Have you seen this new experience in DC yet?

If you’re Black and have never experienced CBC Week in DC, put it on your radar!

CBC stands for the Congressional Black Caucus, and every year thousands of Black professionals, entrepreneurs, leaders and creatives come to DC.

There are panels and conversations, but CBC Week is also a HUGE networking and social week with brunches, receptions, parties and events happening all over the city.

You don’t have to attend the conference to join in either. Here are some events happening this week here.

A few weeks ago I took myself on a little Solo Adventure to DC. I’m normally inviting someone to come with me, but every now and then I really enjoy exploring by myself.

There were two newer DC experiences I wanted to check out, so I turned them into a quick afternoon itinerary. Steal my day 👇🏾

🚆 1. Take the MARC to DC
I hopped on at Baltimore Penn Station and paid about $9 each way. About 45 minutes later, I was at Union Station.

🥪 2. Grab lunch at Union Station
Nothing fancy. I grabbed something quick before heading out because this was an exploring day, not a restaurant day. 😂 then get an Uber to the next stop.

🇺🇸 3. Visit the National Military Monument
This was one of the main reasons I came! The memorial features 41 Million Veteran’s names on it. Including those who are serving today and many from the past. It was cool to see friends and family names on here. They are open 10am-10pm daily.

🚶🏾‍♀️ 4. Walk over to the Lincoln Memorial
Since I was already down there, of course I had to walk the steps, see Lincoln and take in that view.

👀 5. Go UNDER the Lincoln Memorial
This is the part I really wanted to see! There’s a newer museum experience underneath the Lincoln Memorial with exhibits, artifacts and a look at the actual foundation beneath it. The main memorial is free, but the Undercroft requires a timed ticket. Advance tickets have a $1 service fee.

🚆 6. Head back home
After about two hours of exploring, I grabbed an Uber back to Union Station and took the MARC home.

TOTAL VIBE: Easy afternoon. Mostly inexpensive. No huge itinerary. And you can absolutely do this solo, with a friend or turn it into a date.

📌 SAVE THIS ITINERARY:
MARC → Lunch → National Military Monument→ Lincoln Memorial → Lincoln Undercroft → Home

🏭 Sep 16–20 | Anne Arundel County State Fair & Wee Sale | Millersville, MD
Five days of rides, livestock, carnival food, live entertainment & classic fair fun, plus the Wee Sale running the same week.

🍎 Sep 19 | Cider & Strings | Braglio Farms, 10519 Marriottsville Rd, Randallstown, MD 21133
Live music, apple cider, food & drinks, ice cream, vendors, corn maze, animal encounters, hay rides & monster truck rides. 3–9pm.

🇹🇹 Sep 19 | SPLISH SPLASH SOCA  | DC Area Field day games, pools & water fun, moon bounces, obstacle fun, Caribbean food, soca, dancehall & pure vibes. Saturday, 2PM–9PM. Exact location drops the night before! 💦🎶

🥃 Sep 19 | Spirits of Maryland: Baltimore 2026 | Sagamore Spirit Distillery, Baltimore, MD
A distillery pop-up at Whiskey on the Waterfront with tastings from local distillers. Free entry, 21+, 1–5pm.

🍎 Sep 19-20 | 2026 Baltimore Book Festival | Waverly, Baltimore, MD
A two-day celebration of books and authors across nine stages, brought to you by Baltimore's bookstores and literary community.

🏸 Sep 19 | Capital Badminton Rockville — Open House | Rockville, MD
A badminton open house for kids — a fun active morning to try something new. 10:30am–12pm.

🏞 Sep 19 | Celebrate Africa! Festival | Bowie, MD
A vibrant celebration of African culture, music, food & heritage in Bowie. Check PG Parks for details.

🥑 Sep 19 | Maryland Pawpaw Fest | Frederick, MD
A one-of-a-kind festival celebrating Maryland's native fruit, tastings, vendors, live music & everything pawpaw. A quirky Maryland tradition worth checking out.

🎨 Sep 19 | Hyattsville Arts Festival | Hyattsville, MD
17th annual arts festival with 100+ artists, food trucks, live bands & vendors in the heart of Hyattsville. 12–6pm. ✅ FREE

🏛 Sep 19–20 | Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival | Towson, MD
A two-day celebration of Black culture, music, food & community in Towson.

🦟 Sep 19–20 | Baltimore Pickle Fest | Baltimore, MD
20+ pickleries, 150+ flavors, pickle-themed food, craft drinks & live music, a quirky only-in-Baltimore weekend.

🎂 Sep 19 | Essex Day Festival | Eastern Boulevard, Essex, MD
The 50th annual Essex Day Festival with pie-eating contests, a petting zoo, karaoke stage & more on Eastern Boulevard. ✓ FREE

🍃 Sep 20 | Marshy Point Nature Center Fall Festival | Baltimore County, MD
Experience the changing seasons on the Chesapeake Bay with live music, nature-themed activities, local vendors & family-friendly fun. ✓ FREE

🚲 Sep 20 | DC Family Bike Fest 2026 | Alethia Tanner Park, Washington, DC
Free family biking celebration — kids' bike parade, free tune-ups, test rides & food trucks. 10am–2pm.

Because apparently we are never too old for this.

Sloomoo Institute just opened at Tysons Corner Center and there are 13 different slime-filled areas inside.

We're talking 500+ gallons of slime, a DIY slime bar where you make your own custom combo, and Sloomoo Falls where, yes, you can literally get slimed.

This could definitely be a family outing or I actually think it would make a hilarious date or friend meetup too.

Because dinner is cute…but sometimes I want to actually DO something.

Perfect for families or adults who want to play again!

Why do all our friend meetups involve FOOD? 😂

Brunch. Dinner. Happy hour. Repeat.

So I grabbed my friend and tried something different: a workout + massage meetup.

And surprisingly…I loved it.

The new Planet Fitness opened in Randallstown is today.

The black card gets you workouts, massage chairs AND you can bring a friend with you each visit.

So basically, I found us another reason to hang out that doesn't require ordering an appetizer. 😂

Get a single membership for $10/month by 9/18 or do the Black card for $24.99 for these extra benefits.

If you've been thinking about joining, don't wait until after opening day and miss the deal.