What we’re about
We're an adults-only group that walks and hikes in VA, DC, and MD. There are no event or membership fees.
Upcoming events
3
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
Brookside Botanical Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, USLet’s enjoy the holiday Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens! Brookside Gardens has been transformed into a magical winter wonderland for Garden of Lights. Walk through the outdoor twinkling lights and glimmering displays that dot the paths and flowerbeds throughout 50 acres in Wheaton. More than one million dazzling and colorful LED lights are handcrafted into original works depicting animals, flowers, and other natural elements.
NB: You must buy your own non-refundable individual tickets in advance with a 5:30 PM entry time here: https://brooksidegardens.ticketsauce.com/e/gol25
Walk-up tickets are NOT available.
❶ What we'll do: From the parking lot of Brookside Gardens, we'll walk east into the gardens and enjoy the holiday lights for about an hour.
❷ How to get there: From the I-495 beltway north of Washington DC between I-270 and I-95 (either direction), take exit 31A to follow MD-97/Georgia Ave toward Silver Spring/Wheaton. Follow signs for MD-97 N/Georgia Ave and drive north about 3.2 miles. Turn right onto Randolph Road, and take the second right onto Glenallan Avenue. Brookside Gardens will be on your right at Heurich Road. (Follow signs to the Visitor Center.) See https://goo.gl/maps/WHERgb5tyJ12
NB: Be on the lookout for speed cameras, especially along Randolph Road!
❸ What to bring: Water and comfy shoes. Sorry, only service animals are allowed in Brookside Gardens, so your furry friend must stay home. A hat, jacket and gloves are recommended.
❹ Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 62F, with 10 mph WNW winds and an 8% chance of showers. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/2dfz4tdm
❺ Advisories:
- As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.
- Please review Brookside Garden's Etiquette page for a list of do's and don'ts: https://tinyurl.com/2cjht3h6
❻ Administrative stuff: There are restrooms at the Visitor Center.
❼ Notes:
- Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902. http://tinyurl.com/gqxstyb
- Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens: https://brooksidegardens.ticketsauce.com/e/gol25
Illustration adapted from Brookside Gardens
61 attendees
Kennedy Walking Tour
Rosslyn Metro Station, 1850 N. Moore Street, Arlington , VA, USJohn F. and Jacqueline Kennedy lived in Georgetown for many years: during JFK's years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, when he met, courted, and married Jacqueline Bouvier; during his years in the U.S. Senate; and during his presidential campaign and election. Jacqueline moved back to Georgetown from the White House after the death of her husband before eventually moving to New York in 1964.
Let's meet in Rosslyn and hike across the Potomac River to visit eleven locations associated the Kennedys in Georgetown. We'll cap it off with a visit to the Kennedy Center for a view from the observation deck and to check out the statue of JFK before recrossing the Potomac on Roosevelt Bridge to return to Rosslyn.
❶ What we'll do:
- From the sidewalk in front of McDonald's, across the street from the Rosslyn Metro Station (Moore St side), we'll walk north along Lynn and Fort Myer streets, cross the Potomac on Key Bridge, and hike past twelve locations associated with the Kennedys, continue downstream along the Potomac to the Kennedy Center for a break and to admire the view from the observation deck. After the break we will recross the Potomac on Roosevelt Bridge and return to our starting point in Rosslyn.
- The hike is not quite 6 miles with 253 feet of elevation gain, and should take about 2.5 hours, depending on how much time we spend at the Kennedy Center. The route is mostly paved, with hills and steps here and there. This is an easy to moderate difficulty hike.
- Google map: https://tinyurl.com/42pya92r
❷ How to get there:
- Driving: Rosslyn Metro Station is located at 1850 N. Moore Street, Arlington, VA. There is limited parallel parking in the area, but allow time to hunt for it. See https://goo.gl/maps/AQjzsa82x5XcWHYDA
- Metro: Rosslyn Metro Station is on the Blue and Orange Metro lines. See current Metro status here: https://www.wmata.com/service/status/
❸ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired. (Leashes required. Sorry, service animals only on the Metro and indoor locations.) The layered look is recommended.
❹ Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 57F, with a 5-6% chance of showers and 5-6 mph variable winds. Updates: https://tinyurl.com/mwkxfpuh
❺ Advisories:
- As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.
- Most of the locations on this tour are private residences, so please stick to the sidewalks and rights-of-way to respect the privacy of the current owners.
❻ Administrative stuff: Restrooms are located at McDonald's near the meetup point, at the Kennedy Center, and at various commercial establishments along the way.
❼ Notes:
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566, https://www.kennedy-center.org/
- Kennedy Walking Tour at Georgetown*DC, https://tinyurl.com/4r2e4bp3
- McDonald's, 1800 N Lynn St, Arlington, VA 22209
- Martin's Tavern, 1264 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
- The View of DC, 1201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209, https://theviewofdc.com/
39 attendees
Scottish Christmas Walk from Jones Point Park
Jones Point Park, 1 Jones Pt, Alexandria, VA, USLet's check out the 54th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk in Old Town! The parade features marching units, Scottish bagpipes and drums, Scottish dancers, reenactment groups, Scottie dogs, dignitaries, classic cars, Santa Claus, and more. The parade will take place rain or shine.
❶ What we'll do:
- From the old ship’s rudder under Wilson Bridge we'll take a brief look down the Potomac from the Jones Point Lighthouse before walking north to Founder's Park, passing by three historical sites that underscore Scottish influence on the early development of Alexandria. After returning south along the riverfront to the Torpedo Factory, we'll head west to the corner of King and Fairfax streets to find an optimal viewing spot to watch the parade, starting at 11 am. (The parade has 10 blocks to march before arriving at King and Fairfax streets, so we'll have plenty of time.)
- At attendee discretion, depending on your individual tolerance for skirling bagpipes, head back individually south along Lee Street to our starting point in Jones Point Park.
- This is a loop hike of about 3.5 miles and should take 2-3 hours, depending on how long you want to hang out watching the parade. The surface is fairly level and mostly paved. This is an easy walk.
- Google map: https://tinyurl.com/yckvma25
❷ How to get there: The park entrance is at the south end of South Royal Street in Old Town Alexandria. From Highway 1 (either direction), take Franklin Street east to Royal Street, turn right and drive south 3 blocks until the street ends in front of Wilson Bridge. The park entrance is on your left. The street address is 1 Jones Point Drive, Alexandria, VA 22314. See https://goo.gl/maps/Z7nvmmR3XwC2
❸ Weather: It's too early to see the forecast, but the parade is happening rain or shine! Updates: https://tinyurl.com/yc4vjjnm
❹ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired (leashes please). The layered look is recommended; keep in mind it will get chilly while standing still watching the parade.
❺ Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.
❻ Administrative stuff:
- There are restrooms at Jones Point Park, the Torpedo Factory, and Ramsay Visitor Center.
- Parking at Jones Point Park is free and there is room for around 100 cars. DO NOT park along S Royal St at the entrance to the park! You may be towed!!
❼ Notes:
- Jones Point Park: http://tinyurl.com/pbyq733
- Scottish Christmas Walk Parade: https://tinyurl.com/532vrvyz
68 attendees
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