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Greetings, all! It’s an ongoing debate: What’s the best month of the year? Our birthday is in June, so people might be surprised that it’s September that actually gets our vote. The not-quite-summer but not-quite-autumn month is ideal: It’s not too hot Or too cold Last chance to hit the beach while the water’s still, relatively speaking, warm and not overrun by crowds Labor Day weekend. There's no hassle to create a feast like Thanksgiving, or any last minute shoppers frazzle like Christmas. Three words: Pumpkin Spice Latte. But even for the non-coffee drinkers out there, September means the beginning of our favorite fall inspired flavors: cinnamon, apple and pumpkin, oh my Start of sweater and hoodie weather Watching the leaves change on the trees, going apple picking, and enjoying firepits in the evening S’mores September- Earth, Wind & Fire. Not only is this probably the most tweeted about song every September, but this tune by Earth, Wind, & Fire is just a jam. Fall festivals
💬 Tell us which month is your favorite and why. |
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💫 Awesome things to do this month. |
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Ahhh, September, that magical month when you can still sip rose on a sun drenched patio yet still sense the shift to the first leaves starting to change color.
We've pulled together lots of fun local activities and events to help you discover new and different things to do in the District, like: Museum of Failure opens DC Theatre Week kicks off Nautical-themed movies screen at the Navy Memorial WalkingTown DC returns Opera in the outfield brings classical music to Nats Park
It’s time to soak up the last days of summer and fall forward into autumnal fun! |
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☕ DC is Partly to thank—or blame—for the wave of basic-ness that comes with every #PSL season. |
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The pumpkin-spice latte returned to Starbucks last week, prompting the usual annual rounds of eye-rolling and excited #PSL tweets. What’s less known is Washington’s own history with regard to the PSL.
The skinny: In 2003, a Starbucks product manager named Peter Dukes led a team looking for a fall flavor to complement the coffee giant’s holiday offerings (like peppermint mochas and caramel brulée lattes). After three months of testing variations, he brought the drink to a few stores in DC (with Vancouver serving as the Canadian test market). The drink was an immediate hit and was added to the coffee-chain’s national menu in fall 2004.
The more you know! 🌈
The details: Starbucks' fall menu arrived Aug. 24 — six days earlier than last year — and also includes apple-flavored products. Returning drinks include The Pumpkin Spice Latte — or PSL for short — Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato. A new Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte and Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso also join the lineup
Dunkin’ released its fall menu Aug. 16th, which includes the reintroduction of the Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte, Nutty Pumpkin Coffee and the Pumpkin bakery line-up Local chain Compass rolled out their fall lineup, including Maple Cold Brew, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte 7-Eleven has brought back their fall favorites, such as their Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin coffee On Aug. 28, Dairy Queen brings back its Pumpkin Pie Blizzard and Carvel introduces a Pumpkin Cheesecake lineup. Beginning Aug. 28, IHOP will be rolling out its fall menu items. Diners can enjoy a Pumpkin Spice Cold Foam Cold Brew and pair that with a sweet Pumpkin Spice Pancake. Smoothie King launches five pumpkin smoothies on Aug. 29.
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🖼 The hottest art exhibit in DC isn’t in a gallery, it’s on the National Mall. |
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There's something new on the National Mall! “Beyond Granite,” is a month-long art installation featuring six artists that explores monumental moments and untold stories in history. This is the first time a serious art exhibition has been staged on the National Mall.
The skinny: Exhibition sites include spaces near the Lincoln Memorial, Constitution Gardens, and the Mall, the expansive green lawn between the U.S. Capitol building, and the Washington Monument. Each piece tells a unique American story — often interacting with or responding to an existing monument or historical moment. They also invite people to linger in places they might ordinarily pass through or by.
There are three information tents along the way where you can stop and chat with amazing volunteers, and pick up information about the artwork and cool activities to engage with the artwork.
The details: The installations are all outdoors, free, and open to the public (here's a map). They include: |
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Homecoming: UVA professor Ashon T. Crawley's audio-visual installation near the Washington Monument pays homage to Black and Queer musicians who died of AIDS. |
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"Of Thee We Sing:" Vanessa German's collage statue of Marian Anderson, the Black opera star who had been barred from performing at segregated Constitution Hall, stands on the stop where Anderson sang at the Lincoln Memorial. |
In addition to the installations, welcome stations will be positioned throughout the exhibition run by D.C. artists and educators. There's also a month-long series of events and programs with each artist.
Beyond Granite" is free and open to the public through Sept. 18. |
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🍂 Hello, Fall festival season! Oh, how we’ve missed you. |
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It's the most wonderful time of the year---fall festival season!
Summer is soon coming to a close but that doesn't mean the fun ends, We’ve put together a monster list of harvest festivals, wine tastings, food events, and arts and craft markets. September alone is PACKED with everything from neighborhood celebrations to city-wide fetes and cultural get-togethers, and that's just a warm up for the following months.
So grab your #PSL and make the most of the season in and around DC! |
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✈ Hassle-free DC trip planning for the holidays. |
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Washington Memorial? Check. Smithsonians? Been there, done that. But have you hugged your state tree or visited a museum dedicated to graffiti? Did you know you can play board games at a former President’s house?
There are so many hidden gems and off-the-beaten spots to discover in the District beyond the monuments and memorials.
The holidays will be here before you know it, so let Curious Caravan plan your hassle-free, unique experience with local flavour, personalized for everyone’s interests, from the foodie to the adventurer and everyone in between. You’re on your own to deal with family squabbles, though; we can only do so much.
Use promo code CURIOUSHOLIDAY for 10% off your first booking. |
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⛵ Saailing takes me away . . . Don’t miss your chance to get out on the water |
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If you’ve been dying to get out on the water around DC, now’s your chance. There’s still time to make a splash with on-the-water activities before the season comes to an end. Learn about the human and natural history of the Anacostia River, and the ongoing efforts to make it swimmable and drinkable again, on a boat tour with Anacostia Riverkeepers; Sept. 7 + 16 (Editor’s note: This a fantastic (and free!) educational event; we’ve gone multiple times!) Set sail on a 65-foot schooner, American Spirit for a sunset cruise along the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers; now thru Sept 8, and Sept. 22 + Oct. 6 At the Wharf or Georgetown waterfront, rent a single or two-person canoe, kayak or standup paddleboard, (SUP) until Oct. 29 See the city from a different perspective on a sightseeing cruise until Oct. 31 The historic canal boat tours in Georgetown have extended the season until Oct. 31
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📚 September is “Get a Library Card Month.” So, why not get one from the Library of Congress! |
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A little known fact of the Library of Congress is that any American Citizen over the state of 16 can get a library card here if you bring a valid ID such as a driver's license or passport. This library card gives you limitless access to roam through all three (yes three) of the Library of Congress buildings!
The famous building that has the beautiful rotunda is the Jefferson Building. And if you go on the traditional tour of the Library of Congress, you can only see this room from a second story platform. BUT if you get a library card, you can roam around the ground floor and stay in the room for longer. It also gives you access to the endless underground tunnels that connect the three buildings and more research materials than you can possibly imagine. Also, you get access to their entire online catalog which features an impressive number of scales manuscripts, photos, periodicals, and more. But it isn’t like a neighborhood library: visitors can’t remove items from the reading rooms or library buildings.
To receive a library card, you must enter the Madison Building. This building sits to the left of the Jefferson Building which is behind the Capitol. They will scan your bags and person, as per all buildings in Washington DC, and then you go in and to left following sign back to a room where you fill out a few forms, take a picture, and receive your card. You are now free to roam through one of the most impressive series of buildings in the United States.
If you are looking for knowledge, a good view of the architecture, or an adventure in the tunnels below the buildings, get a library card! It is simple and the building is super old and beautiful.
The card is valid for two years from its issue, and you can preregister for your card up to two weeks in advance online. |
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Beer gardens are popular in DC but none have a historic legacy like the 1921 Biergarten at the Heurich House Museum. On Wednesdays - Fridays, the garden tucked behind Christian Heurich's estate is transformed into a lovely, outdoor bar with umbrella tables, Adirondack chairs and cozy firepits and heaters to keep the chill away.
There's wine, cocktails and, of course, beer, namely Right Proper’s
revival of Senate beer which used to be brewed by Heurich Brewing. It was popularized in the 1880s and survived Prohibition until it ceased production in 1965. A recipe found in the National Archives helped bring it back to life. |
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The bar in the carriage house also serves as a mini beer memorabilia museum that exhibits a rotating collection of Chr. Heurich Brewing Co. “breweriana.”
Sitting in the backyard of Heurich's home, drinking a beer he crafted in the 19th century, is pretty surreal. It's an experience worth raising your glass (or can) for.
📍: 1307 New Hampshire Ave NW ⏰: Wednesday - Friday 4-8pm | Saturday 12-8pm |
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🔗 ICYMI: DC Link Roundup. |
Arts + Entertainment Food + Bev Around Town There are new horse stables on the Mall you can visit (Axios) An Out-of-This-World Guide to Stargazing in and Near Washington DC (Thrillest) C&O Canal Boat Season Extended in Georgetown (GeorgetownDC) Spy Tourism Lets You Live Out Your Secret Agent Fantasies in Washington DC (Thrillest) Why Pay to Be Trapped? I did 5 Escape Rooms in 3 Days to Find Out (WaPo) Remember When: People Swam in the Tidal Basin (Axios)
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Whether you’re local or just visiting, your DC adventure awaits. Allons-y! |
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