In the Washington, D.C. metro area, we are lucky to have an array of activities available during winter. While the weather may be unpredictable, there are many winter activities for a variety of conditions: rain, sleet, snow or even the occasional day of sun.

Ice skating

There are many ice skating rinks around the DMV, including ones in Cabin John, Silver Spring, Georgetown and Washington Harbor. Washington Harbor holds the largest outdoor ice skating rink in D.C, Situated on the Potomac River near Georgetown. This rink has gorgeous lighting, beautiful views and reasonable pricing as it only costs $10 to skate and $7 to rent skates, making it a great place to visit with friends or family. 

Visit a museum

The D.C. area provides us with close proximity to many museums ranging from the National Gallery of Art to the National Air and Space Museum. Some of my favorites include the International Spy Museum and the Natural History Museum because they are both interactive and extremely educational. If you want to avoid the crowds, some hidden gems are the Renwick Gallery and the Heurich House Museum. Visiting museums is one of the best activities to do for fun while staying inside and warm during winter.

The Kennedy Center

Another fun indoor activity is visiting the Kennedy Center. This coming winter, the Kennedy Center will be presenting productions of “Wicked” as well as “A Soldier’s Play,” which were both previously performed on Broadway. While main stage tickets can be pricey, there are free performances Wednesdays through Saturdays at 6 p.m. on the Millenium Stage. There are also free movies on Sundays at 3 p.m. Reserve your free tickets online in advance. 

Lantern Festival at REACH

While you’re at the Kennedy Center, check out the free Chinese Lantern Festival running from Jan. 27 through Feb. 6. This festival contains over 100 lanterns made of over 10,000 LED lights, creating a stunning light display in the dark winter skies. Not only is this a great opportunity to learn more about Chinese culture, but it is also a beautiful event with stunning photo opportunities and delicious food. 

Crumbs and Whiskers Cat Cafe

If you enjoy the company of furry friends, visiting Crumbs and Whiskers Cat Cafe is the activity for you. This cafe is located in Georgetown and is open all year round, but it feels especially cozy during the winter. During your 30 to 70 minute appointment to play with cats, you can also order cafe style desserts and coffees. Additionally, visiting the cafe supports a noble cause, as all the cats in the shelter are up for adoption.