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Our Favorite Ways to Avoid Crowds and Have Fun This Summer in D.C.

Summer is the perfect time to explore Washington D.C. and all that it has to offer. While the typical tourist attractions like the National Mall and the Smithsonian museums are undoubtedly worth a visit, they can become quite crowded during the peak season, and there’s so much more to do in the city. To help you avoid the crowds and have a truly memorable experience, our team compiled a list of their favorite things to do around D.C. over the summer.

Our Team's Favorites

  • Check out one of the neighborhood farmer’s markets and try some samples of summer produce from local farmers. If you stop by Eastern Market on Capitol Hill, plan to eat breakfast or brunch at The Market Lunch inside the main market building—their pancakes are delicious.
  • Take a picnic to one of D.C.’s plentiful public green spaces—the Arboretum, Malcolm X Park, and the National Mall are a few spots we recommend.
  • Bike one of the greenways around the city to explore a new neighborhood. The Metropolitan Beer Trail follows the MBT to a selection of great breweries, and you can use their site to help plan your trip and collect points and rewards when you check into different businesses along the way.
  • Stop by The Dew Drop Inn in Edgewood or Gravelly Point across the river in Arlington to watch trains or planes pass by.
  • Drive just over the border into Maryland to visit Carderock or Great Falls Park for an easy hike and beautiful views of the Potomac River.
  • Support one of our local sports teams and attend a game. D.C. Breeze, the ultimate frisbee team, along with D.C. United and the Washington Spirit, the men’s and women’s soccer teams, both have inexpensive tickets for at-home events.

    Other Great Summer Activities

    • Outdoor movies.
    • Jazz in the Garden (back for the summer with a new lottery ticket system).
    • Grab ice cream at Ice Cream Jubilee in Navy Yard and walk around by the waterfront.
    • Play skeeball at City State Brewery.
    • Cool off at Upshur Street Pool or the Takoma Splash Park.
    • Stop by the Appointed District Shop on a Wednesday afternoon and stick around Ivy City for trivia at Other Half Brewery.
      Whether you’re looking to beat the heat or bask in the humid summer air, D.C. has something to offer for everyone. We hope you enjoy a new summer activity this year and discover a little bit more of the charm and beauty of our city.

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