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Baseball season is here: 12 things to do around Nationals Park

Rachel Nania | rnania@wtop.com

March 30, 2017, 3:27 AM

WASHINGTON — Baseball season is just about here and, come Monday, the area around Nationals Park will once again be flooded with fans.

If you’re looking for something to do before or after a game, there are plenty of activities in the Navy Yard neighborhood to occupy your time. Here are 12.

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 28: Dave Koz performs during the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Day 2 at the Fair Grounds Race Course on April 28, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Catch weekly outdoor concerts — plus DC JazzFest  Every Friday night beginning May 26, Yards Park and the Capitol Riverfront BID host free summer concerts on the boardwalk from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. June 16-18, DC JazzFest, an annual event that attracts more than 100 jazz artists to the District, brings its sounds to Yards Park. Friday night’s concert is free and begins at 5 p.m.  (Getty Images/Rick Diamond)
Getty Images/Rick Diamond
Make a splash  Hitting up an afternoon game on a hot summer day? Make sure you pack a bathing suit for the kids. The wading pool at Yards Park is empty now, but come summer, this splash park is the place to be. It’s a great way to cool off before or after a Nats win. (Getty Images/Alex Wong)
Getty Images/Alex Wong
Cool off with a cone  Bryce Harper has a favorite flavor at the neighborhood ice cream shop, Ice Cream Jubilee: It’s banana bourbon caramel. “We’re usually pretty busy in the summer, but when there are Nats games, we’re definitely a level above busy,” said Jenna Hahn, communications and events manager at Ice Cream Jubilee. “Especially when the Nats win, we get lines of people … When they lose, sometimes there’s some sympathy ice cream that happens, but you can tell just by how many people you’re seeing how the game went.” This season, the local shop is scooping up a special Nats flavor — a red velvet cake ice cream, swirled with a cream cheese ice cream. Show your Nats tickets on Opening Day and get a free mini cone. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
Peruse the farmers market FRESHFARM Markets takes over Canal Park on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning May 7. Pick up some fresh fruit and veggies, a loaf of bread and some locally made cheese for a pregame picnic. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
Get fit for free Get your heart rate up before you settle into your seat with a hot dog and a beer. Capitol Riverfront BID holds free daily fitness classes May 30 through Aug. 31 in Yards Park and Canal Park. Here’s this summer’s schedule: Sunday: Specialty Class, 9 a.m., Canal Park
Monday: Boot Camp, 7 p.m., Canal Park
Tuesday: Yoga, 6:30 a.m., Canal Park; Conditioning, 7 p.m., Yards Park
Wednesday: Resistance Training, 6:30 a.m., Yards Park; Zumba, 7 p.m., Yards Park
Thursday: Boot Camp, 6:30 a.m., Yards Park
Friday: Boot Camp, 6:30 a.m., Canal Park
Saturday: Yoga, 8 a.m., Yards Park; Jazzercise, 9 a.m., Yards Park (Getty Images/Sean Gallup)
Getty Images/Sean Gallup
Dig into the area’s fine dining options  If your palate prefers something more refined than peanuts and Cracker Jacks, check out one of the neighborhood’s nicer restaurants. Michael White’s Osteria Morini is known for its antipasti platters and fresh pasta dishes. At Whaley’s, the focus is on fresh seafood. Kruba DC serves Thai food, and Agua 301 offers modern Mexican fare. Come fall, the small urban winery, District Winery, will open along the riverfront. Several new restaurants are in the works on the other side of Nationals stadium at The Warf, including Del Mar from Fabio and Maria Trabocchi; Florentijn, a Belgian restaurant from the former chef at the Belgian Embassy; Hank’s Oyster Bar; and Requin. (Getty Images/Sergi Alexander)
Getty Images/Sergi Alexander
Boat before baseball  Take in the excitement of the ballpark from a boat. The Ballpark Boathouse rents out kayaks and canoes starting May 13. (Getty Images)
Getty Images
Fly through the air with the greatest of ease …  The Trapeze School of New York at Navy Yard offers daily two-hour long classes where participants can learn the basic knee-hang and even try a catch. No experience is necessary. (AP/Aaron Favila)
AP/Aaron Favila
Thursday night movies at Canal Park  If you missed films such as “La La Land” and “Arrival” when they hit theaters, catch them for free on Thursday nights in Canal Park, June 1 through Aug. 17. “Grease,” “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Beauty and the Beast” are also on this summer’s schedule. The action starts at sundown. (Getty Images/Oli Scarff)
Getty Images/Oli Scarff
Before saying "I do," they decided: let's brew! Bluejacket Kelsey and Greg’s Wedding Ale. (Courtesy Bluejacket)
Go ahead, grab a beer  The ballpark has become a destination for beer lovers. In addition to finding a number of local beers inside the stadium, fans can get their fill outside the gates as well. Bluejacket Brewery will have an outdoor grill going every home game, and Due South pours a number of local and national beers alongside its Southern-inspired plates. Both Dacha and Bardo have plans to open outposts near Nationals Park, and Gordon Biersch serves its German-style beers next to the Navy Yard Metro station. (WTOP File Photo)
WTOP File Photo
Picnic in the park  With plenty of green space, walking paths and a view of the water, Yards Park is the perfect place to catch your breath and relax for a few minutes before or after a game. Pack a picnic, read a book or take a nap on a blanket under a tree. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
Get a taste of the trendiest eats  Around the ballpark, diners can find everything from Korean tacos to Spanish sandwiches to Indian rice bowls. The Nationals neighborhood has become the destination for the trendiest fast-causal eateries. There’s Shake Shack, TaKorean, 100 Montaditos and Sweetgreen. Coming soon is Cava Grill, Chop’t, Chipotle, Rasa Indian Grill, Bethesda Bagels and Slipstream. (Getty Images/Scott Olson)
Getty Images/Scott Olson
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 28: Dave Koz performs during the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Day 2 at the Fair Grounds Race Course on April 28, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Before saying "I do," they decided: let's brew! Bluejacket Kelsey and Greg’s Wedding Ale. (Courtesy Bluejacket)

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