Is it JUST me or has summer just flown by wayyyyy too fast?! Happy almost-August y’all! As August approaches us *tomorrow*, I cannot look towards the future with anything but uber-excitement for this upcoming month with all that there is to do here in the Washington, DC area. Even though the heat and humidity are pretty brutal around here, there are still several ways to have fun (and stay hydrated!) both indoors and outdoors.
*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*
The Washington, DC area offers a variety of multicultural and historical activities that are both free and extremely affordable. Needless to say, you can easily have a GREAT time locally while on a budget, too. Personally, I am REALLY looking forward to the Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week at the end of the month AND seeing Moulin Rouge on tour at The Kennedy Center.
Events:
- Enjoy a summer evening in the Hillwood Estate Gardens at Dance on the Lunar Lawn – featuring a performance by dancers of the Dance Institute of Washington. Tickets are $5-$20. (August 16 at 5:30-8:30pm)
- Celebrate Vietnamese culture at Tysons Corner Center’s VietFest featuring vendors, live music, and traditional dance performances (August 12-13)
- Commemorate 50 years of Hip-Hop – an artistry shaped by Black Americans – at the National Museum of African American History & Culture’s family-friendly Hip-Hop Block Party with free admission (reservation required) from 11am-11pm (August 12)
- Wine & dine at some of the Washington, DC area’s top restaurants via Metropolitan Washington Week Summer 2023 starting August 28-September 3 (more to come in a future blog post!)
- Enjoy a late night at the museum via The National Building Museum’s Summer Block Parties (August 10 and August 24)
- Test your knowledge with Trivia Night: US History and Imperial Revisions at the National Portrait Gallery’s Kogod Courtyard from 5-6:45pm with free admission (reservation required) (August 15)
Activities:
- Sip on summer-themed coffee flights and decor at Commonwealth Joe Coffee Roasters in Pentagon City
- Cool off with some ice cream at Peterson’s Ice Cream Depot in Clifton, Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Co. in Old Town Alexandria, or Ice Cream Jubilee (multiple locations)
- See Moulin Rouge on tour at The Kennedy Center (starting August 2)
- Shop (back to school anyone?!) & stroll at Washington, DC’s Georgetown neighborhood – my favorites include the TJ Maxx, Scout Bags Flagship Store, and Shop Made in DC
- Visit wonderful Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (see my day trips to this favorite town of mine here and here)
- Take a stroll through Old Town Alexandria, Virginia & check out some of their incredible boutiques (including The Lucky Knot, Mint Condition, & Shop Made in VA), take in all of the live music and waterfront views and the Alexandria City Hall, and dine at a local spot (including Landini Brothers, Vola’s Dockside Grill, Thompson Italian, or Virtue Feed & Grain also written about here)
- Go Back-To-School shopping at Tyson’s Corner Center and snap a photo at the summer-themed LOVE letters while you’re at it! (on display until August 31)
- Catch the sunflowers at Burnside Farms in Nokesville, Virginia (must reserve in advance)
- Check out one of the many Smithsonian museums (for a list of museums and to reserve a free timed-entry pass look no further than here)
- See the limited-time exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library via Imagining the Future Leonardo da Vinci: in the mind of an Italian genius (until August 20)
- Have a picnic on The National Mall or Gravelly Point Park at golden hour
- Take in the cityscape at The View of DC with free entry and then grab a coffee or drinks at The Assembly just across the street in Rosslyn
- LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Check out one (or two!) of the several nearby vineyards and/or breweries! (See more on a great deal below!)
Looking to check out and cool down at one of the MANY vineyards and/or breweries in the Washington, DC area on a regular basis?! Then, you are IN LUCK: Reserve Pass is the app for you. With Reserve Pass, you have easy access to app-only deals and discounts, reservations, and a map-view to plan your visit accordingly to ALL the local vineyards/breweries in your area. The best part?! Many vineyards/breweries within the Washington, DC area are participating, meaning that you can access all of the great deals and events (such as Oyster day at Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery!!), reserve your visit right on the app, and best plan your visit accordingly.
Use the code ktloveswine for 40% off a yearly Reserve Pass membership. Happy wine-ing and dine-ing!!!
**Looking for fun things to do in the DMV & beyond, continue to follow @_thepinkchickadee on Instagram & this site for more posts on fun things to do on a regular basis.**
XOXO – Katie <3