Helen Carefoot

Christmas will be here before we know it, which means it's time to start making plans for holiday merriment. As you make your plans to ring in the season around the District (may we suggest seeing some of the Christmas lights in Washington, D.C.?) be sure to turn some attention to where you'll eat on the day itself. Rather than spend precious time on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worrying about whether the turkey is done or if your guests have enough to drink, why not head to one of the many great restaurants in D.C. instead? By letting someone else take care of the yuletide cooking, you'll free up time and energy to focus on what really matters during the holidays—spending time with loved ones, relaxing, and celebrating. Read on for 12 restaurants in Washington, D.C. that will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  RECOMMENDED: The 43 best restaurants in Washington, D.C. right now

Thanksgiving is next week, which means we are finally in the thick of the holiday season. Another clue the year is ticking by? The fact that so many of D.C.'s annual holiday traditions are back this weekend. The beloved National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink is back, and so are two holiday markets. But not to worry if you're not quite in the mood for the holidays, there's still plenty for you to do; why not stay up all night watching Formula One racing at a themed arcade and bar, learn something new at an exhibit, or take in a show? Here is a roundup of some of the best things to do in Washington, D.C. this weekend. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Washington, D.C.

The best restaurants in Washington, D.C. are a bunch that span the globe. Ask a dozen Washingtonians for their favorite restaurant recs, and you're bound to get 12 different answers. There's a good chance though that at least one person will name an Italian restaurant. The District has a slew of delicious Italian eateries that are worth your time. Whether your goal is to eat an authentic Sicilian pasta or an Italian American classic like chicken parm, we've got you covered. Read on for our favorite Italian restaurants in Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED: The 18 best Chinese restaurants in Washington, D.C.

There’s something so magical about Washington, D.C. in the holiday season. While we're not exactly on the level of top Christmas destinations like New York or London, D.C. punches above its weight as a holiday and cold-weather destination. The District really comes to life in the colder months; walks around town mean plenty of Christmas trees adorned with ornaments, wreaths, and twinkling holiday lights. To get in the holiday spirit, why not visit a holiday market or grab a hot chocolate and stroll around to see some lights? Here are 11 of the best places to see Christmas lights in Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED: The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 2024 guide

The country’s largest cities seem to get all the shine when it comes to their restaurant offerings—New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago—but those of us in Washington, D.C. know that while we may not have the size of these locales, we can certainly compete on the strength of our food. Our scene includes restaurants and eateries that serve cuisine that spans the globe (which sounds about right, as the 2021 census revealed that the District is now one of the most diverse cities in the country). This list will demonstrate that the cuisine matches the demographics—in fact, the best restaurants in D.C. are as globally inspired as the embassies surrounding them. We’ve got steaming piles of pasta, comforting curries and dumplings of all kinds, Ethiopian fare with pillowy injera, fresh sushi, and much more. The diversity of palates even extends to our own country; D.C. is home to seriously delicious Texas-style BBQ and inventive Mid-Atlantic cooking—now that's representation.Of course, coming up with a list of the very best restaurants in any city is a daunting task, much less a city with as diverse a scene as D.C.’s. Each restaurant on this list serves memorable and delicious food that lingered in our memories—and caused us to recommend it to friends, colleagues, family, or anyone else who’d listen. Ready to dive in? Read on for the 43 best restaurants in Washington, D.C., lovingly curated by TimeOut editors and contributors. This guide was updated by Virginia-based writer Alice Levitt

There's one thing nearly every visitor and resident of Washington, D.C. can agree on—we are a museum town. History buffs, art enthusiasts and people simply interested in America's past need to look no further than the nation's capital, which is chock-full of cultural institutions worth visiting whether you're here for a day or have been for years—many of which are free to enjoy, we might add.  The sheer number of worth-it museums in the District can feel overwhelming, but don't worry, because we're here to guide you through the spaces and galleries you simply can't miss. if you like learning—or at least looking at some seriously cool and beautiful objects—I promise there is a museum for you on this list, which encompasses art, history, interior design, pop culture, literature, and even old nuclear missiles. Read on for the 20 best museums in Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Washington, D.C.🏛️ The best Washington, D.C. attractions🍴 The best restaurants in D.C. right now🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Washington, D.C. This guide was written by Washington, D.C. locals. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

There’s a funny stereotype out there that Washingtonians are obsessed with steak. Read dispatches from yesteryear about our food scene and you’d think the only reason anyone dines out is to nosh on a massive tomahawk steak in a darkened booth. While this is probably based on the idea that everyone in D.C. is a stodgy Congressional staffer or member (although we’re sure they love their steak), this just isn’t the case—our the best restaurants in D.C., and the whole culinary scene, are so much more diverse than that. However, sometimes nothing hits like a succulent strip basted in butter and herbs. Carnivores will find plenty of satisfying options here. When putting together this list of the best places to eat steak in the District, we tried as much as possible to eschew chains for local spots; however, there are some excellent steakhouses that are part of chains that we’d be remiss not to mention. Read on for the 15 best places to eat steak in Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED: The 15 best brunch spots in Washington, D.C.

If there's one thing people in D.C. know how to do, it's brunch. This city is famous for its brunch scene. Locals and tourists alike take part in the time honored tradition of rolling up to a favorite spot with friends to debrief the week and indulge in sweets and savories—all the better if the meal is washed down with mimosas. I've spent many a weekend morning (fine, late morning) debriefing night befores with my friends, and there's no better venue for it than brunch. Another reason to love D.C.'s brunch specifically? Just like our diverse restaurant scene, brunch restaurants in D.C. encompass a huge swath of the globe. Brunch in D.C. doesn't just mean the classic pancakes, mimosa and eggs—although our spots make tasty traditional and innovative versions of these, too (ever had a rosewater and cardamom pancake, or ube pancakes with rich coconut syrup?) Here, brunch includes pan-fried pork and kimchi dumplings, all you can eat Balkan dips, puffy Turkish breads, tacos with braised adobo mushrooms and black beans and richly spiced Galbi beef burgers and milk bread egg sandwiches. There's an embarassment of riches when it comes to brunch offerings, so to narrow this list we considered the following factors: quality of food, drink, and ambiance, plus whether the offerings are unique and cater to a variety of patrons. There are some known brunch places absent from this list that provide a bottomless experience that's a great value but serves food that's nothing special, or some t

There are few symbols more closely associated with a holiday than the pumpkin is with Halloween. Why not get into the spirit by picking your own pumpkins? A trip to the pumpkin patch is about much more than selecting the perfect vessel for carved designs—it's a chance to shirk stress and the city for an afternoon of nostalgia and fresh air.  Recommended: The 15 best places to go apple picking near Washington, D.C. You'll have to trek slightly outside the District proper into Maryland and Virginia to find the best pumpkin patches, but don't worry—you don't have to go too far to find plenty of fall fun.  All the pumpkin patches on this list have great gourds, of course, but most of them also offer activities perfect for the quintessential autumnal outing—think hayrides, corn mazes, farm animals and plenty of warm apple cider. Read on for the 15 best pumpkin patches near Washington, D.C.

One of the best ways to mark the shifting of the seasons is through cooking, baking and eating seasonal food—and fall means apple season. Nothing marks the start of fall like the smell of a freshly baked apple pie, a sip of hot apple cider, the crunch of a cinnamon-dusted apple cider donut...you get the point. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Washington, D.C Luckily for us, Washington, D.C. is perfectly positioned to take full advantage of the season's best fruit. Apple picking is a classic way to mark the fall season, and there are plenty of great options near the city (or within a reasonable drive). We've compiled a list of our 15 favorite farms and orchards to go apple picking near Washington, D.C. Beyond picking your own apples, many of these orchards and farms offer other fall fun, too; how about combining apple picking with drinking cider or wine, farmstand shopping, playing in a corn maze or a hayride? Make it a day out with friends, invite a date, or take your family for a classic day of fall fun. Grab your sunscreen and hat, queue up a fall playlist for the drive and start planning what you'll do with your harvest.

There are plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit as a new season rolls around. As the calendar inches through, now celebrating fall can include hanging spooky decor and settling in for a Halloween movie. What's better than having a movie night in to watch Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman cast spells in Practical Magic, or hiding behind your pillow when Michael Myers notches a new kill? RECOMMENDED: The 15 best places to go apple picking near Washington, D.C. But sometimes watching from the comfort of your home isn't enough, and a night out at the movies is warranted—after all, what's better than impeccable sound and a massive screen? Whether your movie tastes run more silly and spooky than downright scary, here are nine places to watch Halloween movies in the District to get into the spirit.

In 2024, what exactly makes a neighbourhood cool? Craft breweries, natty wine bars and street art are well and good, but the world’s best, most exciting and downright fun neighbourhoods are much more than identikit ‘hipster hubs’. They’re places that reflect the very best of their cities – its culture, community spirit, nightlife, food and drink – all condensed in one vibey, walkable district. To create our annual ranking, we went straight to the experts – our global team of on-the-ground writers and editors – and asked them what the coolest neighbourhood in their city is right now, and why. Then we narrowed down the selection and ranked the list using the insight and expertise of Time Out’s global editors, who vetted each neighbourhood against criteria including food, drink, arts, culture, street life, community and one-of-a-kind local flavour. The result? A list that celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities – and all their quirks. Yes, you’ll find some of those international hallmarks of ‘cool’. But in every neighbourhood on this list there’s something you won’t find anywhere else. Ever been to a photography museum that moonlights as a jazz club? Or a brewery with a library of Russian literature? How about a festival dedicated to fluff? When communities fiercely support and rally around their local businesses, even the most eccentric ideas can become a reality. And that, in our eyes, is what makes a neighbourhood truly cool. From formerly overlooked sub

"Macbeth" is the ultimate tale of the price of greed, power, and betrayal. Now it's Washington National Opera's turn to look at how absolute power corrupts absolutely through Verdi's soaring arias and massive ensemble pieces. Baritone Étienne Dupuis makes his WNO debut in the title role, and soprano Ewa Płonka takes on the role of Lady Macbeth. Put on your best threads, and settle in for a night at the opera.

The touring company of "Six," a concert-style singoff between six of Henry VIII's wives, returns to the District through Broadway at The National. Settle in and learn the stories—and endings—of Anne Boleyn, Catharine of Aragon, Anna of Cleves, Catherine Howard, Jane Seymour, and Catherine Parr.

Downtown D.C.'s annual holiday market returns with more than 100 vendors, live performances, festive foods, cocktails, photo opps, and lots of activities. Wander the stalls with a raclette, a pile of hot cheese and bread, in hand and scoop up all the gifts you have to buy.

A new holiday market just off Dupont Circle with booths from more than 30 small businesses, sweets, and live performers each night. Expect classic D.C. holiday treats like hot roasted nuts from Capital Candy Jar and mini doughnuts from Migue's. When you're done browsing the booths, head to Dupont Circle to enjoy your treats. 

A massive holiday market in downtown D.C. with more than 100 vendors, festive foods, cocktails, and lots of activities.

When it comes to ice skating with a backdrop of iconic scenery, New York has Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center, and D.C. has the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden Ice Rink. Nestled among the National Mall's museums, the outdoor rink opens for the season Saturday, November 23 until March 2.  When weather permits, skaters of all skill levels can whiz by sculptures by noted artists like Alexander Calder, Roy Lichtenstein, and Louise Bourgeois. Grab a hot chocolate or coffee from the rink's cafe and show off your moves. Tickets cover two back-to-back, 45 minute skate sessions. 

Drop by the beautiful Embassy of the Czech Republic for its annual Chirstmas Market. Snack on Czech pastries and mulled wine as you wander the market, where vendors will sell handcrafted wares like ornaments, candles, books, prints, jewelry and more. In terms of food, expect to find plenty of handmade chocolates for sale, plus liquors and Moravian wines. There will also be live music. Be sure to reserve a free ticket to guarantee entry—the market last year reportedly had 4,000 attendees!

The first special presentation to grace the galleries at the Folger Shakespeare Library after its major renovation, this exhibit is a look at the life and work of Esther Inglis, one of the most influential woman artists you may never have heard of. Inglis, who was alive from about 1570 to 1624, is best known for her detailed decorated mini books, some of which are only about the size of a deck of cards—and many of which are now on display at this new exhibition, which you can view for free. Take a look at Inglis' intricately detailed works and illustrations, and learn more about the social and political environment that drove her to create. 

Calling all fans of regency romances: Your invitation to a fabulous ball awaits. Dumbarton House, the Federal style mansion that’s on the National Register of Historic Places, is hosting a ball much like the ones where Austen heroines Elizabeth Bennett and Emma Woodhouse would’ve danced and drank the night away. Admission includes access to the estate’s manicured gardens and the chance to dance to live classical music. Wine and desserts are available for purchase. Don’t worry if you’re flying solo or inexperienced at the waltz; no dates or dance experience are necessary, although wearing your best period or formal finery is encouraged.

Husband and wife team Henji Cheung (on food) and Sarah Thompson (on wines) serve some of the best Cantonese food around at their Columbia Heights restaurant, Queen's English. The intimate dining room, which only has a handful of tables and stool seating and is beautifully decorated with pink wallpaper, feels like a cozy hideaway. The dishes draw on Cheung's upbringing in Hong Kong and include a beautiful medley of textures and flavors, and Thompson's lovingly-curated natural wine list is filled with varietals that pair nicely with each offering. Don't miss the creative cocktails, either. When I go, I like to order a smattering of plates. While the menu does rotate, some dishes that I've savored include a tender cumin lamb belly appetizer and the Temple Street Octopus, served with peanut, olive, and ink aioli. For mains, try the Drunken Duck Noodle or Bobo Chicken, which comes slathered in ginger scallion, tamari brown butter, and sesame. Wrap up the meal with a rich finale in the form of chocolate Sichuan ice cream with elderflower whipped cream, a flavor bomb of spice and sweet.

Patrice Cleary's Mount Pleasant restaurant is a neighborhood treasure that serves homestyle Filipino food. Whether for drinner, brunch, or a happy hour meetup, Purple Patch is a solid gathering spot with even better food. The menu includes traditional Filipino dishes, like lumpia, done extremely well. The meats are tender and flame-kissed, and vegetables are fresh and snappy (a personal favorite of mine is the sweet and tangy Atchara Papaya Salad with green papaya, carrots, bell pepper, ginger, and sweet viaigrette). Try the Coconut Curry Chicken, any of the sliders, and the Filipino Bistek, which is marinated in soy sauce and lime juice. Dessert includes lots of permutations of ube and coconut, but my favorite is the halo halo, a sweet wonder of shaved ice, coconut gel, mung beans, sweetened condensed milk, toasted coconut and ube ice cream.

There's perhaps no restaurant in D.C. that I love more than Lapis, the elegant and cozy Afghan eatery on the corner of Columbia Rd NW in Adams Morgan. Whenever I'm asked to recommend restaurants for visiting family or friends, I always send them here. Lapis has been the setting of many conversations, solo dinners, post breakup vents, and celebrations for the five years I've lived in the neighborhood. It's a resteraunt suited for every occasion and season; the big windows and airy interior (which is lit by candles and globelights in the evening) give the space a warm, homey vibe that makes it feel impossible to think about the worries you left at the door. This feeling is only heightened when you pick up the menu, which is chock-full of deeply flavorful Afghan dishes that are the culinary equivalent of a warm hug.  Run by the Popal family (the same group responsible hotspots like Pascual, Lutèce, and Lapop), Lapis serves generations-old family recipes, including bolani (Afghan flat bread) stuffed with fillings like pumpkin and beef and served with yogurt and chutney, and spiced rice studded with raisins and carrots. Be sure to explore the cocktail menu, which is full of surprises that pair well with all the meat, vegetables, and sweets on offer, and save room for plenty of plump Afghan dumplings. The vegetarians in your life will appreciate the deep vegetarian section on the menu—which also includes a few vegan options.

There are few situations less elegant than schlepping around an airport, hungrily looking for food, between flights. Finding a serviceable snack isn’t tough if all you’re after is a package of nuts or a granola bar, and many places even have cut fruit and vegetables if you’re craving something fresh. But hearty, tasty sit-down meals that aren’t of the burger or sandwich variety are typically much tougher to find, especially for less than $20—given all this, sometimes you’re stuck with just an apple and some chips for a meal. RECOMMENDED: Time Out’s favorite airport lounges in the U.S. This sad reality is why I jumped at the chance to preview Capital One Landing, a new dining concept at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Virginia that promises a chic stopover and tasty, filling food. The lounge opens today in Terminal 2 near Concourse D, and offers a restaurant and cocktail bar with a menu of Spanish tapas from celebrity restaurateur and chef José Andrés. More Landing lounges will roll out at airports around the country in the future, including a location at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, but for now this lounge is the first of its kind. What is Capital One Landing at DCA? The idea here is a bit different from other lounges, which are designed for longer visits; here, the goal is to provide a comfortable but short stay, a mission that makes sense for the location given most of the flights in and out of DCA are short-haul (although more long-haul routes may be ad

Broadway and movie fans who have been curious about how Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey and the cast of the new Wicked movie adaptation will interpret the show's iconic songs don't have to wait much longer. According to a post from the account of the film's official soundtrack, local music stores around the country will host listening parties for fans this weekend, November 22-24. RECOMMENDED: Pretend I’m a Tourist: At Wicked’s 20th Anniversary, I felt the joy of my first trip to NYC The events will happen Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and will give fans a chance to listen to (and probably sing along to) iconic tunes from the musical sung by the film's cast like "Defying Gravity," "The Wizard and I," "Popular," and "Dancing Through Life" (unfortunately, we'll have to wait until the second half of the movie comes out next November to hear second act songs like "As Long As You're Mine," "No Good Deed," and "For Good"). Both the soundtrack and movie release Friday, November 22. The participating music stores are located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Attending is free and doesn't require a ticket, and each

Along with the National Park Service and USPS, Amtrak may indeed be one of the most beloved government entities. I'm here to convince you that the Northeast Regional, the gateway to the Northeast corridor that runs from Washington, D.C. all the way up to Boston and stops in numerous tiny towns and bustling cities in between, is among the best Amtrak routes—and the best way to see the East Coast.RECOMMENDED: The most beautiful train stations in the U.S.Now, you may think the Acela, Amtrak’s business class commuter train, is the superior way to traverse the Northeast corridor. The Acela is seen as the more desirable train, and yes, it usually is a more organized experience because seats are assigned, and it’s expressly designed to connect the East’s major business hubs, while the Northeast Regional is for more general travel. But I’m here to tell you that the Northeast Regional not only deserves more love than it gets, but that I actually think it’s way better than the Acela—even for commuting. First, let me establish my qualifications for judging here: My seven years of East Coast residency have been marked by shuttling up and down the Northeast corridor multiple times a month, and since I don't have a car, the Northeast Regional has been my chariot—and I wouldn't have it any other way. I’ve ridden in both coach and business class, and I’ve used this train for weekend trips, longer-term holidays, and last-minute business trips, so I’ve seen it from all angles. I've also taken

Emo rock fans should be happy today because My Chemical Romance just announced a 10 stop North American tour for next year. The "Long Live The Black Parade" tour stops at Philly's Citizens Bank Park on August 15, 2025.RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Philadelphia this weekend The tour starts July 11 in Seattle and will include stops in Chicago, Boston, Toronto, Canada, Tampa, Fla., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Arlington, Texas, and East Rutherford, N.J. Each show will see the band play "My Black Parade" in its entirety, and each show will feature a different opening act. The tour's opening slots are stacked with established rockers Alice Cooper, Death Cab for Cutie, Violent Femmes, and Evanescence, plus newer acts like Wallows and 100 Gecs. Alice Cooper will open the Philly show. Check out the tour trailer the band posted below: The band's emo-rock opera "The Black Parade" came out in 2006 and peaked at #1 on the Billboard U.S. chart, which catapulted the band into the mainstream. Rolling Stone named the album to its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list; it's listed at #361. The album has gone platinum four times, and the album's lead single, "Welcome to The Black Parade," has been certified platinum five times.  How to get tickets to My Chemical Romance's "Long Live The Black Parade" Tour in Philadelphia Want to join The Black Parade this summer? There aren't any pre-sales for this tour, so to snag tickets you'll have to brave general sale. Tickets go on sale via Ti

Today is Veterans Day, and what better way to commemorate the day than a visit to one of the numerous national parks in the United States? Luckily for us, would-be explorers get free entry today to all of the parks managed by the National Parks Service to mark the holiday. RECOMMENDED: This new national park ranking will absolutely surprise you Some of the 400 U.S. national parks typically charge a small entry fee, but there are six free entry days each year—and Veterans Day is the last one of 2024. Some of the parks you can snag free entry to include Maine's beautiful Acadia National Park, Pennsylvania's Valley Forge National Park, the site of a key Revolutionary War battle, or gaze at Half Dome in California's Yosemite National Park. While we may think of all national parks as grand, sweeping vistas, there's a good chance there's a smaller and still great site near you to check out today. Visit the NPS' Find a Park tool to find somewhere to explore. Keep in mind that free entry days don't include fees that may come up through activities at some parks like camping, tours, or boat tickets. To gain free entry year-round, pick up an $80 America the Beautiful Pass, which grants holders one year of free entry to national parks and federal lands. How to get free entry to the National Parks for Veterans Day 2024 To get free entry today, simply go to your park of choice.  Do veterans get free entry to the National Parks year-round? Yes. Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces,

We're coming up on Black Friday, so shopping may be on your mind. If part of your holiday wishlist includes a winter getaway, you're in luck: Amtrak's winter flash sale is here, which means that inexpensive, one-way train fares are for the taking. RECOMMENDED: Check out these hot travel deals for Black Friday Train fares are up to 40% off until November 14 for tickets booked for travel between December 2 and March 15, 2025. The sale includes chances to save on both coach and business tickets for Monday-Thursday. It also applies to Saturday travel. The deals are pretty great for those looking for easy and inexpensive journeys across both coasts. If your winter getaway dreams include some fun on the East Coast, consider these fares: one-way coach tickets from Baltimore to Philadelphia from just $19, $22 tickets from Philly to D.C., $34 tickets from New York to D.C., and $34 tickets from Boston to New York. Want to go somewhere warmer? How about a $46 trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento, or a $76 one from Los Angeles to Seattle? You can also opt for a $21 ticket from Portland, Ore. to Seattle. Tickets on the Acela Business class train are priced a bit higher, but still cheaper than usual. The train connects the Northeast corridor, and the sale includes plenty of tickets that touch upon big cities like New York, D.C., Philly, Baltimore and Boston.   Personally, I'm a huge fan of traveling on the Amtrak, especially on the East Coast. Riding the Amtrak is way comfier and easier tha

Now that Halloween is officially behind us and we're in November (!!!), it's time to think ahead about how to celebrate the holidays. It's time to start planning a visit to a Christmas market, gearing up to look at holiday lights, and shopping for an advent calendar to count down the days until December 25. Luckily, beloved grocery chain Aldi is bringing back its coveted advent calendars—and customers can choose from more than 20 types, starting November 6. RECOMMENDED: These 9 U.S. grocery stores are attractions any tourist should add to their trip The calendars will be available in stores and online starting tomorrow; prices start at $7.99. Take a look below at some of the calendars for sale: Photograph: Courtesy AldiAldi's Moser Chocolate Village Advent Calendar. Photograph: Courtesy AldiAldi's Lego Disney advent calendar. Photograph: Courtesy AldiAldi's Moser Cheese Village Advent Calendar. Photograph: Courtesy AldiAldi's Make It Sparkle sparkling wine advent calendar. There are more than 20 different calendars, which include products like coffee, wine, hot sauce, cheese, and chocolate. The non-Bedible ones include toys and games like puzzles, Legos, Squishmallow stuffies, candles, and even slime.  If you want one, you'd better hurry, because the calendars won't be restocked and often sell out; not every store will carry each calendar, either. Stores also can't reserve or hold any calendars. More calendars will be available in November and early December. Head ov

Halloween is finally in the rear view, so it's time to turn our attention to the holiday season, which is just around the corner. One great way to get into the spirit is to stroll and shop a Christmas market. Luckily for us, some of the best Christmas markets—and three of the most searched ones—are right here in the U.S. RECOMMENDED: This NYC Christmas market was just named one of the best in the world A recent analysis from InsuranceandGo used Google search data to identify the top trending Christmas markets in the world. The most searched market is the Skansen Christmas Market in Stockholm (which the analysis showed had a 324% search increase from last year to this year), but the U.S. is well-represented on the list. The top 10 includes three U.S. Christmas markets, two in New York and one in Washington, D.C. New York's iconic Winter Village at Bryant Park is the second most searched Christmas market in the world; search interest jumped 311% compared to last year. The Downtown D.C. Holiday Market in Washington, D.C. ranked 9th with an 85% search increase, and Union Square Holiday Market, also in New York, was the 10th most searched market with an 84% search increase.  London's Covent Garden Christmas Market came in third. Other locales in the top 10 trending Christmas markets include the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Switzerland. Additionally, two markets in Switzerland and the U.K. tied for sixth place and each showed a 122% increase. To come up with the rankings, the fir

You may have just started to toss your Halloween pumpkins, but it's already time to look ahead to the holiday season. Indeed, we have plenty of time worn traditions to look forward to, like peeping at Christmas lights and shopping for fun gifts at a Christmas market. Luckily, a recent survey found that one of the top trending Christmas markets in the world is in Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED: This NYC Christmas market was just named one of the best in the world A recent analysis by travel insurance company InsuranceandGo looked at the top trending Christmas markets in the world based on Google search data; the Downtown D.C. Holiday Market in Washington, D.C., located in Penn Quarter/Chinatown near the National Portrait Gallery, came in ninth place, with an 84% increase in search interest from 2023. The market will be open daily (except for Thanksgiving on November 28) from November 22-December 23 from noon-8pm. First on the list is the Skansen Christmas Market in Stockholm, which has operated since 1903; searches for this market increased 324% since last year. New York's famous Winter Village at Bryant Park took the second spot in the top 10, and boasted a 311% search increase. Two markets, the Blenheim Palace Christmas Market in the U.K. and Montreux Noël in Switzerland, tied for the sixth spot, Woodstock tied for the sixth spot with a search increase of 122%. To come up with these figures, InsuranceandGo used data from Google's Keyword Planner, then compared the percentage i

The shops on M St NW in Georgetown have shifted throughout the years as stores close and new ones move in. One major player coming to the District's busiest shopping street is Barnes & Noble, which will open its three-story Georgetown bookstore on November 6 at 10am. RECOMMENDED: Michelin-starred Osteria Mozza Italian restaurant and market coming to Georgetown this fall Opening day festivities, which begin at 10am, include a ribbon cutting and book signing with author Evan Friss, who wrote The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore. It seems the store is off to a fast start; its events calendar is already filled with author talks and events like an in-store holiday Lego build and face painting. The 30,000 square foot store is located in a big corner building at 3040 M St NW—interestingly enough, the bookstore is moving back into the same building it occupied from 1995-2011; until 2023, the building housed a Nike store. Including the Georgetown location, the bookseller is set to open 13 new stores this month in California, New York, New Hampshire, Kansas, New Jersey, Florida, Utah, Indiana, and Washington. The chain has found financial success in recent years through making its locations feel less like big box emporiums and more like neighborhood bookstores with amenities like community activities, cafes, and displays of tomes by local authors. 

Winter in Washington, D.C. sometimes gets a bad rap, but here's one reason to reconsider. Personal finance site WalletHub put out a report of the best winter vacation destinations in the U.S., sorted by the best cold and warm weather travel spots, and Washington, D.C. was named among the top three best places for a cold-weather vacation. RECOMMENDED: Condé Nast Traveler named five Washington, D.C. hotels among the top 50 in the world Atlanta was named the top cold weather winter vacation destination, followed by New York. Georgia's capital won the top spot for its relatively warm winter weather, safety, and number of restaurants, activities, and inexpensive flights with little travel hassle. The District was named the third best cold weather vacation destination, followed by Chicago and Cincinnati. The top five warm weather vacation spots are: Las Vegas, San Diego, Dallas, Austin, and Phoenix. Stretches of gray, cold days can make wintertime in D.C. feel particularly dour, but we here at Time Out truly believe winter is actually one of the best seasons in the District. The turning of the seasons signals a mood shift, and wintertime in D.C. means coziness; there are plenty of restaurants, plays, concerts, museums, movie theaters, and discussions/talks to draw you out of the house. In the coming weeks, ice rinks and holiday markets will open, and colder weather means the possibility of snow, which'll cover the row houses and monuments in no time. There's nothing like a wintry w

Most people know that Election Day is November 5, but the election has actually already started in Washington, D.C., because early voting opens today, and voters have already started returning absentee ballots. There are several ways you can make your voice heard this year, including casting an absentee ballot, voting early in person, or voting on Election Day. Read on to find out how and where to vote this year in Washington, D.C. How do I find my local polling place in Washington, D.C.? If you plan to vote in person, you'll want to find the nearest polling places. To figure out where to cast your vote, head to the D.C. Board of Elections (DCBOE) website, and enter the address where you're registered to vote in the Vote Center Locator Tool. Keep in mind that you are allowed to cast your ballot at any vote center, regardless of your home address.  The tool will pull up the nearest early vote centers, Election day vote centers, and ballot drop boxes, sorted by which is closest to the address you entered. If you're voting in person on Election Day, make a plan to get there between 7am and 8pm. As long as you're in line by 8pm, you'll be able to cast your vote. Where can I vote on Election Day in Washington, D.C.? Per the DCBOE, these are the vote center locations that will be open in Washington, D.C. on Election Day, November 5, from 7am-8pm (check the website for addresses and more specifics about where to go at each location, like a gymnasium or meeting room): Ward 1: Columbi