This year, June 5 marks the last day of school for Sidwell Upper School students. As summer approaches, high schoolers across the greater Washington area look to make the most of their free time in June, July, and August.
Fortunately, the nation’s capital and its surrounding regions provide a variety of activities catering to a wide range of interests. In addition to visiting the traditional tourist attractions — including the famous memorials and museums near the National Mall — Old Town Alexandria and Georgetown’s colonial buildings and cobblestone streets offer a historic experience.
Another popular summer activity is to explore the natural parks and trails around Washington, including Great Falls Park, which straddles the Potomac River across Maryland and Virginia. Featuring rushing waterfalls, hiking trails of varying difficulty levels, and panoramic views, Great Falls Park is an ideal spot for summer outings.
Under 30 miles from Sidwell is Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor in Bowie, Maryland. Although the parks in Bowie are set to close on Nov. 2, the final day of Fright Fest, the attractions will remain open throughout summer.
The Fourth of July is also a major event annually in Washington, with locals and tourists alike gathering at the National Mall, U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial or the Netherlands Carillon to see the fireworks against the capitol’s skyline.
Throughout the summer, musicians, singers and songwriters perform in the Washington area. Notable concerts include Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Teddy Swims, Beyoncé, Chris Brown and The Weeknd. The most popular venues are the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, The Anthem on D.C.’s Wharf and Capital One Arena.
The Kennedy Center also hosts a variety of productions and Les Misérables, Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Boublil & Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning phenomenon returns to the Opera House from June 11 to July 13.
For more affordable options for live entertainment, Yards Park in Washington, features a summer concert series on Friday evenings, offering live music, food trucks, and riverfront views. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna allows attendees to bring their own picnic to the lawn and enjoy shows under the stars.
There are also many options to catch a movie over the summer at outdoor or drive-in locations. Every Friday from May 9 to October 3, the Union Market offers a drive-in priced at $20 per car.
NoMa also offers a free outdoor movie series at Alethia Tanner Park, CiNoMatic. The movies take place on Wednesdays at sunset, and viewers are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets and enjoy dinner from a local Washington. food truck as they watch.
This year, from July 2 to 7, the Smithsonian hosts its free Folklife Festival, which salutes different international cultures every year on the National Mall with craft exhibits, live music and cooking demos. Focusing on Youth and the Future of Culture, the festival will also have an expansive marketplace full of pottery, books, textiles, toys, sculptures and clothing.
From Aug. 16 to 18, Montgomery County hosts its annual Agricultural Fair. Tickets for children under 11 are free, while adult tickets are $12 online and $15 in person. The fair, held in Gaithersburg, includes carnival rides, games, and agricultural exhibits.
In addition to exploring the surrounding areas, many high school students use the summer to work and volunteer. In Washington, the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program provides paid positions for residents ages 14 to 24 across various industries. Many county governments in Maryland and Virginia offer similar programs for teens.
