In case you haven’t noticed, it is hot outside. Like, really hot. We’ve rounded up some activities and tips for those looking to beat the heat both indoors and out:

This post was updated from an earlier version in June 2025

Indoor activities

Do arts-and-crafts in the AC

The Green Room 

This artsy studio recently opened in Takoma Park, offering one-off workshops on pressed flowers, comics, home decor, and more.

Shop Made in DC

Take part in a Wine & Watercolors evening class or attend a free Crafternoons gathering at the Georgetown or Union Market location of this shop, which is focused on locally made products and gifts.

Sip and develop

A unique pairing of activities—drinking wine and developing film—is the speciality at this National Harbor studio, where you can do a boozy photo shoot with friends and then see how the photos turned out.

Channel your inner Sporty Spice inside

Whack golf balls

Boozy mini-golf bars and high-tech simulators have been popping up across the city. For putt-putt golf, there’s Swingers in Dupont with fun decor and high-end street food as well as the wild, immersive indoor holes at Puttery. Pretend your playing Torrey Pines (in much cooler weather) at the Muni, a golf simulation and recent addition to 14th Street.

Play a racquet sport 

Kraken Kourts & Skates, a vast indoor sports complex in Northeast DC, is home to 14 pickleball courts and a roller rink. Curious about the latest social court sport, padel? You can try the cross between squash and tennis at Padel Up, a new facility in Sterling.

Go bowling

Try to roll a strike at the fluorescent Rinaldi’s Riverdale Bowl, one of the area’s few remaining old-school bowling alleys.

Get cultured at summer museum exhibits

National Museum of Asian Art

Cut + Paste: Experimental Japanese Prints and Photographs, a new exhibition that combines photography and other mediums, is up at the museum through November.

National Portrait Gallery

Travel back in time through the evolution of photography at From Shadow to Substance: Grand-Scale Portraits During Photography’s Formative Years, on display through June 7, 2026.

National Building Museum

For an exhibit you’re encouraged to touch, head to the museum for Momentum Park(our), which is transforming the West Court into an immersive installation you can play on. The exhibit is open July 3 through 20.

Chill with a book

The DC area has a thriving bookstore scene with plenty of options for picking up a new book. Check out our list of 24 independent shops, including new places such as romance-focused Friends to Lovers Bookstore in Alexandria and Wonderland Books in Bethesda. If you still haven’t checked out last year’s top local library books, consider adding these popular reads to your list.

Inhale lots and lots of ice cream

Nothing beats the heat quite like a freezing-cold scoop o’ cream. Luckily, the DC area has plenty of great spots to pick up a cone or a cup—think matcha soft-serve at Bon Tea House, sprinkle-topped custard at the Dairy Godmother, or gelato at Dolcezza. We’ve rounded up our 24 favorite local spots for sweet, chilly treats.

Outdoor activities

Take to the high seas

If you want to get on the water, you could take the active approach and paddle board or pedal around the Tidal Basin. But for those looking for more of a chill experience, there are also local tiki cruises and sunset tours. We’ve compiled a round-up of 11 ways to get on the water this summer.

Stay cool at a pool—or splash park

While a backyard baby-pool hang is always fun, you can also hit up some legit swimming spots. Check out our list of the area’s public pools and splash parks as well as local hotels that let you book a day pass to their pools.

Be as non-sweaty as possible

Okay, okay, so this isn’t technically an activity, but Washingtonians take sweaty season seriously. If you’re going to hang outside in the heat, it can’t hurt to read up on some anti-schvitzing steps. If you have to commute in this sauna, we have some experts tips on what outfits are best for dewey bods. Also important: a guide on how to style sweaty hair and what products might best battle frizz.