The Asian Community Service Center hosts the annual Chinese New Year Festival (chinesenewyearfestival.org) in Falls Church, Virginia. The two-day, indoor festival includes traditional dancing, Asian cuisine, cooking classes and children's activities. Admission is free and the date of the festival is determined by the lunar calendar, typically in early to mid-February.
Dozens of restaurants located in the seaside town of Annapolis, Maryland, participate in Annapolis Restaurant Week (annapolisrestaurantweek.com) during the last week of February. The event features set-price menus for lunch and dinner. The multi-course meals allow customers to sample several dishes on the menu at affordable rates. Each year, local restaurants can choose to participate in the culinary event, and all participating restaurants and menus are published on the Annapolis Restaurant Week website by early February.
A few days before Valentine's Day, the Maryland Zoo (marylandzoo.org) in Baltimore hosts Sex at the Zoo. The zoo's veterinarian and general curator host the elegant affair in the historic Mansion House Porch. The presentation explains secrets, scandals and interesting facts about romance in the animal kingdom. A ticket is required to attend the three-hour nighttime event and may be purchased through the zoo's website.
George and Martha Washington's home at Mount Vernon (mountvernon.org) is located 16 miles south of Washington D.C. The first family of the U.S. lived here from the time they married in 1759 until George Washington's death in 1799. Each February, Black History Month is celebrated here with special events and activities showcasing the journey of African American culture in the U.S. The 500-acre estate is open seven days a week. Tickets can be purchased online through the Mount Vernon website.
