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The nation’s capital is rich with history and culture, but it truly comes alive during summertime. Thanks to a long list of summer festivals and events like the Capital Fringe Festival (July 6-30) and monthly Truckeroo food fetes, weekend getaways to Washington, DC are truly memorable.

But the best time to get to DC is during any of the major summer holidays. There’s only one place where you can experience the most all-American Fourth of July, and that’s in DC. For those seeking to experience America’s pastime with some guaranteed fireworks, catch the Washington Nationals’ July 3 series opener against the New York Mets, which will end with a firework extravaganza!

Drop by the free-to-visit Smithsonian Folklife Festival (June 29 – July 4, July 6-9) on the National Mall during the daytime and experience the wonders of the circus arts, from acrobatics to the annual cultural festival’s famed marketplace.

On the big day, you should camp out on the Constitution Avenue-facing steps of the National Archives, which offers prime viewing for the National Independence Day Parade that begins at 11:45 a.m. The National Archives not only displays the Declaration of Independence inside, but it also hosts a free, family-friendly celebration with live performances and Declaration readings from the steps.

By nightfall, make sure to find one of the great spots to watch the Fourth of July fireworks, including the iconic Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. If you’d like to add a soundtrack into the mix, attend "A Capitol Fourth", the free concert held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol that includes a rendition of Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture" with live canons. Find even more ways to experience Independence Day in DC.

For those looking to cap off summer in style, DC is the ultimate Labor Day Weekend getaway destination. This is your last chance to indulge in the best of summer, and the city has everything you could possibly want and more.

Take to the water on a paddleboarding or kayaking voyage, kick back on the most amazing rooftop bar for a spectacular sunset and then dig in to the nation’s most exciting food scene.

And on Labor Day eve, you can head to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for a free concert with the National Symphony Orchestra. Plan your Labor Day getaway today.