When it's too chilly to go outside, there's still plenty of fun to be had. Whether you want to cozy up by a fire or see some innovative art, here are some ways to have fun but keep out of the cold.
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Shutterstock/Watergate/Punch Bowl Arlington
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Punch Bowl Social
The Punch Bowl Social, a retro-style bar already open in San Diego in Chicago, debuts in Arlington (4238 Wilson Blvd.) on Dec. 8. A cozy fireplace defines the holiday lounge on the first and second floors. "Virginia Is for Lovers"-styled karaoke rooms and an homage to Arlington's Great Elephant Escape — when four elephants escaped an amusement park in 1906 and ran through town — add local touches.
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The Watergate
They're not technically made of ice, but these clear-walled domes on the terrace of the Watergate hotel's The Next Whisky Bar (2650 Virginia Ave. NW) will keep you toasty. Rental fees range from $100 to $250, except on Mondays, when fees are waived. They also boast a view of the ice skating rink.
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Getty Images
Ax throwing has become a serious trend in D.C. In addition to Bad Axe (2419 Evarts St. NE), there's Kraken Axes (3400 Georgia Ave. NW) and Autobahn Axe Throwing (45448 E Severn Way, Sterling, VA). They're even starting to allow alcohol sales at some locations.
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Getty Images
Cheer on the Capitals in their follow-up to a season that ended with the Stanley Cup in Washington. The Caps have 20 home games in December, January and February that you can watch from the Capital One Arena — still chilly, but not as biting as the outdoors.v Winter also means basketball, and that means the Wizards! uckle up for a slew of home games every week.
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Escape Room Live
Get out of the cold just to try and break back out. Every city now seems to boast an escape room game, where daring participants get locked in and solve a series of puzzles to get out. Escape Room Live, with D.C. and Alexandria locations, lets you flee the sinking Titanic, beat out Jason on Friday the 13th or play paranormal investigator. Themes run from family-friendly, like the Wizard's Apothecary (Escape Room Live Alexandria, 814 King St.), thrilling (The Patient room at Insomnia Escape, 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW) to old-school mysterious (Sherlock Holmes' Library at The Great Escape Room, 1730 Connecticut Ave. NW)
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News4
The National Law Enforcement Museum (444 E St. NW) is new to the roster of D.C.'s educational spots. Tickets are available online and cost $21.95 for adults and $14.95 for youth ages 6 to 11.
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News4
Head high up in Rosslyn to view snow-dusted landmarks and ice floating down the potomac. Tickets for adults start at $22 and $12 for kids 5 to 13. There's a $1 discount for online purchases.
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Miguel Martinez/Sportrock Climbing Centers
Sportrock Climbing Centers (5308 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA; adult day passes cost $20 with separate equipment rental) is only one establishment where you can harness up and scale a wall. A few others include Earth Treks Crystal City (1235 S Clark St., Arlington, VA) and Badlands Playspace (For kids, 5200 Randolph Rd, Rockville, MD).
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Shutterstock
When it gets chilly outside, the U.S. Botanic Garden stays balmy and green. Explore a tropical rainforest, a reconstructed Jurassic landscape, rare and endangered species, orchids and more.
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Ritz-Carlton Washington
A 30-foot gingerbread replica of the Washington Monument in the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Washington (3100 South St. NW) is sure to impress, even if you don’t like sugar. The Quadrant Bar and Lounge also offers a cozy fireplace where you can sip high-end cocktails like a smoked old fashioned or the bar's signature house-made spiced rum.
