Ready to go somewhere—anywhere—again? Whether you choose an easy vacay or a more ambitious outing, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and all the best travel gear at CityCenterDC.
Summer is synonymous with the great outdoors, impromptu road trips, and leisurely afternoons by the pool—it’s that blissful time of year where the days stretch on and anything seems possible. While things may not be completely back to normal just yet, there are still plenty of ways to make the most of the season and use up some of that PTO you’ve been stockpiling.
That might take the shape of a wilderness wander in some of the gorgeous green spaces outside Washington, D.C., or it could be as simple as a staycation in town with your floppy-eared best friend. Maybe you cure a craving for a European jaunt with regular trips to the best gelato shop we’ve found stateside. If experiencing art is your favorite aspect of summer travel, you can get your fix with Summer Stream at CityCenterDC, a stunning installation featuring 16 miles of ribbon—definitely worth snapping for your Insta feed. Read on for more of what’s in store this summer at CityCenterDC, as well as plenty of inspiration to fuel your next adventure.
Northern Virginia-based lifestyle photographer (and avid adventurer) Stephen Catalano knows a thing or two about experiencing the great outdoors in style. He partnered with Arcteryx at CityCenterDC recently to document some of his favorite summer getaways within driving distance of the nation’s capital. To be prepared for everything Mother Nature had to offer, he packed the Cerium LT, Atom SL, and Norvan SL jackets, as well as the Norvan LD shoes.
Here are his picks for where to go if you’re itching to get out of town and into nature:
“This is easily one of the best drives in the region, with ample hiking trails accessible just off of the road. I stopped to take these pics near the Thorton Gap entrance.”
“There’s great hiking and trail running to be found on the Appalachian Trail outside of Front Royal, which is roughly an hour’s drive to the west.”
For more, follow @StephenLano and @ArcteryxWashingtonDC on Instagram.
If your pup has been your constant companion—and source of sanity—during quarantine, it might be time to treat yourselves to a pet-centric weekend getaway. Intrigued? The Conrad Washington DC has created an exceptionally luxurious package for dog owners who are ready to pull out all the stops for their fluffy BFF.
What’s included:
Two-night stay in a Bark View Suite
Hermès pet collar & leash
Tiffany & Co. pet water bowl
House-made gourmet treats by Executive Chef Joshua Murray
Car service for you and your furry friend on a winery tour to three dog-friendly wineries in Northern Virginia: 868 Estate Vineyard, Walsh Family Wine, and 8 Chains North Winery
Afternoon picnic-to-go
Pet photo session at CityCenterDC
A $500 donation to the Humane Society of the United States
Conrad Washington DC’s Lab of Luxury offer is $5,999 and includes the hotel pet fee. To reserve, call 202-844-5945.
Dolcezza Gelato delivers a taste of Italy’s Piedmont region this summer with its Hazelnut Crackle flavor. Loaded with chocolate hazelnut praline, wafer flecks, and chunks of real hazelnut sourced from Italy, it’s the next best thing to taking a passeggiata on a sunny afternoon in Rome.
For more, follow @DolcezzaGelato on Instagram.
On your next trip to CityCenterDC, don’t forget to look up. A partnership with experiential art and events company Design Foundry, the latest installation in Palmer Alley is a sea of colorful ribbons—28,000 to be exact—suspended overhead, moving in the breeze and capturing the elusive magic we always associate with the summer season. Titled “Summer Stream” and representing more than 250 hours of labor, the installation will be live through Labor Day for you to perfect your summer selfie game.
Bonus: Tag @CityCenterDC and #CCDCSummerStream on your IG snapshots to be featured!
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