Moving to a new city can be scary at first. The whole moving process can be exhausting. It can go by fast and before you know it, you will have already moved. After DC area movers help you with relocating to a new home, you will find yourself in a mess called unpacking. You probably don’t know a lot of people and have no idea what kind of activities there are. However, it is important to explore your new surroundings. That is why it is important to do your research beforehand. Although sometimes you won’t have enough time to do the research before the move. In that case, you can ask your new neighbors or quickly search online. To help you adjust to your new city, we have compiled some fun things you can do. Here is a list of fun summer activities in Washington DC for newcomers!
Watch a movie in an outdoor cinema
If you like watching movies this can be a new exciting experience. The best part of this activity is that you can do this on your own or with someone. There are quite a few places that host outdoor movie nights:
- The Drive-in at Union Market
- GLDN+ Cinema
- Films at the Stone
- Adams Morgan Movie Nights
- Movies on the Potomac
- Drive up to Bengies’ Big Screen
- Georgetown Sunset Cinema
Besides these places, there are a few other places that play movies outside.
See monuments and museums
There are quite a few tourist attractions to see in Washington DC. After long distance movers DC move you to your new place, it’s time to explore! Since Washington DC is the capital of the US, there are a lot of cultural and historical places to visit. Most of the museums are free to check out. Grab this opportunity and learn about the marvelous history of this city and the whole country. The best way to do this is to use a map and explore on your own.
Walk or bike around the town
The best way to explore any new place is to go for a walk. There can be some interesting places that can only be found when you bump into them. This is a good activity to do during the whole year, not only during the summer. Using a bike can be more fun but limiting. You will want to use the bikers’ lane. Walking on foot can be more time-consuming. However, you can reach more places than by using a bicycle. Bring lots of water with you and be sure to put on sunscreen. There are a lot of tourist guides, so if you want to learn something while exploring, it’s a good idea to join one!
Paddle a boat
The Potomac River flows through Washington DC. There is an option of paddling down the river, you can rent boats and boards and be on your way! You can see all of the monuments from a different perspective. The best thing about this is that there is a guided tour, so you don’t have to go by yourself. So, if you are not too tired after residential movers Washington DC helped you move, go down to the river and paddle!
Go to the theatre
This can sound like a normal ordinary activity to do. Then, what is so special about DC’s theatre? It can be free! Shakespeare Theatre Company does free live performances in the middle of July. They usually do contemporary versions of Shakespeare’s plays, and you can win your ticket via a lottery. Besides that, there are a lot of amateur performances throughout DC. It might be fun to check them out! You can also visit:
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- National Theatre DC
- Ford’s Theatre
- Keegan Theatre
- Toby’s Dinner Theatre
- Atlas Performing Arts Center
- Folger Theatre
- Lincoln Theatre and many more theatre-related summer activities in Washington DC
Visit a rooftop bar or party
There can be quite a ton of parties hosted on top of rooftops, but more common are rooftop bars. They can be found if you know where to look! It can be a very unique experience. You get to meet a lot of new people, hang around and have fun. If you are new, this is an excellent summer activity in Washington DC.
Go to festivals and fairs
Washington DC has some of the world’s most famous festivals, so this is a must summer activity in Washington DC. If you are from around here, and local movers DC helped you move from one part of Washington DC to another you are probably aware of this. However, if you are a complete newcomer, you might not be familiar with any of them. Here are some festivals and fairs you might find interesting:
- Something in the Water
- Smithsonian Folklife Festival
- Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle
- Capital Fringe Festival
- DC JazzFest
Watch the fireworks on the 4th of July
One of the best ways to start your summer adventure in Washington DC is to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July. Fireworks last about half an hour, and National Park Service suggests wearing headphones because they are so loud! You can see them from all over the town, but we suggest watching them from the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall, Washington Monument or a rooftop.
Places that are great for summer activities in Washington DC
Now that we have covered some of the most fun activities to do, it’s time to talk about which places to visit. Washington DC is full of interesting places. They vary in their nature. There is something to do for everyone. If you feel like learning about history, you can do that. If you want to view some art, you can do that. Taking all these into account, these are some of the must-see places Beltway Movers DMV recommend you visit!
Lincoln Memorial
We have already mentioned the Lincoln Memorial, but it is the number one place you will want to visit. If you like history or want to learn more about it, this is a great place. Two of the most famous speeches were delivered here and some of the most famous movements were born here. It’s free to visit, and the best time to visit is right before sunset. It takes around an hour to view the whole thing, but it’s a must if you are new to Washington DC!
United States Capitol and Capitol Hill
Another historic monument, the Capitol is the seat of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The building does not only have historic and civic significance but architectural as well. The dome stands tall and can be seen from a distance. Moreover, it is magnificent when seen up close. There are free tours and through the visitor center, you can visit the Senate or House in session. The interior is filled with paintings and statues and is as pretty as the exterior! Be sure to check it out!
The White House
Continuing with the theme of historic and political monuments, the White House is another must when moving to Washington DC. The White House is the official home of the President of the United States. There are a lot of tours showcasing the interior of the White House, but they must be reserved well in advance. Despite this, you can still visit the exterior, and see this iconic building.
The Tidal Basin
Moving away from historically important buildings, the Tidal Basin was once a part of the Potomac River. Now it is a 2-mile pond, surrounded by cherry blossom trees. We have already mentioned the option of paddling down the river, but you can also paddle down the pond. The Tidal Basin is quite romantic and has been used as a backdrop for a lot of romantic movies. You can also view 3 memorials from here: the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is one of the world’s leading art museums and one of the most popular ones. There are frequent temporary exhibitions, so you can visit them more than once and not get bored. The National Gallery of Art has a permanent collection, which includes works from Monet, Degas, and Renoir, as well as works by Rembrandt, El Greco, and Vermeer. It is also home to Ginevra de Benci, the only Da Vinci painting in any American museum.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
If you have a whole day free, visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is one of the best ways to spend it. The Museum has over 126 million artifacts on display. It attracts a lot of visitors and can get quite crowded, so be sure to visit it during the weekdays and avoid weekends at all costs. This can be one of the most educational summer activities in Washington DC.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is one of the world’s most popular museums. Containing some of the world’s most famous historically important aircraft, such as Apollo 11, it is definitely a must-go. There are a lot of guided tours, but you can also explore on your own. It is like going down the history lane of man flight. Even if you are not that interested in airplanes or space, it will captivate you. As well as the National Museum of Natural History, it can get pretty crowded, so make sure you pick the right time to visit.
U.S. Botanic Garden
This glasshouse is a huge garden museum located near Capitol Hill. Inside there are many different types of plants, from rainforests to desserts. It is an amazing environment that will leave you speechless. There is an outside garden as well, containing your everyday plants such as roses, but also a huge water garden. You can take amazing pictures here and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
One of the biggest zoos in the world, the Smithsonian National Zoological Park is home to nearly 2000 different animals. Additionally, they house over 360 species, about a quarter of which are endangered. They are all under excellent care, with their habitats recreated almost completely. Some of the species you can see are red pandas, western lowland gorillas, Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers, cheetahs, white-naped cranes, giant pandas, and North Island brown kiwis. You can also watch them online as they have live cameras set up all around the zoo. Interstate movers Washington DC will help you move here, just so you can experience this Zoo because it is worth it!
Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral is one of the biggest gothic-style cathedrals in the world. The inside is just as beautiful as the outside, with stained-glass windows colored in so many colors. When the light hits them it reflects them, so it makes you feel like you are standing in a rainbow. They mostly depict historical events and people. A huge garden surrounds the Cathedral. It is also an amazing place to explore. You can reserve a tour in advance to explore hidden parts of the building and its art. We recommend you take part in one of these tours, as it will give you the best experience.
These are some of the best summer activities in Washington DC for newcomers. After moving here, and living for a while, you might not want to leave. However, movers DC to MD will be at your disposal when you decide to explore the rest of the U.S. You can learn a lot about the U.S. history and culture in Washington DC, while also having fun.
