ML Interest Tag: touch-down

The Most Unique Places to See Santa in the DMV

by Meghan Yudes Meyers

However you plan to visit Santa—whether it’s a classic mall lap-sit or another unique sighting throughout the DMV—these meet-and-greets with St. Nick are sure to be memorable

Santa is back in town, and if you missed him IRL last year, now is the time to jump on one (or all) of these photo-worthy events. From a festive breakfast that features Santa and the Grinch to personalized letters from the North Pole hand-delivered by the Big Guy himself, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to mingle with Kris Kringle. After you meet Santa, be sure to explore some holiday light displays! And not to worry if you and your kiddo can’t make it out to meet Santa this year: try giving Santa a call or writing him a letter.

Mall Santa Experiences in and around Washington, DC

Christmas jokes
Jesson Mata on Unsplash

Meet Santa at Tysons Galleria: Beat Tysons Corner Center crowds by ducking into its near-by neighbor, Tysons Galleria. This mall has always offered a convenient reservation system for a hassle-free Santa visit. Santa is located on the lower level near the old Macy's. If you want your pooch in the pic, nab a reservation on a Mon. between the hours of 4-8 p.m.

Dates: Nov. 18-Dec. 24

2001 International Dr.
McLean, VA
Event details

Visit Santa at Westfield Montgomery: If you're looking for a free sit-down with Ol' St. Nick, you'll find that at a pajama party at Macy's at Westfield Montgomery. There will be tons of other festivities like a magic show, balloon art, face painting, a DJ, and more. Your kiddo will enjoy making crafts and devouring treats. And of course, Santa will be joined by Rudolph and a few other friends. Don't miss this exciting event!

Dates: Nov. 26

7101 Democracy Blvd.
Bethesda, MD
Event details

Meet Santa at Dulles Town Center: Visits with Santa are always free at this mall! You don't have to purchase a photo package to chat with the Big guy. Get that perfect picture that's just what you're looking for.

Dates: Now through Dec. 24

21100 Dulles Town Cir.
Dulles, VA
Event details

Get a Picture with Santa at Mall at Prince Georges: Santa comes in all colors and you can head to Prince Georges, which hosts the closest Black Santa to the DMV. The Mall of PG has been celebrating Christmas with a Black Santa for over a decade. Reservations are required, so act fast. Want to include your four-legged friends in the pic? Be sure to visit on a Monday when your pets are part of the picture!

Dates: Nov. 19-Dec. 24

3500 East West Hwy.
Hyattsville, MD
Event details

Related: 9 Places to Cut Down Your Own Tree in DC

Unique Santa Experiences in and around Washington, DC

HIller Aviation Museum

Watch Santa Fly In: See Ol' St. Nick touch down at the historic College Park Airport at 10 a.m. After, kids can participate in hands-on crafts and tour the museum. Take-home crafts are also available. If you want to share your Christmas Wish List with the Big Guy himself (and pose for a photo op), you'll need a separate reservation. 

Dates: Dec. 4

1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr.
College Park
Event details

Meet Santa at the Captain Wheel: Before you board The Capital Wheel, snap a pic with Ol' St. Nick in a specially themed holiday booth. This special photo op is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 2-4 p.m. 

Date: Select days Nov. 26-Dec. 18

141 American Way
National Harbor, MD
Event details

See Waterskiing Santa: For more than 30 years, Santa has skied the open waters of the Potomac River. This year, Santa, his elves, and Frosty the Snowman will make a special appearance on Christmas Eve (right before they hop in the sleigh!). After the show, mingle with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and his merry helpers by the Christmas tree in Waterfront Park.

Dates: Dec. 24

1A Prince St.
Alexandria
Event details

Related: Magical Santa Train Rides to Book NOW (Before They Sell Out)

black santa in seattle meets kids at the Northwest African American Museum
iStock

Visit with Santa at the Children's Museum: A Richmond tradition since 1936, Legendary Santa has been delighting families for many years. You can visit with Santa in person this year and experience that holiday excitement firsthand. But you don't have to make the drive to Richmond to get in on this tradition. Invite up to six of your friends for a magical Zoom where Santa hints that he knows just a little bit more about you and your fam than the run-of-the-mill mall Santa. After all, he is a Legend! 

Dates: Nov. 30 - Dec. 24

1500 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC
Event details

Receive Letters from Santa: This special annual event lets your child receive a personalized letter from Kris Kringle himself! Have your child write a letter to Santa and pop it in the Red Mailbox on this farm (or email it ahead of the event). On Dec. 18, Santa will make the rounds to guest tables handing each child a letter straight from the North Pole. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served; food and beverage can also be purchased.

Dates: Dec. 18

38506 John Wolford Rd.
Waterford, VA
Event details

Ride the Polar Express: Take a ride on the beloved Polar Express (yes, the one from the book and hit Tom Hanks movie!) and experience the joy of the holiday on a memorable train ride. Oh, and say hello to Santa while you're there! For extra festive fun, arrive in your coziest pajamas! 

Date: Nov. 25-Dec. 19

901 West Pratt St.
Baltimore, MD
Event details

Related: What to Say When Your Kids Ask “Is Santa Real?”

Breakfast with Santa Experiences in and around Washington, DC

iStock

Have Breakfast with Santa at Tysons Galleria: What's a better time to meet Santa than over breakfast? Enjoy a delicious meal at the Neiman Marcus Restaurant and have a meet and greet with the big guy. It'll be a day your kiddo won't forget and the breakfast won't be too bad either. Tickets are going fast!

Date: Dec. 3

2255 International Dr.
McLean, VA
Event details

Enjoy Breakfast with Santa & the Grinch: Have you had breakfast with Santa AND the Grinch before? Well, now is your chance at Adventure Park USA in Maryland. About an hour outside of DC, make a day of it and enjoy the park as well. Your family will have a blast at this event!

Date: Dec. 10

11113 W Baldwin Rd.
Monrovia, MD
Event details

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Krispy Kreme Has a Limited Edition Mars Doughnut & It’s Out of This World

by Erica Loop

NASA’s Perseverance Rover is set to land on Mars this Thursday! In celebration of the out-of-this-world event, Krispy Kreme has created a limited edition doughnut that looks like the red planet.

On Feb. 18 Krispy Kreme will unveil its Mars Doughnut. The sweet treat is a chocolate Kreme-filled doughnut that’s dipped in caramel icing. As if that does’t sound delish enough, the creatives at Krispy Kreme are adding a red planet swirl and chocolate cookie crumbs to mimic Mars.

photo: Business Wire/Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme Chief Marketing Officer Dave Skena said, in a press release, “The landing of Perseverance on Mars will be an epic and important achievement.” Skena continued, “So, we’re celebrating the best way we know how: with an amazing new doughnut discovery right here on earth.”

Not only can everyone who’s into astronomy or donuts snag this Mars-inspired goody on Feb. 18, but the 11 million people who participated in NASA’s “Send Your Name to Mars” program can get a freebie—with their NASA-issued Mars 2020 Perseverance “boarding pass.”

Feb. 18 is the only day Perseverance will touch down on Mars. That means you only have one day to get your limited edition Krispy Kreme Mars Doughnut, too!

—Erica Loop

 

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Here’s How Your Kiddo Can Help NASA to Name the Mars 2020 Rover

by Erica Loop

Your kiddo might just get a chance to name the next Mars rover. NASA recently announced the selection of two partner organizations, Battelle Education and Future Engineers, to run its nationwide K-12 naming contest!

The Mars 2020 “Name the Rover” contest will open to students in kindergarten through grade 12 next fall (fall of 2019). The 2,300-pound rover is set to launch July 2020 with a touch down date on the Martian surface of February 2021. The rover will explore the planet’s surface, collect samples and look for signs of past microbial life.

George Tahu, Mars 2020 program executive in NASA’s Planetary Science Division at the agency’s Headquarters in Washington said in a press release, “Contests like this present excellent opportunities to invite young students and educators to be a part of this journey to understand the possibilities for life beyond Earth and to advance new capabilities in exploration technology.”

If you’re just as much of a space enthusiast as your child—you’re in luck! NASA is looking for volunteer judges to review the entries!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Courtesy of NASA

 

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4 Ways To Go Plane Spotting

by Lenya McGrath

If you have a budding aviation enthusiast who loves nothing more than to eat, sleep and breathe planes, you’ll be happy to know that San Diego has some great look-out spots to get up close and personal with the mechanical birds of the sky. Before your kiddo signs up for flight school, grab a picnic blanket, pack up some snacks and prepare to be dazzled with close-up take offs and landings at one of these air fields.

Photo Credit: Angie Baxter

Harbor and Laurel Parking Lot
If your junior spotters literally want to be at the borders edge to the airport, then the Harbor and Laurel parking lot will be perfect for you. This lot is the official viewing area designated by Airport Authority and San Diego Harbor Police. It’s directly adjacent to the southern end of the runway so you’ll be able to take in all the action from the comfort of your car. Your mini flyers will especially love planes arriving from the east as they touch down low and loud in front of you! Parking here is free, but it’s not recommended to leave your car unattended. It’s also worth noting that snack stops and restrooms stops are few and far between, so be prepared for another pit stop after getting some plane action.

Aviator’s Tip: Peak flying time is from mid morning to early evening according to hardcore plane spotters.

N Harbor Dr. and W Laurel St.
San Diego, Ca 92101

Coronado Beach
If you love your military aircrafts with a side of sun and surf, then Coronado Beach is for you. The North Island NAS (a.k.a the Naval Air Station for the non-military folks) hosts a massive 23 aviation squadrons and 230 stationed aircrafts. Pop down your towel anywhere on the beach between G and Pine Streets and you’ll be able to see an exciting mix of military aircrafts like F18s, S-3 Vikings and C-5 Galaxies flying across the Northern peninsula of the island. Keep in mind the beach directly in front of the NAS is a restricted area so it’s best to avoid that area and keep your junior spotters safe and sound.

Aviator’s Tip: Peak spotting time is mid morning to mid afternoon on weekdays.

Corner of Marina Ave. and Ocean Blvd.
Coronado, Ca 92118

Photo Credit: Wow Travel Club 

Liberty Station NTC Park
Just opposite the northern end of the San Diego International Airport runway, you’ll find the Liberty Station NTC Park. Originally a former Naval training center, this area boasts retail shops, restaurants and beautiful open green space perfect for plane spotting. Look directly across the water’s edge and you will see the planes taking off from runway 27 while you hear their ear-deafening roar as they fly above you. If the kids get tired of plane spotting they can shake off that excess energy at the NTC Park’s two large playgrounds.

Aviator’s Tip: NTC Park has restrooms, free parking, tables and outdoor grills if you want to make a day of it.

2455 Cushing Rd.
San Diego, Ca 92106

Photo Credit: Brendan W. via Yelp 

Flying Leathernecks Museum
If you’ve rather get an up close and personal plane spotting experience, a visit to the Flying Leathernecks Museum in Miramar might be in order. The museum celebrates the legacy of the United States Marine Corps aviation efforts and boasts 48 historical military aircrafts like the Hornet, Sea Hawke and Phantom fighters. Best of all, the Leathernecks museum is free.

Aviator’s Tip: Visit the Leatherneck Museum website for details on their upcoming “Open Cockpit” dates — a must-do event with the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet while mingling with military staff and pilots.

Anderson Ave.
Building T-4203
San Diego, Ca 92145
877-359-8762
Online: flyingleathernecks.org

Where do you like to spot the planes overhead? Any spots we should add to the mix?

— Lenya McGrath

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