Kwanzaa Children Party

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History boasts the world's largest natural history collection that will inspire several "oohs' and "aahs" from visitors of all ages. Among the highly dramatic and memorable exhibits are a 70 million-year-old dinosaur egg, an incredible giant squid, and a look at a truly unforgettable tarantula feeding that will inspire several gasps among all who view it. In addition to all of these exhibits, the museum offers even more adventures via the 3-D IMAX theater within its facility.

The Washington and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD or "Wad") is an excellent recreation trail that runs through the Northern Virginia counties. The 45-mile trail is completely paved with nine foot wide asphalt and has a yellow painted center line. To run the whole trail and back means you're looking at a 90-mile trek, but it can be done over the course of two days thanks to the hotels and bed and breakfasts along the trail. The only real complaint from bikers is that there's much traffic most of the time due to the Wad's immense popularity.

The two of you deserve to put some artistic flair into your romantic time together, and there's no better place to do that than the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. America's memorial to President Kennedy keeps an artistic tradition alive that would have put a smile on the face of the beloved fallen leader. There are 7 different theaters in the venue that are always featuring such works as ballet, dance, opera, symphonic presentations and so much more. There are enough places on the grounds for the two of you to sit and enjoy each other's company before or after whatever production you have decided to take in.

Deciding that you will take a day to see the Smithsonian Institution is allowing too little time, as the Institution is much wider in scope than you may have originally thought. It actually encapsulates 19 museums as well as the National Zoo, all home to must-see exhibits and attractions. Some of the more popular stops within the Smithsonian include the National Air and Space Museum, the national Museum of American History and the National Museum of the American Indian. The depth and breadth of everything here justifies the time and space that it takes to see it all.