If your Labor Day plans don't call for a commute to the beach, consider these last minute events for celebrating like a local:
Downtown:
- Tonight, Friday, sip sangria while listening to Zydeco and Louisiana Cajun Funk at the National Sculpture Garden's Jazz in the Park. Starting at 5 PM.
- Grab a growler and a bite at Chocolate City's Saturday Growler Sales Event and enjoy a visit with Something Stuffed food truck. Steps from Brookland-CUA metro and EYA's Chancellor's Row townhomes. Saturday from 12:30-4:30.
- Take in a baseball game with the Washington Nationals. They're home all week and playing everyday for nine straight home games. While you're there, take a stroll past the nearly complete Capitol Quarter townhome community and make a stop at the Half Street Fairgrounds which is an uber cool bar/foodtruck/party area right outside Nats Park.
Old Town Alexandria:
- Off the beaten path in Del Ray, discover the Alexandria Art Market Saturday from 10 AM - 4 PM. Complete with art, music and food.
- Delight your senses with Pianist Carlos Ibay at Washington Philharmonic's free concert series at the Lyceum in Old Town. Sunday from 3-4:30 PM. Steps from EYA's Old Town Commons and Oronoco Condo communities.
- Stretch your legs on a bike or boat with Washington Sailing Marina. They offer rentals and lessons, alongside their popular Indigo Landing Restaurant (where the cocktails and small plates are highly recommended).
Fox 5 News Alexandria Art Market
Falls Church/Fairfax:
- Discover Dogfish Head Alehouse at their Fairfax or Falls Church locations and sip their tasty Punkin Ale, now available on tap. The Saturday night concerts and Sunday brunches make for the perfect outing.
- Pack a picnic and head to Wolftrap for Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I. There are showtimes all weekend and lawn tickets are only $25. Express bus service runs every 20 minutes from the West Falls Church Metro station on the Orange line.
- For a full listing of farmers markets, art events and festivals in the Falls Church area, check out the Patch guide to Labor Day. They're all near EYA's townhomes at Mosaic District.
You can always take in DC like a tourist and use the About.com guide to Labor Day, which is packed with festivals and parades all over town.
Whatever your plans, ditch the car and take advantage of some of the many stress-free transit options, like Capital Bikeshare, Zipcar or Metro. Just be sure to check Metro's weekend schedule before heading out.