Make every day in DC a great event

Unless you want to finally make that trip to the top of the Washington Monument (reservations are already booked through June) or book a tour of the White House (you can apply through your member of Congress), a make-your-own D.C. event doesn’t require a lot of advance planning.

{mosads}Many Potomac cruises, which sail from D.C.’s Southwest Waterfront daily, have room for last-minute lunch, dinner or brunch plans. Even if you show up 10 minutes before sailing time, “most of the time you have a good chance of getting a table,” said Julie Paulson, the marketing coordinator for Spirit and Odyssey cruises. “We do have the ticket booth office right there, and you can buy your ticket the day of.” 

She recommended checking the website or calling ahead to ensure availability, but said the only days cruises are typically booked full in advance are holidays.

Meal-based cruises typically last about two hours, and it’s a chance to step outside the daily grind and get a completely different view of the city.

About an hour away, off the George Washington Memorial Parkway, another way to create a spontaneous event is to visit Mount Vernon. The wide-open spaces of former President Washington’s plantation will soothe your soul without taking you too far from the city. Mount Vernon might be best known as a tourist destination, particularly for families with kids, but it’s also a great way to make an event out of a date, according to Melissa Wood, a spokeswoman for Mount Vernon.

“If you run out of things to discuss on a date at Mount Vernon, you know the relationship just isn’t going to work out,” Wood said.

It is possible to spend the day simply wandering the shops and grounds of Mount Vernon for $15 (adults). Tours are also offered several times a day for a small additional fee, including one inspired by the 2007 movie “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” that includes the basement and reveals (spoiler alert!) that there really are no tunnels under the estate. No planning ahead is necessary; Mount Vernon is open 365 days a year.

Mount Vernon also hosts events that might be worth a little advance planning, however, such as the Sunset Celebration taking place over the Memorial Day weekend. The holiday event is an opportunity to tour the grounds by lantern-light, sprawl on the grass overlooking the Potomac, and enjoy music, dancing and even wagon rides. George and Martha Washington (rather, their look-alikes) will be there, so it’s a chance to remind yourself you live on historical ground while still taking it easy.

If you’re not into lounging around, try paddle boating in D.C.’s Tidal Basin, where you can you can experience the Jefferson Memorial and the cherry blossoms in your own personal boat. Walk-ups are welcome throughout the day, with the last boats out at 5 p.m. Boats can also be reserved ahead of time. An hour for a two-person boat costs $12; for a four-person boat it’s $19.

This year, save some money and see something new by taking advantage of the fact that D.C. is an event destination — even if it also happens to be your hometown.