Your D.C. end-of-summer bucket list
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Good Fortune rooftop lounge. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Heron
Fall is coming fast — temps are dropping, pumpkin spice is wafting — but there's still summer fun to be had.
Why it matters: It's time to check the last can't-miss summer experiences off your list.
🚗 Plan a getaway
Grab your fellow foodie for one of several new getaways under a 150-mile drive from D.C.
Zoom in: Several inns and B&Bs with a food and drink focus recently popped up in the region, including Alexandria's swanky Hotel Heron which boasts a wood-fired locavore restaurant and scenic rooftop bar.
- I'm also dream-planning an escape to this "b&b&b" (a bed and breakfast and bourbon distillery) in Fredericksburg.
The intrigue: Some classics have new reasons to get out of town. I'd happily drive to Middleburg to hit up Goodstone Inn's gorgeous pool, offering non-guest passes for the first time.
🛥️ Rent a boat
There's a flotilla of charter and rental options around D.C. at every price point, including new options this season like tiki cruiser Whitlow's on Water.
The big picture: Affordable fleets include retro boats, cozy "picnic boats," and spacious sun cruisers. Get fancy on a French sailing yacht.
Zoom in: For kayaking, paddle boards, canoes, etc., check out Boating in DC. It's a one-stop shop for rentals, marinas, and paddle tours.
Bonus: You don't need a boat to drink like a captain. The new marina bar Catboat Pizza near Alexandria has delicious pizzas, wines, and river views, while locals also love the semi-secret marina bar on the Pentagon Lagoon.
🎢 Find a fair
Tickets for popular fall festivals are already live, and some like the Maryland Renaissance Festival have started their season. But summer fairs are still in full swing.
Zoom in: The Maryland State Fair north of Baltimore just started (through Sept. 8) with tons of live music, carnival rides, horse races, and competitions.
What's next: The Charles County Fair (Sept. 12-15), The Great Frederick Fair (Sept. 13-21), the State Fair of Virginia (Sept. 27-Oct. 6) and more.
👙 Play pool
D.C.'s outdoor public pools and spray parks are open through Labor Day.
Zoom in: All 22 pools are free for D.C. residents. Others can purchase day and summer passes (prices vary by age).
The intrigue: D.C. is filled with fancy private and hotel pools that the public can access with passes. Locals can rent backyard pools via Swimply (like an Airbnb for swimming).
What we're watching: A date for D.C.'s Doggie Day Swim, where pups get public pool time for a day to end the season.
🦀 Crack crabs
Chesapeake crab season runs through fall, and it's the best time of year to eat them. They've had all year to fatten up, plus they're usually cheaper post-Labor Day.
Zoom in: Your best bet for a feast in D.C. proper is Ivy City Smokehouse. Get cracking indoors or on the deck.
- Arlington's Quarterdeck is always popular. Ditto for the stalwart Bethesda Crab House.
Zoom out: You can't beat the Bay for the real-deal experience. These are some of my favorite crab houses around Annapolis and the Eastern Shore.