It’s not the humidity, it’s the tourists. Summer may seem like a good time to clear out of DC, but it’s also the season with the most to do. June is the month of Folk Festivals, with the Glen Echo Park Folk Festival in early June and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival at the end. In July, Rehoboth’s Annual Sandcastle Contest is the quintessential beach event, and July is also the best time to enjoy the Water Lily Bloom at Kenilworth Gardens. August presents a number of fairs and farm tours throughout the region, commencing with the annual Sunflower Bloom at McKee-Beshers, before easing into the Fall Calendar with the can’t miss Renaissance Fair.
Sprayparks, Pools & Waterslides Near Washington, DC
The DC region is hot in the summer, but there are plenty of places to cool off, and all are open every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from Memorial Day — Labor Day.
Sprayparks include:
- 30 DC Sprayparks
- The ankle-deep pool at Yards Park.
- 6 Arlington Sprayparks ( 10 min)
- Our Special Harbor near Alexandria ( 30 min)
- Pirate’s Cove in Lorton ( 40 min)
- Signal Bay in Manassas Park ( 40 min)
- WaterWorks in Dale City ( 40 min)
Best Pools & Waterslides in the DC Region:
- 20 DC public pools
- Waterslides at Upton Hill ( 10 min)
- Water Mine at Lake Fairfax ( 20 min)
- Atlantis Centerville ( 30 min)
- Great Waves Alexandria ( 30 min)
- Volcano Island in Sterling ( 30 min)
- Splash Down Manassas ( 40 min)
- Gaithersburg Waterpark ( 40 min)
- Chesapeake Beach ( 1 hr)
Beaches Around Washington, DC
If you want to swim but need a little more room to spread out, get up early and head out to one of Washington, DC’s nearby beaches:
Leesylvania State Park ( 30 min)
Sandy Point Public Beach ( 50 min)
Terrapin Nature Park ( 50 min) ( 50 min)
Purse Nanjemoy Fossil Beach ( 50 min)
Calvert Cliffs Fossil Beach ( 1 hour)
Flag Ponds ( 1 hour 20 min)
Reserved Beaches:
Mayo Beach Mayo Beach ( 1 hr)
Kentmorr Marina Kentmorr / Dirty Daves ( 1 hour)
Amusement Parks Around Washington, DC
If you’re ready to plunk down some serious coin and pack in with the crowds, here are a few options:
- Six Flags ( 40 min)
- King’s Dominion ( 2 hours)
- Dutch Wonderland ( 2 hours)
- Hershey Park ( 2 hours)
- Busch Gardens & Water Country USA ( 3 hours)
Upcoming Events:
June 24: Punk Archive Processing Night — Come help the DC Punk Archive sort through some boxes!
June 24: An Industry Beneath Their Feet — Black Music Month presentation delivered by writer, editor, and documentarian, Norman Kelley.
June 25: "Big up yuhself" Crafternoon! — Celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month at CPK and enjoy themed crafts, games, snacks and music!
June 25: Yarnworks Meetup — Join others at Marianne's Cafe at MLK to knit, crochet, chat it up, learn a new skill or all of the above.
June 25: Freedom Lost, Freedom Won — Pulitzer Prize winning former Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson tells our nation’s torturous racial history through his own family’s story.
June 27: Friends Book Sale — This Book Sale is hosted by the Friends of Palisades Neighborhood Library. All proceeds benefit the library. They accept donations every Saturday with a maximum of two bags or boxes.
June 27: Mt. Pleasant Library Friends Merch and Book Sale — Every Saturday, the Mt. Pleasant Library Friends sell merch and used books at the Farmers' Market in Lamont Plaza. Their table is usually on Lamont St NW between 17th and Mt. Pleasant Sts NW.
June 27: MLK Bargain Basement Books & Shop — Browse used books and library merch! All proceeds go directly to the MLK Library Friends.
June 27: Improv for All! at MLK Library — Improv Workshop!
June 27: Play at the Library — The Washington, D.C. Chapter of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA DC) has partnered with the D.C. Public Library to host an interactive showcase.
June 27: Friends of Tenley Library Book Sale — Join the Friends of Tenley Library to shop a range of donated titles with proceeds supporting the library.
June 27: Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen — Join us for a discussion of Cheryl W. Thompson's book, Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen and a Presentation by the East Coast Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
June 28: MLK Creativebug Meet Up — Make an interesting geometric air plant hanger using straws and strings.
June 29: The Writing Room at Benning Library — The Writing Room at Benning Library is a monthly writing session designed for writers who are serious about getting work done.
June 29: The Write Vibe — Writing Program for Teens
June 29: Summer Science Squad — Join us on Mondays this summer for a variety of science and STEAM programs!
June 30: Come Play Mahjong! — We'll learn Hong Kong style, as it’s the most versatile and makes it easier to transition to other styles later. Beginners are highly encouraged! Our group is growing... Join us!
July 2: BiMoTryPro — Teens are invited to try different DIY or hobby projects the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.
July 2: Aspiring Writers Circle — Come join a community of creative writers that meets twice a month to share, write, and learn together!
Never-ending Summer: there’s so much to do in DC!
Weird DC
Washington D.C.
DC’s best sunflower fields during peak bloom
McKee Beshers Wildlife Management Area
Peirce Mill and Rock Creek Park
Peirce Mill
Explore the C&O Canal and Potomac Heritage Trail
Best of Baltimore: 3 Days in Charm City
Baltimore
Secret Cities of the DMV
The Top 5 Public Lakes Near Washington, DC
The 5 Best Zoos Near Washington, DC
The Best Birding Near DC
Take your sweet time at Frying Pan Park
Frying Pan Farm Park - Parking Lot
The 7 Best WMAs Near DC
Meander through the Oatlands Plantation and Gardens
Oatlands Plantation Lane
Hike the Gathland State Park trails
Gathland State Park
Is Kent Island the best beach destination that you’ve never heard of?
Terrapin Nature Park
Hike Sky Meadows State Park
Sky Meadows State Park
Beach Barbecue at Freestone Point, Leesylvania State Park
Leesylvania State Park Barbecue Parking
3 hours at Raven Rocks Trailhead on the Virginia State Line
Raven Rocks Trailhead
DC gardens, nature centers, and easy walks
Best kid-friendly hikes in DC
10 Badass Mountain Biking Trails near Washington, DC
9 Spots to Golf and Putt near DC
Stroll Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Hwy
Discover art & history in Occoquan
Occoquan Historic District
Tour Udvar Hazy Center, Smithsonian’s best Air and Space Museum
14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy
The Ultimate Guide to the Smithsonian & National Mall
600 Independence Ave SW
Wander Mawavi (Prince William Forest Park), the largest National Park in the DMV
Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center
Visit the Holy Land, in Brookland
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America
Get lost in Meadowlark Gardens
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens & Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights