“D.C.’s Whitney Museum” is how ClockOutDC describes the city’s newest museum- the Rubell Museum. Located inside the 1906 old Randall School building in Southwest D.C., the Rubell Museum is the only full-fledged art gallery in the neighborhood. The museum is sure to quickly become a popular spot to Instagram in DC.
Opened on Saturday, October 29th, the Rubell Museum’s inaugural exhibit is inspired by singer and songwriter Marvin Gaye, an alumnus of Randall Junior High. “What’s Going On” includes 37 artists who focus their work on social and political issues. More than art, each piece raises a voice toward making the world a better place.
Spread out throughout four floors, signs guide visitors through each masterpiece. From clay jars with surprises inside to a room filled with gold-painted objects, the Rubell Museum is worth the time.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, it’s free for D.C. residents, veterans, EBT card holders, and people with ADA disabilities. Entrance is between $10-$15 for everyone else.
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I love visiting Frederick, Maryland.
Just an hour outside of DC, Frederick, Maryland is a historic city offering great eats, shopping, and beautiful views. Located where Catoctin Mountain meets the Piedmont region, Frederick has long been a crossroads, predating even European influence. Native American tribes are said to have followed the Monocacy River south to the Potomac River and eventually out to the Chesapeake Bay. In 1745, Daniel Dulaney laid out “Frederick Town”, and shortly after All Saints Church, an Episcopal Church located in the center of town, was founded. As Frederick grew, it became a center for religious pluralism, best exemplified by Church Street, and the towns skyline, which consists of numerous church spires. The towns’ clustered spires were immortalized in the poem ‘Barbara Fritchie’ by John Greenleaf Whittier, which tells the story of Barbara Fritchie, a woman in the town of Frederick who waved the Union flag at occupying Confederate soldiers. The second stanza reads line “The clustered spires of Frederick stand/ Green-walled by the hills of Maryland”. With history and scenic beauty abound, there’s so much to explore in Frederick, MD.
But enough about history… let’s talk about the 7 best places to catch sunrise in Frederick, Maryland.
1. Baker Park
Located in the heart of Downtown Frederick, Baker Park offers 58 acres of greenspace complete with a creek, running/ biking paths and some of the best views of the city. You can park along W 2nd Ave and walk to the bridge on College Ave to catch beautiful sunrise shots over the park and the Joseph D. Baker Tower and Carillon.
Just north of Baker Park is Culler Lake and the Carroll Creek Covered Bridge. Parking along W 2nd St or Carroll Pkwy offer easy access to these iconic landmarks.
Walking up and down Church St is truly special as you walk next to some of the oldest churches in all of Maryland. For architecture photography this spot is hard to beat.
Park along S. Market St to catch scenic views of Carroll Creek and the mural of jazz great and Frederick native Lester Bowie. Just past the mural is United Steam Fire Engine Company 3. Established in 1845, this firehouse has a historic fireman windmill that makes for a great detail shot.
Built as part of a floodplain following a devastating flood in 1976, this seemingly quiet creek has 4 massive pipes running under it, each about the size of a bus. The aqueduct begins in Baker Park, and the pipes all travel under Carroll Creek Linear Park to divert water away from the town should the creek flood. Spanning more than a mile, the creek offers walking paths, restaurants and beautiful sunrise views. From November till March be sure to catch the boats as part of the Sailing Through the Winter Solstice charity event.
Located next to the Frederick Transit Center along East St is the Frederick Bike Racks in ASL. The project was created as part of the “Pitchcraft” competition, run by the Downtown Frederick Partnership. The competition allows people to pitch their ideas for what can better connect the people and places in the community of Frederick. The inaugural winners, Chanel Bonheyo and Tiffany Farias, pitched the bike rack idea in 2019, and won. Today, this creative idea offers one of the coolest sunrise spots in the city.
After first seeing a shot of the Clustered Spires of Frederick against the backdrop of the mountains in the Ec’clectibles shop on W. Patrick Street, I knew I had to figure out how to get this photo. It took a lot of trial and error, but Clustered Spires Cemetery on Linden Ave, just outside Downtown Frederick offers the best views of the famed Clustered Spires. You’ll need a long lens (at least 200 mm, but 300-500mm is better), but the reward for trucking a glorified telescope out here is one of the coolest views of the city you can get.
Thanks for reading my list of the best places to watch sunrise in Frederick, MD. Now set your alarm (Frederick MD Sunrise Times) and take some stunning photos of Frederick.
The DMV is full of magic in December and we look forward to seeing how you capture the holidays every year. This year, we decided to create a guide of all the sights that will make any photographer happy.
From stunning Christmas lights to events for kids we’ve covered all types of events in the DC area to fill your holiday todo list.
Here is IGDC’s list of the best things to do in DC for the Holidays:
Want to surround yourself in lights? How about inside a baseball stadium? Then Enchant DC will have your eyes twinkling and your lens overloading on bokeh. There’s a light maze, ice skating, Santa and more. Adult tickets from $35 and kids under 2 are admitted free. Enchant DC is located inside Nationals Park at the Yards.
Union Station offers so many holiday delights. Outside are the iconic wreaths but inside you can visit the Norwegian Christmas Tree, a 22+ year tradition with the Norwegian Embassy. And of course there’s a holiday train display!
Each year, “The People’s Tree” is chosen from a different national forest and places in front of the US Capitol. Once selected, residents from the respective state then create decorations celebrating our national forests and the great outdoors. The Capitol tree has become a beloved tradition for DC residents.
Located on the Ellipse, steps away from the National Christmas Tree, the National Menorah stands 30 feet tall and enjoys stunning backdrops like the Washington Monument and the White House.
The historic Willard Hotel features dozens of Christmas trees with decor that matches the already-opulent interior and you may be lucky to catch local chorus from around the city singing in the lobby!
Christmas Tree display inside rotunda at Canadian Embassy fits in well with the rotunda as a backdrop which perfectly frames it and gives it a timeless classical look. The added lights on the pillars are also a nice touch.
Holiday wreaths on every lamp post and lights along rooftops makes the Georgetown Waterfront Park an enchanting walk along the promenade.
8. ZooLights at the National Zoo
One of the classic family-friendly DC traditions for the holiday’s is ZooLights at Smithsonian’s National Zoo. There is plenty to enjoy at ZooLights including LED lights, dozens of animal lanterns, live music, and much more.
Honoring a long family tradition of holiday decorating, Filomena’s is filled each with a spectacular tree and fun, silly and whimsical decorations inside and out. The over-the-top display is a visual delight.
A highlight of the season is seeing the holiday display at the US Botanic Gardens. The US Botanic Garden features a large outdoor displays with model trains. All displays are made from plant parts and feature farming scenes from around the world. Window displays in the main building will have some of the DC landmarks that visitors typically expect to see but that are likely too fragile for the outdoor life this year.
Whether you’re at City Center to shop, or just see the holiday lights, there is plenty of spirit along the promenade including ice sculptures, string lights, and not one but two 25-foot tall reindeer. And the stores festive windows take it to a whole new level.
Along the Anacostia River comes an annual light instillation for the whole family. This year, from December 1 through January 1, 2022, several 22-feet tall trees will light the sky from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night. Enjoy the lights and browse into the 20+ local restaurants and shops near Yards Park.
Camp Wharf (aka the fire pit) eating s’mores, caroling, or watching the District’s Holiday Boat Parade with more than 60 decorated and glittering boats, the DC Wharf is a wonderful place to spend the day or night!
Every year, this 1815 Federal-style mansion with a connection to Martha Washington decorates for the holidays. On December 7th, they are hosting a Lantern Light Tour from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to see this year’s decorations and learn about the mansion’s past Christmas traditions. Tickets are between $15-$25.
One of the more charming ice rinks in the city is surrounded by artwork and neoclassical architecture. The National Gallery of Art’s rink is the perfect spot for a first date or to have that first skating lesson. Open daily and a 2-hour session runs between $6 and $7 plus a $3 skate rental if you don’t bring your own.
Skate every day at DC’s largest outdoor skating rink at The Washington Harbour–open for skating every day, including the holidays. Tickets run between $9 and $10 plus a $7 skate rental if you don’t bring your own.
Every year, Navy Yard’s Canal Park’s splash park transforms into an ice rink from the end of November through February 2022. Skate rentals and admission range between $13 and $14. After skating, grab pizza and ice cream from nearby Wiseguy Pizza and Altani Gelato.
Looking for a cozy bar decked to the halls in holiday decor? Maxwell’s has tapped the brilliant installation artist Adriana Salame Aspiazu to transform their space and it is a visual delight.
A tradition since 1923, the U.S. President lights the National Christmas Tree on The Ellipse. This year’s tree is an 18.5-foot Fraser fir from North Carolina and it’s surrounded by smaller trees honoring each U.S. state and territory.
Long before the pandemic hit, the Winter Lights Festival at Seneca State Park has been social distancing. Visitors stay in their cars, driving 3,5 miles passing 450 illuminated displays and lit-up trees. Tickets are $15-$30 and they are open daily from November 26th through December 31st. (They are closed Christmas Day.)
For the 23rd year, Brookside Gardens’ 50 acres are transformed into a holiday light extravaganza with over one million LED lights decorating the gardens. Admission is free and it’s open daily from November 19th through January 2nd, 2022. Note that the gardens are closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Just south of Washington, D.C. is Holidays at the Harbor at the National Harbor. From holiday storytime on Saturdays at 2 p.m. to free hot chocolate at select stores on weekends, there’s much to do! Every night from sunset to 9 p.m. there’s a light show on a 54-feet Christmas tree. At 5:30 p.m. on Saturday through December 18th, a holiday firework show is set off. They even have a holiday pop-up bar and classic holiday movie nights!
The ice rink underneath the grand pavilion certainly takes center stage for a picturesque holiday experience but the Reston Town Center shimmers in thousands of strands of lights at every turn. There’s a weekend horse-drawn carriage and a mini-train ride, too. You will have SNOW MUCH FUN dining, shopping and playing in this dynamic urban destination.
This 95-acre garden in Vienna, Virginia hosts a holiday half mile Winter Walk every night now through January 2nd. Tickets are between $5 and $18 and it’s one of the few places open on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day.
For historic buildings and properties, holiday decor must be historically accurate and can be limiting in our modern day of visual overload. What better way to push the limits than with a grand firework display? George Washington’s Mount Vernon gets it right and we love to see the mansion framed in light bursts. The event only runs for one weekend in December–the 17th and 18th this year–and tickets are available at www.mountvernon.org
Once Roer’s Zoofari closes in Vienna, Virginia, it transforms into a holiday light show depicting animals from around the world, including a dinosaur exhibit. Tickets are $32 per adult and $22 per kid age 3-12. On-site parking costs $5. It’s open most Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights in December and it’s open every day of Christmas Week. Go early to enjoy the zoo too!
Dubbed “Christmas Card Lane,” Del Ray’s East Luray Avenue decorates for the holidays by painting large cards for their lawns. It started when a woman wanted to replicate the tradition from her hometown in Michigan. For a fun outdoor family activity, grab frozen custard from The Dairy Godmother and walk along East Luray Avenue.
Pentagon Row’s 6,840 square foot ice rink is the largest in Northern Virginia. Open daily, admission and rentals range between $15 and $16. Online reservations are required. Surrounding the ice rink are fire pits making for cozy breaks from the ice.
The Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington’s oldest saloon and dates back to 1856. Every year we look forward to the giant Nutcrackers that flank the entrance to this beloved establishment and the coziness inside makes it a holiday tradition for both visitors and residents.
Across the river in Old Town Alexandria, VA, all the trees are decorated along King Street and the historic homes hang the best wreaths. The George Washington Masonic Temple lit up in red and green offers the perfect backdrop!
Live music, mulled wine and goods from over 70 local businesses, the 18th annual holiday market is open daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. now through December 23rd, 2022.
Thank you to everyone who shared holiday cheer with #igdc! We appreciate your help to create this valuable guide
We hope you enjoyed our list of places to see in things to do in DC in December.
If you have any recommendations or places that we missed, hit us up in the comments below.
On Independence Day we had the pleasure of previewing The Lawn at the National Building Museum. This is their 6th Summer Block Party installation and it’s great fun.
Designed by @labatrockwellgroup, DC’s newest summer destination features one big sloping field (yes, you can roll down—we tested it!) with hammocks galore and spots to sit and relax. One really cool feature is the tower overlooking the lawn. The height offers visitors a view not seen in a typical visit and we loved getting that perspective.
Grab your camera, plop down on a blanket and listen to the sounds of summer.
