Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum has reopened in the midst of a massive remodel.

New Museums and Exhibits in DC

1. National Air and Space Museum Remodel

On October 14, Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum reopened eight of its exhibits, nearly four years into a seven-year renovation costing roughly $1 billion. Open exhibits include a planets gallery, America by Air, exhibits on the Wright Brothers and early flight, and more. The museum, which had been closed since March, currently requires visitors to reserve free timed-entry passes online. By the time the remodel is complete, every single gallery will be redesigned.

2. Museum of Illusions

The Museum of Illusions Washington, DC opened December 13 in CityCenterDC. The museum wows grown-ups and kids alike with over 50 interactive exhibits including a tilted room, an infinity room, a vortex tunnel, and plenty of other optical illusions. In the Smart Playroom, visitors can challenge themselves with puzzles, dilemma games, impossible knots, and other brainteasers. Get those cameras ready, because there are tons of Insta-worthy photo ops here.

3. Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience — National Geographic Society

The National Geography Society opened this immersive exhibition at its DC headquarters in June to celebrate the 100th anniversary of one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time—King Tut's tomb. Innovative video projections and soundscapes transport visitors to Egypt, where they experience the Great Sphinx, enter King Tut's tomb, meet Egyptian gods, and more. Hurry over—the exhibit only remains open until February 6, 2023.

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DC families have been flocking to the Yayoi Kusama exhibit at the Hirshhorn Museum.

4. One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection — Hirshhorn Museum

Prolific artist Yayoi Kusama's latest exhibition opened at Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum in April. One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection features two of Kusama's transcendent Infinity Mirror Rooms, sculptures, an early painting, and photographs of the artist. Initially slated to close on November 27, the exhibit has been extended through spring 2023. Free, next-day timed passes are released daily on the museum's website at noon. Each adult can bring up to two kids age 12 and under, who do not need a pass.

5. Baseball: America's Home Run — National Postal Museum

Baseball fans have been flocking to Smithsonian's National Postal Museum since April, when its Baseball: America's Home Run exhibit debuted. The exhibition, which explores the surprising ways that baseball and postal history are intertwined, features historic objects that have never before been on public display. Visitors can see jerseys worn by the likes of Jackie Robinson and Yogi Berra, a 1950s-era base from Ebbets Field, and more. The exhibit is open through January 5, 2025, so fans have plenty of time to check it out.

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Smithsonian's National Museum of American History has a new permanent exhibit dedicated to entertainment.

6. Entertainment Nation — National Museum of American History

In early December, Smithsonian's National Museum of American History unveiled its newest permanent exhibition, Entertainment Nation. The exhibit, over 10 years in the making, displays a rotating collection of objects spanning decades of music, movies, TV, sports, and more. Kids will love seeing items like Captain America's shield, the original Kermit the Frog puppet, a jersey worn by Michael Jordan, and so much more.

7. All American: The Power of Sports — National Archives Museum

The National Archives Museum also began drawing sports lovers in September when it opened All American: The Power of Sports. The 3,000-square-foot exhibit displays over 75 items including trophies, baseball cards, rare pictures and film footage, and other sports memorabilia. Visitors can also see the original Title IX that prohibits sex discrimination in education, read letters written by Jackie Robinson to promote civil rights, and more. The exhibit runs through January 7, 2024, so add it to your family's calendar for 2023.

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Football fans will love the Baltimore Ravens-themed playground in Northwest Regional Park. Photo courtesy of Only in Your State

New Parks and Playgrounds Near DC

8. Ravens-themed Playground in Northwest Regional Park — Owings Mills, MD

As part of the NFL Play 60 Initiative, a new Baltimore Ravens-themed playground opened in Northwest Regional Park in October. The playground—Baltimore County's first destination playground—includes a timed obstacle course, custom climbing structures, an over 17-foot-tall play structure with slides, an artificial-turf 40-yard dash, and a wheelchair-accessible rubberized surface. The Ravens contributed $500,000 for the playground's construction.

9. Spirit Park — National Harbor, MD

On Veterans Day, National Harbor unveiled its newest outdoor space, Spirit Park. The park is home to one of the largest flying American flags in the country, one-of-a-kind sculptures, and an amphitheater. Visitors can also enjoy panoramic views of the Potomac River.

10. Hal & Berni Hanson Regional Park — Aldie, VA

This 257-acre regional park, which opened in September, includes a huge variety of recreational opportunities for families. There are 10 soccer fields, four baseball/softball fields, four tennis/pickleball courts, a basketball court, two playgrounds, batting cages, a splash pard, a skate park, five ponds, a lodge and nature center, and other fun spaces.

11. Harbor Drive Wellness Park — Lake Ridge, VA

Prince William County got its first fully accessible playground in June with the opening of Harbor Drive Wellness Park. The 2.5-acre park also features fitness equipment accessible to people of all ages and physical abilities, a pollinator garden, meadows, and a looped walking trail.

12. Hidden Oaks Nature Center Remodel — Annandale, VA

This free nature center, which first opened in 1967, underwent over $1.6 million in renovations. At its grand reopening in July, Hidden Oaks unveiled a new classroom, kitchen, and interpretive space, as well as a new pond and new restrooms that meet current ADA standards.

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Kids are jumping for joy over the remodeled Flight Adventure Park. 

New Indoor Play Spaces Near DC

13. Flight Adventure Park Remodel — Springfield, VA

In late August, Flight Adventure Park—formerly named Fight Fit N Fun and, before that, Flight Trampoline Park—reopened with a new aviation and space theme and loads of new attractions. Kids can bounce in a 2,400-square-foot inflatable park, climb up a space shuttle to a control tower, jump on trampolines, play in an arcade, and lots more. There's also a Junior Pilots Zone for kids age 4 and under. Flight bills itself as the world's only thematic indoor adventure park.

14. Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center — Baltimore, MD

In November, Baltimore got a new 35,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center in Cherry Hill that cost over $23 million to build. Middle Branch features both indoor and outdoor fitness and recreation options including three pools, fitness studios, a gym with a basketball court, an indoor walking track, a maker space, a community room, and more. Future additions include walking trails, a playground, basketball courts, a fishing pier, and other outdoor spaces.

15. Immersive Gamebox Ballston Quarter — Arlington, VA

The first Virginia location of Immersive Gamebox—formerly called Electric Gamebox—opened in Ballston Quarter in early 2022. It offers a futuristic, interactive group gaming experience for adults and kids ages 5 and up. Motion tracking, giant touch screens, surround sound, and other technology make players feel like they're actually inside a video game. It's the perfect place to bring tweens and teens!

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There's still time to visit Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience. Photo by Jennifer Marino Walters

More Openings and Happenings Near DC

16. Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience — Leesburg, VA

In early November, a portion of Morven Park transformed into a magical walk-through that takes guests along a nighttime woodland trail filled with creatures, characters, and scenes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. Spectacular lighting and sound effects, mist, and interactive elements make visitors feel like they've truly stepped into the Wizarding World. Hurry and get tickets—the experience is only in town until January 29, 2023.

17. Beloved Holiday Events Return to the National Zoo

Holiday cheer returned to Smithsonian's National Zoo this year with the return of its two wildly popular holiday events, Boo at the Zoo in October and ZooLights in November and December, after a two-year Covid hiatus. We thought the day would never come!

18. Perch Putt — Tysons, VA

An 18-hole mini golf course with gorgeous views of Tysons opened in the spring, adding to the list of great mini golf courses throughout the DC area. Perch Putt is located at the Perch, a park situated 11 stories above Capital One Hall. After their game of putt-putt, families can enjoy the rest of the Perch's fun amenities, including food trucks, giant chess boards, bocce ball, live music, and more.

19. Kings Dominion Announces a Year-Round Schedule

Much to the excitement of DC-area amusement park lovers (those who can brave the cold, anyway), Kings Dominion announced in October that it will begin operating on a year-round schedule in 2023. The park will now be open on weekends from January through March, with some attractions closed due to weather conditions and scheduled maintenance. The announcement follows on the heels of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, which began year-round operations in 2021. No more waiting until spring to ride your favorite roller coasters!

20. Fun New Restaurant at the Wharf

As the Wharf celebrated its five-year anniversary in 2022, it also got a fun new family-friendly restaurant. The beach-themed Boardwalk Bar & Arcade, which opened in February, makes it feel like summer all year long. It keeps families happy with over 30 arcade games, carnival-inspired food like corn dogs and cotton candy, and a giant waterfront patio perfect for lounging in the warmer months.

All photos courtesy of the venues unless otherwise noted