Whether you’re new to D.C. or a seasoned visitor, you probably can’t wait to explore the city once you get to GW. You’ll have four years to tour the monuments and catch a show in Lisner Auditorium, so make sure to take full advantage of your brief free time during Colonial Inauguration.
From outdoor festivals to late-night bites, there’s nothing like summer in the District — and CI-goers shouldn’t miss out.
Night No. 1
D.C. Outdoor Movies
Your first day of CI will be jam-packed — from the trip into D.C. to setting up in Thurston Hall and getting to know your CI group. If you need to unwind but you’re still itching to see the city, try checking out a free outdoor movie.
Movies during CI sessions include Selma on June 11 and The Princess Bride on June 18 at Capitol Waterfront, as well as The Bicycle Thief in Adams Morgan on June 23 and Grease at NoMA Summer Screen on July 1. Bring a lawn chair and be on time — movies start at sundown.
Kramerbooks and Afterwords Cafe, 1517 Connecticut Ave. NW
If you’re feeling restless and looking for some more action than just a midnight monument walk, Dupont Circle is always buzzing with nightlife. Catering to the late crowd, the Kramerbooks and Afterwords Cafe is open until 4 a.m.
Whether you want to enjoy some live jazz and rock music or find a quiet space to browse the eclectic mix of books, make sure to come to Kramerbooks and Afterwords with an empty stomach — desserts include triple chocolate cake and the “dysfunctional family sundae” loaded with hot fudge, whipped cream and an amaretto brownie, both for around $8.
Wiseguy NY Pizza, 300 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Go-to joints for late night food like Crepeaway and Jumbo Slice will likely become a staple in your diet by the end of your first semester. But with a whole night to explore the city, you can check out some other junk food joints.
You have all night to fill up on a slice of New York-style pizza for around $3 – Wiseguy stays open until 5 a.m. on weekends, 3 a.m. on Thursdays, and 1 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday.
Night no. 2
The Source Festival, Source Theatre, 1835 14th St. NW
If the CI skits whet your appetite for theater, check out some performances at the annual Source Festival. At the Source Theatre in the trendy U Street corridor, the festival showcases experimental works from upcoming playwrights and performers.
Tickets go for $10 to $15 to see everything from full length plays to 10-minute plays and “artistic blind dates,” which allow three different groups of artists to collaborate on a new works.
Jazz in the Garden, National Gallery Sculpture Garden, 7th St. and Constitution Ave. NW
You won’t want to skip the outdoor jazz concerts in the Sculpture Garden that are only available during the summer.
The music begins every Friday at 5:30 p.m. While enjoying the music among the fountains and modern art, you can grab a bite to eat — like the smoked brisket sandwich or summer vegetable sandwich— for $10 at the garden’s Pavilion Cafe.
Pleasant Pops, 1781 Florida Ave. NW
Dessert on your last night in D.C. is a must, and you might think to check out the long lines at one of Georgetown’s cupcake shops. But Pleasant Pops offers some lighter fare so you can cool off after a day of exploring.
Tucked in the lively and colorful Adams Morgan neighborhood, Pleasant Pops has been serving ice pops in eccentric flavors like blueberry pancake and the “guac pop”— with avocado and lime— for five years.
