New to DC this Summer?
Recently, FamousDC was asked “What is one thing I should do this summer?” by a DC newcomer.
We decided to open it up and ask some true Washingtonians for their recommendations. We couldn’t come up with just one thing as there’s nothing quite like a DC summer filled with brunches, paddleboats, rooftops and recess.
Some ideas are crazy, some are weird, but all are fun. So, whether you’re new or old to DC, here are the top 50 things you should do in DC THIS summer:
- Sit on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at 2 AM and listen to Bocelli on your ipod. –Pamela Brown
- Sunday Brunch at Tabard Inn. –Patrick G. Ryan
- Head to Gravelly Point at night to watch the planes land. –Stef Woods
- Go for a sweaty run on the C & O trail then grab Pink Berry and eat it by the Georgetown waterfront. –Chloe Troia
- Walk the grounds @ Hillwood Museum. Make like an heiress. Pretend it’s all yours. –Kate Bennett
- Jog on the mall in the 100 degree heat and then get drunk at the Tune Inn. –Blain Rethmeier
- Grab a kayak @Jacks Boathouse and take on the Potomac –Brian Donahue
- Have Mediterranean tapas brunch with bottomless mimosas at Agora in Dupont and then visit the Woodley Park Zoo. –Deniz Sonmez-Alpan
- Attend the marine barracks show on Fridays (Merica!). –Cloture Club
- Check out some tennis matches – we’re home to the Washington Kastles at their new stadium, and the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. –Pranav Vora
- Duckmobile Tours – Hop on outside of Union Station. Gives you a quick overview of the city and then it drives into the Potomac. They’ve also got a DC residents ride free deal. –Patrick G. Ryan
- Watch the sunrise from the Lincoln Memorial. –Stef Woods
- Two words: drunken paddleboats. –Archie Smart
- Go to yards park. –Andrew Foxwell
- Contact your Congressman and ask about a Capitol Dome Tour. They aren’t easy to arrange, but it’s one of the coolest tours in the city. –Ryan Howell
- Find the civil war fort in Rock Creek park. –Brody Mullins
- Champagne Brunch at Chadwick’s in Georgetown. –Alex Schriver
- Ride the blue line from Van Dorn to downtown DC and experience first-hand what truly incompetent government is really like. #Rush+. –Karen Hanretty
- Become best friends with someone who has a pool or balcony. –Ashley Wolos
- Grab friends, some cold champagne, and rent a Duffy boat at National Harbor. –Louisa Imperiale
- Protest your favorite SCOTUS ruling on the steps of the court. –Erica Elliott
- Get a sandwich at the Italian Store in Arlington. –Jon Robilotto
- Organize a screening of The Fast and The Furious on the White House lawn. –Caroline Wren
- Visit National Cathedral, including the gardens. –Stef Woods
- Stand in front of small children at the adorable otter exhibit at the zoo and refuse to move. –Kate Nocera
- Frisbee golf on the Mall is pretty awesome. –Brody Mullins
- Go for a bike ride along MacArthur Blvd to Great Falls and tackle one of the biggest climbs in the DC area. While you’re there, take in the scenery – just don’t complain when you have to go BACK up the hill on the way home. –Reid Wilson
- Cannonballs in the Potomac during 4th of July. Boom. –Sara Diaz
- See the pandas! And pray to the panda fertility gods that Mei Xiang is knocked up! –Erika Masonhall
- You have one week to befriend someone who lives at 701 Penn and get on their roof for Fourth of July fireworks. Ready-Set-Go! –Burson Snyder
- See Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series at the Corcoran Gallery of Art for FREE every Saturday this summer starting June 30. –Rachel Cothran
- Take a tour of one of DC’s shmancy apartment buildings. My favorite is 22 West in the West End. With its super modern design and incredible views, it’s a hot property in a great location. –Chloe Troia
- Adams Memorial. –Patrick G. Ryan
- Try going the whole summer without standing on the left. –Abby Matousek
- Buy a diamond at Shah & Shah. –Colin Shah
- Engage in the community: serve a meal at a homeless shelter, repaint a classroom, or attend a neighborhood meeting. DC is a great city, get out and see it beyond what it can do for your career. –Mollie O’Dell
- Sunday brunch and shopping at Eastern Market (blueberry buckwheat pancakes are a must). –Lauren Torlone
- Have Ethiopian food (and no cheating by asking for a fork and a knife). –Stef Woods
- Attend a Nats game. –Cloture Club
- Get out of DC. Get invaluable experience & volunteer for your party Convention in Tampa or Charlotte. –Matt Haller
- I always tell folks to check out the Einstein Memorial. It’s close to the Lincoln Memorial and no one ever visits it. The secret is to stand in the center and shout (you’ll find out why when you try it). More history here. –Jeremy Art
- Catch a Friday afternoon concert in the Sculpture Garden. –Erica Elliott
- Close down Hill Country while singing your favorite songs on Karaoke. –Lauren Pratapas
- Kayaking or paddleboarding in the Potomac! –Blair Milligan
- Bypass the long line of suckers at Ben’s Chili Bowl and hit up Greek Spot for unbeatable eats. With dozens of options for every palate and the best vegetarian “meat” in DC, Greek Spot is a delicious gem. –Meg Smith
- Force anyone who makes a West Wing reference buy you a drink. You’ll be drunk all summer. –Steve Place
- Friday Jazz & Sunday Brunch. Nothing makes DC summer so sweet. –Morgan Gress
- Get up early on a Saturday (I know, I know) and head to Eastern Market. Grab brunch and a Bloody Mary at Tunnicliff’s or Box Car and then pick-up fresh fish from Southern Maryland Seafood (located inside) to grill out that evening. Perfect DC Saturday! –Amos Snead
- No DC weekend adventure is complete without a tandem bike ride from Old Town to Mt. Vernon. –Josh Shultz
- Check FamousDC every day for the latest and greatest. And to look smarter than all your co-workers. –FamousDC
Still need more guidance?