bethesda locations

The post Today is National Spoil Your Dog Day—Here are a Few Local DC Area Pet Shops to Try appeared first on Washington, D.C. On The Cheap.

      

From now through October 24th, the restaurant’s expanded front patio is available for dine-in. Those who bring their dogs can enjoy complimentary house-made Soom Tahina oatmeal dog biscuits.

Yes, while you’re dining on kebabs from their wood grill, or small plates like roasted halumi, charred eggplant and falafel, man’s best friend will not feel left out!

Sababa has already seen repeat dog visitors since the promotion kicked off last week.

Sababa’s menu includes the small plates and wood-grilled items mentioned above, as well as handmade sodas like pomegranate rosehip and lavender borage. There are also house cocktails and desserts.

Sababa is open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner. For more information on the restaurant, click here.

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