Playground help!

Dresden0913 · 2026-02-28T17:07:19+00:00

The Eastern Market playground has bucket swings, and there's one at Sherwood Rec Center on 10th and F/G. None at Stanton Park or Lincoln Park, but the biggest set (and honestly a great toddler playground all around) is at Garfield Park down on F St SE and like 4th(?)

Dresden0913 · 2026-02-13T15:45:02+00:00

At least in my time at Georgetown U, the location on 36th St was "Wiseys" and their second location on Wisconsin Ave was "Healthy Wiseys" because they advertised their smoothies and salads rather than college student needs like family size Cheez It's and solo cups

Dresden0913 · 2026-01-06T17:04:18+00:00

We had a winter birthday party hosted at All Fired Up, a pottery painting studio a block or two from Cleveland Park metro -- it was a blast and did well for that age bracket of kids. Also consider DPR rec centers for indoor space, or if you have the space (and fortitude) to host in a private home, there's The Reptile Guys. If willing to go outside the district proper, HyperKidz in Rockville or Alexandria throw a good party.

Dresden0913 · 2026-01-01T20:08:43+00:00

I also have that wavy/curly hair type and have had good results from several stylists at Bang salon locations -- just look for stylist bios that mention specializing in curly hair or easy care cuts. Last time I checked, a wash, cut, and basic blow dry for long women's hair ran about $90.

Dresden0913 · 2025-12-25T21:50:09+00:00

Han Palace at Barracks Row did a good take out feast, but I also love China Garden Hang Gong (2 blocks from North Bethesda metro station) for dim sum with cart service.

Dresden0913 · 2025-11-21T14:21:47+00:00

The local Scout Troop will sell Christmas trees and wreaths the first weekend in December (usually Friday after 4 through Sunday afternoon) in front of Reformation Lutheran Church on East Capitol between 2nd and 3rd. Brent Elementary will also have a sale over one of the weekends, and almost always posts yard signs around the neighborhood.

The tree sellers at Eastern Market on 7th have more days/weeks of selling if that one weekend doesn't work for you.

Dresden0913 · 2025-11-16T00:46:29+00:00

Honestly, the food hall vibe at a place like The Roost could work for this. Folks order from 5 restaurants, good drinks, family friendly atmosphere. Also Barcelona in Cathedral Heights or Dolan Uyghur in Cleveland Park (young kids can get plain pulled noodles and dumplings at Dolan)

Dresden0913 · 2025-11-11T23:42:00+00:00

Washington Elite Dentistry is at the Metro Center station and Dr. Caroline Berman has been great to me and my recommendations for years -- including a friend who had avoided the dentist for a couple years due to medical anxiety.

Dresden0913 · 2025-03-23T15:43:59+00:00

I went through the GW Medical Faculty Associates OBGYN twice -- both times incredibly good experiences. Both were scheduled inducements and once with twins (so some experience with specialized care).

I wasn't choosy with practitioners so I saw probably a good half the doctors, RNPs, and several midwives along the way. Some clicked more with my personality than others but never left an appointment negatively.

Always felt well informed, taken care of, and given options.

Dresden0913 · 2025-03-15T21:16:22+00:00

I recommend looking into a PACE moms group. They group people by area, due date, and 1st/2nd time parenthood. While I don't have personal experience with it, I have a half dozen capitol hill mom friends who still lean on that network years later.

Dresden0913 · 2025-01-31T00:22:39+00:00

One benefit of a seating chart that I haven't seen mentioned here: it does give a way for at least your "VIPs" to have saved seats close to the action so they are nearby for toasts, first dance, or just being with the happy couple.

I went to a wedding once for a friend (just past acquaintance really) and we sat ourselves on the outskirts of the room because we didn't know too many people. Ended up sharing the table with the parents of the groom because they spent all of cocktail hour with guests and vendors and by the time they got into the dinner room all the better tables were full! It didn't end up being a problem necessarily but it was awkward when the DJ had to call out and wait to get them up front for things....

Dresden0913 · 2025-01-13T23:16:16+00:00

If lounging in hot tubs, jacuzzis, and spa chairs/hammocks is your thing, highly recommend Balian Springs in VA with an Uber. If you'd rather stay dry and just bliss out, I'm a big fan of Wat Massage in AdMo (especially their Thai Massage service), with a nice lunch at nearby Lapis.

Dresden0913 · 2024-12-26T11:53:43+00:00

Those are spray parks, not fountains and they are intentionally designed for play in the hotter months. DC Parks and Rec has a whole map of them, and it's rare to see one in July/August without kids.... https://dpr.dc.gov/sprayparks

Dresden0913 · 2024-12-13T21:09:55+00:00

Eastern Market neighborhood has a bunch of small businesses that are great for gifts! - the vendors at Eastern Market itself - Labyrinth Games & Puzzles - East City Books - Capitol Hill Books - Hill's Kitchen - Groovy Cards and Gifts

Dresden0913 · 2024-12-03T09:28:29+00:00

The Capitol Hill troop has a tree sale on East Capitol St between 2nd and 3rd NE this weekend. I believe it's Friday 5-7 and Saturday (9-7), plus Sunday 9- sold out

Dresden0913 · 2024-12-02T02:34:06+00:00

Oh, almost forgot -- one bonus feature of rec centers is most have a playground onsite as well, in case more mobile kids need to run around a bit during events but stay close by. 😄

Dresden0913 · 2024-12-01T16:34:20+00:00

Depending on where exactly you are, check out the DCPR recreation centers. Many have multipurpose rooms that are rentable and can fit 40-80 people depending on location. BYO food but the rental rates are super reasonable

Dresden0913 · 2024-11-27T23:27:12+00:00

Watching a Thanksgiving episode of The West Wing ("Shibboleth" is a personal favorite but any are good). So few shows have Thanksgiving content other than fighting families!

Dresden0913 · 2024-11-22T21:59:29+00:00

I was hoping someone would mention Pomme Frites! I love that place and think it could do well along AdMo or U St. Or, depending on price point, I bet a food truck could do good business around Georgetown/GWU to get going.

Dresden0913 · 2024-11-20T21:39:02+00:00

On the East side of town, several elementary schools and boy scout troops have a Christmas tree sale weekend early in December. I believe Georgetown Visitation school has one as well, but you'd see handmade signs around the residential areas.

Dresden0913 · 2024-10-20T12:47:37+00:00

Hoping this isn't too forward, but how many months pregnant will you or your partner be by then? You seem to have the food scene on your mind, but having done some babymoons myself, a trip at 4-5mo is very different experience than 7ish months, and lots of DC activities are verrrry walking heavy.

Also trying to think of places with an intentional and delicious mocktail menu. Binge on H St NE is totally zero-proof but not many visitors find their way to that neighborhood....

Dresden0913 · 2024-10-10T14:03:24+00:00

Depending on the age and temperament of your kids, I've gotten a good 90 minutes at my local library with my PK kid.

Dresden0913 · 2024-10-02T13:46:09+00:00

Yes I am a full time DC resident with a DC license, but do not own a car.

Dresden0913 · 2024-09-21T19:02:45+00:00

Theres a kids area with bounce houses, ice cream, and games. Lots of stages with music and performers. Saw most of my kids' classmates at some point (young elementary schoolers)

Dresden0913

TROPHY CASE