The holiday season is the perfect time to spend some quality time with that special someone. Whether you’re planning a date with your boyfriend or simply a new friend, these five ideas will keep you busy during the cozy, colder months ahead.
1. Holiday Shopping at Union Station
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Even if you and your date don’t plan on doing any traveling, consider making Union Station your destination. Around the holiday season, the station attracts visitors with its 30-foot outdoor tree covered in 3,000 lights, along with the huge wreathes that hang from the front of the station. Inside, tourists admire the “card-worthy” decorations, the display of the famous model train garden, and the many decorated shops. Visitors complete their holiday shopping as stores inside the station, ranging from H&M to Mac Cosmetics, host special sales throughout the season. Enjoy a romantic or casual date night at Union Station that’s only a metro ride away.
2. Outdoor Ice Skating
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Whether you could have gone pro, or can barely move on the ice without holding onto the wall, December is the perfect time to put on some ice skates and take in the fresh air. This date is the perfect way to get to know someone, or can simply be a good idea for those who like to stay active. The date doesn’t have to end when you can’t feel your toes; finish the day by grabbing a warm cup of hot chocolate at a nearby coffee shop.
Make sure to check out these popular DC outdoor rinks:
3. ZooLights
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If you’re looking for a date with lots to see and do, ZooLights is probably the best place for you. From November 27-January 2, The National Zoo in DC is lit up for the holidays with over 500,000 lights decorating the zoo with lit up animal silhouettes and vivid light displays set to music. You and your date can journey through the open zoo exhibits, take the “zoo train” for a tour as you admire the dazzling light displays, or browse through open shops along the way. If you’re looking to spice things up, make sure to check out “zoo tubing,” where you and your date can race down a 150’ snowless track in oversized inner tubes. Finish off the date with some hot chocolate, roasted nuts, kettle corn, pastries, or warm gingerbread, all available at the National Zoo.
4. Gingerbread House and Christmas Cookie Decorating
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If you and that special someone are just looking for a simple night in, then this date is for you. A night of cookie decorating will allow you for quality time, while getting in the holiday spirit. Whether it’s decorating a pre-made gingerbread house, or dressing up cookies with icing and sprinkles, the night won’t fail to leave you and your date in a good mood.
5. Check out the National Christmas Tree
If Christmas trees are your thing, you’ll definitely fall in love with the National Christmas Tree. Just across from the White House located on the Ellipse, is a large decorated evergreen tree. Smaller trees, each representing U.S. States and territories surround the lit-up tree. A National Hanukkah Memorial is also lit during Hanukkah for eight days. Although the official lighting of the tree took place on December 3, there are nightly music and dance performances on the Ellipse stage from December 9 – December 22, so take a date night to head into DC, check out the trees, and even explore the lit up monuments at night.