James Smith

Latest posts by James

Things to Do in Washington, DC This Weekend: Purim, Spy Sleepover, Music

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 03/04/2020 - 8:15am

Enjoy a Persian New Year festival, and don't forget your costume. Photo courtesy of National Museum of Asian Art

This weekend, take advantage of the last few weeks of winter to introduce your kids to a little bit of multicultural DC. The Jewish festival of Purim inspires a pair of celebrations in Washington, DC, including a family carnival; and a celebration of Persian New Year delights at the Freer and Sackler galleries.

Kids can bake St. Patrick's Day treats in Sterling, Virginia, bond with the family in Baltimore, or enjoy bilingual music at the Kennedy Center.

Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend: Central Florida Fair, Touch a Truck

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 03/04/2020 - 8:00am

Indulge your inner trucker at Downtown Orlando Touch A Truck. Photo courtesy of the event

There is good news for fans of sunshine this weekend. Daylight saving time brings an extra hour of afternoon sunlight to the Sunshine State, so why not get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Hit the Central Florida Fair in Orlando this weekend before its annual run closes. Take in an arts festival in Lake Mary, or challenge yourself on the rides at the Apopka Fair.

Speaking of rides, there are theme park celebrations at Universal, SeaWorld and Epcot, and even a retro toy fest in Kissimmee.

Little Eyes Can Spy at International Spy Museum DC

Submitted by James Smith on Fri, 02/28/2020 - 6:00am

Your covert mission begins with an undercover identity at the Spy Museum.

Hidden in plain sight, appropriately enough, in L’Enfant Plaza is the newly reconstituted International Spy Museum DC. And what adventures little eyes can spy at this tween and teen showplace.

The International Spy Museum is, in fact, a museum dedicated to espionage. The Spy Museum houses the largest collection of spy-related relics ever put on display, and its collection tripled in size shortly before its 2019 relocation to L’Enfant Plaza, near DC's Smithsonian museums.

Things to Do in Washington, DC This Weekend: Heritage Fest, Children's Theater

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 02/26/2020 - 10:18am

Drop in for some art making at the Walters Art Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Good news, fans of February: Not only does the calendar give us that rare leap day in 2020, it also drops it right into the middle of a Washington, DC weekend.

That means there's plenty of fun to be had on February 29, including heritage festivals , writing clinics, pop-up parties, children's theater, and more.

And if you're eager to begin March, you can also enjoy special programs on Sunday at Imagination Stage in Bethesda and the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, and even a visit from The Great Zucchini.

Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend: Fairs, Parades, Kite Day

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 02/26/2020 - 9:36am

The Central Florida Fair offers primers on fire fighting and more. Photo courtesy of Central Florida Fair

Good news, fans of February: Not only does the calendar give us that rare leap day in 2020, it also drops it right into the middle of an Orlando weekend.

That means there's plenty of fun to be had on February 29, including Mardi Gras festivals, community celebrations, children's theater, and more.

And if you're eager to begin March, you can also enjoy special programs at Universal and SeaWorld, the Central Florida Fair, and Central Florida's first St. Patrick's Day parade of the season.

Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend: Kids Marathon, Stargazing, Leap Day

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 02/26/2020 - 9:03am

Visit the alpacas at the 40-acre Creekwater Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

Good news, fans of February: Not only does the calendar give us that rare leap day in 2020, it also drops it right into the middle of an Atlanta weekend.

That means there's plenty of fun to be had on February 29, including storytimes, children's films, stargazing, nature activities, and more.

And if you're eager to begin March, you can also enjoy special programs at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the Center for Puppetry Arts, and the Fernbank Museum.

Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend: Puppets, Theater, Hello Kitty

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 02/19/2020 - 10:40am

Get your adrenaline fix at Snow Island before it closes for the season. Photo courtesy of the event

Hard to believe, but spring in Atlanta is a mere month away. And while some might celebrate the arrival of a new season, fans of winter will want to head out to two cold-weather attractions before they close for the year. License to Chill at Lanier Island Resort in Buford and Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park both shut for the season on Sunday, February 23.

Those are just two of the many things to do on busy weekend in the Atlanta area, where science, children's theater and even a visit from the Hello Kitty gang ought to inspire your young ones. You can even introduce them to a bit of multicultural Atlanta with events at the Michael P. Carlos Museum and the Weber School.

Things to Do in Washington, DC This Weekend: Theater, Science, Sports

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 02/19/2020 - 8:00am

Get acquainted with the instruments at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Photo courtesy of Capital City Symphony

Theater, music, STEM or sports ... chances are whatever your kids are into they will find a great thing to do (or two) in the Washington DC area this weekend. Enjoy ballet at the National Theatre, robotics in Baltimore, museum fun in DC, or perhaps discover a bit of our natural world in Wheaton, Maryland.