The end of summer is drawing near, but before you jump right into fall, send the warm-weather season off in style with these 10 activities.
The end of summer is drawing near, but before you jump right into fall, send the warm-weather season off in style. Here are 10 things to do in the D.C. area before the leaves change and the temperatures cool.
(WTOP Composite Photo/AP Photo)
WTOP Composite Photo/AP Photo
Paddle on the Potomac and Anacostia
Paddle-boarding, kayaking and canoeing along D.C.’s rivers is a favorite outdoor pastime among Washingtonians (especially now when you can fuel up with a snack on the water from D.C.’s first food boat) — but it’s not a yearlong activity.
The Key Bridge Boathouse closes Nov. 1 for boat rentals; the Ballpark Boathouse closes Sept. 27 and the National Harbor Boathouse closes Oct. 4. Paddle boat rentals at the Tidal Basin end Oct. 11.
(AP Photo/J. David Ake)
AP Photo/J. David Ake
Crack into those Maryland crabs
Maryland’s famous blue-crab season ends in September, so now is the time to get your fill. Of course, you can take a day trip to some of the favorite crab outposts, such as Cantler’s and The Point, or you can stick around town with your mallet.
City Tap House will host a Labor Day Crab Fest on Monday, Sept. 7, and Maryland blue crabs will be the star of the event. Folks can order a half-dozen for $19 or a full dozen for $38. Hushpuppies, corn on the cob and Old Bay fries are available on the side.
If you’re really into crabs, there’s always the National Hard Crab Derby, a weekend-long festival that features crab races, a crab cooking contest, live entertainment and a carnival. Festivities kick off Thursday, Sept. 3 and run though Sunday, Sept. 6 in Crisfield, Maryland.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Take one last summer swim
Most public pools and splash parks close by Labor Day, so now is the time to fit in that final dip. D.C.’s Banneker Pool is throwing a free Summer Night Pool Party on Saturday, Sept. 5 from 7 to 11:30 p.m.
The Embassy Row Hotel is holding a Labor Day rooftop pool party on Saturday, Sept. 5. A $45 ticket includes admission and live music; drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.
On Sunday, Sept. 6, The Donovan Hotel is hosting a Labor Day evening pool party from 6 to 11 p.m. Admission ($45) includes a welcome cocktail, live music and swimming. Also on Sunday, The Capitol Skyline Hotel is throwing a final pool party of the summer from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Taste summer’s local harvest at Epicurience Virginia
Summer in the DMV yields some of the best produce — from fresh blueberries to peaches, corn, tomatoes and more. Get a taste of the local flavors, farm-to-table style, this Labor Day weekend at Epicurience, a three-day food and drink event in Leesburg, Virginia. The weekend includes educational seminars, chef demonstrations, live entertainment, and of course, lots and lots of tastings.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
Attend one last summer parade
Nothing says summer like a small-town parade. Thankfully, there are still a few more to catch. The popular Labor Day parade returns to the streets of Gaithersburg, Maryland, on Monday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. The town of Kensington, Maryland, will also hold a parade on Monday; the event kicks off at 10 a.m. on Connecticut Avenue.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Get in one more trip to the beach
And you don’t even need to go to the real beach. (Because let’s be honest: You can still do that in the fall. And it’s lovely.) We’re talking about the beach exhibit at the National Building Museum, which closes Sept. 7. Bank on mild weather and no pesky sunburns — or sharks.
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
Listen to music outside
The opportunity to listen to jazz in the garden at the National Gallery of Art has passed, but there’s still time to catch a summer concert at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Kelly Clarkson and the Pentatonix close down the season on Sept. 12. You can find the full summer concert schedule on Wolf Trap’s website.
(AP Photo/Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts)
AP Photo/Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
Watch a movie outside
Screen on the Green is over for the summer, but you can still catch a classic film outside with the 5th Annual Cinema in the Circle on Thursday, Sept. 10 in Dupont Circle. “A League of Their Own” starts at 8:30 p.m., but get there early: a big crowd is expected.
(Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Twentieth Century Fox/AP Images)
Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Twentieth Century Fox/AP Images
Tube, paddle, swim and more at nearby destinations
Grab some buddies, your bathing suit and some water shoes and head up to Harpers Ferry or out to the Shenandoah River for a day of tubing. A number of companies organize tube rentals and transportation out to launch sites and back from end points. Go before it gets too chilly because you’ll definitely get wet.
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)
AP Photo/Eric Gay
Picnics and planes
For a more low-key and peaceful summer evening, pack a picnic and head out to the riverfront at Gravelly Point park to watch the planes take off and land at nearby Reagan National Airport. It’s the perfect way to unwind from a busy summer and prepare for the upcoming season.
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
