Affordable outings that are fun for all the family don't get much better than Washington, D.C. National Zoological Park, a free zoo that is open all year round. Of course, that does mean that it’s often packed with crowds and strollers, but if you go off-season you can take in almost all the exhibits in one visit. These include 1,500 animals, ranging from rare pandas to giant salamanders, via elephant trails and lounging lions.
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Time Out8 places
The National Zoo ticks off all the fall hike boxes: changing leaves, guaranteed animal sightings and well-paved, easy to walk trails. Due to COVID, you do need to reserve your free pedestrian pass prior to a visit (car reservations are now $30 and include entry for up to 4 visitors), but with well-controlled crowds you can rest assured that your walk in these woods will be socially-distanced. The Olmsted Walk, a .8 mile trail that winds from the front to the back of the zoo, is currently open.
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Tinybeans11 places
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center pioneered Bird Friendly Coffee in the 1990s. Bird Friendly habitat ensures a mix of foliage cover, tree height, and biodiversity that creates quality habitat for birds and other wildlife. Certification provides farmers with a premium for their products, and because of stringent growing standards, the Bird Friendly program is also a critical asset in fighting climate change. Today 5,100 Bird Friendly farmers in 11 countries grow 34M lbs. of organic coffee.
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Smithsonian Institution9 places