Summer weekend in Washington DC
How locals do summer in Washington DC — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Washington DC
Rock Creek Park
OutdoorsNorthwest
1,754-acre forest in the middle of the city — trails, horse stables, planetarium.
Georgetown Waterfront
OutdoorsGeorgetown
Cobblestone streets, Potomac kayaks and the C&O Canal towpath.
Eastern Market
Food & DrinkCapitol Hill
Saturday flea + farmers market in a Victorian brick hall — get the blueberry pancakes.
U Street
NightlifeU Street
Historic jazz corridor — Lincoln Theatre, Ben's Chili Bowl and 9:30 Club nearby.
Where to eat
Ben's Chili Bowl
$Half-smokes · U Street
DC institution since 1958 — half-smoke with chili and onions.
Le Diplomate
$$$French brasserie · 14th Street
Paris transplant on 14th — best people-watching patio in town.
Rose's Luxury
$$$New American · Capitol Hill
No reservations, line at 4pm — pork sausage with lychee is the move.
Compass Rose
$$Global street food · 14th Street
Khachapuri, jianbing and Trinidadian doubles in a townhouse.
Maydan
$$$Middle Eastern / North African · 14th Street
Open-flame hearth cooking in a candlelit courtyard.
Live & on stage
9:30 Club Year-Round
9:30 Club · Year-round · Indie / Mixed
Broccoli City Festival
RFK Festival Grounds · May 9–10 · Hip-hop / R&B
Jazz in the Garden
National Gallery Sculpture Garden · May – Aug Fridays · Jazz / Free
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Eastern Market, U Street, Rock Creek Park. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Washington DC and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.