240 Looks Good on you, Miss America! Let the Weekend Activities Begin.
Wow, 240 years young is a big one. Below we have holiday weekend suggestions for both our visitors and locals.
Night at the Museum
Start off your weekend with a night at the museum, although we can’t promise anything will come to life. The Air and Space Museum is hosting an All Night at the Museum Party. The museum is celebrating its 40th birthday the same weekend as the United States, but luckily everyone’s invited to both parties, so no awkwardness here. The best part about the event? It’s free! Doors open at 9:00 p.m. on July 1st and close at 10:00 a.m. on July 2nd.
Stars, Stripes and Stilts
Are you mesmerized by guys on stilts wearing star spangled pants? Then be sure to check out the National Independence Day Parade on the Fourth of July! The parade features bands, the drum corps, drill teams, military and specialty units, and even some celebs. Another highlight is those cool dudes dressed up in colonial outfits – tricorn hats used to be all the rage. The parade starts Monday at 11:45 a.m. on Constitution Avenue.
Backyard Band
This one time… the historic Howard Theatre is hosting the 4th of July Weekend Backyard Band Fan Appreciation Party on Saturday, July 2 at 11pm. Tickets to see the Backyard Band are $30 and are available here.
An Old Fashioned Fourth
Do you people even know why we celebrate the Fourth of July? Your history teachers would be ashamed if you’ve forgotten. On July 4th, 1776 a bunch of old guys signed a paper claiming independence from England. John Hancock totally stole the spotlight on this one. If you haven’t seen it, the Declaration of Independence lives in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. There’s no better weekend to pay a visit and learn more about the beginnings of the United States. Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Presidential Paintings
Museums, museums, and more museums. The American Presidents Exhibit in the National Portrait Gallery is another great place to visit during the holiday weekend. This exhibit has all our fave guys from Washington to Lincoln to Kennedy. If you want to see paintings and pictures of important men in suits, this is the place for you.
Capitol Concert
Free concert alert! Every year, the district puts on “A Capitol Fourth” for the general public. A lot of famous performers will grace the stage this year, including Smokey Robinson and Gavin DeGraw. The musical event takes place on July 4th on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, but we also have a secret for you… You can head to the lawn on July 3rd to watch a dress rehearsal of the concert with fewer crowds around 6:00 p.m. On the 4th, fireworks on the National Mall follow the event. The fireworks go off at 9:09 at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Wahoo!
It’s a Folklife After All
Nothing is better than going to events “fo free”. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival will run all weekend. At the festival, you can eat, play games, explore a market with things from all over the globe, and even learn how to make salt! Check the page for times and specific events.
Red, White and Budlight
Enjoy beers and views of D.C. at The Embassy Row Hotel’s free Independence Day Rooftop Pool Party from Noon to 5pm. American flag speedos are encouraged.
Peanuts and Cracker Jacks
Finally, if you haven’t made your way to Nats Park this summer, you should on Monday. The Fourth of July game pits the Washington Nationals against the Milwaukee Brewers. Unfortunately Bryce Harper will be fully clothed at the game unlike his ESPN photo shoot, but there’s no better way to celebrate America’s birthday than with baseball.
