What do you do with a whole extra weekend day? We have so many ideas!
But first:
-- Nothing beats free. We've got you covered in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.
-- Feeling hungry? You definitely will feel the stomach rumbles after checking out the best ways to eat and drink your way through summer.
-- Outdoor movies are one of the best parts of a D.C. summer.
-- Have you checked out our guide to 100+ Things to Do in D.C. This Summer? It's not too late to still make this the #BestSummerEver.
Here are our top picks for your Labor Day:
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Page-to-Stage New Play Festival
Monday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Catch one of 60 new plays and musicals in their early stages of development by dozens of local theater companies. This year's theme is focusing on the human journey. It's free, but you may want to get there early to grab a seat. Doors open 30 minutes before each show. The full schedule is available on the Kennedy Center website.
Kensington Labor Day Parade
Monday, 10 a.m., St. Paul Park in Kensington
Celebrate Labor Day with a family-friendly parade in Kensington. Schools, equestrian groups, dance groups and floats will complete the parade. Check out a map of the route on the city's website. Afterward, you can eat, shop and play games at a festival.
Get Out of Town!
Here are our best picks for easy trips:
This mountain in Shenandoah is a challenge — but a rewarding one. Here's our guide of do's and don'ts to making the hike (Important: Bring water and show up early!)
Do's and Don'ts: Hiking Old Rag Trail in Shenandoah National Park
Whether you're feeling like a trip to Kings Dominion, want to hike Great Falls or descend into Luray Caverns, there are lots of great day trips in the commonwealth:
Top 10 Virginia Day Trips for Spring
Explore a new-to-you spot in Maryland: Ride the Capital Wheel at National Harbor, hop on the mountain coaster in the Deep Creek Lake area, or stroll and shop your way through Annapolis or Frederick. Find ideas for Maryland trips here:
Top 10 Maryland Day Trips for Spring
We know heading to the shore can be a traffic nightmare. So we've rounded up the places you can go without suffering the Bay Bridge:
10 Places to Swim If You Want to Avoid Bay Bridge Traffic
It may be Labor Day, but summer's swelter just isn't letting up. Here are some awesome places you can check out to cool down within 100 miles of D.C.:
Road Trip! 10 Places to Cool Off Within 100 Miles of DC
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Weekends through Oct. 21, Crownsville, Md.
Hear ye! Hear ye! Don your best 15th-century garb and grab a turkey leg at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Performances, including jousting, music, science demos and Shakespeare, are plentiful. Check out the schedule in advance so you don't miss your favorite thing. Tickets are discounted through Sept. 9; they cost $19 for adults.
