Six Ways to Spend Black Friday

The excitement of Black Friday has evolved in recent years, with inspiring ideas like #OptOutside, Green Friday, and embracing Small Business Saturday gaining popularity. This year, the day after Thanksgiving opens up a world of possibilities! We've put together six fantastic ways to make the most of your day.

Visit the Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC

Did you know the Smithsonian Institution consists of more than a dozen museums in Washington, DC alone? It’s a massive, multi-museum complex and one of the best reasons to visit the nation’s capital. Plus, admission is free. Hop on the Metro, get off at the Smithsonian stop and spend the day exploring museums like the recently remodeled Air & Space Museum, the modern art-focused Hirshhorn and the American Indian Museum. The brilliantly colorful OSGEMEOS: Endless Story (pictured above) at the Hirshhorn is currently making headlines and worth the visit.

Picnic with a view of the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles

If you’ve got family in town, play tourist with them and picnic beneath the iconic Hollywood sign. Pack up those Thanksgiving leftovers and head out to Lake Hollywood Park (likely less crowded than the popular Griffith Observatory, also a great picnic spot). At Lake Hollywood, which is an official city park, you’ll find picnic tables, a children’s play area, and a perfect angle for your fam to pose in front of the Instagram-worthy sign.

Glide on the ice in NYC

If the Macy’s Parade is the official start of the holiday season, then let’s declare the Friday after the official start of ice skating season. If you’re still feeling full from your Thanksgiving feast, get moving by taking a few laps (or making some figure eights) around a New York City ice skating rink. At Hudson Yards, Sky Skate offers the city’s highest ice skating rink. The synthetic rink makes indoor ice skating with sweeping views possible. There’s also the iconic Rockefeller Center ice rink if you want to have your movie moment. For something slightly quieter, check out rinks run by New York City Parks.

Follow the outdoor art in Boston

Get on your walking shoes, bundle up and get ready to traverse the city of Boston on a walking tour of its plethora of publicly accessible murals and installations. The city is home to a number of murals and Meet Boston has compiled them into a walking tour that will light up your Instagram. From Chinatown to Northeastern University, you’ll find impressive artwork throughout the city, like the vibrant statues by Spanish Contemporary artist Okudart at Boston Seaport to American Artist Jeffrey Gibson’s your spirit whispering in my ear at The Rose Kennedy Greenway.

Celebrate the 30th year of ZooLights in Chicago

Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo is celebrating three decades of ZooLights this holiday season. Wait for dusk in Chicagoland and head over to the beloved holiday attraction (opening Nov. 15) after a day of post-Thanksgiving downtime. This year’s iteration is lit with three millions twinkling lights and includes rides on a 65-foot ferris wheel, visits with Santa, a Light Lounge, cookie decorating, live ice carving and more. Tickets, $7-$10. Reservations required. 

Spend the day under the tallest trees on the planet just outside of San Francisco

The true meaning of the #OptOutside movement, grab your day pack and take the 45-minute drive to Muir Woods, a National Park known for being home to what are considered the tallest trees on the planet at up to 250 feet tall. Officially a National Monument since 1908, Muir Woods feels like a primeval forest with indigenous Coastal Redwoods that clock in at 600 to 800+ years old. Read more about Muir’s fascinating history here, which dates back more than 20 million years! Plan to spend the day looking up at the Redwoods, hiking the trails and find some peace at Cathedral Grove, which is considered a contemplative space by many who journey to the woods. Note: Parking pass reservations must be made in advance of your visit. 

The Related Life is written and produced by the Related Life Editorial Team. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest events, news, and announcements in your area, and tag us for a chance to be featured @therelatedlife and #therelatedlife.