Best Outdoor Dining For those who enjoy dining under the setting sun or a canopy of stars, here are new outdoor restaurant spaces and some great old standbys.
Best Lemonade Nine sweet kids, one clear winner for the best lemonade.
Best New Drink Gina Chersevani's novelty drink: wine over frozen cubes of Tuscan sangria.
Best Deli Sandwich Deli City piles its corned-beef sandwiches with tender, slow-cooked brisket.
Best Brews for Summer Food Experts gave us their picks for best summer beers.
The Perfect Cheeses For Grilled Burgers A good cheese can elevate a burger to cookout Nirvana.
The Perfect Salad We asked chefs where they go to find the ingredients for a signature summer dish—the tomato-and-mozzarella salad.
Best Bratwurst This summer, take back the brat.

Best Dates: Summer Loving Break out of the dinner-and-movie rut and go on a romantic outdoor adventure.
Great Lakes: Swimming Spots Near Washington Tired of swimming pools choked with chlorine? Here are eight freshwater lakes—all within 100 miles of Washington—that offer a natural alternative.
Reader's Favorite Stores Washingtonian readers picked their favorite area stores, from the best clothing boutique to a beloved jewelry spot.
Best Street Basketball Where to watch shooting stars.
Best Cars: Sexy Convertibles to Rent The wind in your hair and a smile on your face—nothing says summer like some time in a convertible.
Best Gardens: Glories of Summer Floral gardens are pretty all summer, but some trees and leaves bloom for just weeks. Here are some of the area's best gardens.
Best Running Trails in Washington We asked Ben Cooke, a three-time All-American runner at James Madison University who’s now manager of the Georgetown Running Company, for his favorite summer running routes.
Best Sightseeing: Tours de Force We road-tested tours of the Mall and beyond, skipping the bus and trolley rides for unusual alternatives.
Best Books: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Beach Reading We asked a range of thinkers—from writers and policy wonks to the resident poet of the Wizards—for their favorite summer reads.
Best Places to Cool Off Want a cool escape from the summer heat?
Best Swimming Holes Our area has many good ones, especially near the Shenandoahs.