As a born and bred Washingtonian, I’m here to tell you about everything that this dear city holds in the sweltering months. So, aside from the obvious outings like venturing to a Nationals game, hitting up the National zoo (on a cool day- if there is one), and enjoying happy hour on the Georgetown waterfront, here are my top 5 recommendations:
1. Jazz in the Sculpture Garden: Every Friday night in the summer, live jazz music playa in the sculpture garden, right near the National Mall, and you can bring a picnic with wine and snacks. This event gets crowded and there is limited space, so if you plan on setting up shop on the lawn, get their early with your picnic blanket (the event begins at 5 pm).
Image via District 365
2. Pools: You and I both know how miserably muggy and hot it gets in the summer, so sometimes a jump in a public pool is just what you need. In Georgetown, there are several public pools, including Volta and Jelleff. All you need to show is a DC ID and you are allowed to sunbathe and swim. Tip: These pools get pretty busy, so I suggest getting there as soon as they open to secure yourself a chair.
3. Wineries: If you are able to travel a few miles outside of the District, shoot right down Interstate 66 and there are plenty of amazingly beautiful wineries to visit. The closest winery (and my personal favorite) is Paradise Springs in Clifton, VA. Visiting their winery and listening to live music while sipping on their delicious drinks is my favorite way to spend a summer Saturday. Other winery suggestions: Delaplane Cellars, The Winery at La Grange, and The Winery at Bull Run.
4. Wolf Trap: Also down Interstate 66, you can find Wolf Trap’s Center for the Performing Arts. This is my favorite summer concert venue &, let’s be real here, the fact that you can bring in a cooler with whatever you want to drink/eat during the show just makes it that much more amazing. The past few summers, I attended multiple shows there, including the Talking Heads and the Counting Crows, and visiting Wolf Trap is always on my summer to-do list.
5. Annapolis: If you are sick of DC and want to spend a day on the water, I highly suggest taking the 45 minute drive to Annapolis, MD. I venture there often, as my dad grew up there and I have a lot of family still living there, and it is honestly one of my favorite places in the world. You can get lunch and drinks on the water (I suggest Pussers) and walk around the adorable downtown area. If you happen to be in the shopping mood while walking around, there are some really cute boutiques on Main Street, including Horse Boutique and Lilac Bijoux.
Let me know if there is anything happening in DC this summer that I missed and must experience- I would love to know and would truly appreciate the recommendations!
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