Washington DC’s Eastern Market - Perfect Weekend Fun

If you’re in DC on a weekend, especially in the spring and summer, be sure to check out Eastern Market at 7th and Pennsylvania SE. Its one of the oldest continually operating farmers markets in the U.S. and there is more stuff to look at and eat than you can shake a stick at.

On the weekends, they close off 7th street and there are vendors ranging from farmers selling apples to folks selling antique furniture to cute ribbon watches to yummy cookies, just to name a few. Its an easy, fun place to take kids and to be a part of the Capitol Hill community. Its a block away from the aptly named Eastern Market Metro and just a few blocks from 8th Street SE that also has a lot of fun stores and restaurants worth strolling by.

The Market operates during the week too and they have a great cheese shop inside.

Great fun!

Old Patent Office, New Kogod Courtyard

One of Washington DC’s coolest attractions for kids - locals and visitors alike - is the two-for-one Museum of American Art and National Portrait Gallery housed at the old patent office (Thanks to the Library of Congress for the admittedly somewhat-out-of-date picture):Old Patent Office

This building now sports a beautiful courtyard complete with a glass canopy, giving it that surreal feeling of being inside and outside at the same time. Which is not the only surreal feature of the courtyard.

My kids love the fountains, and I love watching them play in the fountains. Several large, flat surfaces have a thin layer of water trickling over them, and the kids can run through the water without even getting (very) wet. It’s cool.

On top of that, there’s a totally reasonable cafe in the courtyard, with abundant tables and chairs, or you can take the food out into the park-like setting of the courtyard itself and have a picnic next to an absurdly shallow stream. Fun!

The museum is too much to take in on a single visit, but it’s definitely worth seeing highlights like the Hampton Throne, which our kids also love, and there are also portraits galore for education and enjoyment (everyone from George Washington to Jerry Seinfeld). Plus, when the south balcony is open (pictured above), you can head up there for a lime rickey and look out all the way down to the National Archives.

Check it out here and here, and find it on Google Maps here. The north entrance has ramps for strollers, and it’s steps from the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro. Parking is either impossible or very expensive, depending upon what sports are happening. Other options for dining include Gordon Biersch (very kid friendly), the Spy Museum Cafe (also kid friendly), and a Teaism if you walk straight toward the Archives for two blocks, and look for it on your right.

There’s a lot to see in DC if you’re here for a visit, but I’d definitely put this on the list, and if it’s not a huge hit, you can have your money back (did I mention it’s free?). If you’re locals like us, you may even find yourself coming back for a repeat.

Stitch DC & Ipso Crafto - Crafting in DC

I’m currently obsessed with making my own toys for my kids (if any turn out, I’ll post them) and wanted to let you know about two great stores in DC on 8th Street SE that have helped feed my obsession.

StitchDC is a yarn store for knitting and crocheting. They have great classes, which is how I learned to knit, and their supply of yarns is fantastic. They are always cheerful and very helpful when I go in with my questions. Even if you don’t knit, the store is such a wonderful place to walk through and see all the beautiful colors.

Ipso Crafto is right next door to Stitch and is a cute little craft store with lots of fun stuff to look through. They have a nice selection of fabric, ribbons etc (remember my obsession with making toys) and lots of other great craft supplies. They also do a lot of classes that look like fun.

With both of these stores on Capitol Hill and right next door to each other, I have yet another reason to shop locally.

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