Baby, it's cold outside ... but that doesn't mean the winter months should be spent exclusively in the cozy comfort of the indoors. Washington has a lot to offer the aspiring snow bunny. Here's a few of The Eagle's favorite picks.
1. Ice Skating on the Mall
$5 with student ID National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, Ninth Street and Constitution Avenue NW Monday - Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m (202) 289-3360.
An obvious benefit to ice skating at the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden: When you slip and fall, you'll be given an excellent view of the garden's magnificent pieces of modern sculpture. Tony Smith's "Moondog," Alexander Calder's "Chevel Rouge" and 11 other sculptures surround the ice skating rink at one of Washington's most popular tourist spots. And when your ankles get sore, stop by the adjoining Pavilion Cafe for hot chocolate or a snack.
2. National Zoological Park
Free 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW Open every day except Dec. 25, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. (202) 673-4717.
Sure, walking aimlessly around the zoo in the middle of winter might not sound too appealing. But the city's National Zoological Park - a 163-acre zoo set amid Rock Creek National Park - has scheduled some interactive exhibits that just might lure you into the cold. Swing by the home of giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tia, watch a sea lion training session, or get up-close and personal with an octopus during its feeding time. The zoo showcases 2,800 individual animals of 435 different species, and admission is always free.
3. Tour at the U.S. Naval Academy
$4.50 with student ID 52 King George St., Annapolis, Md. Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Sunday 12:30-2:30 p.m. (410) 263-6933.
Have a car and like long walks on the beach? Then you'll love the seaside town of Annapolis, home of the U.S. Naval Academy. Take a guided tour of the academy's campus, which is a lot like AU's campus, but with more historical monuments and better-dressed students. This is a great way to learn about military history, and who knows? Maybe you'll encounter a handsome midshipman along the way. Prepare to park off-campus and bring a photo ID.
4. U.S. Botanical Garden
Free 245 First St. SW Open daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (202) 225-8333.
Everyone loves Mother Nature, but her frigid attitude during the winter months can be a real turnoff. A practical alternative to the great outdoors: the great indoors at the U.S. Botanic Garden. This glass-roofed museum is home to 4,000 plant specimens from subtropical, tropical and arid regions. Medicinal, economic, endangered and primitive plants are showcased in state-of-the-art displays. The Palm House structure, now called the Jungle, has been newly renovated to include a catwalk 24 feet above the garden floor. The museum's fa?ade, fountains, windows and door have all been recently restored to the original design of the building.
5. Fondue for Two
$119 per couple Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle NW (202) 842-1300.
For couples who share a love of traditional Swiss cuisine and have some cash to spare, the Washington Plaza Hotel is offering a "Fondue for Two" package for $119 per couple, including accommodations. You and yours will get a three-course fondue (cheese, crab and artichoke, and chocolate) in the hotel's swanky International Bar, plus a good night's sleep upstairs in a hotel room. What better way to romantically warm up a chilly night? (For those who can't afford fondue and room service, it'll be warmed-up Hot Pockets from the Eagle's Nest).
Snowshoeing on the wild side
Skiing, snowboarding, curling - these are all fantastic winter activities, but you'd have to purchase sports equipment and be willing to leave campus to play them. For the lazier reader who still wishes to have some winter fun, The Eagle recommends the following games. Note: A sense of humor and expendable dignity are required to play.
1. Strip poker on the Quad
Strip poker in the dorms is fun, but after the first couple of hands, things can get a little bland. After all, once you've seen one set of manchesters, you've seen them all. So try spicing things up a bit by throwing something a little different into the mix - namely, the unavoidable risk of hypothermia. Just grab a couple of your closest, most attractive friends and head to the Quad, where a saucy game of strip poker can be made even more risqu? given the arctic temperature and incredulous class-going onlookers. Warning: this activity is not recommended for the blue-blooded.
2. Snow margaritas
It's a little-known fact that the McDonald's on campus sells ice. But what if it's after closing time and you've no way to go to the Mini-Mart? Those margaritas aren't going to make themselves, so head outside and grab some snow. Throw in some mixers and a handle of cheap tequila, and you've got a very frosty, intoxicating slushee. Sure, Dad said never eat yellow snow, but who says you can't drink it?
3. Sexy Swiss Mountain Rescue Rangers
Get together with your buddies and designate someone as the Sexy Swiss Mountain Rescue Ranger. Give everyone else a chance to hide somewhere outside on campus, and after a few minutes, the Rescue Ranger must abandon the warm comfort of the dorm and voyage into the cold wilderness to "rescue" his or her hidden friends. OK, so basically this is just a lame version of hide-and-seek, but doesn't Sexy Swiss Mountain Rescue Rangers sound more fun? It's even more so while drunk.
