Rainy Day Nature: Planetariums in the DC Area

Some friends of ours are making an effort to learn a little astronomy, since their four year old seems to be taking a natural interest in the stars and planets (hi Solomon!). But it's awfully chilly to be outside at night right now, even if the darkness does start nice and early. Which led us to say, hey, aren't there a couple of planetariums around DC? Turns out, there's more than a couple.

We've been to the one in the Rock Creek Nature Center (5200 Glover Road, NW; 202-895-6070). It's a small 75-seat space but the rangers do a nice job of putting together a variety of programs. In general, they have the following schedule of 45-60 minute, age-rated shows (check this week's exact topics here):

• Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00: ages 5+
• Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00: ages 7+
• Wednesday afternoons at 4:00: ages 4+

Tickets to Rock Creek Planetarium shows are free and can be picked up at the information desk in the Nature Center a half hour before the show.

There's also the Einstein Planetarium at the Air and Space Museum (1-877-932-4629). With a 70-foot dome and 233 seats, it's a totally different experience from the planetarium at Rock Creek Park. Their website touts that "you'll feel the sensation of zooming through the cosmos, enveloped in color saturated moving images and spine-tingling sound." They offer 25 minute shows every half hour, from 11:00 to 5:00.  Tickets for these shows are $8.75 for adults, $7.25 for youth. But there are also FREE shows at 10:30 AM on selected days, including Saturdays (see schedule).

In addition to the two planetariums we knew about, we were surprised to discover that several local school systems have planetariums. These are used primarily for school groups, but also offer programs for the public. 

Prince George's Howard B. Owens Science Center in Lanham (9601 Greenbelt Road; 301-918-8750) has a 55-foot dome with 174 seats -- the largest planetarium in Maryland. Public programs are on the first Friday of every month during the school year. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for students and seniors. (Power Point slide of this spring's programs here.)

Arlington's 70-seat David M. Brown Planetarium (1426 N. Quincy St.) offers a kid-oriented public program on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons during the school year (it appears to be the same show every time; see schedule).  They also hold a program on the first Monday of the month that focuses on the current night sky and includes an interactive talk with the planetarium director, followed by the opportunity to use outdoor telescopes if weather permits. Tickets for all events are $3 for adults, $2 for children and seniors.

At 24 feet wide and just 42 seats, the Montgomery College planetarium (about 7651 Fenton Street; see directions) is pretty tiny. But it was an exciting find, since it's right down the street from us! It's open to the public for free shows once a month or so during the academic year, on Saturday nights at 7:00 (see schedule). Compared to several other planetariums, the show topics appear to be more adult-oriented (Space-Time Invariance and Quantum Gravity, anyone?). Shows are followed by the opportunity to use telescopes outdoors, weather permitting.

Even smaller, the Alexandria planetarium at TC Williams High School (3330 King St., 703-824-6805) has just 35 seats available, so they require advance registration for their monthly hour-long shows (see schedule).

Have you been to any of the shows at these planetariums? Leave a review in the comments section -- it'll take us a while before we make it to all of them!

Like the photos in this post? Mouse over for credits; a click takes you to the photographer on Flickr.

Patuxent River Park: Jug Bay Natural Area

The Patuxent River flows 110 miles from Parrs Ridge in Carroll County, all the way to the Chesapeake Bay. In 1968, it was designated one of Maryland's scenic rivers. And, in response to that designation, more than 6,000 acres of land are protected around the river. Jug Bay Natural Area is the headquarters of them all. In its 2,000 acres there are more than eight miles of trails, and there's more to explore on the water.

With a moderately short drive from DC (15 miles from the beltway), you'll be a world away. This part of the river is a tidal estuary. The water level rises and falls with the tide, and the flow of the river can slow or even reverse when the tide is coming in. These conditions attract a unique combination of plants and animals, and they're thriving in this protected area. More than 250 species of birds have been reported here; you're almost guaranteed to see ospreys, ducks, herons, cormorants, and red-winged blackbirds, and we often see bald eagles. The marshes have extensive swaths of wild rice, pickerel weed, and spatterdock. In the summer, joe pye weed, swamp milkweed, and ironweed attract lots of butterflies along the sides of the river. We've come across beavers and muskrats, and been delighted by many jumping fish.

Whether you get there by land or by water, we recommend a trip down to Mattaponi Creek, at the south end of the park. There, you'll find a small tower for wildlife observation, and a 1000-foot-long wooden bridge that goes through a marsh habitat. Six days a week, this area is closed to cars, but open to foot and bike traffic. On Sundays you can drive across the bridge and into Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary, on what is called the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Tour.

(A note on names: the Jug Bay Natural Area of Patuxent River Park is on the west side of the Patuxent. There is also a fantastic park on the east side of the river called Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. We'll tell you more about them in another post.)

Hiking, biking, and horses: People, mountain bikes, and horses are all allowed on the trails in this park. Stop in the park office to get a map. MAMBO has this description:  "The trails on the right (west side of the park) are mostly easy, wide lanes; the extensive system of trails to the left are more technical single-track.The trails range from wide, grassy wood lanes to twisting single-track trails littered with downed tree limbs and roots. The trails occasionally plunge into narrow creek valleys, cross wooden footbridges, and then ascend on short, steep climbs. The high clay content in the soil holds water and the paths are often wet long after it rains." 

Boating: The park has two boat ramps (Jackson Landing and Selby Landing), and offers canoe and kayak rentals for the extremely reasonable rate of $15/day ($12 for PG County residents). Reservations are required - call the park office at 301-627-6074. Be sure to look at the tide tables when you're planning your trip. It's much more fun if you're working with the tide. Boats with trailers are also allowed with a fee.

Camping: There are two group campsites in the park, but you have to reserve them far in advance (or go mid-week). Call the park for more information.

Fishing and Hunting: Fishing is permitted with a license. Waterfowl hunting is also permitted in the park; a limited number of blind sites are leased on a seasonal basis.

Dogs: Allowed in the park, but supposed to remain on leash at all times.

Patuxent River Park
16000 Croom Airport Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-627-6074

Car-free DC: Lake Artemesia

This is the seventh article in a series on hikes in DC that can be reached by public transportation.

Because there aren't any natural lakes inside the beltway, we largely have to content ourselves with the lovely rivers that run through our area. But there are a few human-made lakes, and Lake Artemesia is one of them. The 38-acre lake was created during construction of Metro, when sand and gravel was removed from the area. It's one of the nicest gravel pits you'll ever visit.

If you ride Metro between Greenbelt and College Park regularly, you're already familiar with Lake Artemesia; the tracks run right by the lake. To most of the rest of DC, this spot is unknown. It's a shame; the sunny lake edges are full of native plant species that you may not see in many other places around DC.


The combination of water, woods, and meadows also provides habitat for a rich mix of birds. The PG County Audubon Society has developed interpretive signs around the lake for the 2.2 mile Luther Goldman Birding Trail; this description of birding stops starts from the parking area on Berwyn Rd. Their bird checklist for the area includes over 200 species. You're pretty much guaranteed to see ducks and red-winged blackbirds; on a recent visit, we also saw goldfinches, swallows, gnatcatchers, and bluebirds.

The closest metro station to Lake Artemesia is College Park. You can reach a trail to the park by going in either direction along Paint Branch Parkway from the metro. I couldn't find a good map of how to do this, so I've tried to cobble together information from a few different sources in this map. If you go southeast on Paint Branch Parkway from the metro, turn left into the driveway of the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant. The Northeast Branch/Indian Creek Trail will be on your right. Follow it around the College Park Airport, over Paint Branch (the creek), and over to the lake.

More info:

Bikes: The paved paths make this a great spot for bikes. The trails hook up to the larger Northeast Branch trail system (pdf map).

Dogs: Allowed in the park, but should stay on leash. Please scoop your poop.

Other activities: No boating or swimming in the lake, but fishing is allowed. You could probably wade in Paint Branch and Indian Creek if you really want to get wet; they don't look very deep.

Lake Artemesia
301-927-2163

Car-free DC: Greenbelt Park

This is the sixth article in a series on hikes in DC that can be reached by public transportation.

Have you ever wished you could go camping inside the beltway? Greenbelt Park is your best bet, with 174 sites at $16 a night (you'll need reservations in the summer).

Not a camper? With 1,100 acres, and over 8 miles of hiking trails (map), Greenbelt Park has more to offer. You'd never believe you were only 12 miles from the White House. Several creeks pass through the park on their way to the Northeast Branch of the Anacostia River. And in the summer, the woods are noticeably cooler than the city, offering a little respite from the urban heat island.

Let's be clear: it's hard to get completely out of earshot of a road -- the park is touched by the beltway, Kenilworth Avenue, and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. But this park is definitely worth exploring. My favorite memory was a particular hike several years ago when we saw multiple luna moths in one day. It's also a fairly common location for forays by the Mycological Association of Washington.

By public transportation: The southeast corner of the park is under a mile from College Park metro station. Follow Paint Branch Parkway across Kenilworth Ave, where it will become Good Luck Road; the park is on your left. There is some limited bus service from College Park to Kenilworth Ave: weekdays and Saturdays, you can take Metrobus R12, and weekdays only, Metrobus F6 or PG Bus 14.

The main entrance to Greenbelt Park is about 3 miles from the Greenbelt Metro station. From there, several buses will take you by the park, but none run on Sundays. On weekdays and Saturdays, try Metrobus C2, T16/17, or R12 . Weekdays only, you can also take PG County buses 15 and 16.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed in the park, but are supposed to remain on leash. However, there's currently a major tick problem in the park, so you might want to think twice about taking your pet.

Bikes: Allowed on the roads and several paved trails marked on the park map (including an entrance off Good Luck Road that is closed to other vehicles). On Wednesday evenings in the summer, there is a "Tour de France style" bike race from 6:00 to 8:30 PM (registration required). Up to 2 bikes can be stashed on the front of any Metrobus; you can take your bike on Metro anytime on the weekend, and anytime except 7-10 AM and 4-7 PM during the week.

Greenbelt Park
301-344-3948

Do you have other tips on Greenbelt Park, or experiences to report? Share in the comments section.

Car-free DC: Northwest Branch

This is the third article in a series on hikes in DC that can be reached by public transportation.

Most people know the Anacostia as the major river that flows through southeast DC. But, like all rivers, has more humble beginnings in several streams. In this post, we'll follow the one known as the Northwest Branch through Montgomery and Prince George's County.

North of the beltway, ten miles of the Northwest Branch is followed by an unpaved, and sometimes rugged, trail. A paved trail continues south of the beltway through Prince George's County, following the river downstream through Hyattsville and connecting with the Anacostia. In general, the trail is wilder and more wooded in the Montgomery County section, but there are several nice stretches downstream as well.

There are several points along these trails that are easily accessed by Metro or bus. One of the great options this gives you is to do a long one-way hike without having to worry about arranging a shuttle: use Metro as your shuttle.

Montgomery County (map)

Brookside Gardens: The Northwest Branch Trail begins just inside Brookside Gardens. From Glenmont Metro, take the C8 bus or Ride On Bus 10 to the intersection of Randolph Rd. and Trivoli Lake Blvd. Walk down to Kemp Mill Rd., turn right, and pick up the trail where it leaves Brookside Gardens. (We'll talk more about Brookside in a separate post.)

Colesville Road: Folks who live in the area will know the location of Trader Joe's on Colesville Rd.; the Northwest Branch crosses Colesville just south of that shopping center. The trails on both sides of Colesville are really nice. Upstream, on the Rachel Carson Trail, you'll climb hills covered in mountain laurel. Downstream, you'll walk through a boulder-filled area with some small waterfalls. Take one of the Z buses from Silver Spring.

Prince George's County (map)

Piney Branch Road and New Hampshire Avenue: This is the first easy access point for the paved section of the trail. Both of these roads are well-served by public transportation. Try the K6 from Fort Totten, Ride On 16 from Takoma, or Ride On 20 from Silver Spring.

University Blvd: On both sides of University Blvd. are large recreation areas with playing fields; the trail in this area is more grass than woods for a while. From the College Park Metro, take bus 17 to the intersection of University and 25th.

East-West Highway: The river crosses East-West Highway a little more than half a mile west of Prince George's Plaza Metro. If you want to save your walking for the trail, you can take the 18 bus. You can also take the R3 bus from Fort Totten Metro or the F4 bus between Silver Spring and New Carrolton.

West Hyattsville Metro: This is not the most scenic stretch of the river, but the access can't be beat. From the parking lot of West Hyattsville Metro, there is a path leading to the river trail.

Bladensburg Waterfront Park: You can rent boats at the marina here -- another way to explore the river. The T18 bus from Rhode Island Metro will drop you at 46th St. and Annapolis Rd., near the entrance.

Other info:

Dogs: Dogs are welcome, but are supposed to be on-leash. And, of course, scoop your poop!

Bikes: Allowed on the paved trail south of the beltway. Bikes can be stashed on the front of any Metrobus; you can take your bike on Metro anytime on the weekend, and anytime except 7-10am and 4-7pm during the week.

Do you have other tips on accessing the Northwest Branch? Have you visited recently? Leave a comment and let us know!