There are a bunch of reasons why I love visiting Washington, DC so much – X’s dad is an awesome cook, M is always picking the best restaurants to take us to, and there’s never a lack of activities to do. This is especially true during covid-times, where there are still so many activities that you could do safely and socially distanced.

The DC government currently requires visitors to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of traveling (and to show results if asked by a business, hotel or restaurant); to avoid visiting if you are a close contact of a confirmed positive case; and to get tested within 3-5 days of arrival if you are visiting for more than three days. While many in-person gatherings have been impacted, a lot of memorials are outdoors and open for visits.

For example, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. The Memorial is open 24 hours a day and covers FDR’s four terms in office, chronicled through quotes carved in stone and fascinating bronze artwork.

As you walk along the western shore of the Tidal Basin, you get an amazing view of the Washington Monument across the Basin.

A short walk from the FDR Memorial is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, which features the Stone of Hope, a large granite statue inspired by his famous, “I Have A Dream” speech.

According to new guidance by the DC government, museums in DC will be suspended starting Dec. 23 and running through January 2021. A short car ride from DC proper is the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which is currently running its Treasures of Ancient Egypt: Sunken Cities exhibit until January 18th. The exhibit features artifacts recovered from two ancient Egyptian cities, Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus, that sank into the Mediterranean more than a thousand years ago. The exhibit is the only East Coast venue and the last stop before the objects return to Egypt.

Within D.C., the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden and Enid A. Haupt Garden remain open. In addition, the ARTECHOUSE is open daily and offers really cool innovative digital art experiences.