City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
😎 Is DC the best summer city?
July 3, 2025 · 💌 Kaela
Hey, reader! We’re gearing up for a long holiday weekend, so we have something a little ~different~ for your inbox today. Below, you’ll find some expert recs on how to get the most out of D.C. this summer, along with a special quiz designed to help you find a summer trip that fits your vibe.
P.S. We’re off tomorrow so we won’t be back in your inbox until Monday. Try not to miss us too much, and enjoy those fireworks (also, if you’re looking for a quick anecdote to sound smart at the BBQ, check out this piece on how the Independence Day fireworks tradition began.)
DC Summer Starter Pack
D.C. has been an inferno lately and the only thing on my mind is when and how I can get in a body of water. Luckily, the DPR pools in D.C. are free for residents. Here are our favorites whether you're looking for busy splash pools or shaded reading time.
The Best Camping Spots Near DC
One of the best parts about D.C. is how accessible the outdoors is. Seriously, some of these spots you can get to via Metro. Whether you’re a full-kitchen glamper or a “I dig my own toilet” camper, these are our best tried-and-true spots — all within two hours of D.C.
The Best Free Things To Do In DC This Summer
Quite frankly, if you're bored during D.C. summer, that’s a skill issue. There are so many fun events this season and the best ones are completely free. Here’s how to make the most of D.C. summer while keeping your wallet intact.
Summer is all about flirting. I’m not here to tell you how to flirt (to each their own). But I can tell you where to go to try out your moves. So, ditch the phone, ditch the apps, and get out there.
Is DC the Best in the Country for a Summer Trip?
All 13 City Cast podcast hosts came together for a high-stakes showdown to answer the question that’s been burning up our company-wide Slack for weeks: Which city is the best travel destination? From naked bike rides to “the country’s best farmers market,” pickle festivals to Elvis impersonators, our hosts are bringing the best of what their city has to offer. And yes, we do pick a winner.
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Where Should You Plan Your Next Summer Weekend Trip?
While our 13 City Cast cities (Austin, Boise, Chicago, D.C., Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, and Salt Lake) duked it out in our most recent podcast episode, debating which city is the best, we wanted to give you the chance to find the summer city that best suits your vibe, too.
Would you rather eat at a kitschy Mexican restaurant with a 30-foot waterfall and cliff divers, or explore a pickle-themed festival spread across two scenic bridges? Embark on a naked bike ride (which doubles as a protest) or kayak down a historic river? Our Buzzfeed-style quiz will match you with your perfect destination.
What To Do
Friday, July 4
- 🇺🇸 National Independence Day Parade from 7th to 17th Street (Constitution Avenue)
- 🎶 A Capitol Fourth Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol (National Mall)
- 📜 4th of July Celebration with the National Archives (National Mall)
- 🪧 Pickets, Protests, and Parades Exhibit Tour at Freedom Plaza (National Mall)
- 🪩 Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA at 9:30 Club (U Street Corridor)
- 🎤 DC Carnival & CultureFest Present XEN Live! at the Howard Theatre (Shaw)
- 🔊 Nicolian Julian at Soundcheck DC (Downtown)
- 🎇 Fourth of July on the Farm at Edgewood Community Farm (Bloomingdale)
- ⚾ Nationals vs Red Sox at Nationals Park (Navy Yard)
Saturday, July 5
- 🎉 AfroAmp Summer Festival at Culture (Ivy City)
- 📚 Black Studies Book Club at MLK Library (Downtown)
- 🤘 Tunes: Astronaut Class (Rock) at The Pocket (Truxton Circle)
- 🤠 The DC Stampede: A Country Western Dance Party at Union Stage (The Wharf)
- 😋 Ghanaian Food Festival In Fort Hunt Park (Alexandria)
Sunday, July 6
- 🫖 DC Dyke Night Rooftop Tea Party at DC9 (Shaw)
- 🐈 Cat Contest 2025 at Alexandria Library
- 🎨 Free Community Day at National Museum of Women in the Arts (Downtown)
- 🥕 Soil & Scraps: A DIY Composting Workshop at PLNTR (Dupont)
🌭 An estimated 150 million hot dogs will be eaten on the Fourth of July, according to the esteemed National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. That amount of weiners would stretch lengthwise across the country (from D.C. to LA) at least five times. Take this as your sign to use hot dog lengths as your standard unit of measurement this weekend. How far to the neighbor’s BBQ? 57 hot dogs. Where’s the nearest Metro station? 456 hot dogs.
Anyway, have a great Fourth of July! See you Monday 😎
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