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Your Washington, DC Summer Bucket List
We’ve gathered up some of the most exciting reasons to visit the nation’s capital this summer, culminating in a lively Labor Day send-off. If you’re interested in catching a baseball game, savoring a great meal at an award-winning restaurant or exploring colorful street murals throughout the city, it’s all possible. Right now is the perfect time to plan your next visit to DC with these memory-making, only-in-DC trip ideas.
Amazing Boating Experiences You Need to Try in Washington, DC
As exciting waterfront destinations pull more visitors and locals closer and closer to the river, you might be surprised to know what’s waiting just beyond DC's shoreline. The area’s top boating and tour companies provide plenty of unique experiences on the water and there’s never been a better time to seek an off-land escape on the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.
Can't-Miss Summer Events & Festivals in Washington, DC
Washington, DC never lacks for can't-miss events and warm-weather festivals. In fact, there are so many amazing choices that it can be tough to figure out which to attend. No worries – we’ve got you covered with some of the season’s biggest events and festivals that are perfect for having the best summer ever. Make sure to check out our things to do this week, weekend and month as well.
Visiting the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
What's new at the National Air & Space Museum? Are there ongoing renovations or openings? The renovation of all 20 galleries, which began in 2018, will include the unveiling of five new exhibitions, the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater and a redesigned entrance on July 28. The project as a whole is scheduled to conclude next year on July 1 – the 50th anniversary of the museum in Washington and the 250th anniversary of the United States. What is the National Air & Space Museum? Glimpse the 1903 Wright Flyer, run your hands over moon rock and experience the larger-than-life world of aviation and space travel at the National Air and Space Museum. Since opening on the National Mall in 1976, this hub of all things flight has educated and inspired future generations of pilots and astronauts from around the world. The museum (along with its second location, the Udvar-Hazy Center, in Chantilly, Va.) contains the largest and most significant collection of aviation and space artifacts in the world. All components of human flight are on display, including related art and archival materials. What are the opening hours of the National Air and Space Museum? Do I need tickets? Regular hours are 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Admission is always free, and easy-to-reserve timed-entry tickets are required. Read the ticket FAQs for more info. Where is the National Air and Space Museum located? How do I get there? The museum is located on Jefferson Drive, between 4th and 7th Streets SW, with a public entrance on Independence Avenue SW. The easiest way to reach the museum is via Metrorail or Metrobus. The closest Metro station is L’Enfant Plaza (Blue, Green, Orange, Silver and Yellow lines). Learn more about the museum's accessibility features on its website. The Museum’s second facility, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located just south of Dulles Airport’s runways in Fairfax County, Virginia. It is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Visit the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center website for more information. What’s inside the National Air and Space Museum? The Air and Space Museum takes visitors to the sky, showcasing the amazing technological achievements that have progressed aviation and space exploration throughout the last century. The historical objects on display are breathtaking – fundamental to the story of flight. The 1903 Wright Flyer, which completed the world’s first successful flight, and Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, the first aircraft to complete a nonstop flight from New York to Paris, are two fan favorites. The Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, the only portion of the Apollo 11 spacecraft to return to Earth, is currently at the Udvar-Hazy Center. Visitors can also see the spacesuit astronaut Neil Armstrong wore during his mission to the moon and touch a sample of a lunar rock brought back from the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Plus, thousands of artifacts are back on display as a part of the 2025 unveiling. Returning artifacts include the Spirit of St. Louis, the North American X-15, John Glenn’s Mercury Friendship 7 capsule, Apollo Lunar Module 2 and the touchable moon rock. New additions include the Sopwith F.1 Camel, Virgin Galactic’s RocketMotorTwo, a Blue Origin New Shepard crew capsule mockup and a Goddard 1935 A series rocket are among new additions to the galleries. Exciting new exhibits include Futures in Space, World War I: The Birth of Military Flight and more. Browse the full lineup of exhibitions, current and upcoming. How can I visit the Planetarium and IMAX Theater? While most regularly scheduled Northrop Grumman Planetarium shows require paid entry tickets, there are a handful of monthly shows that are free to attend, including family-friendly favorite Big Bird's Adventure. Whichever you choose, tickets must be picked up on-site at the box office. The Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, newly reopened as of July 2025, is a unique way to see Hollywood films. The facility now touts improved sound and picture quality, new seats and an updated lobby, plus perks like ticket pre-ordering and select-a-seat options for both 2D and 3D screenings. What are my dining and shopping options at the Air and Space Museum? Mars Café, located on the lower level, opens daily from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Museum Store provides out-of-this-world, gift shop favorites. Stop by a stellar Only1DC event Look through the lens of a high-powered telescope and watch as celestial bodies come into focus. Throughout the year, astronomy program events like daytime sun-gazing at the Museum (Fridays and Saturdays) and nighttime stargazing at the Hazy Center (monthly) bring out volunteer experts – many of whom share their personal telescopes – to give families, couples and curious visitors a taste of the cosmos. The calendar is always full: in addition to astronomy events and planetarium shows, you can also catch children's Story Time and scientific lecture events.
Your Washington, DC Summer Bucket List
We’ve gathered up some of the most exciting reasons to visit the nation’s capital this summer, culminating in a lively Labor Day send-off. If you’re interested in catching a baseball game, savoring a great meal at an award-winning restaurant or exploring colorful street murals throughout the city, it’s all possible. Right now is the perfect time to plan your next visit to DC with these memory-making, only-in-DC trip ideas.
Amazing Boating Experiences You Need to Try in Washington, DC
As exciting waterfront destinations pull more visitors and locals closer and closer to the river, you might be surprised to know what’s waiting just beyond DC's shoreline. The area’s top boating and tour companies provide plenty of unique experiences on the water and there’s never been a better time to seek an off-land escape on the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.
Can't-Miss Summer Events & Festivals in Washington, DC
Washington, DC never lacks for can't-miss events and warm-weather festivals. In fact, there are so many amazing choices that it can be tough to figure out which to attend. No worries – we’ve got you covered with some of the season’s biggest events and festivals that are perfect for having the best summer ever. Make sure to check out our things to do this week, weekend and month as well.
Visiting the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
What's new at the National Air & Space Museum? Are there ongoing renovations or openings? The renovation of all 20 galleries, which began in 2018, will include the unveiling of five new exhibitions, the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater and a redesigned entrance on July 28. The project as a whole is scheduled to conclude next year on July 1 – the 50th anniversary of the museum in Washington and the 250th anniversary of the United States. What is the National Air & Space Museum? Glimpse the 1903 Wright Flyer, run your hands over moon rock and experience the larger-than-life world of aviation and space travel at the National Air and Space Museum. Since opening on the National Mall in 1976, this hub of all things flight has educated and inspired future generations of pilots and astronauts from around the world. The museum (along with its second location, the Udvar-Hazy Center, in Chantilly, Va.) contains the largest and most significant collection of aviation and space artifacts in the world. All components of human flight are on display, including related art and archival materials. What are the opening hours of the National Air and Space Museum? Do I need tickets? Regular hours are 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Admission is always free, and easy-to-reserve timed-entry tickets are required. Read the ticket FAQs for more info. Where is the National Air and Space Museum located? How do I get there? The museum is located on Jefferson Drive, between 4th and 7th Streets SW, with a public entrance on Independence Avenue SW. The easiest way to reach the museum is via Metrorail or Metrobus. The closest Metro station is L’Enfant Plaza (Blue, Green, Orange, Silver and Yellow lines). Learn more about the museum's accessibility features on its website. The Museum’s second facility, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located just south of Dulles Airport’s runways in Fairfax County, Virginia. It is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Visit the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center website for more information. What’s inside the National Air and Space Museum? The Air and Space Museum takes visitors to the sky, showcasing the amazing technological achievements that have progressed aviation and space exploration throughout the last century. The historical objects on display are breathtaking – fundamental to the story of flight. The 1903 Wright Flyer, which completed the world’s first successful flight, and Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, the first aircraft to complete a nonstop flight from New York to Paris, are two fan favorites. The Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, the only portion of the Apollo 11 spacecraft to return to Earth, is currently at the Udvar-Hazy Center. Visitors can also see the spacesuit astronaut Neil Armstrong wore during his mission to the moon and touch a sample of a lunar rock brought back from the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Plus, thousands of artifacts are back on display as a part of the 2025 unveiling. Returning artifacts include the Spirit of St. Louis, the North American X-15, John Glenn’s Mercury Friendship 7 capsule, Apollo Lunar Module 2 and the touchable moon rock. New additions include the Sopwith F.1 Camel, Virgin Galactic’s RocketMotorTwo, a Blue Origin New Shepard crew capsule mockup and a Goddard 1935 A series rocket are among new additions to the galleries. Exciting new exhibits include Futures in Space, World War I: The Birth of Military Flight and more. Browse the full lineup of exhibitions, current and upcoming. How can I visit the Planetarium and IMAX Theater? While most regularly scheduled Northrop Grumman Planetarium shows require paid entry tickets, there are a handful of monthly shows that are free to attend, including family-friendly favorite Big Bird's Adventure. Whichever you choose, tickets must be picked up on-site at the box office. The Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, newly reopened as of July 2025, is a unique way to see Hollywood films. The facility now touts improved sound and picture quality, new seats and an updated lobby, plus perks like ticket pre-ordering and select-a-seat options for both 2D and 3D screenings. What are my dining and shopping options at the Air and Space Museum? Mars Café, located on the lower level, opens daily from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Museum Store provides out-of-this-world, gift shop favorites. Stop by a stellar Only1DC event Look through the lens of a high-powered telescope and watch as celestial bodies come into focus. Throughout the year, astronomy program events like daytime sun-gazing at the Museum (Fridays and Saturdays) and nighttime stargazing at the Hazy Center (monthly) bring out volunteer experts – many of whom share their personal telescopes – to give families, couples and curious visitors a taste of the cosmos. The calendar is always full: in addition to astronomy events and planetarium shows, you can also catch children's Story Time and scientific lecture events.
