Summer Bucket List
Only a few precious weeks of Summer left and the swampland-turned-city is taking it’s final sweaty grip on everyone. We know it’s easy to just stay cool indoors and ride the rest of the season out from the comfort of your couch, but what do you do when that cheap fan you bought from Target isn’t cutting it anymore? What happens after your preferred binge-watch show on Netflix runs out? We have a few ideas. This list ranges from the calm and copacetic to the adventurous and awesome. Pick none or pick ten, but you should add at least a few of these to your own Summer bucket list and finish the season off the right way. Time to get up and get out there.
See a Nats Game
Even if you aren’t a baseball fan, this still makes for a fun day. Nationals Park is home to more than just a baseball field and DC’s home team – there’s great food, multiple bars, and fun stuff to do whether you’re 7 or 71. They also have “Theme Games” during the Summer that add a bonus fun factor, but there are only a few left so if you’re going to go to one you better decide now.
When: Home games are played through September.
Price: Depends on who’s playing and how hard you want to go – left field nosebleed section? $10. Lexus President’s Box superseats where you can tell the batter’s religion? $350
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Jazz in the Garden
Head to the Pavillion Cafe in the National Gallery’s Sculpture Garden and take in some music and culture. Every Friday evening they feature new local artists that put on a free show. Con: you can’t bring your own alcoholic beverages in, pro: they offer a really great special menu.
When: Every Friday evening from 5:30-8:30 as weather permits. These heroes will cancel due to inclement weather (obviously) but also due to excessive heat because they know how real it gets out there.
Price: Free! Plus drinks if you choose to go that route.
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Georgetown Sunset Cinema
The best way to enjoy this weather is to enjoy it at night, with cooler temperatures that won’t melt your face. The best place: Georgetown Waterfront’s Sunset Cinemas. For a few select Tuesdays this Summer, they offer free outdoor movies. And not lame movies, either: Burn After Reading and The Exorcist are on the upcoming list.
When: Tuesdays through August at sundown (roughly 8:30)
Price: Free! But BYOBlanket – they don’t like chairs, but if you want a spot for your blanket the best time to snag one is around 7pm.
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DC Restaurant Week
For one week in August (beginning the 17th), restaurants around the DC metro area will offer chef-selected menus of the best food they offer. Go in for either lunch or dinner and get a preset three to four course menu that was designed to impress you. (For those of you wondering: the above photos are from Barcode and yes they are a participating restaurant). Tip: some restaurants ONLY offer these menus during DCRW, so if this doesn’t seem like your thing, check with the restaurant before going.
When: August 17-23
Price: Universally decided on, so no guessing! Lunch $22, dinner $35
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Hike Billy Goat Trail
Get off your ass and go for a walk through a National Park. Located in Montgomery County, the Billy Goat Trail is known for it’s amazing scenery and finale view of the Great Falls on the Potomac River. There are a couple different trails ranging in difficulty, so if you aren’t a gung-ho trailblazer you have options.
When: When you stop being so lazy. Although get moving before sundown – like most national parks, it closes when it’s dark out.
Price: $10 to park. But you should be prepared and pack a bag of essentials (water, snacks, first aid) for the more experienced trails which could potentially set you back a little also. If you are a morning person, get on the trail by 8am to miss all the crowds.
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Kayak the DC Waterways
What are you afraid of? It’s not like it’s the Hudson (CALM DOWN JERSEY AND NEW YORK. That water is nasty, it is a widely known fact). Not only is it an amazing workout for your arms (by “amazing” we mean “good luck lifting a fork to your face for the next few days”) but it’s a cool way to see the city from another perspective. Literally.
When: All day everyday during the warm season. Depending on what starting location you go you (there are 3), they generally open late morning (10-11) and send the last boats out in the evening (5:30-7). Check the website for location specifics.
Price: $15-30/hour depending on the mode of transportation you want to rent.
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Moonrise Festival
Glow DC takes over the Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore for a weekend in August for the annual Moonrise Festival. Two days of epic performances and amazing music: this year boasts performances by Bassnectar and the heavy-hitting trio Above & Beyond. Think Coachella just for EDM, but Coachella in it’s pre-commercialized golden days when it was more about the music and less about who was in attendance wearing godknowswhat (although, to be honest, the fashion will probably still be pretty awesome). Complete with iconic ferris wheel.
When: August 8-9
Price: $100-$160. The two-day pass is obviously on the higher end of the price spectrum, but is totally worth it. Have you seen the daily lineups they announced?
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Visit the Beach
Grab some friends you don’t mind sitting in a car with for a mini road trip and enjoy some time next to the waves for a weekend that’ll not only cool you off, but relax you. Get some sun, pay the obligatory visit to Seacrets, and chill the hell out before school starts back up. Because we all need to get away once in a while.
When: When can you take a day or 2 off work?
Price: It varies to be honest. Want to stay in an ocean-side resort this weekend? Okay. Prepare to pay for it. If you want to save a few bucks, look on Groupon for deals or call up hotels directly. And, as much fun as spontaneity may be, planning ahead helps.
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Visit The BEACH
Don’t feel like being in the car for 3 hours? Understandable. Can you make it to the National Building Museum? Their latest exhibit, The Beach, has DC residents going nuts because it’s literally a giant ball pit for grown ups. Bonus: they’ve recruited some seriously delicious kitchens to provide food and drink options for guests. Our suggestion? Go on a Wednesday – they stay open later for Beach Late Nights, with extended food and beverage hours. (photo by Daniel Arsham)
When: Now through September 7th
Price: $16 for a non-member (if you’re asking “Member of what?”, you aren’t one), and $5 for students – so definitely bring your student ID if you have one.
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Life in Color
RFK hosted last year’s rager and it did not disappoint. This year features fan favorites Adventure Club and Seven Lions. And, since it’s the largest paint party DC has ever seen, we suggest wearing an all white ensemble for some festival-dyed memories you can show off at more shows later. (We also understand that this is technically not during the Summer, but the weather is still going to be hot and sticky so we’re counting it.)
When: September 12th
Price: $50 for general admission, $75 for the VIP Un-leashed ticket.
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Skydive
Go big or go home. And if you want to go big, this is the way to do it – because why not check something off your life’s bucket list while you’re at it? It’s the best time of year to get it done, so wo/man up and make a reservation. What’s the worst that can happen?
When: Destiny
Price: Book online and get a $50 discount: $249 for a weekend jump, $209 weekday.
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Obviously you don’t have to do ALL of these, but you should. Whether you go to small events around the city or mount an expedition across treacherous MoCo terrain, there’s no better time than the Summer to make things happen. And hey – worst case scenario, you at least get a decent story to tell at the next party.
