D.C.'s record-breaking stretch of rainfall is making our yards look like jungles, but worse might be the effect on our moods. Days and days of dreary weather is wearing on the psyche -- so we dug deep and found ways to have fun despite the weather.
1) Visit the U.S. Botanic Garden for an indoor walk through nature.
A stroll through the U.S. Botanic Garden (100 Maryland Ave. SW) may be the closest you'll get to a true nature walk this week. Head to the gardens Saturday at 10:30 a.m. for a free yoga session sponsored by WithLoveDC, which aims to foster acceptance and accessibility for everyone in D.C.
2) Pretend you're skipping town at the EU embassies.
Leaving town to escape the weather might be a bit of a logistical challenge. Lucky for you, 28 EU embassies are opening their doors Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a day packed with food, culture and a massive scavenger hunt. Keep your umbrella handy though because this annual event always promises long waits in outdoor lines.
3) Get a head start on swim season at Great Wolf Lodge.
If you really miss D.C.'s summer humidity, Great Wolf Lodge (549 East Rochambeau Drive, Williamsburg, Virginia) may be just the place for you to celebrate the summer to come. The lodge's indoor water park includes a variety of slides and pools the whole family can enjoy. While you're there, plan a visit to Elements Spa Salon for a truly relaxing getaway.
The Scene
The most fun things to do and places to be in D.C., Maryland and Virginia
4) Embrace the gloom and search for comfort foods.
A rainy day is a perfect opportunity to leave your neighborhood in pursuit of good food. Baked and Wired (1052 Thomas Jefferson St. NW) in Georgetown offers cupcakes and coffee in a cozy environment if you're willing to take on the weekend lines. For a quieter scene, head to Teaism, which has multiple locations around the District, and get a bite to eat and, of course, a great cup of hot tea.
5) Or stay home and get cooking.
If you really can't bear the thought of heading out in the gloom, search for a new recipe to try at home. Look to websites like Allrecipes, Epicurious or Pinterest for a wide variety of new ideas, or call your friends for a baking day and recipe swap.
6) Work off all that food at an indoor trampoline park.
Now that you've eaten your way through a weather-induced slump, it's time to get your adrenaline going at Flight Trampoline Park (7200 Fullerton Road, Springfield, Virginia). Bouncing around on 15,000 square feet of interconnected trampolines only 30 minutes away from the city will certainly cheer you up on even the most dismal of rainy days. Check the park's website for a schedule of unique trampoline workout classes called "Fit Flight," which are hosted four days per week.
7) Climb out of the gloom with a rocky adventure.
An afternoon of indoor rock climbing is another way to get ready for all the outdoor fun that is yet to come this summer. Multiple gyms and climbing locations in the area -- including Sportrock (Alexandria and Sterling) and Earth Treks (Arlington and Rockville) -- offer rock walls and climbing classes for beginners. Be sure to check website like Groupon and LivingSocial for local deals on climbing passes.
8) Fly high at trapeze school.
Few indoor workouts are more invigorating than soaring through the air at the Trapeze School New York (1299 New Jersey Ave. SE). The school's flying trapeze course is a fun way to escape both your comfort zone and the bad weather. Take an indoor class now and come back again to experience the outdoor rig when the weather gets warmer.
9) Enjoy the rain or sunshine at Biergarten Haus on H Street.
The D.C. treasure otherwise known as Biergarten Haus (1355 H St. NE) offers multiple indoor and outdoor bars, giving you the perfect social space no matter what the weekend weather turns out to be. Enjoy three outdoor spaces plus a rooftop deck if the sun shows for a moment, or stay inside for two stories of German-inspired boozy fun right here in the District.
10) Do dinner and a show at Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse.
Of course, if the weather really does have you down, a movie marathon paired with take out pizza are classic rainy day standbys. But at Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia), you can relax with a classic movie while the pros do the work for you. The theater serves alcohol and a full menu and provides tableside service to moviegoers.
