Witness an incredible fireworks display during the Fourth of July
It’s not summertime in the District without an epic (and free to attend) Independence Day celebration featuring fireworks soaring over the iconic National Mall. After the music of ‘A Capitol Fourth’ concludes, the night sky lights up with a colorful display that you will never forget. We’ve compiled a list of the best spots to watch the Fourth of July fireworks in Washington, DC.
Catch an outdoor movie in one of DC’s scenic neighborhoods
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. These outdoor movie screenings, many of which feature beautiful scenery and are free to attend, are the perfect way to turn summer nights into monumental memories.
Check out live music at The Yards Park
One of the city’s most scenic settings is The Yards Park in Capitol Riverfront, which overlooks the Anacostia River. The park’s family-friendly Friday Night Concert Series usually runs from May to September, with shows starting at 6:30 p.m. Kids will love the interactive fountains while the parents can sit back and enjoy the show.
Travel back in time at the National Museum of Natural History’s Hall of Fossils
This summer the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History will debut its new 31,000-square-foot fossil hall with this 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 4.6 billion years and encounter roughly 700 fossil specimens along the way, including a T-rex and a woolly mammoth.
Step into the Smithsonian Castle
The National Mall’s iconic red building features fascinating information on the Smithsonian museums and the man behind them, James Smithson. Once you have marveled at the Victorian arches and dark woodwork, use the 3-D interactive maps of DC’s Smithsonian museums to plan your educational adventure. You can also learn of the history of the castle and visit Smithson’s crypt.
Jazz in the Garden – Through Aug. 23
Kick back and groove to the music with sangria in hand at Jazz in the Garden on Fridays throughout the summer, held in the National Gallery of Art‘s Sculpture Garden starting May 17. An eclectic mix of DC area jazz musicians lend a soundtrack to one of the city’s most idyllic scenes set around the sculpture garden’s central fountain. This is a free seasonal tradition that you do not want to miss. Check out the lineup and the food and drink offerings.
Say “Namaste” in the nation’s capital
Good karma abounds in DC. Unleash your inner yogi with plenty of opportunities to perform the downward dog and bask in the sunshine without paying a cent. During the warm weather months, options can include Golden Triangle’s TriFit in Farragut Square, Community Yoga at the Kennedy Center, morning yoga at The Yards Park and outdoor yoga classes at The Wharf’s Recreation Pier.
