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From fireworks by the monuments to biking tours around town and holiday festivities, there are so many ways to explore DC this summer.
As you plan your family trip to DC, we’re here to remind you of all the free things to do this summer in the District. From Fourth of July fireworks and holiday concerts to special events like the Memorial Day parade, summer in the District makes for an unforgettable time that doesn’t have to hurt your wallet.
There are plenty of reasons to check out DC’s Major League Baseball team, the Washington Nationals, who play their home games at Nationals Park on the bustling Capitol Riverfront. The state-of-the-art ballpark boasts terrific views, friendly fans and plenty of great places to eat, some of which offer up local brews and specialties from DC restaurants. During the fourth inning, the popular Presidents Race features costumed, jumbo-headed commander-in-chief lookalikes running – and sometimes cheating – their way to glory.
There’s probably no city that’ll give you a more all-American, patriotic Independence Day than Washington, DC. Take in the pomp-and-circumstance-filled National Independence Day Parade in the morning along Constitution Avenue NW, then stake out a spot on the National Mall or across the Potomac River near the Marine Corps War Memorial (also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial) in Arlington – or check out these other spots to watch the fireworks. The fireworks typically start just after 9 p.m. Basking in the rockets’ red, white and blue glare with a backdrop of glowing white monuments and memorials is an unforgettable – and highly Instagrammable – thrill.
With two rivers, the Potomac and the Anacostia, and a number of fantastic waterfronts in different neighborhoods, DC is full of things to do on and near the water. Choose from awesome waterfront views, an array of stylish riverfront restaurants and plenty of waterfront activities for the perfect summer day in the District.
The Smithsonian’s annual summer cultural treat brings crafters, musicians, cooks and artists to the National Mall for a free, fascinating festival. This year’s event focuses on the social power of music. Expect plenty of family-friendly demonstrations, concerts and even more great reasons to check out this can't-miss summer festival.
You’ll get a new perspective on iconic structures like the Lincoln Memorial and the Kennedy Center if you see them via kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard. Rent boats and boards from Boating in DC's boathouses in Georgetown or on the Capitol Riverfront (known as Ballpark Boathouse), then take off on your own or via a guided tour. Bird-watching and a good workout come with the territory.
Dream you’re in a Monet painting at this serene, off-the-beaten-track park near Anacostia, where hundreds of water lilies, aquatic bamboo and wild flowers can be reached via boardwalks and pathways. Critters from blue herons to turtles also thrive here, and summer might be the most pleasant time to visit. Rangers lead tours of the gardens every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m.
It's always the right time to take your outdoor dining experience to new heights by heading to these rooftop bars and restaurants. If terra firma is more your thing, the District is filled with delightful outdoor patios and beer gardens for your warm weather pleasure.
DC is a gallery-goers’ paradise, with showplaces devoted to everything from modern art to postage stamps. In a class all of its own, start your adventure at any of these DC museums, or for a truly interactive experience head to on of DC's kid-friendly museums and hands-on attractions that will transport the whole family from the ho-hum of touring to the “Wow!” of experiencing. In addition to the fabulous slate of museums along the National Mall, the District is also home to a vast collection of cool museums off the Mall.
The free-to-enter Smithsonian National Zoo awaits you, offering a family-friendly afternoon of seeing lions, tigers, bears and many, many more. Also, make sure to check out the calendar for can't-miss events.
Yes, Capitol Hill is genuinely an incline, but most of DC’s major tourist zones are flat and filled with green spaces, bike lanes and trails. Capital Bikeshare, one of the largest cycle-share systems in the country, makes it easy to rent wheels and zip around town for an hour or a day. There are over 3,000 bikes and 300 stations around town.
Summertime and movies go hand-in-hand. Yes, the biggest blockbusters are in theaters, but step your movie-going experience up a notch and relax outdoors while taking in a classic film or one you’ve never seen before. Find out when and where to catch an outdoor screening and turn summer nights into summer memories.
The DC Jazz Festival honors one of America’s greatest art forms with an annual summer showcase in DC. In 2024, the famed fest celebrated its 20th anniversary. Many of the concerts are free, but there are so many more reasons to check out the entire lineup. If that doesn't satisfy your jazz fix, don't miss out on Jazz in the Garden at the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden, a popular Friday evening event.
There are seemingly endless can't-miss summer events and festivals where you can discover everything from the wonders of barbecue to interactive art. In fact, there are so many amazing choices that it can be tough to figure out which to attend. No worries – we’ve got you covered with some of the season’s biggest events and festivals perfect for having the best summer ever.
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's 31,000-square-foot fossil hall is an epic exhibit that connects our planet’s very distant past to the present and future. Visitors will be transported to ancient ecosystems, navigate through the evolution of life across billions of years and encounter roughly 700 fossil specimens along the way, including a T-rex and a woolly mammoth.
Summer in the District would not be complete without Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week. Throughout the promotion, restaurants across the DC area offer three-course, prix-fixe meals for brunch, lunch and dinner. And while you're dining out this summer, don't forget to check out DC's hottest restaurants.
Celebrate summer’s last big weekend with music, food, outdoor activities and plenty of arts and culture in the nation's capital. We’re taking the work out of making your Labor Day weekend plans with these ways to make your holiday memorable.
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