While we build our new home at National Harbor, here are a few more of our favorite places for families to visit for the week of November 14, 2011.

Montrose Park
DC public park adjacent to Dumbarton Oaks Park.

Activities: Children ages 5 and older are invited to participate in a scavenger hunt at Montrose Park.  On November 17 at 10 a.m., a park ranger will lead families through the park in search of this season’s nature treasures.  This event is free.

R St & 32nd Sreet, NW
Washington, DC 56901
T 202.282.1063
W www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/ranger-led-programs.htm

Imagination Stage
Presents professional performances and outreach programs for children ages 1 to 18.

Activities: The Imagination Stage invites families to participate in What Does Red Do On Thursday?, a guest production from Germany, on November 17 at 10:30 a.m.  Each show is an impromptu performance that allows the audience to follow along with the artist as his inspiration guides him.  Seating is first come, first served so it is suggested you purchase your $10 tickets ahead of time ($5 lap tickets are available for children 12 months and younger).

4908 Auburn Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
T 301.961.6060
W www.imaginationstage.org/shows-a-tickets/earlychildhood

The Atlas Theatre
A theater dedicated to fostering the artistic growth of professional and aspiring performing artists throughout the region.

Activities: All this week, families are invited to Paige Hernandez: Havana Hop, a one-woman performance chronicling a young woman’s journey to discover her multi-cultural heritage.  Audience members are invited to dance along as Paige fuses salsa into her own hip-hop style. Multiple shows will occur throughout the week, please visit the website for showtimes. Tickets cost $8.

1333 H St, NE
Washington, DC 20002
T 202.399.7993
W www.atlasarts.org

Living Classrooms at Glen Echo Park
Nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities and inspiring young people to achieve their potential.

Activities: On November 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Living Classrooms will offer science and nature activities at Glen Echo Park.  Children can interact with live animals, embark on an educator-led hike, play in a sandpit, and more!  Members and children under 2 are free, non-members must pay $5.

7300 MacArthur Blvd.
Glen Echo, MD 20812
T 202.488.0627
W http://livingclassroomsdc.org/Site-BasedPrograms.html

Kreeger Museum
Private, nonprofit museum featuring works from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Activities: Children ages 3 to 5 are invited to participate in StoryTime at the Kreeger Museum, a hands-on program in which kids not only learn about art but get to make their own.  November’s program is all about shapes.  Tickets cost $7 and online registration is required.  This program will be offered from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on November 16.

2401 Foxhall Road, NW
Washington, DC 20007
T 202.337.3050
W http://kreegermuseum.org/youth-and-family/storytime

Dinosaur Park
Maryland Park featuring a rare deposit of fossils from the Early Cretaceous period about 110 million years ago.

Activities: On the third Saturday of each month from noon until 4 p.m., families are invited to search for fossils along with paleontologists.  Dinosaur Park is home not only to the remains of dinosaurs, plants, and early mammals from hundreds of millions of years ago, but to Astrodon johnstoni, Maryland’s state dinosaur.  This special fenced fossil area is open to the public on these designated days.

13200 block of Mid-Atlantic Blvd
Laurel, MD 20708
T 301.627.7755
W www.pgparks.com/Things_To_Do/Nature/Dinosaur_Park.htm

National Zoo
Smithsonian Zoo that features 2,000 individual animals of nearly 400 different species.

Activities: From 11 to 11:30 a.m. on November 16, children are invited to come to the National Zoo’s Small Mammal House to meet a biologist.  Learn all about what they do and get an insider’s look at the Small Mammal House.  Make sure to stick around to explore the Zoo and other fun daily programs offered.  Admission to the Zoo and program is free.

3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
T 202.633.4888
W http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Visit/DailyPrograms/

Renwick Gallery
Home of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s craft and decorative arts program.

Activities: Bestselling author and presidential historian Doug Wead will be at the Renwick Gallery on November 17 at noon to discuss fun stories from his book, All the Presidents’ Children.  Wead will tell entertaining tales from past White House families and then stay after for a book signing.  This is a free event located in the Gallery’s Grand Salon.

750 9th Street, NW
Suite 3100
Washington, DC 20001
T 202.633.7970
W http://americanart.si.edu/calendar/

Walker Nature Education Center
An education center designed to enhance people’s awareness, knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of the environment..

Activities: Families are invited to get ready for the Thanksgiving holiday by coming by the Walker Nature Education Center on November 20 from 2 to 3 p.m.  Compete in turkey races, try out your best turkey call, and make decorations for the Thanksgiving table.  Tickets for the event are $5 for Reston Association members and $8 for non-members and must be reserved by November 17.

11450 Glade Drive
Reston, VA 20191
T 703.476.9689
W www.reston.org

Institute of Performing Arts for Youth
A Northern Virginia nonprofit children’s arts organization.

Activities: This weekend, the Institute of Performing Arts for Youth will present Nutcracker in a Shell: All Jazzed Up, a shortened version of the ballet performed by children for children.  There will be three performances over the weekend – November 19 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and November 20 at 3 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased online at $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 11 and under.

Broad Run High School
21670 Ashburn Road
Ashburn, VA 20147
T 703.724.4900
W www.ipayouth.org/nutcracker.html