Washington, D.C., is always a bustling city with breaking news, events, and openings happening every day. Here’s a roundup of the main happenings you might have missed last week in D.C.:
1. You Can Board A ‘Harry Potter’ Themed Train From Boston To D.C. This Summer
Wizards and muggles alike are invited to adventure on this mystical train dawning a Harry Potter theme this summer. Amtrak, as the official partner for New York City’s Broadway, is offering up Harry Potter-themed rides on the Noreaster which travels from Boston to Washington D.C. Read more here.
2. Ear Piercing Studio STUDS Opens D.C. Flagship In Georgetown
The “cult favorite” ear piercing studio STUDS opened its first D.C. location in Georgetown on Wednesday, May 24! STUDS specializes in ear piercings only—no other piercings or forms of body art—with its piercers undergoing months of extensive training in piercing, sterilization, and ear anatomy. Read more here.
3. Washingtonians Can Now Seamlessly Fly Direct To Madrid Starting At $400
Iberia resumes flights from Washington, D.C. to Madrid for the summer! The special direct flights are part of Iberia’s “Summer Sector,” in which the airline ramps up schedules operating between these U.S. cities and Madrid. Read more here.
4. Farewell, Falafel: D.C. Favorite Amsterdam Falafelshop Is Closing May 27
D.C.’s iconic Amsterdam Falafelshop closed its doors on Saturday, May 27 after 18 years of service. The Adams Morgan restaurant has been a local favorite, serving up delicious fast-casual falafel sandwiches, falafel bowls, and (of course) french fries to pair with its sensational dipping sauces: curried ketchup, fritesaus, and peanutsaus. Read more here.
5. Washingtonians Can Enter To Win And “Catch A Ride” To Ocean City For A Getaway
Ocean City, Maryland just unveiled its new “Catch a Ride” campaign, inviting Washingtonians the chance to enter to win one of six grand prizes, offering a three-night stay for two this summer in Ocean City. Oh, did we mention you’ll get there in style? Winners will be escorted to Ocean City in a 1970s Volkswagen beach van by a private chauffeur! Read more here.
6. Three Baby Meerkats Born At Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Three baby meerkats were born at the zoo in the early morning of Wednesday, May 10, the zoo announced in a press release on May 24. The meerkat pups were born to 5-year-old mother Sadie and 6-year-old father Frankie, marking the first meerkat birth at the zoo in 16 years. Read more here.
7. C&O Canal Boat Tours Are Back In Georgetown
Georgetown’s Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal boat tours have returned for a second season! Tours had ceased for more than a decade while the canal underwent renovations. The new 80-foot-long boat dubbed the Georgetown Heritage was purchased to replace the previous boat, which was in poor condition. Read more here.
8. Endangered Western Lowland Gorilla Born At Smithsonian’s National Zoo
A pregnant critically endangered western lowland gorilla gave birth at Smithsonian’s National Zoo on Saturday, May 27. Born between 12 a.m. and 6:15 a.m. to 20-year-old mother Calaya and 31-year-old father Baraka, the first western lowland gorilla birth at the zoo in five years. Read more here.