Not heading out of town for Memorial Day? Make the most of your three-day weekend with these activities and events that'll keep you away from Netflix for a few days. Most events are ongoing, while others happen on specific days, from Thursday through Monday night.
1. Visit One of D.C.'s 18 Outdoor Pools
Cannonball! The District's pools open for the first time this weekend, with all 18 outdoor pools open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Find your nearest pool with our interactive map here. (The pools will reopen the following three weekends, and will be open daily starting June 20.)
2. Go Kayaking or Stand-Up Paddling
Glide along the Potomac and an excellent view of the monuments with a kayak or stand-up paddleboard rental from Key Bridge Boathouse (3500 Water St. NW, beneath the Key Bridge) and Thompson Boat Center (2900 Virginia Ave. NW; near the Watergate). Or head down to the Nats Park area and grab a kayak from Ballpark Boathouse to glide along the Anacostia, for spectacular views of the Navy Yard, Nats Park and the natural beauty of the river's southern shore. (Tip: Keep an eye out for NautiFoods, D.C.'s first food boat, which sells drinks and snacks right on the water.)
3. Go to the Pink and White Party at POV Lounge
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The W Hotel (505 15th St. NW) is hosting a Memorial Day Pink and White Party starting at 7 p.m. Sunday. A $15 cover charge is a small price to pay for the rooftop atmosphere and live music. Table packages start at $50 per person. A portion of the proceeds will also fund the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Remember to don your pink and white attire!
4. Visit Annapolis Harbor
If you want the experience of the beach without the long drive or digging out last year's swimsuit, consider the Annapolis Harbor, a vibrant showcase of Maryland's best. Enjoy various restaurants, bars, boats and history right on Chesapeake.
5. See a Free Outdoor Movie
It's just not summer in D.C. without a ton of free outdoor movies. This weekend's offerings include "Empire Records" in Farragut Square (Friday night) and "Akeelah and the Bee" at National Harbor (Sunday night). Or head to Ellicot City for a two-night double feature: "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark" Friday night) and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (Saturday night). Find all the details here.
6. Go Rafting or Tubing in Harper's Ferry
Harper's Ferry Adventure Center (37410 Adventure Center Lane, Purcellville, Va.) is having a whitewater rafting promotion through the month of May. Book early online to get half off rafting for four or more people. The Adventure Center certainly lives up to its name, as they also offer ziplining, canoeing, kayaking and tubing.
7. Hit Up a Local Water Park
Cool off as you slither down slides or kick back on a lazy river at one of several local water parks. Check out Splash Down Water Park in Manassas; Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria or Chesapeake Beach Water Park in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, all less than an hour from D.C.
8. Go to a Nationals Vs. Phillies Game
The Washington Nationals are battling the Philadelphia Phillies at Nats Park (1500 S. Capitol St. SE) this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's game is also Women in the Military Day, as well as Pups in the Park. On Sunday, the first 10,000 fans will score a 10th anniversary poster. Tickets start at $20 if you want to catch the game in person -- or if you want to stay home, invite friends over for a comfy viewing and a backyard barbecue.
9. Go Ziplining or Take a Ropes Course
If you want to take things to the edge, Go Ape, located in the Rockville area of Rock Creek Park, is there to help you take that risk. Go Ape is an outdoor tree-top adventure where you can zipline, swing on ropes and embrace the outdoors from new heights. Tip: Try to go on Friday or Saturday, when the crowds should be smaller.
10. Groove to Jazz in the Garden
The National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden is restarting its annual summer Jazz in the Garden series this Memorial Day weekend. Every Friday through Aug. 28, the Pavilion Cafe hosts jazz artists from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This free event premieres this week with guitarist Tom Lagana.
11. Attend a Memorial Day Concert at Wolf Trap
Wolf Trap (1645 Trap Road, Vienna, Va.) will host a free Memorial Day concert on Sunday evening featuring the United States Marine Band, followed by a fireworks celebration. Stretch out on the lawn with a picnic basket or live it up with real seats. Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis, and the park will close to new guests once it reaches capacity. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show. The fireworks viewing area will open at about 9:30 p.m.
12. See "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead"
Tom Stoppard's quintessential reimagining of "Hamlet" opened at Folger Theatre (201 E. Capitol St. SE) last week. "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" puts two side characters of the classic tragedy into the limelight and considers their perspective in a modern retelling. Tickets range from $30 to $75.
13. Take Westfield Montgomery Mall's Taste Tour
The season of the restaurant week is upon us -- and right now, it's happening at Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda), where restaurants are offering prix-fixe menus, exclusive dishes and special offers for their Taste Tour, now through May 24. Participating spots include Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar and Met Bethesda. Lunches are $15; dinners are $35.
14. Visit Great Falls Park
Great Falls Park offers abundant trails and great views on both sides of the Potomac. On the Maryland side (11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, Md.), bike along the C&O Canal or -- if you're feeling up for a challenge -- take a hike on the Billy Goat Trail; the A, B and C sections offer varying terrain. On the Virginia side (9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, Va.), hike along the Potomac Heritage Trail or Difficult Run, cruise along five miles of bike trails, or set up shop at a picnic table and get the grill going.
