Summer in Arlington packs in the fun with outdoor concerts, events and some of the lowest hotel rates of the year. This season also means hot days and the occasional thunderstorm. In addition to packing sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and umbrellas, here are our travel tips for keeping your whole brood cool this summer in Arlington.
Take the kids to the water at several Arlington parks and a regional waterpark. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Arlington’s Spraygrounds offer a fun to cool off with sprays of water and fun fixtures.
Make a day of water fun at Ocean Dunes Waterpark at Upton Hill Park. This local waterpark features a 500-gallon dumping bucket, waterslides, waterfalls and squirters! The venue also has a large main pool for swimming and splashing around.
Beat the summer heat at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. This multilevel mall boasts more than 170 stores and restaurants, including Macy's, Nordstrom, Apple, Coach, Michael Kors and Tourneau. The mall is connected to the Pentagon City Metro, so you don’t even have to go outside.
Spend a warm afternoon at Ballston Quarter, where you can shop at popular boutiques and grab your favorite food or sweet treat from local restaurants at the Quarter Market food hall. Ballston Quarter will also keep the whole fam entertained: catch a movie at Regal Cinemas, try your hand at 5 Wits’ live action-adventure, or lace up for a public skate on the ice the Medstar Capitals Iceplex.
Take in incredible 360-degree views of Washington, D.C. and Virginia from Marine Corps War Memorial. Go at dusk to see glittering skyline views and beat the heat.
Hop on an evening tour of Washington, D.C. with Big Bus Tours. Enjoy the glittering monuments and dazzling skyline as you take in the area’s top sights after the sun has set.
Play brain teasers with your crew indoors in Arlington’s escape rooms. Escape Room Arlington on Columbia Pike has four unique experiences that will keep your mind working and heart pounding through each exciting adventure. New to the scene, Bond’s Escape Room just opened in the Clarendon neighborhood and will feature six escape rooms including Saddlewood Saloon and Battle for Gahl-Zaan: Enchanted Castle.
Make your way indoors to see a musical, comedy show, or dance performance. Head to the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse – a local favorite for its relaxed atmosphere and food-and-drink service – for a movie, event or comedy show. Arlington also has several local theaters and performance groups with world-class credentials. Check out this article for more details on what’s playing.
Enjoy the warm weather as the sun goes down on Arlington’s rooftops.
Author: Talia Salem
See the sights of the nation's capital on this Hop On - Hop Off from an open top bus.
