Sometimes it feels like you blink and summer is already over. But while Labor Day might technically mark the end of the season, any D.C.-area resident worth their salt knows that September signals the beginning of the very best weeks for warm weather activities, just as August humidity tapers off and the mosquitos cease their feeding frenzy.

So don’t pack up your picnic blankets or bathing suits just yet because we’re here to help you wring every last drop out of summer fun before the cold sets in. We asked everyone at DCist/WAMU for the top item of their end-of-summer bucket list, the one thing they’re going to make sure to do before the leaves start to fall, which resulted in this list of warm-weather activities every District-area resident should strive to pack in while there’s still time.

Kojo Nnamdi, Host of The Politics Hour

I’m a big crab eater. Not far out of town, I go to Ruff N Ready Crab House in Prince George’s County, or Bethesda Crab House in Bethesda. Also DC JazzFest— my summer bucket list includes seeing as many shows at the festival as possible.

(Bethesda Crab House, 4958 Bethesda Avenue in Bethesda. Ruff N Ready Crab House, 903 Chillum Rd, Hyattsville, MD. DC Jazz Festival, August 31-September 4; FREE-$199 for VIP passes.) 

Elliot Williams, Arts & Culture Reporter

The Parks, a 66-acre redevelopment project of Walter Reed Army Medical Center near Takoma, has some pretty great events all summer long. On October 8 the Down in the Reeds music Festival will take over the massive outdoor campus. They also host regular outdoor yoga classes through September, movie nights into October, a farmers market, and some impressive jazz sets. I’ve been once this summer, but have it on my bucket list to go at least one more time before it gets chilly out.

(The Parks, 1010 Butternut St NW. Down in the Reeds music festival, October 8, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., FREE)

Rebecca Cooper, Arts and Food Editor

I want to rent one of those electric picnic boats off The Wharf! It’s something I’ve wanted to do for ages and was thrilled to discover recently that it still exists. In my opinion, this is a perfect September activity as the weather cools off because, let’s face it: When it’s hot, it’s not always enough to be out on the water — and I’m not getting IN the Washington Channel (no matter what Lorde says).

The boats apparently come with electric coolers, so my mind is already reeling at the level of spread I could put together from some of my fave local spots, including Cheesetique, Red Apron, Brutto Breads, and more.

(Float DC, 101 Market Square SW, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; $150 per hour for up to 8 people.)

Lori McCue, Breaking News Editor 

After years of not really understanding the hype around hiking, I’ve finally figured out what makes it worth it: jumping into a big ol’ body of water at the end. Say what you will about D.C.’s bevy of rooftop pools, but there’s something special about panting and sweating through the forest, and emerging through the trees to find a lake, creek, or waterfall just waiting to be waded in. This summer I trekked about a mile and a half with friends through Shenandoah National Park near Old Rag Mountain. I didn’t make it anywhere near the peak of that notorious climb, but stopped at one of the swimming holes along the way to float and take approximately 19,375 photos of the waterfalls. I’ve also cooled off at Blue Hole near Charlottesville, and for more options, Washingtonian has a great list. My tip: Just go ahead and invest in some Tevas, Chacos, or other hiking sandals — you’ll need them for wading through the waters safely.

(Shenandoah National Park is an hour and a half drive from the city with a variety of swimming options; $15-$30 entrance fee)

Natalie Delgadillo, DCist Managing Editor

I still haven’t been to D.C.’s arboretum this year, and I plan to pick a day hovering not-too-far over 80 degrees to go out there with a picnic spread and a book. There’s something so enchanting about laying out a blanket on the Ellipse Meadow in full view of the National Capitol Columns (and all the people taking photos of them). It’s a wide open space full of families and couples and groups of friends — excellent people-watching without feeling too crowded. The stately columns provide some romance and intrigue (crucial for invoking that Main Character feeling, which I am often chasing on a solo summer afternoon). Bring a soft cheese, some crackers, and something cold to drink.

(U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave NE, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, FREE)

Cydney Grannan, Producer at The Politics Hour

I love picnics, but I always find them to be missing one thing: The roar of 200-ton airplanes taking off and landing right above my head. Luckily, there’s Gravelly Point. It’s a perfect spot for a picnic right on the Potomac River just north of National Airport. There’s parking onsite, and it’s bike and pedestrian accessible from the Mt. Vernon Trail. If you’re lucky, you can catch a local rugby match or practice held on the pitch. To make a day out of it, I’d get some vegan cheese, fig jam and a baguette from Mason & Greens in Old Town Alexandria before heading out to watch the big metal birds.

(Gravelly Point Park, Arlington, Va; FREE)

Aja Drain, General Assignment Reporter

Before summer’s over I would love to take a trip to the National Zoo to see little baby panda Xiao Qi Ji. I’d also love to take a trip to the Botanical Gardens before the cold sets in.

(United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; FREE. Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, entry passes required; FREE)

Jordan Pascale, Transportation Reporter

We tubed down the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers before the pandemic and it’s been on my summer to-do list to get back. It takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to get up to the outfitters (there are a handful of options) but it makes for a lovely day of basking in the sun. I recommend the flat water Shenandoah portion for a more leisurely experience. Oh, and wear sunscreen and drink lots of water. Pair it with a hike, nearby brewery or ice cream and you’ve got yourself a heckuva summer day.

If you REALLY want to have an ambitious and exhausting day trip, check out the moderate/strenuous Maryland Heights hike. The 3-4 hour round trip hike has incredible picturesque views of Harper’s Ferry. It’s so beautiful it reminds me of a puzzle photo.

(Harpers Ferry Adventure Center, 37410 Adventure Center Lane, Purcellville; $31.80-$68.87 per person. River Riders, 408 Alstadts Hill Rd. in Harpers Ferry; $32.99-$71.99)

Abigail Higgins, Web Editor

As a native Seattleite, I was skeptical that Washington D.C. would live up to its reputation for outdoor activities. I realized I was wrong when I discovered the C&O Canal Towpath, a packed dirt hiking and biking trail hugged by the Potomac on one side and the historic canal on the other, that stretches 184.5 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland.

Two years ago, I biked from my house in D.C. to Harpers Ferry. It’s just shy of 60 miles and it sounds a lot more ambitious than it is, honestly. The trail is flat virtually the entire way and if you set out early in the morning, you can take it at a pretty leisurely pace and be unwinding with beers at Harpers Ferry Brewery by evening.

And while I’d someday like to take the bike all the way to Cumberland (or even Pittsburgh, all on bike trails!) you don’t have to make nearly that kind of a commitment to enjoy C&O. There are dozens of campsites you can bike or drive to (some just 10 miles or so from the city) and there are parking lots all along the route if you want to drop in for a shorter bike or walk.

Keep your eyes on the weather: The trail can get muddy after heavy rains, and if you’re new to biking in general or biking on packed dirt in particular definitely experiment with the shorter options first. If you’re doing the whole trek bring a bike pump and a basic tire patching kit.

(C&O Canal Towpath starts in Georgetown just behind M Street; FREE)

Bonus End-of-Summer Bucket List Items:

• Go for a stroll through the stunning botanical gardens and cloisters of the Franciscan Monastery in Brookland, which is open to the public every day. There’s no food or drink allowed, so head to Busboys and Poets for refreshments afterwards. (1400 Quincy St NE; FREE)
• Sneak in a beach day at Sandy Point State Park. While everyone loves a trip to the Eastern Shore, sometimes you can’t spare a whole weekend for an overnight getaway. In just under an hour from the city you can be reading a book on the sand and dipping your toes in the Chesapeake at this beach. On the way home, stop at Cantler’s Riverside Inn to crack crabs with waterfront views.  (1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis; $4-$5 per person)