The Wharf is open for business! The Kickoff Celebration for the redeveloped Southwest Waterfront will start October 12. Here are the best things to check out both at the celebration and long after the fireworks are done.
From its humble beginnings as a fishing destination for the native peoples of the land, to one of the first private developments for settlers -- from becoming a bustling place for business to a place of poverty and crime to the swanky multi-purpose destination it is now -- the Southwest Waterfront has an interesting past. Now The Wharf proclaims itself a premier destination for enjoying the water, eating at trendy restaurants, doing tons of shopping, and living your best life.
The Southwest Waterfront has the oldest continuously operating open-air fish market, so as gross as it may be to look at and smell fish, it’s worth a visit.
The Municipal Fish Market boasts excellent seafood (which you can buy fresh or cooked) and an oyster shed, as well as brand new operations and fish-cleaning facilities. There will also be an addition of a new marketplace, cementing the fish market as the iconic symbol of the history and future of The Wharf.
If you feel like you don’t get enough water access living in Washington, D.C., that's about to change. At the new waterfront, you’ll be able to enjoy an array of water activities. You can do anything from kayaking to sailing to taking a cruise. DCSail is a sailing program of the National Maritime Heritage Foundation, and they offer lessons at the waterfront, as well as boat rentals. If you’re more into sitting back and enjoying a cocktail on the water, then one of the fabulous dinner cruises may be for you. Of course, you can always go simple and get in some kayaking and paddle boarding.
The waterfront also boasts 10 acres of park land, so if you'd like to stay on land, there are plenty of options. Check out the pier, where you’ll find all the shops, restaurants, the fish market, and an entertainment space large enough to hold festivals. For a full list of restaurants, go
here, and for a full list of shopping, click
here. Bring your dog to one of the three parks -- 7
th Street Park, Waterfront Park, and Banneker Park. All have large green spaces with trails, big trees, and plenty of room for lawn games.
WHEN: October 12-15, 2017
WHERE: 690 Water Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20024
Come out and celebrate the much-anticipated official opening of The Wharf. To quote the
event website, the festival “will feature free live entertainment and headliner bands, restaurant openings from DC’s hottest chefs, debuts of iconic shops, and lots of waterside activities and games—concluding both Thursday and Sunday with sunset fireworks.” For a full, detailed schedule,
click here.
Who doesn’t love four days of fun, food, drinks, and music? Especially that close to the water! There will also be plenty more events to come. Check out the schedule of upcoming festivities
here.
The Southwest Waterfront is finally having its moment. What are you most excited about for District Wharf? Let us know in the comments below!