Thanksgiving Day Fun


By DullesMoms, Nov 2023

While Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends, the DMV has many other ways to bring your loved ones together that may, or may not, include a turkey! Check out the day’s lineup for all kinds of family-friendly happenings:


ICE SKATING
Lace-up your skates and hit the ice! Ice skating is a great way to burn those Thanksgiving meal calories.

Reston Town Center
Harris Pavilion (Manassas, VA)
Pentagon Row (Arlington, VA)
and more


ILLUMINATION EVENTS
The DMV boasts plenty of ways to get your twinkle fix from the comfort of your car or by foot under a starlit sky!

Festival of Lights @ Bull Run Park (Centreville, VA)
Winter Walk of Lights @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (Vienna, VA)
Winter Village @ Cameron Run (Alexandria, VA)
and more


EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
You never know what the weather will bring to the DMV, but if the temperature’s right and you’re up for an adventure, try hitting up one of these parks or trails:

Great Falls Park
Explore one of the nation’s first canals, see the Great Falls of the Potomac (three falls overlooks are located within a five- to ten-minute walk from the visitor center and parking lots), enjoy a hike along Mather Gorge’s dramatic clifftops and more at this National Park!

NOVA Parks’ Trails
From paved trails to earthen paths, NOVA Parks boasts more than two dozen opportunities throughout Northern Virginia to explore the outdoors!


TURKEY TROTS & FUN RUNS
Splurge without the guilt! After one of these Turkey Trots, there’s no reason not to sample every flavor of pie…

NOV 18, 2023
Herndon Turkey Trot
Dominion Valley Turkey Trot (Haymarket, VA)
Marine Corps Turkey Trot (Quantico, VA)

NOV 19, 2023
Vienna Turkey Trot

NOV 23, 2023
Arlington Turkey Trot
Fairfax Turkey Trot
Turkey Day 5K (Reston, VA)
Alexandria Turkey Trot
Ashburn Farm Turkey Trot
Prince William Turkey Trot & Mashed Potato Mile (Manassas, VA)
Virginia Run Turkey Trot (Centreville, VA)
America’s Trot for Hunger (Wash, DC)
Turkey Chase Charity Race (Bethesda, MD)
Columbia Island Turkey Trot (Arlington, VA)
Lansdowne Turkey Trot (Leesburg, VA)
Gobble Wobble 5K Fun Run (Woodbridge, VA)
Braemar 5K Turkey Trot (Bristow, VA)

NOV 26, 2023
Henway Hard Cider Co. Turkey Trot (Bluemont, VA)


WATCH A MOVIE
Here are some flicks (plus their release dates) available to watch on Thanksgiving Day:

In theatres Nov 10, 2023
The Marvels
Rated PG-13

In theatres Nov 17, 2023
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Rated PG-13

In theatres Nov 17, 2023
Trolls Band Together
Rated PG

In theatres Nov 21, 2023
Leo
Rated PG


TAKE IN A LANDMARK, MUSEUM, & MORE!


Visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, VA

Did you know George Washington’s Mount Vernon is open 365 days a year? Open to the public since 1860, Mount Vernon is the former plantation estate and burial location of George Washington, an American political leader, military general, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797.

Visitors are required to pre-purchase admission online.


Visit an Elephant, Crocodile, & Monkey
Washington, DC

Take a walk with some wildlife at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo! Check out the bears, elephants, and tigers, and even meet a monkey or two! Please note that while admission is free, visitors are required to reserve admission online.

Can’t make it but still want to see the animals? The Zoo also boasts plenty of fun webcams, including the Naked Mole-Rat Cam, Elephant Cam, and more!


Smithsonian Museums
The holidays are a great time to visit museums; the following Washington, DC, Smithsonian museums are open on Thanksgiving Day:

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
Admission is free; timed passes are not required to visit the museum and garden.

National Air & Space Museum
Admission is free; timed passes are required.

National Museum of African American History & Culture
Admission is free; timed passes are required.

National Museum of Natural History
Admission is free; timed passes are not required.

National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Chantilly, VA)
Admission is free, while parking is fee-based; timed passes are not required.

To see the complete list of Smithsonian museums, click here.


Disclaimer: Events/opportunities are curated from public sources and are subject to changes/cancelations that might not be reflected on DullesMoms.com.

#ThGivingDayFun

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