Due to the pandemic, our lives have changed drastically. Students went from a two-week break off from school to a whole school year. This drastic change has created anxiety and fear in a lot of people. As time has progressed and things have started to open again,  lots of people have been looking for new things to do and places to go to keep them preoccupied.  Down below there is a list of places in the DMV area to visit. This list is made up of restaurants, malls, historical sites, hiking/walking trails, etc. I have also added the covid procedures for each place so that you can continue to be safe!

Historical Sites:

1. Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is a US national memorial dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. It is located in Washington, D.C., across from the Washington Monument. The memorial was designed by Henry Bacon, however, Abraham Lincoln did contribute to the interior designing of the memorial. 

The memorial contains a large seated sculpture of Abraham Lincoln and inscriptions from two of Lincoln’s most famous speeches, The Gettysburg Address and his second inauguration speech. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” address, presented on August 28, 1963, was one of many famous speeches delivered at the memorial. The memorial is a great place to take pictures and learn more about President Abraham Lincoln.

COVID PROCEDURES: Face masks are required in all NPS buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, overlooks, and historic homes.

2. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is located in West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., United States. It was created to pay tribute to one of the sculptures was carved by Lei Yixin and inspired by a line from King’s “I Have A Dream” speech: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” 

The memorial opened on August 22, 2011. It’s a great place to take pictures and learn more about civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.

COVID PROCEDURES: Face masks are required in all NPS buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, overlooks, and historic homes.

Museums:

3. National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is a Smithsonian Institution located in Washington, D.C. The museum was established in 2003 but officially opened in September 2016.The NMAAHC is the world’s largest museum dedicated to African-American history and culture. 

As of May 2019, the museum features more than 40,000 objects. It specifically highlights various areas of African American culture through the different types of arts, athletics, The Civil Rights Movement, etc.The building’s exterior was created by David Adjaye. The design pays homage to the complex ironwork constructed by enslaved African Americans in the southern United States.

COVID PROCEDURES: Due to COVID-19, the National Museum of African American History and Culture will temporarily close to the public starting Monday, November 23, 2020. The museum is set to reopen on May 14th according to The New York Times.

4. National Air and Space Museum

The National Air and Space Museum is a Smithsonian Institution. It is located in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1946 and opened its main building in 1976. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center opened in 2003.

This museum houses the Columbia Command Module from Apollo 11, John Glenn’s Friendship 7 capsule, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, the Bell X-1, and the Wright brothers’ Wright Flyer aircraft, among other items. The museum is a research center for aviation and spaceflight history and technology, as well as planetary science and terrestrial geology, and geophysics. There are a bunch of different activities for children to learn more about space. 

COVID PROCEDURES:The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and the Museum in DC are temporarily closed.The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will reopen on Wednesday, May 5. Visitors will need to reserve free timed-entry passes.

Places to shop:

5. National Harbor

National Harbor is located near the Potomac River and the Woodrew Wilson bridge. It features many shops and restaurants, as well as some entertainment options and a gigantic ferris wheel. 

The Tanger Outlets shopping facility opened in November 2013. It now features stores like Calvin Klein, Bath & Body Works, Coach, Crocs, and many more. The National Harbor is also home to two of Maryland’s diamond rated hotels, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center and The MGM National Harbor, both of which opened in April 2008.

COVID PROCEDURES:In accordance with Maryland and Prince George’s County regulations please note that face masks are required when entering any indoor establishment. Face coverings still are encouraged in outdoor environments.

6. Tysons Corner

Tysons Corner Center, is located in Fairfax County, Virginia. It opened to the public in 1968 where it became one of the first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping malls in that area. Some of their main department stores include  Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Nordstrom. 

Tysons Corner Center is the largest mall in the Baltimore-Washington area, and the 10th largest in the United States. Major retailers near Tysons Corner Center include Crate & Barrel, Tiffany & Co., Hermes Paris, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci, some of which are located in Fairfax Square.

COVID PROCEDURES:Masks are required and 6-foot distance must be maintained.

Hiking/Walking:

7. Great Falls Park

 Great Falls Park is a beautiful place located in Great Falls, Virginia that overlooks the Potomac River. George Washington was involved with building a canal around the falls on the southwest, called the Patowmack Canal. 

Remnants of the canal and of a village around the canal named Matildaville are still visible in the park. Great Falls has a beautiful view of the river, trees, and rocky hills. Not only is it a great place to hike around but also a beautiful place to take pictures of.

COVID PROCEDURES:Face masks are required on NPS-administered lands where physical distancing cannot be maintained and in all NPS buildings and facilities. Park operations vary based on local public health conditions.

8. Gravelly Park

Gravelly Park is located near Reagan National Airport in Arlington,Virginia. There are many trials to follow at Gravelly Park. You can watch the planes land or take a walk and/or bike ride on the trails there.

COVID PROCEDURES: Out of precaution of others, wear a mask and continue the 6-feet rule.

Restaurants: 

9. Busboys and Poet

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant, bar, bookstore, coffee shop, and events venue in Washington, D.C., It was founded in 2005 by Andy Shallal. The original Busboys and Poets is located at 14th & V in the U Street Corridor however there are now seven locations in the DC area.

It has been seen as a sanctuary for writers, thinkers and performers from America’s progressive social and political movements. Busboys and Poets offers a lot of inclusive food options by serving both meat based and vegan meals.

COVID PROCEDURES: Face coverings are encouraged and 6-feet distancing. Tables are spread farther apart to continue social distancing practices.

10. Hiphop Fish and Chicken 

Hiphop Fish and Chicken is a restaurant franchise that is located all throughout Maryland and D.C. It offers fish and chicken based meals. As well as, other options like pizza, salads, burgers, sandwiches, etc. The restaurant is rated a 3.5 out of 5 on yelp.

COVID PROCEDURES: You are able to dine-in and they deliver. Maintaining 6-feet distancing and masks are mandatory when dining