Summer's coming. Time to get O-U-T-S-I-D-E!
Hang, eat, play, run, walk, read, talk, dream . . . . outside in Rosslyn. The possibilities are endless!
Summer's coming, so we should all get away from our desks or out of our apartment buildings to take in some fresh air. If you live or work in Rosslyn, or are just passing by, we have some great suggestions for how you can get outside in this wonderful neighborhood.
1. Eat OUTside: Dine al fresco at our neighborhood restaurants and public spaces! There are so many terrific spots to do it.
Rosslyn has 11 sit-down restaurants where you can grab a table and catch some rays while enjoying dinner or happy hour with friends. Click here for a list of restaurants with outdoor seating, such as Continental Beer Garden, pictured. Other good spots? How about Central Place Plaza? It has several tables where you can hang out. Or, enjoy a quieter outdoor dining experience at Freedom Park. A bit off the beaten track, it has benches and shady spots.
2. Play OUTside: Sink your toes into the sand at the sandbox in Gateway Park.
Rosslyn has the largest sandbox in Arlington. Created by the Rosslyn BID from a disused fountain on the western edge of Gateway Park, it's painted with lively scenes by local artists. Dozens of stone animals—from bunnies to turtles to frogs—surround the sand play area. And make no mistake: The sandbox is not just for kids! We've conducted summer staff meetings here and can affirm that it's a great place to think and create. So pull up an Adirondack chair and sink your toes into the warm sand.
3. Explore OUTside: Sign up for Bike to Work Day or go for a run or walk on Teddy Roosevelt Island or a nearby trail.
There are tons of great places to be active outside in Rosslyn. Ride your bike (register for Bike to Work Day on May 18 here!), or walk or run along the Custis and Mount Vernon trails. Jog on Theodore Roosevelt Island: Go solo or sign up for a free, weekly timed run Saturday mornings. Or, take a scenic jog along the Potomac (check out our favorite running route here). Not up for exercising? Plant yourself in Dark Star Park and ponder the sculptures. It's a great spot for introspection.
4. Shop OUTside: Pick up fresh produce, breads, meats and more at our weekly farmers market. Your body will thank you!
The FRESHFARM Rosslyn Farmers Market takes place every Wednesday, 2:30-6:30 p.m., at Central Place Plaza, located between N. Lynn and N. Moore Sts. It's just steps away from the Rosslyn Metro and offers a convenient way to shop for fresh, locally grown produce from area farmers. It's also a great place to hang out and enjoy neighborhood life. Each month, we'll have a special activity at the market. Check the event page for updates!
5. Sweat OUTside: Get in shape and experience the great outdoors at one of our fitness classes in the park.
Each spring, Rosslyn comes alive with people exercising in the park. Sign up for our (in)famous bootcamp in Gateway Park. Bootcamp is a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) class that's great for various fitness levels. It can be doable or a total killer workout, depending on how hard you push yourself. This summer, we're also offering our first-ever belly dancing class in Freedom Park. No dance experience necessary. This is for people who want to learn the basics.
6. Chill OUTside: See an outdoor movie or awesome (and free!) live music. And have a cool drink or some sangria while you're at it!
Rosslyn Cinema + Pub in the Park is a highlight of summer in Rosslyn. Bring a picnic blanket and watch a classic film on the big screen in Gateway Park. Meanwhile, grab a drink at our Pub in the Park and play some games, such as cornhole, ping pong or Giant Jenga. Our Rosslyn Rocks! Concerts are back this year, too, bringing you some fab cover bands at Central Place Plaza. We're thrilled to again have local favorite White Ford Bronco open the concert series June 7.
7. Sprynt OUTside: Hop into a free Sprynt ridesharing car in Rosslyn this summer and arrive at your destination looking calm and cool!
This summer, the Rosslyn BID is partnering with local startup Sprynt to bring you free, on-demand rides within the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor. Sprynt's fleet of funky looking electric cars, which you'll see circulating in Rosslyn starting in late April, are hard to miss: they're kind of like modern-looking, stretched-out British black cabs. Download the free Sprynt iPhone app and use it to reserve a ride anywhere you want to go in the surrounding area (roughly from here to Ballston). The rides are all free. More details here.