Thrillist: Everything You Can Do in DC This Weekend. You can find the original article here.
by Lani Furbank
Normally, our goal is to bring you the most exciting events and happenings around DC every weekend. In these extraordinary times, this guide is going to look a little different. The global pandemic means stringent restrictions on gatherings and a region-wide directive to self-isolate at home and practice social distancing when it’s necessary to be in public. In short, we’re not going anywhere, and for good reason. But even as we hunker down and try to be responsible citizens to help #flattenthecurve, there are things we can do to have a little fun and help us stay sane, while being safe. Here’s everything you can do while self-isolating this weekend.
Have a drink and tip your bartenders and servers
Hopefully you’ve stocked up on the key necessities for self-isolation: toilet paper and booze. When you pour yourself a drink, think of your favorite bartenders and servers who are out of work due to establishments being shut down across the region. Leave a few bucks as a tip via these virtual tip jars for DC and Baltimore.
Bring the city’s best restaurants to you
If you aren’t in the mood to cook, or you’re looking for a way to support the struggling local hospitality industry, get takeout or delivery from your neighborhood restaurant. Many spots are still open for to-go food. You can find out who’s offering which services and how to order via online database Dining at a Distance (currently tracking DC, Arlington, and Baltimore). When ordering, keep in mind that thanks to emergency legislation, restaurants and bars can now sell alcohol (even ready-made cocktails) to-go.
Catch up on the latest TV shows or movies
You finally have the perfect excuse to Netflix and chill. Try one of these binge-worthy showswith 100 or more episodes, or watch one of the best movies on Netflix, Amazon, or Huluright now. If you’re looking for a little companionship, try a Netflix Party. You can also virtually take part in the Annapolis Film Festival, which has taken its lineup online from March 27-29.
Cuddle up with a good book
Whether your to-read stack is about to reach the ceiling or you just feel like maybe you should tear your eyes away from a screen for a few precious minutes, now is a great time to get lost in a fictional world or expand your perspective. Pick up one of our favorite books from 2019, or browse an endless selection of virtual titles via the library app, Libby.
Take a hike
We can’t go to malls or movie theaters or museums, but one venue that’s still open for business is the great outdoors. As long as you maintain a safe distance from anyone else who’s trying to get a little fresh air, this is a great time to go explore the numerous trails in the city and the surrounding rural regions. Whatever you do, don’t head down to the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms. Instead, admire them from afar via the BloomCam or visit these less trafficked trees. You could also take a virtual tour of one of 31 National Parks on Google Earth.
Have a virtual social gathering
While in-person dinner parties and game nights are verboten right now, that doesn’t mean you should stop socializing–just do it virtually, with FaceTime or other video conferencing apps. Sit down for a meal together, have a dance party, or play a board game. Every Sunday, you and your friends can join DC Fray for virtual bingo.
Get a little crafty
If you’ve been putting off learning the art of subversive crochet, today is the day. Rekindle an old hobby or go buy the supplies to pick up a new craft like knitting, crochet, embroidery, quilting, woodworking, succulent gardening, origami, or anything to keep your hands busy. This could also be an opportunity to work on an outstanding house project, like unclogging that sink drain, cleaning the hard-to-reach places, or hanging a picture. Alexandria’s new web hub, ALX at Home, offers creative kits from local vendors.
Put your cooking skills to the test
What’s your number one excuse for not cooking? “I just don’t have time!” With all the time in the world, bust out a cookbook or find an online recipe and whip something up. It can be a simple cacio e pepe or omelette if you’re a beginner, or something more elaborate like beef Wellington or croissants from scratch if you’re up for a culinary challenge you’d never attempt on an average weeknight. You could even learn a thing or two from world-famous chef Massimo Bottura — he’s teaching free “Kitchen Quarantine” classes on Instagram.
Sweat it out with a virtual workout
With gyms and fitness studios shutting down, you may be wondering how to avoid losing those gains. Many businesses are offering online classes, including local ones like Formula Running Center and Barry’s. Even Synetic Theater is getting creative and offering livestream workouts taught by their performers. Thankfully, with a virtual workout, the sweat is still real. (And now would be a really great time to own a Peloton…)
Learn something new
Endless TV streaming can turn your brain to mush, so you might want to intersperse some online education. You can learn up a new skill or delve into a new topic with a variety of virtual classes aimed at all levels from sites like MasterClass, edX, and Class Central. You could also tour one of the world’s best museums via Google Arts & Culture or virtually visit Mount Vernon.
Get your daily dose of the arts, online
Since you can’t spend an evening at the theater or concert hall, arts organizations are bringing shows to you at home. The Kennedy Center’s digital stage features thousands of archived videos from shows, plus workshops and behind-the-scenes clips. They also invite you to daily Lunch Doodles with their artist in residence, Mo Willems. Synetic Theater is streaming their past productions online for a few weeks at a time. The American Pops Orchestra is sharing online concerts and yoga lessons to support artists facing a loss of income. Find them via YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.