Avoid the crowds on Black Friday: Things to do other than shop

Avoid the crowds on Black Friday: Things to do other than shop. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
Go Wine Tasting Did you spend all day Thursday cooped up in the house with family and friends? Friday is the perfect time to get everyone up and out — and there’s no better destination than the area’s nearby wineries. Most of the larger establishments are open on Black Friday, including The Winery at Bull Run and Linden Vineyards. So pack up a picnic with a few turkey sandwiches, head out of the city and take in the beautiful fall foliage while sipping on some local vino. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 16: General atmosphere at the kick-off of SoulCycle at the Spotify House during SXSW 2015 on March 16, 2015 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Alli Harvey/Getty Images for Spotify)
Burn Off That Turkey While everyone else is standing in line at the big-box stores, get on a bike, hit the trails or roll out a yoga mat. Montgomery County Road Runners are holding a Turkey Burnoff race at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27 at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg; Past Tense yoga studio in Mount Pleasant is holding a “Yoga Chaser” class to “wring out any Thanksgiving excess;” and SoulCycle leads 90-minute Turkey Burn rides on Thursday and Friday. (D.C.’s West End studio is hosting its festive ride at 11:15 a.m. on Nov. 27.) Of course, you can organize your own run, ride or session on the mat — just gather your friends and family and start moving. (Getty Images)
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Take a Walk Through the Zoo … Plus, Zoo Lights!  The mall will, no doubt, be a zoo. But the Zoo will likely be pleasant. Even if you’re not into seeing all of the animals, walking throughout the park’s pathways makes for a relaxing afternoon outing. Stick around for dusk on Nov. 27, and the Zoo will light up for its annual holiday celebration, Zoo Lights. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
Only a few people came to the opening of the traditional Christmas market in Essen, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015. The markets, favorites among locals and tourists for decorations and mulled wine, are feared to be possible targets for attacks. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Explore D.C.’s Downtown Holiday Market  The 11th Annual Downtown Holiday Market opens Friday, Nov. 27 at noon. From Friday through Dec. 23, F Street NW, between 9th and 7th Streets, will transform into an outdoor holiday market, comprised of more than 150 regional artisans. Most days, there will also be live entertainment and festive treats. (AP Photo)
Ein Baecker sticht am Montag, 7. Dezember 2009, in seiner Backstube in Altoetting, Bayern, Weihnachtsplaetzchen aus. Vor Weihnachten laueft traditionell das Backen von Plaetzchen und Christstollen auf Hochtouren. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) A baker cuts Christmas cookies in his bakery in Altoetting, southern Germany, on Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Get a Jump Start on Holiday Baking Get into the holiday spirit without giving into the crowds. Friday is the perfect time to get a jump start on your holiday baking — and if you gift baked goods throughout the season, you’ll be crossing a few people off your list at the same time. (AP/Matthias Schrader)
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Chop Down Your Christmas Tree Butler’s Orchard’s Christmas tree farm is open on Friday, Nov. 27. Head up to the Germantown, Maryland, destination and chop down your own tree. (Getty Images)
Shop Restaurant Deals  If you didn’t get enough to eat on Thursday, here’s your chance. On Nov. 27, Mike Isabella will host a Black Friday brunch at Graffiato and Kapnos Taverna; Le Diplomate is doing the same. Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza is celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday with a special Thanksgiving pizza, topped with roasted turkey, candied sweet potatoes, cranberries, goat cheese, Brussels sprouts, pancetta and mozzarella. The pizza will be offered on Black Friday during lunch for $3.50 a slice. (Courtesy Pete’s Facebook)
Charles Lindbergh’s “Spirit of St. Louis” aircraft, bottom of frame, one of the premiere artifacts at the National Air and Space Museum, is seen on the ground floor of the museum, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, after being lowered for the first time in more than 20 years to have conservation work done and giving visitors a rare chance to see it up close in Washington. Lindbergh made the first solo trans-Atlantic flight and landed in Paris in 1927. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Hit Up a Museum  Take advantage of the emptier-than-normal city and explore some of the national museums. They’re free and open every day, except for Christmas.  (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
British actor Daniel Craig poses for photographers before a press conference for the movie "Spectre" in Beijing, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015. The film, the latest in the James Bond franchise, opens in China on Friday. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Go to the Movies  Thanksgiving kicks off the best season in terms of movies. Catch blockbusters like “Creed,” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2,” “Spotlight” and “Spectre.” Holiday movies such as “Love the Coopers” and “The Night Before” are also out Thanksgiving weekend.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Shop at the Shelter If you do have the urge to go shopping, consider heading to your local animal shelter to shop for your next family member. This week’s WTOP/Washington Animal Rescue League Pet of the Week was especially cute — and there are plenty of others just like Two Step. (Courtesy WARL)
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Avoid the crowds on Black Friday: Things to do other than shop. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 16: General atmosphere at the kick-off of SoulCycle at the Spotify House during SXSW 2015 on March 16, 2015 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Alli Harvey/Getty Images for Spotify)
zoolights.JPG
Only a few people came to the opening of the traditional Christmas market in Essen, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015. The markets, favorites among locals and tourists for decorations and mulled wine, are feared to be possible targets for attacks. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Ein Baecker sticht am Montag, 7. Dezember 2009, in seiner Backstube in Altoetting, Bayern, Weihnachtsplaetzchen aus. Vor Weihnachten laueft traditionell das Backen von Plaetzchen und Christstollen auf Hochtouren. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) A baker cuts Christmas cookies in his bakery in Altoetting, southern Germany, on Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
ChristmasTree.jpg
Charles Lindbergh’s “Spirit of St. Louis” aircraft, bottom of frame, one of the premiere artifacts at the National Air and Space Museum, is seen on the ground floor of the museum, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, after being lowered for the first time in more than 20 years to have conservation work done and giving visitors a rare chance to see it up close in Washington. Lindbergh made the first solo trans-Atlantic flight and landed in Paris in 1927. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
British actor Daniel Craig poses for photographers before a press conference for the movie "Spectre" in Beijing, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015. The film, the latest in the James Bond franchise, opens in China on Friday. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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