Sections
  • Home & Style
  • Editors’ Picks
  • Events Calendar
  • Food
  • Health
  • News & Politics
  • Longreads
  • Our Events
  • Parenting
  • Real Estate
  • Shopping
  • Things to Do
  • Travel
  • Weddings
Reader Favorites
  • 100 Best Restaurants
  • Takeout Guide
  • Quiz
  • Neighborhoods
  • Newsletters
  • Directories
Washington’s Best
  • Apartment Rentals
  • DC Travel Guide
  • Dentists
  • Doctors
  • Financial Advisers
  • Health Experts
  • Home Improvement Experts
  • Industry Leaders
  • Lawyers
  • Mortgage Professionals
  • Pet Care
  • Private Schools
  • Real Estate Agents
  • Restaurants
  • Retirement Communities
  • Wedding Vendors
More
  • Subscribe
  • Manage My Subscription
  • Digital Edition
  • Shop
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
© 2021 Washingtonian Media Inc.
Privacy Policy
All Rights Reserved
 Rss
Skip to content
Washingtonian.com
  • Search
  • Subscribe
  • Menu
  • News & Politics
  • Things to Do
  • Food
  • Health
  • Shopping
  • Home & Style
  • Real Estate
  • Weddings
  • Travel

  • 100 Best Restaurants
  • Takeout Guide
  • Quiz
  • Neighborhoods
  • Newsletters
  • Directories
  • Trending Now in DC Travel Guide
  • Driving
  • City Guide
  • History
DC Travel Guide  |  Things to Do

Neighborhood Guide: How to Spend a Day in Navy Yard

Written by Melanie D.G. Kaplan
and Jessica Sidman
| Published on June 16, 2017
Tweet Share
DC's Bluejacket brewery and restaurant is a go-to hangout for Nationals fans. Photograph by Scott Suchman.
DC's Bluejacket brewery, a go-to hangout for Nationals fans. Photograph by Scott Suchman

What To Do

Ballpark Boathouse

Paddling along the Navy Yard and the Yards Park will give you a new perspective on the Anacostia River. Renting a kayak ($16 an hour for a single, $22 for a double) or canoe ($25 an hour), you can hear cheers from Nats Park, enjoy a Friday-night concert from the water, and, if you’re lucky, spot river wildlife. Potomac Ave. and First St., SE; 202-337-9642.

Capitol Riverfront Outdoor Movie Series

Pack your picnic and head to the north side of Canal Park every Thursday for free movies this summer, including classics such as Grease and Sister Act as well as recent blockbusters like Arrival and Rogue One. The series begins in June; showtime at sundown. Canal Park, Second and I sts., SE.

Nationals Park

Since it opened in 2008, Nats Park has helped springboard surrounding Navy Yard into the fastest-growing neighborhood in DC. The stadium seems to evolve every season along with its environs. This year’s additions include a mojito cart, gourmet tater tots at the new food stall See You Tater, and MLB’s Ballpark app—download it to your phone and get special deals (such as upgraded seats), order concessions without waiting in line, and play along with your favorite Racing Presidents. 1500 S. Capitol St., SE; 202-675-6287.

Trapeze School New York

Channel your inner circus performer. If the idea of jumping off a 23-foot-high platform has you shaking in your safety belt, skip trapeze and learn another skill, such as trampoline, juggling, or acrobatic partner-balancing. TSNY’s local branch offers kids a special one-day circus experience as well as summer camps, culminating in performances for proud parents. 1299 New Jersey Ave., SE; 202-479-6861.

Washington Navy Yard Tour

New this year, the National Museum of the United States Navy is organizing free, two-hour walking tours of the Navy Yard. The next is July 17 at 10 am. Registration required; e-mail thomas.frezza@navy.mil or call 202-433-4882. 805 Kidder Breese St., SE.

—Melanie D.G. Kaplan

Where To Eat

Bluejacket

The Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s brewery turns out IPAs and stouts, but it also experiments with funky sour beers and other unusual creations on its 20-plus draft list. Taster portions, mostly $2 to $3, let you sample a wide range of beers, and a food menu with loaded tater tots and grilled kielbasa makes for ideal pairings. 300 Tingey St., SE; 202-524-4862.

Ice Cream Jubilee

Victoria Lai left her job as a Department of Homeland Security lawyer to open her dream ice-cream shop. Now she’s offering cones filled with unusual flavors such as cardamom/black pepper and honey/lemon/lavender—all made with milk from a local creamery. We’re fans of boozy flavors like bourbon old fashioned and gin-and-tonic sorbet. 301 Water St., SE; 202-863-0727.

Osteria Morini

It’s all about the pasta at this casual Italian eatery from renowned New York restaurateur Michael White. Rigatoni, cappelletti, pappardelle—watch them all being made from the open kitchen or grab a seat on the patio to take in the riverside view. 301 Water St., SE; 202-484-0660.

Whaley’s

This waterfront restaurant serves up one of this city’s best seafood towers, with dreamy sunset views to match. A perfect meal includes the seafood risotto for two and creative crudos. Throughout the summer, check out the tropical-plant-filled “rosé garden” for your fix of pink wine, frozen cocktails, and oysters. 301 Water St., SE; 202-484-8800.

—Jessica Sidman

Where To Shop

Conte’s Bike Shop

With the recent expansion of the nearby Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, it’s the perfect time to clip in and pedal. Or for $7,000, you can cruise on a Stromer’s electric bike. The new shop, which opened in the luxe Arris apartment building, also carries bikes (the kind you have to pedal) by Cannondale, BMC, Giant, and Niner. Maintenance classes and organized rides are coming soon. 1331 Fourth St., SE; 202-558-9866.

Evo Furniture Gallery

Here you’ll find American-made furniture built for small city living, with 400 custom fabric and color options. Trending these days: funky accent chairs, sofas/sectionals in shades of gray and blue, and textured synthetic fabrics such as herringbone weave. Couches start at $999, chairs at $599. 301 Tingey St., SE; 202-488-6298.

FreshFarm Capitol Riverfront Farmers Market

New to the neighborhood, this market features local produce, meat, cheese, bread, beer, handmade soaps, and coffee. Open Sunday 10 to 2 through September 24. 200 M St., SE; 202-362-8889.

Pacers Running

Get fitted for a running shoe, pick up a “Runnerd shirt,” or show your District spirit with DC-flag tanks and tees. Even if you’re not in the market for new gear, you can join one of the morning or evening social runs organized by the shop. 300 Tingey St., SE; 202-554-1216.

—Melanie D.G. Kaplan

This article appears in the June 2017 issue of Washingtonian.

The Ultimate Neighborhood G…

Don’t Miss Another Washingtonian Event—Get Our Newsletter

Don’t miss another great party.

Or, see all of our newsletters. By signing up, you agree to our terms.
More: Capitol HillCapitol Hill GuideNavy YardNeighborhood Guide
Join the conversation!
Share Tweet
Melanie D.G. Kaplan
Melanie D.G. Kaplan
Jessica Sidman
Jessica Sidman
Food Editor

Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind D.C.’s food and drink scene. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and University of Pennsylvania grad.

Most Popular in DC Travel Guide

1

Driving in DC: A Crash Course on the Grid System

2

Guide to Washington, DC: Popular Clothing Stores

3

How to Spend Four Days in Washington, DC

4

All About the Cherry Blossoms

5

How to Spend Three Days in Washington, DC–With Kids

Washingtonian Magazine

January 2021: Joe Town!

January 2021: Joe Town!

View Issue
Subscribe

Get Us on Social

We'll help you live your best #DCLIFE every day

Get Us on Social

We'll help you live your best #DCLIFE every day

Related

Airbnb and Hotel Tonight Will Cancel All DC-Area Reservations During the Inauguration

Democratic Lawmakers Want to Fine Politicians Who Refuse to Wear Masks

We Asked Mental Health Professionals How to Cope With the Trauma of Watching Extremists Storm the Capitol

PHOTOS: Look at the Damage at the Capitol Caused by the Mob Attack

More from DC Travel Guide

SplashDown water park. Photograph of SplashDown courtesy of SplashDown Water Park.

11 Fun Parks for Kids

The Magic Behind What You’ll See at the Smithsonian’s New Fossil Hall

Our 23 Favorite Day Spas in Washington

Explore NoMa, Alexandria, and Other DC-Area Neighborhoods With Washingtonian’s New Guide

Snow Day? Here Are 4 Things to Do with Kids in DC

The 5 Best Winter Hikes and Walks Around Washington DC

Gwyneth Paltrow DC

Here Are the Some of the Most Ridiculous Things From Goop’s DC Travel Guide

Photograph by Laurie Collins.

Your Guide to Georgetown Right Now

© 2021 Washingtonian Media Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Washingtonian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Privacy Policy and Opt-Out
 Rss
Get the best news, delivered weekly.
By signing up, you agree to our terms.
  • Subscribe
  • Manage My Subscription
  • Digital Edition
  • Shop
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs