With all of the wonderful parks and green spaces in the nation's capital, do you have a special place that you like to picnic on a nice sunny day? Please provide the location and a short description of the view or amenities that make this spot a great place for a picnic. Read other readers' responses and share your experience.

We've finally hit those nasty orange air quality days, the hot and humid weather that makes many local residents escape the city. So how do you enjoy yourself this time of year? Here are some places to get wet and cool off in the Washington, DC area:

• Water Parks in Maryland and Virginia


• Outdoor Swimming Pools in Washington, DC


• Lakes and Swimming Near Washington, DC

Read more about Coping with Washington, DC's Hot and Humid Weather

_{Photo © Wesley Hitt/Getty Images}

The six-acre National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the ambiance of the National Mall. Seventeen major sculptures, set in a beautifully landscaped informal garden, are on display by internationally renowned artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Mark di Suvero, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, and Tony Smith. During the summer on Friday evenings, jazz musicians entertain visitors by the reflecting pool at Jazz in the Garden. Refreshments are available year-round at the Pavilion Café.

_{Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Related
Photos of the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

See a guide to the top events going on this weekend in Washington, DC and the surrounding communities.

• Capital Fringe Festival - July 9 - 26, 2009. This annual performing arts festival will feature more than 120 unique performances in 20 venues around Washington, DC.
  
  
• Alexandria Birthday and Independence Day Fireworks - July 11, 2009, Oronoco Bay Park. The annual event includes children’s activities, a concert performed by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, birthday cake and a fireworks extravaganza.
  
  
• Hip Hop Theatre Festival - July 6-12, 2009. Enjoy a variety of performances of both new and established hip hop music by national and international artists.
  
  
• Washington Kastles Tennis Tournaments - July 7-26, 2009. The Washington Kastles begin their second season of Advanta World TeamTennis (WTT), bringing live tennis tournaments to Washington, DC.
  
  
• The Source Theater Festival - Through July 12, 2009. Source Theatre, 1835 14th Street, NW Washington, DC. See new works in theater, dance, music, visual art, film, puppetry, spoken word, poetry and hip-hop. Performances include eighteen 10-Minute Plays, four one act plays, eight “Mash-Ups,” Project 24/7, three staged readings and a one-of-a-kind opening night event.

More Upcoming Washington, DC Events
July Festivals and Events
Outdoor Movies in the Washington, DC Area
County Fairs in Maryland and Virginia

Looking for free entertainment in Washington, DC? There's plenty of free attractions in the nation's capital. If you live in DC, Maryland or Virginia, why not stay close to home this summer? There's probably tons of museums, parks, memorials, and historic sites that you've never explored. Here’s a guide to Washington, DC attractions with no admission fees.

Dupont Circle is one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Washington, DC. At the end of the nineteenth century, wealthy Americans built beautiful mansions in this part of town where they hosted social gatherings with notable public figures. After the Great Depression, when they could no longer afford these showy homes, many of them were bought by foreign governments and converted into embassies. The section where many of them are clustered along Massachusetts Avenue has become known as Embassy Row. The architecture of these buildings is fascinating to look at and makes this area a great place to take a walking tour. See photos of the foreign embassies and get a glimpse of Embassy Row.

Photo: Embassy of Egypt
© Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

A summer internship in Washington, DC is often a once in a lifetime opportunity for students to test-drive their careers and make important professional contacts. But what’s it really like? The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC), a nonprofit organization that helps students locate internships in government, business and non-profit organizations in Washington, DC, assisted us in connecting with several interns to create profiles. The students answer questions and describe their experience in their own words. See An Insider's Guide to Washington, DC Internships

The City of Alexandria celebrates its own birthday and the USA’s each year on the Saturday following the 4th of July. (This year - July 11, 2009) The annual event includes children’s activities, a concert performed by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, birthday cake and a fireworks extravaganza. Read more about Alexandria's Birthday celebration.

_{Photo © Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association}

More About Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia Map and Directions
Old Town Alexandria Photo Gallery
Alexandria Neighborhood Profile

Looking to get out and enjoy some different entertainment this summer? Don't miss Washington, DC's annual Capital Fringe Festival July 9-26, 2009! The performing arts festival introduces new, risk-taking art, and non-traditional performances including theater, dance, music, poetry, puppetry and more. This year's event includes more than 120 unique shows in over 10 venues around Washington, DC. On Monday and Tuesday evenings, Fringe Training Factory workshops are open to the public and give participants the opportunity to learn from emerging artists. Wednesday through Sunday, sample a variety of imaginative performances.

_{Photo: Crashing Home/A WEERD SISTERS Production
© Len Rizzi}

See a guide to the top events going on this holiday weekend in Washington, DC and the surrounding communities.

• National Harbor Fireworks and SummerFest - July 3, 2009. Gaylord National Resorts kicks off the July 4th weekend with an outdoor festival with live entertainment and fireworks. Admission is $5.
  
  
• Fourth of July Fireworks in the Washington DC Area - Find 4th of July fireworks and a guide to all of the Independence Day celebrations on the National Mall and around the capital region in Maryland and Virginia.
  
  
• Smithsonian Folklife Festival - Through July 5, 2009. Celebrate cultural traditions from around the world. The Festival includes daily and evening music and dance performances, crafts and cooking demonstrations, storytelling and discussions of cultural issues. This is one of Washington, DC’s most popular summer events.
  
  
• Independence Day at Mount Vernon - July 4, 2009. The Red, White and Blue event features musical performances, a wreathlaying ceremony, free birthday cake for all (while supplies last) and a visit by 'General Washington' himself.
  
  
• 4th of July Parades in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia -Many communities in the area celebrate the holiday with a parade. Show your patriot spirit and enjoy a few hours of family fun.
  
  
• AT & T National Golf Tournament - June 29 - July 5, 2009. Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Maryland. The PGA Tour, hosted by Tiger Woods, is a first class event featuring 120 top golf professionals competing at one of the highest-ranked courses in the country.

More Upcoming Washington, DC Events
July Festivals and Events
Outdoor Movies in the Washington, DC Area
County Fairs in Maryland and Virginia