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How To Make Your Home Look Like A Million Bucks
Everyone knows that first impressions are important but when it comes to selling your home, it makes even more of a difference! We’ll go into our top 3 tips for making your home look like a million bucks (without spending a ton!).
Get Spiffy
It might be cliche but it’s true—buyers will appreciate (and pay more for) a clean and tidy house! For everyday showings, all surfaces and floors should be clean and any clutter picked up and put away. A subtle air freshener placed near the entryway can help set the mood. You may want to re-arrange the furniture in your home so that it’s easier for people to navigate during showings—this will probably be different from how you normally use your furniture but it’ll make a subconscious difference for the buyers!
When you’re getting your listing pictures done, you’ll want to go the extra mile. This may not be sustainable for everyday life but it’ll make a huge difference when people are searching for homes online. Completely clear off the counters—yes, completely. That means hide your toaster/decorative salt shaker collection/anything else you keep regularly on your counters in cabinets. A big clean empty countertop makes the kitchen or bathroom look bigger. The same goes for all types of visual clutter in the house—anything that can be hidden away in closets or cabinets, should be, at least for the pictures.
Shrubs, Flowers and Trees, Oh My
After you finish reading this paragraph, go outside and take a look at your house. Is the lawn mowed? Are the flowers and bushes blooming or struggling? Is there fresh mulch and does the yard look generally well-kept? If you’re lacking a green thumb, this might be a good time to hire outside help. The yard should look healthy and manicured and complement the home’s features.
Fake It
Nobody has to know that you don’t normally host extravagant soirees and you’re more likely to heat up a TV dinner than whip up gourmet fare. When you’re selling your home, buyers need your help to see its potential, not just what it’s being used for currently. Fresh flowers in the foyer, luxe throws across the sofa and beautiful place settings at the table allow buyers to imagine what their life could be like in this particular home. If you’ve already moved everything out of the home, it may be worth setting up some decor in the entryway or on the mantle—just to accent the home’s features.
5 Things To Do Before You Buy A Home
So you’re finally ready to buy your own home, congrats! It’s a big decision that can really impact your life and your finances. Here are our top five things to do before you take the leap to make sure you’re completely prepared!
Strengthen your credit score
Don’t know your credit score? If you’re thinking about buying a home in the near future—it’s time to find out! Try CreditKarma or any of the free credit reports to see what you may need to work on or if you’re in good shape! The better your credit score, the less you’ll need to pay for your home loan. The quickest way to improve your score is to pay down any credit card balances! You’ll also want to avoid applying for credit, for example, opening a new credit card or getting a car loan, until after you’ve closed on your new home!
Figure out what you can afford
Now’s the time to face the facts and be realistic. What’s your actual budget for purchasing a home? Conventional wisdom says that home expenses should only take up around 30-33% of your income each year. What will your monthly mortgage payment be, including interest, mortgage insurance and any HOA fees? An easy way to figure out what you can afford is by using Zillow’s Mortgage Calculator—easily adjust your purchase price vs down payment and see how it can affect your monthly payment. You’ll also want to set aside an emergency fund for unexpected repairs—especially during your first year! Once you’ve figured out what price range you can comfortably afford, stick to only looking at homes in that range.
Research different neighborhoods
You know your desired price range and what kind of home you’re looking for—now ’s the time to do your homework! Different areas and neighborhoods have their own character, benefits and drawbacks—consult your Realtor, websites like Niche, Crimemapping and Yelp, and if possible, drive through any neighborhoods you’re seriously considering at various times of day to really get a feel for them.
Save up
Keep in mind that the down payment is only one part of the costs you’ll need to pay upfront. Once you cough up that 10% down payment, you’ll still need to pay for any closing costs, necessary inspections, repairs or maintenance costs, the first few months of mortgage and insurance payments, and any moving costs. Closing costs can run anywhere from 2-5% of the asking price while typical home inspections are around $350-500. That’s on top of your down payment! With all that in mind, is your dream home still within your housing budget of 30-33% of your yearly income?
Connect with a lender
An experienced loan officer can be a huge help during your preparation period! They’ll help you figure out what loan product will be best for you and what you can do to improve your credit. Your CBE agent can recommend plenty of awesome loan officers and once you’ve got your pre-approval letter, you’re ready to tour homes and make an offer!
Buying a home (whether it’s your first or not!) is an exciting experience and can be immensely rewarding! All of us at CBE wish you the best of luck finding your dream home–don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help along the way!
3 Signs You’re Not Ready to Buy A Home
Scrolling through your Facebook timeline in your twenties and thirties can feel like a never-ending slideshow of #adulting milestones. Why is everyone engaged all of a sudden? When did so-and-so have a baby? Chances are, you’ve seen quite a few “We just bought a home!” posts, too. If you’re one of the 80% of millennials would like to purchase real estate, watching all your friends buy a home can trigger massive FOMO.
We’re here to help you figure out whether you’re ready to join the homeowner ranks! As fun as it looks on social media, buying a home before you’re ready or for the wrong reasons can be a huge mistake. Let’s go through the top 3 reasons you might not be ready to buy a home right now:
1. Not enough money saved
So you’ve saved enough to make a 10% down payment on your dream home, congrats! Unfortunately, the down payment is only one part of the costs you’ll need to pay upfront. Once you cough up that 10% down payment, you’ll still need to pay for any closing costs, necessary inspections, repairs or maintenance costs, the first few months of mortgage and insurance payments, and any moving costs. Closing costs can run anywhere from 2-5% of the asking price while typical home inspections are around $350-500. That’s on top of your down payment!
Keeping all that in mind, is your dream home still within your housing budget of 30-33% of your yearly income?
2. You’re on the move
Due to the high up-front costs of buying a home, real estate is not generally a good short-term investment. The days of flipping distressed properties for a profit are over so if you’re planning on making money on the sale of your home, you’ll need to stay put for at least five years. If your career or relationship status isn’t particularly stable or you’re considering exploring new areas in the next few years—buying may not be the smart choice right now.
3. You’re still working on your credit
A low credit score won’t make it impossible to buy a home, but it will make it more expensive. Check your credit score on free sites like Credit Karma—the higher your score, the better your interest rate on your mortgage will be! This can make a big difference in your monthly payments so if your credit score isn’t particularly healthy right now, you may want to wait to purchase a home. If you’re not sure where to start, a loan officer will be able to help you navigate the process of repairing your credit and getting ready to buy.
Still feeling like you’re ready to buy? Give any of our wonderful agents a call and start looking for your dream home today!
Halloween Happenings 2017
It’s the spookiest time of year in the Burg! Grab your favorite ghouls and gals and plan your Halloween with our comprehensive list of Halloween parties, festivals and events! We’ve sorted them out into: “Super Scary” which are best for adults and teens, “Not-So-Scary” for kids and families and “Running Scared” which are 5Ks and running events!
Super Scary
Meet the Ghosts- Oct 27-29 and 30-31
From its Colonial past to the horrors of four major Civil War battles, Fredericksburg is one of the MOST haunted cities in America! Let the costumed guide navigate you through the paranormal combining the past with stories and folklore of the still lurking dead! Call 540-226-8378 to schedule a tour.
Fredericksburg Visitor Center Parking Lot, 706 Caroline St.
www.fredericksburghauntings.com
Belle Grove Plantation Paranormal Spooktacular- Oct 28
Paranormal Investigation with a paranormal team. Special All Hallows Eve Investigation on Halloween.
Belle Grove Plantation. 9221 Belle Grove Drive, King George, Virginia 22485. 540-621-7340. www.bellegroveplantation.com
Carriage Ghost Tour- Nightly in October
Fredericksburg, “America’s Most Historic City,” is also considered to be one of the most haunted cities in the country. Join us to see if you can find any undead on one of our 60 minute carriage Ghost Tours through historic downtown Fredericksburg. This tour is appropriate for all ages, so bring the entire family to search for those who still walk the streets after death!
Fredericksburg Visitor Center. www.oldetownecarriages.com
Halloween Haunt at KD- through Oct 29, starting at 7pm
Features ghastly creatures emerging from the darkness, highly-intense and bone-chilling attractions and some of the most hair-raising rides on the planet like the Intimidator 305 and Dominator roller coasters! NEW attractions this year! This event is not recommended for kids.
www.kingsdominion.com/play/haunt
Not-So-Scary
Fright Night in the Burg- Oct 26 5-7pm
Celebrate Halloween w/ a fun filled carnival and costume contests at the Dorothy Hart Community Ctr. Ages 3 – 5 will compete for most original and cutest while ages 6 – 8 and 9 – 11 will compete for most original and funniest! A family costume contest will take place and only one will be crowned “Best in the ‘Burg!” Judging will start at 6:15 pm, so be on time! Pre-registration recommended. Cost: $6. One adult is free w/ each paying child. $2 for each additional adult. www.fredericksburgva.gov/parksandrec
Belvedere Plantation Fall Harvest Festival–Oct 28-29
Get lost in the Maize Maze or just take pictures at the Pumpkin Patch! There’s plenty of fun and barnyard games to keep everyone in the family occupied! There’s also wagon rides and roaring campfires to wind the day down! Open Weekends Sep-Nov 4 and Tues-Fri during the week!
http://belvedereplantation.com/fall-fun/
Treats in the Streets Downtown Fredericksburg-Oct 28 11-2pm
Trick-or-treating at downtown shops, and lots of fun at Riverfront Park! Learn safety tips for trick-or-treating and enjoy fun activities! Free!
Riverfront Park & Downtown Fredericksburg
4th Annual Fall Festival and Halloween Golf Cart Parade- Oct 28-29. 10 am – 5
The Colonial Beach Fall Festival includes craft and food vendors, pony and hay rides, games, inflatables, crafts, fire pit and ends with the Halloween Golf Cart Parade. Free!
Town Hill, Colonial Beach
F’burg Fall Family Festival- Oct 29 3 – 6 pm.
From hay rides to inflatables and carnival games, it’s fun for the entire family!
Spotsy Towne Centre. Free!
Spooky Stories- Oct 30 7pm
Listen if you dare to tales that will chill and thrill you, appropriate for grades K-6.
Porter Branch Library. librarypoint.org
Great Pumpkin Fest at Kings Dominion- through Oct 29
Kings Dominion is not all scary in the fall. It’s all fun and no fear. Our daytime Halloween-themed events on select Saturdays and Sundays are geared towards children and families. Your favorite rides are also open during the day in Planet Snoopy. Kids Costumes are encouraged!
www.kingsdominion.com/play/great-pumpkin-fest
Creepy Crawly Carnival at Massad YMCA
Halloween festivities will once again be at the Massad Y! Games, haunted house, wicked fairy tales haunted trail ride, obstacle course, hay maze, pumpkin carving & more! Carnival area with crafts, games, treats and dancing.
212 Butler Rd, F’burg, 22405. www.family-ymca.org/about-us/news-events
Trick or Treat Mt Vernon- Oct 27-28 3:30-6:30pm
Participate in a special scavenger hunt, take a wagon ride on the 12-acre field, and create a boo-tiful Halloween craft in this unforgettable evening. A children’s costume parade around the Mansion will begin at 5 p.m. and prizes will be awarded for most fang-tastic “George” and “Martha” costumes! Cost: $12/Adult & $6/Child. Buy tickets at www.mountvernon.org
Running Scared
Scare Away Dravet 5K -Oct 28 9a-noon
Let’s find a cure for this catastrophic form of Epilpesy and put Dravet Syndrome to rest. Dress up for trick or treating as there will be a costume contest and many other family friendly Halloween activities to be announced soon.
Old Mill Park. Register at https://dravetfoundation.rallybound.org/5k-for-dravet-virginia
One Eyed Zombie Terror Trail 5K -Oct 28 4-6pm
Grab your running gear, and prepare to run for your life. Chose to either be a survivor or a zombie as you navigate 5 kilometers of forest trails and roads, while negotiating obstacles. Zombies and survivors run on separate clocks, as the survivors get a 30 second head start and try to out run the living dead. Each runner will have a life belt, and the zombies will try to take flags from it. Each flag taken adds 5 seconds to the survivors time, and takes 5 seconds from the zombies time. Registration is $25 for both survivors and zombies. All proceeds benefiting Special Olympics. For more information contact Caledon State Park, or Justyn Cox the race director at 540-205-5300 or howlincoyote10k@hotmail.com
Caledon State Park, 11617 Caledon Rd, King George
Halloween 5K & Monster Mile- Oct 28. 7:30 – 10 am. Get EXCITED because the most spooktacular race in the Stafford area is back with a new course this year! Prizes for the top finishers and best costumes! Put on your favorite costume, lace up your running shoes, and join us for our 2nd Annual Halloween 5K and Monster Mile!
Jeff Rouse Swim and Sport Center. Sign up at racetimingunlimited.com
Top 5 Best Apps and Sites for Moving
1. ThredUp/ Letgo
Moving, while stressful, is actually one of the best times to evaluate your wardrobe and all your possessions—if you’re dreading moving it to your new home, it’s probably time to let it go. ThredUp and Letgo are both awesome for paring down your closet and letting your old unwanted items have a new life. Not only will you have less stuff to move, you’ll be able to make some cash!
2. Unpakt
Schedule and organize your movers all online with Unpakt! If ever a moving website could be fun to use, this one would be! They help you figure out how many boxes you’ll need based on what kind of items you have and the size of your home and then let you compare moving companies’ prices! You can book them online for your move and the price is guaranteed—not an estimate—which is great for budgeting ahead of time!
3. Sortly
Sortly is an awesome way to keep track of everything you own! Snap a picture of each of your belongings (or maybe just the ones most important to you!) and categorize them by room, box or any way you want. You can create searchable notes and tags to help you find things quickly and even mark boxes with QR labels to see what’s inside without digging through it! After your move, Sortly can be helpful when you’re figuring out how much you need to insure your home for—if you add the value of each of your items, it’ll total them up for you!
4. MagicPlan
Let’s face it, once all your contingencies are satisfied, there’s not a whole lot for you to do besides pack until closing day. Use that hurrry-up-and-wait time to sketch out where your furniture will go, what decor should go where and what will make your new house flow as best as possible. Bonus: now you know exactly where certain boxes (and the super heavy furniture!) should go and you can label them for the movers so you’re not having to rearrange on the day of!
5. Updater
One of our favorite sites EVER! Updater makes transferring your mail, utilities and subscriptions to your new address a snap! Your CBE agent will put in your old and new addresses and voila! You’ll get a link to easily transfer over all of your mail and make sure your utilities are in order before the big day! A couple clicks and you’re done! Why isn’t everything this easy?
Moving soon and need an awesome checklist to make sure you’ve remembered everything? Check out our Ultimate Moving Checklist and download the room-by-room guide!
What To Look For In Your First Home
Good Layout
With the exception of location, the floor plan of a home is one of the most expensive things to change. A livable layout that makes sense for your lifestyle is going to be one of the most important aspects of your home search, but it’s often overlooked in favor of easily-changed aesthetic factors. If you find a home you really love, imagine going about your daily routine. When you come home from work, do you want to have a foyer with a closet for your purse or a mudroom where you can keep shoes? When you’re doing laundry, wouldn’t it be easier to have the washer and dryer upstairs near the bedrooms, so you don’t have to carry it up and down steps? Thinking critically while you’re still in the searching phase will save you a lot of heartache (and money!) in the long run.
Sound Major Systems
This is where a home inspector will be able to help you out! While you’re viewing homes, you can certainly note down the serial numbers of the appliances and look up their ages but an inspector will be able to better evaluate what condition they’re in and their life expectancy. Try to make sure the appliances are either still within their warranty or have a good couple years left in them! After putting down that big down payment, the last thing you’re going to want to shell out for is a new water heater or dishwasher. Ask about the efficiency of the HVAC system and make sure that the home is well-insulated so that you’re not going to be paying exorbitant heating and cooling bills!
Home Resale Potential
We get it! You’re excited about moving in and selling the place is the last thing on your mind. But it’s smart to be cold and calculating when you’re making such a large investment. This is where your agent can help out—look at the comps for the surrounding neighborhood. Even if you really remodeled and updated your potential home, is there a max upper limit on how much homes in that area sell for? What’s the average price per square foot, and would a different area have a better return on investment? Analyzing all these factors in an unemotional, quantitative way before you make an offer could help you protect your investment in the long run!
If you think you’re ready to start looking or you’d like some helping narrowing down your choices, drop one of our fabulous agents a line! We’d be happy to help, even if you’re not quite ready to buy–no pressure!
Fixer-Upper Homes: What to Look For
Fixer-uppers appeal to a wide variety of homebuyers—investors looking to cash in, first-timers hoping to score a bargain, and ambitious DIY-ers looking for their next project. The hunt is half the fun when buying your next home, but there a few key things to keep in mind when considering properties that may need a little more love.
Pretty Is As Pretty Does
Don’t get too attached to a property because of it’s appearance. As easy as it is to overlook a home for cosmetic defects, it’s just as easy to let a pretty staircase or original hardwood floors distract you from more serious problems. Try to evaluate the house based on structural issues and the state of it’s major systems first!
Location, Location, Location
Everybody knows the old adage but it’s especially true for fixer-upper properties. No amount of time, work, or money can change a home’s location. A good way to evaluate a home’s neighborhood is to visit the area multiple times at various hours. You’ll be able to better discern the local culture and neighborhood activity from multiple visits than just the snapshot you’ll see from a showing.
How Much Is This Really Going To Cost?
Look for properties with sound structural components and foundation. An appealing floor plan with minimal remodeling necessary is going to give you the best return on investment. Cosmetic fixes like new paint, lighting fixtures and flooring are generally cheap and usually DIY-friendly projects.
Structural issues, plumbing and electrical fixes are much more difficult and expensive. Unless you’re great friends with an experienced contractor or have plenty of money to invest in the home, it’s best to steer clear of homes needing more extensive renovation and structural alterations.
Consult a Pro
Even if you’re planning on DIY-ing every little part of your home’s remodel, it’s always wise to have the number of an experienced general contractor in your pocket in case you get in over your head! They will be able to help you understand how much work (and how much money!) a particular home will require to bring it up to code or drastically remodel it.
If you know you’ll be contracting out at least some of the work, it would be extremely helpful to have your contractor visit potential properties with you to give you an estimate. This information will be invaluable to you when you’re deciding between various properties.
Age Isn’t Always Just a Number
Keep in mind that homes over 50 years old are likely to have similarly aged plumbing, electrical, heating, and other systems. The home may also be too outdated or have too many code violations to be a sound investment. Will you be able to recoup all the costs you’ll have to put into the home when you sell?
Ask Your Realtor
Your local Realtor can be an invaluable resource, particularly if you’re new to fixer-upper properties. They see tons of homes a day and are intimately familiar with the various neighborhoods in their area. Not only will they be able to help you identify homes that have potential, they’ll be able to to give you great ideas about how to increase the property’s value after closing and recommend reliable contractors! Whether you’re still in the dreaming phase or looking to make an offer, talk to any of our awesome Coldwell Banker Elite agents for more information on potential fixer-upper properties.
Fredericksburg First Fridays!
Come for the History, Stay for the Art
Everybody knows about Fredericksburg’s historical significance, but we’re also home to a burgeoning art scene with a myriad of art galleries, workshops and independent artists! We celebrate our vibrant artistic community on the first Friday of every month: galleries, restaurants, cafes, shops and even workout studios open their doors to showcase local artists. In the warmer months, it’s not uncommon to see musicians on the street and a friendly crowd enjoying refreshments as they traipse from business to business downtown. There’s even a free First Friday trolley from 6-9pm with stops near many of the galleries and convenient free parking lots! If you’re visiting Fredericksburg, the trolley runs through some of our City’s charming residential neighborhoods so you can get a feel for what it’s like to live here! 
Home is an Art Form
We’re especially excited about this First Friday because we’re hosting “Home is an Art Form,” a showcase of many local artists from LibertyTown Arts Workshop in our Downtown office at 520 William Street! We’ll also have renderings of the gorgeous to-be-built condos at 600 Amelia St on display, a specialty thyme-based cocktail courtesy of Sedona Taphouse and plenty of refreshments! It’s shaping up to a be a beautiful night out and we’re so happy to be participating in the First Friday tradition!
Some of the other notable First Friday exhibits are the terrarium workshop at Ponshop, the Route 66-themed photography exhibit at Brush Strokes Gallery, and the UMW Invitational Student Art Show across the street from us at LibertyTown Arts!
We’d love to see everyone out this Friday at our Home is an Art Form exhibit! We’re right next to Stop F on the trolley, so grab a free cocktail and some snacks while you peruse the art!
Selling Your Home? Think Like A Buyer!
First Impressions Matter
Curb appeal can make or break your home’s sale! So many sellers totally neglect the exterior which is the first thing the buyer sees when considering your home. Mow the lawn, sweep the porch, and touchup any scuffed trim. Consider adding some chic front porch decor (consult Pinterest for some ideas!) and repaint your front door to give your prospective buyers a pleasant surprise!
Neutralize the Situation
Take a cue from HGTV and stick with neutral tones when it comes to wall colors and decor choices. They might seem boring but there’s a reason “greige” and light neutrals have become so popular this year–they work in almost every room and make the space look and feel bigger. Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter and Palladian Blue as well as Sherwin Williams’ Agreeable Gray and Silvermist are all beautiful neutrals that work in almost every room. Aside from color choices, you’ll want to minimize any unusual art, family pictures or bold home decor.
What Would I Want?
Put yourself in their shoes. Is there an old, stained carpet in one of the rooms? Would you rather have to replace it yourself before you can even move in or buy a turnkey home with a neutral-color carpet? Resist the urge to assume “they’ll want to change it so why bother?” They’ll pass on it if it’s too much work!
If you were considering paying top dollar for a home, how would you want it to look/smell/sound? You don’t have to constantly be baking cookies during showings, just make sure the home smells pleasant, there’s flattering lighting and maybe some soft music playing to make the home more appealing.
Stay Cool
Try to take a step back from all those long hours of painting or back-breaking afternoons tending your garden. Your home’s prospective buyer doesn’t know about any of that and won’t be calculating it into the price. Think about your home as cold and calculatingly as you can: What improvements actually add value? What could be seen as a detractor from the overall appeal of your home? Don’t be afraid to be ruthless when analyzing your home!
Trust Your Realtor
We deal with picky buyers and fickle market conditions every day. We know what’s going to work and what needs to happen to sell your home for the most money. It’s easy to be misled by a Zestimate and assume that your house needs no improvement but if you really want to make money on your home, you’ll need to take a step back and view your house like a buyer! Trust that your Realtor has your best interests at heart and take their advice when it comes to staging and preparing your house for sale!
9 Awesome Things to Do in NoVA this Christmas
Once you’ve ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the National Christmas Tree and driven past the White House all decked out in holiday finery, make like a Northern Virginia native and check these classic Christmas activities off your list!
Sculpture Garden Ice-Skating Rink
Grab a hot cocoa and some friends for a spin around the rink at the Sculpture Garden, surrounded by huge contemporary sculptures and twinkle lights! If it gets a little too cold, you can hop off the rink and head to the Pavilion Cafe for a snack. Even though the Gallery and Sculpture Garden are closed on December 25, this would be a really fun pre-Christmas activity to do with the whole family!
Christmas at a Historic Mansion
Virginia is chock-full of historic mansions but there are two that deserve special recognition for their Christmas decorations! Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate, takes the cake for their themed decorations (including 12 Christmas trees), historical chocolate-making demonstrations, and 18th-century dancing. Mount Vernon is amazing all year round, but is truly magical at Christmas-time—definitely a must-do for history buffs!
Oatlands Plantation is a little out of the way but so worth the drive! The historic plantation is all decked out for Christmas and the formally terraced garden with boxwood alleys and reflecting pool is gorgeous in every season! Architecture lovers will appreciate the original 19th-century walls and the second oldest greenhouse in the country. Stop by their Carriage House to sample their traditional holiday teas! Admission is free but Oatlands is closed on Dec 24 & 25!
Jingle Bell Carriage Rides!
Experience one of the “most magical Christmas towns in Virginia” for yourself from the backseat of a horse-drawn carriage! Our historic Downtown’s twinkling Christmas lights illuminate the decorated shop windows and festive wreaths, and there are plenty of cute coffee shops and locally-owned restaurants where you can stop in after your romantic carriage ride to warm up!
Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit
After you’ve visited the venerable Mount Vernon, take a trip down to George Washington’s boyhood home at Ferry Farm! For 26 years, they’ve hosted a Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit at Christmas where you can admire the gingerbread creations or try your hand at making your own! They’re closed on December 24 & 25 but this would be a great way to keep your out-of-town visitors busy in the meantime!
Bull Run Festival of Lights
One of the warmest ways to enjoy the holiday season—pile into the car and admire the sparkling lights and music! They’re open during Christmas if you need something to do while waiting for Old Saint Nick!
ZooLights
One of my personal favorite Christmas activities, Zoolights, is fun for all ages! The National Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland at night with over 500,000 LED lights! See the imaginative light displays all around the Zoo and enjoy live music and holiday treats!
US Botanical Garden Christmas Display
The Botanical Garden is home to one of the largest indoor decorated trees in DC, a beautiful showcase of poinsettias and an extremely detailed toy train display in the East Gallery! Another popular display is the miniature re-creations of DC landmarks made out of plants in the Garden Court!
Christmas Day Organ Recital
If you’ve been singing Christmas songs since Halloween, this one’s for you! Make sure to show up early for the Christmas Day Organ Recital at the National Cathedral! This is a truly awe-inspiring event and definitely a DC bucket list item!
Did I miss one of your favorites? Let me know in the comments!
