The best things to do in Washington, D.C. this week: August 31-September 4

Academy Tortillas & Tequilas is getting the Bucket Listers treatment with a Taste of DC event that puts its Mexican menu through a more focused lens. The draw here is the chance to sample the restaurant’s tortillas and tequila offerings in one sitting, rather than committing to a full dinner and hoping you picked the right things. It’s a useful format for anyone who has been meaning to check out the spot, especially with a group that prefers grazing to a formal meal. The experience also makes sense as a neighborhood food stop before heading elsewhere for the night. If you already know Academy, this is a chance to revisit it with a little more structure; if you don’t, the tasting setup offers an easy introduction without overthinking the order.

Big Bird and Elmo are getting the planetarium treatment, and honestly, this is one of the more charming ways to introduce young kids to the night sky. In this 25-minute show, the Sesame Street favorites set off on an imaginary trip to the Moon, then head to Zhima Jie with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. Along the way, the show draws a simple connection between how the sky looks from different parts of the world, giving the international premise more substance than a standard character-driven kids' program. It is aimed squarely at young children, but the short runtime makes it an easy add-on to a museum morning rather than a major commitment. The planetarium show is free, as is museum admission, though timed-entry passes are required.

Smithsonian Starstruck offers a chance to look at the universe through a different lens, turning complex astronomy into an immersive experience that feels more like exploration than a traditional exhibit. Created with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the experience uses real astronomical data to guide visitors through the scale and wonder of space, from stars and galaxies to the forces shaping the cosmos. Located at Fever Hub in Penn Quarter, it joins a growing lineup of interactive experiences that encourage visitors to step inside the subject rather than simply observe it. The appeal is in making something impossibly large feel approachable, especially for anyone who has ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what’s actually out there. It’s a thoughtful pick for curious adults, families and anyone looking for a museum visit that feels genuinely different.

Immersive pop-ups come and go, but Bubble Planet earns its place by committing fully to the bit. Instead of relying on a single Instagram-friendly installation, it moves you through more than 10 distinct environments, each playing with scale, light and texture in different ways. The result feels more playful than polished, with oversized bubbles, optical illusions and interactive elements that invite curiosity rather than passive photo-taking. The VR component adds another layer without overshadowing the physical sets, and there's enough variety to keep the experience moving at a steady pace. Families will get plenty out of it, but adults with a soft spot for whimsical design shouldn't dismiss it as a kids' attraction. If you're looking for something that swaps a typical museum visit for an hour of unabashed, sensory fun, this is an easy recommendation.

If your yoga routine could use a little more groove, Sydnea’s R&B Yoga is the reset you didn’t know you needed. This isn’t your standard silent-studio stretch session. Instead, you’ll move through a series of mobility-focused flows while a carefully chosen R&B playlist keeps things loose and lively. Sydnea’s approach is refreshingly unpretentious—think less about perfect poses and more about feeling good in your body, whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just rolling out your mat for the first time. The vibe is relaxed, shoes are off, and the usual pressure to perform is nowhere in sight. It’s the kind of class where you can actually laugh if you wobble, and nobody’s judging your downward dog. Bring a friend, or just come solo and let the music do its thing. Your joints (and your mood) will thank you.