Wolf Trap Farm Park: Theater under the Stars
It's always amazing to AlteCocker that people in the Washington, DC, area in summer usually miss one of the most unique things the area has to offer: Wolf Trap Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia.
This is an outdoor theater that offers spectacular summer entertainment. If you get a chance, you definitely should go.
The main theater, called The Filene Center, is out of doors. You can sit inside or on the lawn. The theater can accommodate 3,766 inside and 3,100 on the lawn. AlteCocker, however, recommends that you sit inside. Washington's weather can be quite unstable in summer; thunderstorms are very frequent in the evenings due to the humid climate. Lawn seating can be a washout.
Once you have purchased tickets, there are no refunds. While many people enjoy spreading their blankets on the lawn area and eating and drinking during the performance, that is taking a risk. Also, you really can't see that well from the lawn.
A better strategy is to come early and enjoy a picnic on the lawn or at the picnic tables (if you can get one) and then watch the performance where you are safely covered if the heavens open up. If you are not organized to want to schlep your own picnic, especially on a weeknight when you are liable to be rushing to the theater from work, arrangements can be made to eat at Wolf Trap.
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The schedule is already out for next summer and can be viewed in its entirety on the website. There is generally an assortment of first class entertainment offered to satisfy everyone. The theater is generally open from about Memorial Day to Labor Day. In the "off" season performances can be enjoyed in the adjacent Barns of Wolf Trap.
There are also scheduled children's performances at the Children's Theater in the Woods during the season.
Unfortunately, AlteCocker will be home exchanging in Europe for July & August and will miss much of the Wolf Trap season, but you don't have to.
This facility is the only such theater run by the National Park Service. If you are taking Metro, bus service connects with the West Falls Church Metro stop on performance evenings. Please be certain to check for the time of the last bus, so you don't get stranded.
There is plenty of parking at Wolf Trap, but you may have to walk a great distance. Handicapped parking is available.
This is an outdoor theater that offers spectacular summer entertainment. If you get a chance, you definitely should go.
The main theater, called The Filene Center, is out of doors. You can sit inside or on the lawn. The theater can accommodate 3,766 inside and 3,100 on the lawn. AlteCocker, however, recommends that you sit inside. Washington's weather can be quite unstable in summer; thunderstorms are very frequent in the evenings due to the humid climate. Lawn seating can be a washout.
Once you have purchased tickets, there are no refunds. While many people enjoy spreading their blankets on the lawn area and eating and drinking during the performance, that is taking a risk. Also, you really can't see that well from the lawn.
A better strategy is to come early and enjoy a picnic on the lawn or at the picnic tables (if you can get one) and then watch the performance where you are safely covered if the heavens open up. If you are not organized to want to schlep your own picnic, especially on a weeknight when you are liable to be rushing to the theater from work, arrangements can be made to eat at Wolf Trap.
.
The schedule is already out for next summer and can be viewed in its entirety on the website. There is generally an assortment of first class entertainment offered to satisfy everyone. The theater is generally open from about Memorial Day to Labor Day. In the "off" season performances can be enjoyed in the adjacent Barns of Wolf Trap.
There are also scheduled children's performances at the Children's Theater in the Woods during the season.
Unfortunately, AlteCocker will be home exchanging in Europe for July & August and will miss much of the Wolf Trap season, but you don't have to.
This facility is the only such theater run by the National Park Service. If you are taking Metro, bus service connects with the West Falls Church Metro stop on performance evenings. Please be certain to check for the time of the last bus, so you don't get stranded.
There is plenty of parking at Wolf Trap, but you may have to walk a great distance. Handicapped parking is available.