1. Cheer on the Caps at practice in Arlington
Watch spellbound as the city’s beloved Washington Capitals skate around the ice at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington. The 2018 Stanley Cup champions practice here nearly every morning throughout the season, and there’s no charge to watch your heroes taking shots and working on drills. No other professional sports team in the DC area allows this kind of access. Take a seat in the bleachers and prepare for the thrill of seeing Kuznetsov hustle or Ovechkin’s grin up close. The Iceplex also hosts open skating sessions where you can practice your spins, too. // 627 N. Glebe Road, Arlington; free
2. Kick off the winter season with a fun fest in Occoquan
Take time during this frenetic season to indulge in some holiday spirit. At WinterFest in Occoquan, kids can greet Santa Claus while sipping free hot chocolate and singing holiday carols along with members of the Woodbridge Community Choir. The annual event is a family favorite with a parade, arts and crafts market, chestnut roasting, mulled cider and gift-wrapping demonstrations. It’s a charming place to get your holiday shopping done, as many independent boutiques stay open late that evening. Along with historic downtown Occoquan, check out the festivities in Lorton and Lake Ridge. The day-long event takes place on Dec. 14. // Town of Occoquan: 314 Mill St., Occoquan; free
3. Drink like George did at Mount Vernon
Did you know that our Founding Fathers drank alcohol roughly three times as much, and more often, as modern Americans? Many people of the 18th century drank from morning until night, according to Smithsonian.com. Thus, it’s no surprise that our first president had the largest distillery in the U.S. on his estate. On Nov. 9, Mount Vernon welcomes visitors to sample George Washington’s recipe for homemade whiskey at the inaugural Mount Vernon Whiskey Festival, along with whiskey made by 16 other Virginia distillers. The soiree includes food and live music. // 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon; $125 general admission; $225 VIP Experience
4. Take a field trip to a totally cool planetarium in Woodbridge
Prepare to be amazed by the mesmerizing laser and light show at the Irene V. Hylton Planetarium in Woodbridge as it dances to the beat of classic rock music, or illuminates your favorite children’s story. The laser shows at Hylton Planetarium (located in Hylton High School) are scripted with pulsating laser lights using pictures, shapes, words and animation, all choreographed to music with special effects. Check the calendar for information on various shows, dates and times, and arrive early, especially for the holiday programs at Halloween and Christmastime. // 14051 Spriggs Road, Woodbridge; Purchase tickets at the door. All shows for people over 3 years old are $10, cash only. Please arrive 15 minutes before show time
5. Watch the winter from inside an igloo in Manassas
Hard to imagine right now, but eventually it’s going to get cold again. This winter, stay cozy and warm inside an igloo at Farm Brew Live. Erected on the outdoor patio at Innovation Park, these transparent igloos are actually 12-foot-high domes with heated tables inside. The igloos are lit with colorful lights and sit adjacent to Pour House at 2 Silos Brewing Co.. Up to eight can snuggle together while enjoying choices of pizza, tacos, pit barbecue and drinks supplied by an outdoor server. Reservations are required for a three-hour time slot. // 2201 Discovery Blvd., Manassas; Igloo rental fee, $50, plus food and beverage minimum starting at $100 (varies based on time and day of week)
6. Go ice skating with a city view at The Wharf
DC DAY TRIP
Get moving in the most fun way possible during those chilly, dark months of winter at The Wharf’s new waterfront ice skating rink. Take in the panoramic views of the city as you whiz around the spacious outdoor ice rink located right outside The Anthem. Or try your hand at curling. The rink, which debuted just last year, hosts pickup games of the intriguing sport on select nights in the winter. But before lacing on your skates, duck into the cozy Politics and Prose Bookstore, and dine at one of The Wharf’s first-rate restaurants like Officina or Union Pie, overlooking the Potomac. // The Wharf Ice Rink at the Transit Pier: 960 Wharf St. SW, Washington, DC; open Thanksgiving to the third week in February daily with hours varying from noon to 11 p.m.; adults $12, seniors and military $10, children 12 and younger $8, skate rentals $6
7. Watch an illuminating parade on the water in Old Town
Guess which boats will win this year’s dazzling Parade of Lights contest on Dec. 7. Held the night of the Scottish Christmas Walk, watch the 20th annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights from the Old Town Alexandria waterfront, as sparkling boats pass by seeking to win Best of Alexandria Show, Most Holiday Cheer and Hardiest Soul, among other honorable designations. As colorful vessels cruise down the Potomac, enjoy festivities at Alexandria City Marina and extended hours at the Torpedo Factory Art Center. // Alexandria City Marina: 0 Cameron St., Alexandria; free
8. Visit with a vintage St. Nick in Middleburg
Huzzaah! The Middleburg Christmas Parade on Dec. 1 is legendary for its picturesque images of Revolutionary War re-enactors marching down John Mosby Highway, alongside horses, hunting dogs, a fife-and-drum band and bagpipers. The mile-long route features a smiling, waving St. Nicholas. Start the day off with Breakfast with Santa, and then hunt down the perfect gift at the Middleburg Craft Fair. There’s even a live animal pageant at Foxcroft School. This is a magical place to kick off the holiday season. // Downtown Middleburg; Most events are free, but parking is $20 per vehicle. Buy a pass in advance online
9. Set sail with your sweetheart on a river cruise in DC
DC DAY TRIP
Entertainment Cruises spent $2.2 million for a refresh of Odyssey, the city’s most glamorous Potomac River sightseeing ship and the Odyssey’s Valentine’s Day Cruises are the perfect way to indulge on the most romantic day of the year. Odyssey offers two lovable cruise options—a three-course Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise or the Valentine’s Day Bottomless Mimosa Brunch buffet. Stay toasty warm as you gaze through the ship’s panoramic windows at the Washington Monument, and watch the planes take off and land at Reagan National Airport. Odyssey always has a live band aboard, so you can show off your moves on the elegant new dance floor. // The Wharf: 580 Water St. SW, Pier 4, Washington, DC; $119.90 dinner cruises; $73.90 brunch cruises; $64.90 lunch cruises, all including tax
10. Warm up by a bonfire in Dumfries
You have permission to howl like a werewolf at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant & Crabhouse, perched beside the Potomac. The beloved restaurant hosts a regular Full Moon Bonfire Bash where you’ll have an unfettered view of the white orb rising above the horizon. Every February, the bravest among us can take the Polar Plunge to raise funds for the Special Olympics. The 400-foot pier allows both boaters and landlubbers to join the revelries here. Most events are free or require a donation. // 1510 Cherry Hill Road, Dumfries; Menu prices range from $9 appetizers to $30 seafood platters
11. Kick off Christmas season in a kilt in Old Town
Don your kilt and prepare to move to the rhythms of a bagpipe-playing band at the annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade on Dec. 7. For 49 years, Alexandria has celebrated its Scottish heritage with a weekend of festivities culminating with a parade featuring dozens of Scottish clans, pipe and drum bands from around the region, as well as terriers and hounds. The parade begins at St. Asaph and Wolfe streets, ending with a mass band concert at Market Square. Other weekend festivities include the Taste of Scotland on Dec. 6, Heather and Greens Sales on Dec. 7 and Holiday Home Tours on Dec. 7. // Old Town Alexandria; Parade and greens sales are free, tickets required for Taste of Scotland and Holiday Home Tours
12. Go on an indoor climbing adventure in Sterling
Dreaming of belaying down Old Rag Mountain? At Summit Ropes you can learn the techniques for via ferrata, a method that helps you ascend your favorite rock wall, and gets you into serious shape. The new indoor adventure park features Scout’s Landing, a children’s course and Zion Summit, a course for adults (named for the treacherous Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park). Both are challenging, but have elements that cater to beginners, intermediate and advanced climbers. // 44810 Old Ox Road, Sterling; Weekend $49 for Zion (must be 7 or older); $29 for Scout’s. Weekend Twilight passes $29/$16; Weekdays $35 Zion and $20 for Scout’s; Weekday Twilight Passes $19/$12
This post originally appeared in our July 2019 print issue, as part of the 52 Weekend Adventures cover story. Want to stay up to date on all of the best things to do in Northern Virginia? Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter, here.