Welcome to hell! A.K.A. July in Washington. It separates the tourists from the locals, the strong from the weak, and you’ll only get through it if you know exactly what to do to make it fun. This list is a pretty good place to start.
Go Camping In West Virginia:
🎶 Country roads take me home 🎶 Escape the city heat and blast John Denver all the way to the woods of West Virginia with nothing but a tent and some Coronas. West Virginia has stunning views without the crowds and permit hassles of Shenandoah. My favorite spots are Dolly Sods and Seneca Rocks, both of which have great hiking nearby.
Attend a "Small Town" 4th of July Parade:
If standing in the hot crowds on Independence Ave. isn’t your style, opt for one of D.C.’s small-town-style Fourth of July parades instead. The charming Palisade’s parade ends with hot dogs and music in the park, while the Capitol Hill one is complete with a high school marching band and dancers throwing out candy.
Fireworks at Cardozo High School:
Fireworks on the National Mall are for tourists. The real ones go to the high school parking lot. The view over the city is unparalleled for watching the fireworks display. There are DJ’s, food stands, and kids games. Come party with your Columbia Heights neighbors!
Fourth of July firework display at Cardozo High School. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Capital Fringe Festival:
D.C.’s largest theater festival is back from July 11 - 21 with dozens of performances coming to venues throughout the Golden Triangle area. You can find shows on everything from comedy to murder mysteries, and everything in between.
Go on a Booze Cruise:
Embark on a journey up the Potomac, orange crush in hand. Whitlow’s on the Water is a fully-fledged floating bar with individual tickets starting at $29. Or, you and your BFF’s can rent a hot tub boat starting at $350. And of course, there is always the Georgetown Tiki Club Cruise at $45 per person.
