August may be the final month of the summer, but there is still plenty of time to enjoy it in the District. To help you make the most of these last dog days of summer, we’ve compiled a jam-packed roundup of all the best things to do!
1. Reenact your favorite show moments at The Office Experience
Step into the shoes of the World’s Best Boss with the interactive The Office Experience! With 17 realistic set representations — including the Dunder Mifflin office and Schrute Farms — you can reenact all of your favorite scenes, from Kevin’s chili spill to the coal walk. You can grab tickets here!
2. Witness art come to life at Mexican Geniuses: A Frida & Diego Immersive Experience
You can immerse yourself in the art and lives of renowned Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera at this stunning interactive experience. This 360-degree projection and multimedia art installation will give you a unique perspective into the duo’s art, culture, history, and inspirations.
3-6. Relax to the sounds of classical music by candlelight
The Fever Originals Candlelight series is the perfect way to unwind. You can lose yourself in classical renditions of your favorite tunes amid soft candlelight. With multiple genres and musical themes to choose from, there’s bound to be a concert that’s perfect for you!
- Candlelight: From Bach to The Beatles
- Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer at Miracle Theater
- Candlelight: The Best Anime Soundtracks from Joe Hisaishi
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele at Culture House
7. Stimulate your senses by dining in the dark
Looking for an exciting surprise? What’s more exciting than a blindfolded dinner? Dining in the Dark allows you to pick a surprise three-course meal based on your dietary preferences (green for vegan, blue for seafood, or red for meat) that will stimulate your senses!
8-9. Immerse yourself in renowned art
What could be more awe-inspiring than immersing yourself in your favorite art? The Immersive Van Gogh Experience and the Immersive Monet help you do just that! The exhibits use floor-to-ceiling projections to showcase each artist’s famous works, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in their art. Buy tickets to Van Gogh here or join the waitlist for Monet here!
10. Get a behind-the scenes glimpse of royal life with Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition
Just outside of D.C. in Tyson’s Corner, Va., a stunning exhibit is giving you an exclusive glimpse into the royal life of the late Princess Diana until September 8. Featuring multimedia renderings by Pauline Loctin and commentary from Diana’s Diana’s Official Royal Photographer, Anwar Hussein, you will see an unseen side of her life.
11. Experience Radiotheatre’s H.P. Lovecraft Festival Online
From the comfort of your own home you can immerse yourself in this online streaming festival of audio packages, featuring the award-winning audio entertainment group Radiotheatre. It’s hard to beat experiencing original scores and unique performances that are brought right to you!
12. Enter prehistoric times with Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience
Have you ever wished you could come face-to-face with a dinosaur in real life? This is (sort of) your chance! Dino’s Alive immerse you in prehistoric times with more than 80 virtual and life-size moving models of dinosaurs, including favorites such as the T-Rex, Velociraptor, Stegosaurus, and more! Join the waitlist now to secure the first chance to grab tickets.
13. Get a private tour of two beloved Smithsonians
It isn’t a recreation of “Night at the Museum” but it’s a close second! You and seven others can experience a private or semi-private tour, complete with a private guide, of the Natural History Museum and the National Gallery of Art. Over five-and-a-half hours, plus a lunch break, you’ll get to see some of the most renowned works these museums have to offer!
14. Experience Shakespeare like never before
“All the world’s a stage,” and Drunk Shakespeare D.C. is hitting the stage like you’ve never experienced before! Grab a drink yourself and watch five classically-trained (and intoxicated) actors attempt to recreate some of Shakespeare’s most famous works to hilarious results!
15. Catch a concert at your favorite local venue
August is bringing musicians from all genres to D.C. to play at all of your favorite local venues — big and small! Here’s a few you won’t want to miss!
- Capital One Arena: Michael Buble (Aug. 29)
- The Anthem: Charlie XCX (Aug. 6), Kehlani (Aug. 7), Leon Bridges (Aug. 10), Blondie (Aug. 21), and Lorde (Aug. 29)
- Echostage: The Kid Laroi (Aug. 17), deadmau5 (Aug. 20)
- 9:30 Club: Local Natives (Aug. 25)
16. Patronize your favorite local businesses
Use the summer weather as an excuse to head outside and support your favorite local businesses and shops! From Lily’s Flower Truck to Shop Made In D.C. to local bookstores and the 23rd Annual MidCity Dog Days festival (featuring local businesses along Logan Circle and U Street from Aug. 6-7), the possibilities are endless!
17. Dine at District favorites for Summer D.C. Restaurant Week
Restaurant Week is back this summer from Aug. 15-21, offering you the chance to dine in (or out!) at some of D.C.’s best restaurants for a great price! With lunch/brunch at $25 and dinners ranging from $40-$55, this is a mouthwatering deal you don’t want to miss!
18. Lose yourself in music at the D.C. World Reggae Festival
Music lovers can experience all facets of reggae music and its various off-shoots through a variety of renowned and local artists at this amazing “Caribbean cultured event” held at RFK Stadium Aug. 20-21.
19. Treat your taste buds at the Around the World Cultural Food Festival
Across the river at Oronoko Bay Park on the Alexandria waterfront, you can explore cultures worldwide through the ultimate uniter — food. On Aug. 27 you can take in the culture of more than 20 countries through native dishes and stunning performances!
20. Enjoy America’s pastime at a Washington Nationals game
Baseball! A hot dog, some peanuts, and cheering on the home team is a classic summer activity that never fails to be fun — win or lose!
21-25. Catch one of these stunning art exhibits
D.C. is home to over 70 museums, including 19 free Smithsonian museums and galleries, each boasting numerous must-see exhibits! Here are a few you want to be sure to catch this August:
- The Phillips Collection: Intersections: Marta Perez Garcia
- National Museum of African American History and Culture: Make Good the Promises: Reconstruction and Its Legacies
- Hirshhorn Museum: Put It This Way: (Re)Visions of the Hirshhorn Collection
- Renwick Gallery: This Present Moment- Crafting A Better World
26. Discover ‘Whimsy’ at this fanciful and artistic dining experience
Dinner and a show takes on an entirely new meaning with Whimsy, a 360°culinary art experience at The St. Regis Washington, D.C. Not previously hosted in the United States, this $195 per person experience includes a prix fixe five-course menu with the option to add wine pairings for an additional fee as you’re whisked away to places real and imagined.
27. Enjoy a drink and warm weather at one of these rooftop bars
Warm weather and drinks while taking in a view of D.C. is virtually unbeatable! The District has a number of rooftop bars with gorgeous city views just waiting for you!
What’s better than a free outdoor movie?! Just outside of D.C. at National Harbor, the Movies on the Potomac series is in full-swing. Fun for all ages, every 6 p.m. on Sunday features a family-friendly film, while couples and adults can come for Thursday’s 7 p.m. date night showings. Even better — each month has an overall theme! If you love musicals, then August is the perfect month for you! Find a full calendar listing of films here.
29. Take a tiki cruise on the Potomac
The people who brought you the Potomac Paddle Club just launched the Potomac Tiki Club in Georgetown! Groups of 8-18 can set sail on the Potomac for a 90-minute cruise, taking in the sights and having a drink. The tiki cruise offers an assortment of alcoholic beverages for purchase on board, and you can bring your own bottle of wine or champagne for an $8 uncorking fee. Light snacks are also available for purchase, but the cruise is BYOF (bring your own food). You can schedule a slot for an upcoming weekend, here!
30. Take your pup to one of these dog-friendly bars
D.C. is the paw-fect place if you’re a dog-lover looking to have a drink! The District is crawling with beer gardens and bars that are pup friendly. As the weather gets warmer, grab your furry friend and head to one of our favorite dog-friendly bars where you can enjoy it together!
31. Par-take in a fun-filled round of mini golf
Fun for all ages, mini golf is always a hole-in-one! Luckily, the D.C.-area has a variety of options, from the beloved chain Swingers to Tyson Corner’s Perch Putt, and from the classic East Potomac Mini Golf to the newly-opened Puttery, grab a drink and putt away!
32. Visit one of D.C.’s breathtaking gardens
D.C. is a vibrant city but still filled with beautiful places where you can admire nature and stop and smell the roses — literally! Grab a friend (or go solo) and take a leisurely stroll through one of these beautiful gardens!
33. Beat the heat with local ice cream
Temperatures are soaring and ice cream is still a tried and true way to beat the heat! Luckily, D.C. has a variety of local shops and chains to help you do so!
Looking to explore the great outdoors? D.C. might be a city, but it’s also within driving distance from some great hiking trails with equally gorgeous views!
35. Get out of the city for a refreshing dip outdoors
Looking to get away from the city and enjoy the outdoors? Why not embrace the warm weather with a hike followed by a dip at one of these outdoor swimming spots?! Some can even allow for kayaking! All located just a short drive from D.C., these spots are worth the trip.