Top 5 Best Places to Beat the Heat in Washington, DC

There's nothing worse than a heat wave in the Nation's Capital. That's right, everything in Washington, DC becomes a hot hassle when the temperature rises. Trips to grocery stores like Safeway or Giant Foods, scheduled visits with the doctor, driving kids to day camps or friends' houses, hopping Metrorail or Metrobus for work or play - even visiting the Giant Pandas at the National Zoo. On a hot day, whether you like it or not, everything gets a little sticky in the National Capital Region.

Let's face it: when the temperature soars, you just want to stay indoors and away from the unforgiving glare of the sun. You just want to stay cool and do what everyone else does when it's too hot to handle. You know, close the door. Pull the shades. Cancel plans. Anything you can do to stay cool. But, before you decide that the Panda Cam is closest you'll get to the great outdoors this summer, think again.

I mean, who can really afford to stay indoors in this great town, especially when there's so much to do and see? That's right, even in the dog days of summer, Washington, DC has something for everyone. Like other world capitals, Washington, DC has it all, even when the temperatures turn red hot, with or without Congress in session.

Where to beat the heat in Washington, DC? Check out these Top 5 Best Places to Beat the Heat in Washington, DC. Sure to become among your favorite haunts, even on a hot, summer's day in the Nation's Capital.

1. Take in the breezes at a Washington Nationals night game.

Washington Nationals Baseball
Website: www.nationals.mlb.com
Single game tickets: (888) 632.NATS (6287) or visit the Nats' Box Office
Box Office hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am- 3pm

Looking for a great way to beat the heat in Washington, DC? Are you a big baseball fan or just curious about the Strasburg phenom? Time to check out a night game at Nationals Park. To find the best deals, visit the stadium or check out StubHub, the official ticket marketplace where anyone can buy or sell tickets to the Washington Nationals. Look for value games throughout the season where you can get a great deal on Washington National's tickets. National League Baseball is great fun. Nothing like a night Nats game for a great way to beat the heat in Washington, DC.

2. What about red-hot, museum exhibit at the super cool National Gallery of Art?

National Gallery of Art, East and West Buildings, and Sculpture Garden
Website: www.nga.gov
4th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20565
Telephone: (202) 737-4215

Fully air conditioned and free admission, the National Gallery is a great top on a hot day for you, your friends and family. Fantastic exhibits, standing collections, and special programming in the Nation's Capital. Open from Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Check for summer hours. Wonderful staff, tours, eateries, and museum stores. Free admission. A Washington, D.C. treasure. Check out the National Gallery's super-cool, free concerts on Sundays, beginning at 6:30pm.

3. Take a stroll around the Tidal Basin or, maybe, an early morning paddle.

Tidal Basin Paddle Boats
Website: www.tidalbasinpeddleboats.com
1501 Maine Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20024
Metro: Smithsonian Station (blue/orange lines). West on Independence. Left at Raoul Wallenberg Place/15^th Street, straight ahead to Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin Paddle Boat dock.
Cost: $10 p/hr for 2; $18 p/hr for 4 passengers. Visa/Mastercard accepted.
Hours of Operation: Labor Day to Columbus Day weekend, open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10am-6pm. Last boat out at 5pm.

To avoid the heat, get up early and check out the Tidal Basin Paddle boats for some great shade and views. Nothing like a little quiet time out on the water. Don't miss out on this very special Washington, D.C. treat. Hot summer mornings are that much cooler on the water.

4. What about a breezy performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Millennium Stage?

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Website: www.kennedy-center.org
2700 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20566
Telephone: (800) 444-1324 (toll free) or (202) 467-4600 (local)

The Kennedy Center rocks with incredible, world-class performances and exhibitions. Check out Millennium Stage performances at 6:00 p.m. each Sunday of the year, unless otherwise posted, for free concerts and other programming. A great Washington, DC tradition and a super-cool place to go on a hot day.

5. Watch a movie under the stars.

Check out U Street, NoMa, National Mall, among others. Nights on the Green (National Mall) run on Monday nights from July through August. Hop Metro to NoMa for oudoor movies (L Street lot, between 2nd and 3rd Streets, NE Washington, DC.) Harrison Field Under the Stars (U Street) runs great flicks through September each year. Beat the heat and catch a movie at the same time in and around Washington, DC. Looking for something closer to home like Capitol Hill, National Harbor, Rosslyn or the 'burbs? You'd be surprised at how many Washington, DC metro region communities have outdoor movie nights. For more information on these and other locations, check out the edgy blog Dcist for additional information and locales for movies under the stars.

RESOURCES:

Washington DC Official Tourism Site
www.washington.org/visiting/browse-dc/attractions

Cultural Tourism for Washington DC
www.culturaltourismdc.org

Washington, D.C. Events Guide
www.washington.dc.eventguide.com

Smithsonian Institution Events Site
www.si.edu/events