Author Archives: Bike and Roll DC

Group Itinerary: See DC on two wheels!

Bike and Roll Group Tour

Have a group looking to tour DC (or a family that’s large enough to count as a bonafide group)? See (and eat) DC on two wheels with this group-tailored 3 day itinerary! No group? No problem. This itinerary works just swell for singles too.

Day One

Start your trip off right and get the lay of the land with a bike or Segway tour! Not only do riders get to see DC’s monuments and memorials up close and personally, they also learn about the history, art, architecture and culture of the nation’s capital.

Afterwards, head to the Mall and stop by the National Museum of the American Indian for a unique (and amazing!) culinary experience. The Mitsitam Cafe gives visitors the opportunity to taste indigenous cuisines (buffalo, anyone?) of various Native tribes using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

Get your grub on before arriving at the Newseum where seven levels of news history awaits. With exhibits ranging from a 9/11 Gallery to “Pictures of the Year” to “Anchorman: The Exhibit,” this one-of-a-kind museum is sure to wow. In the evening, have dinner in Chinatown at Del Campo restaurant where diners are treated to South American cuisine that is “meat-driven, wine-centric.” Enough said!

Day Two

Nothing like coffee and pop tarts to wake up to- especially when it’s gourmet coffee and homemade pop tarts at Ted’s Bulletin. This local hotspot does everyone’s favorite comfort food with a thoroughly modern twist.

After breakfast, head to the National Portrait Gallery to view their “American Cool” exhibit which includes a variety of celebrity portraits. Keeping in line with this citywide theme, you’ll ride around town in style on “DC Cool” bikes, available for rent at Bike and Roll’s Downtown DC location. Pedal down to the Southwest Waterfront to have lunch outside at the Wharf where you’ll find the oldest continuously operating fish market in the United States. Cruise around at a leisurely pace before returning the bikes and making your way to Old Ebbitt Grillfor dinner- Washington’s oldest and most historic, famed bar and restaurant.

Day 3

Start your day in Alexandria, VA with Bike and Roll’s Mount Vernon by Bike and Boatpackage. Pick the bikes up early and take a spin across the river to National Harbor where you’ll see the brand new Capital Wheel– DC’s first and only observation wheel!

Head back down the Mount Vernon Trail, lock the bikes outside (we’ll pick them up!) and go on to tour our first President’s magnificent estate and gardens. After a full day of historical fun, hop on the Potomac Riverboat Company’s Miss Christin for a narrated boat cruise back to Old Town Alexandria. End this lovely day with dinner at Virtue Feed & Grain– and don’t forget to try their delicious Guacamame Hummus!

Top 5 Events This August

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Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna
The newest installation to appear in National Habor, Amaluna will run through September 21st. This show is full of all that you expect from Cirque du Soleil, along with a magical storyline about mysterious islands governed by Goddesses. We’re in!

DC and Alexandria Restaurant Weeks
It’s that time of year again! Summer restaurant week is back- in the District AND Alexandria! Time to fill up and celebrate. DC Restaurant Week runs from August 11-17, and offers discounted 3 course meals at over 100 of the city’s finest restuarants. The same is true forAlexandria’s Restaurant Week which runs from August 15-24. Bon appetit!

Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner
Many cities will be commerorating the end of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner, but the highlight of these celebrations will take place in Alexandria on August 31st.This signature event will include historical exhibits, boating activities, and food trucks. And listen to this: “To restore honor after Alexandria’s 1814 surrender to British troops, Alexandria has challenged the British Embassy to a good-spirited rematch, featuring a tug-of-war, cricket match and yacht race.”

National Book Festival
Bookworms unite! The annual festival held on the National Mall will be moving over to the Washington Convention Center this year on August 30th. Join over 100 award-winning authors as you hear readings and get a chance to have your favorite book autographed!

Labor Day Weekend
Kicking off August 30th, this weekend celebrates the (unofficial) end to summer, and what better way to celebrate than by bike or Segway? Say goodbye to August on two wheels as you cruise around the city and take in some glorious sights.

 

Mount Vernon by Bike and Boat Summer Adventure

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Looking for THE perfect family-friendly summer adventure? Well, look no further! Our stupendously fun Mount Vernon by Bike and Boat package will have the whole family grinning (and spinning!) all day long.

Enjoy some breakfast and coffee in Old Town, then arrive at the Alexandria Waterfront by 11am to pick up your gear for the ride. Peddle down the magnificently beautiful Mount Vernon Trail, where you’ll glide over marsh land, past winding hills and water views to our first President’s estate.

Lock your bikes up outside Mount Vernon, and spend the day marveling at the lush grounds, adorable farm animals, and beautifully maintained mansion. Catch the boat by 4pm and take the adventure to the water aboard the Potomac Riverboat Company’s Miss Christin. Enjoy a fun (and funny!) narrated boat cruise back to Old Town Alexandria, where you’ll be dropped off at 5:30pm.

Hungry after all that summer fun? Swing by Virtue Feed & Grain for a delicious meal (we recommend the Chesapeake crab cakes!) … and maybe a grown up beverage for the adults in the group.

Long live summer!

Announcing Smithsonian National Mall Tours

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Bike and Roll DC is excited to announce the launch of a fifth location: Smithsonian® National Mall Tours launching from the National Museum of American History! Bike and Roll has partnered with the Smithsonian Institution to provide the only Segway tours to depart directly from the National Mall.

Tour-goers will ride beside history with our Smithsonian Highlights by Segway! Prepared in consultation with Smithsonian experts, this premiere Segway tour highlights the architecture, art, culture, and history of Washington, DC’s National Mall and many of Smithsonian’s famed museums. Hear the many stories behind DC’s landmarks and most famous national treasures on this guided tour.

Covering over 1,000 acres of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, this is DC’s only tour that departs directly from the Mall at the National Museum of American History. Must be at least 16 years old to participate. (Min. weight 100lbs, max 260lbs.)

Click here for the official press release!

Tag us with #BikeandRoll!

Come on, don’t be shy… we’re all taking them… (selfies that is!)

I do it, you do it, we all do it! Selfies happen, people. Especially on our bike and Segway tours, and we want to see them!

After your tour, tag your best photos with #BikeandRoll so we can get a good look (and maybe even turn you into a quasi-celebrity by reposting them on our various social media channels!) You can also search for all things Bike and Roll related by using #BikeandRoll… since we know you want to keep up with what your favorite tour company is doing!

Check out these awesome pics from tour-goers who used our hashtag, loud and proud!

 

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Keep Cool with DC Cool

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Summer heat’s got you feeling beat? Well, don’t fret (or sweat)— our DC Cool bike rentals are the perfect antidote to Washington’s trademark summer scorchers.

Seriously though, think about it… why walk around in this blasted heat and humidity when you can glide through it on two wheels? Biking offers a breeze that feels like free AC on hot summer days, and you get to your destination in less than half the time it would take to walk!

Still not sold? We’ve got a few things that might sweeten the deal for you! All of our DC Cool retro-chic bike rentals come with a bottled water and a This Bar Saves Lives snack so you can cool down and refuel after biking the sites.

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: keep cool with DC Cool, folks!

Top 5 July 4th Activities in DC

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USA! USA! USA!

Phew- now that we’ve gotten that out of our system (yes, we are in World Cup mode), we’d like to share with you some of our favorite picks for Fourth of July activities in good ole’ Washington!

1. Washington, DC’s Independence Day Parade
A terrific daytime celebration, the July 4th Parade starts around 11:45am, and travels down Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th streets. This patriotic parade will include a variety of bands, drum corps, floats, balloons, and hundreds of happy spectators- you should be one of them!

2. Visit the National Archives
Looking for a splendid way to celebrate America’s birthday? Visit the National Archives to see where it all began! From 10am-5:30pm on July 4th, the Archives will be open (for free!) to the public and displaying our nation’s most important preserved documents, along with a special ceremony and many family-friendly activities.

3. A Capitol Fourth Concert
What could be better than Fireworks in DC? Fireworks AND an amazing concert! A Capitol Fourth is an annual event that takes place on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol building. Performers this year will include Frankie Valli, John Williams, and Patti Labelle- talk about a star spangled Birthday!

4. Fireworks on the National Mall
The main event! Launched from the Reflecting Pool area, this spectacle is not to be missed. Arrive early to get through security and stake out some spots around the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool. (And start practicing your “oohs” and “ahhs” now!)

5. Explore Some Off-the-Mall Spots
Bike and Roll DC’s tours will be closed for Independence Day, but you can still rent a bike at any of our DC locations (open 9am-5pm) and cruise around some lesser-visited neighborhoods (or the top 10 FREE sites) and trails to celebrate all of the things that make DC so… well… DC!

Top 5 Things We Love South of the Mall

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As most all of you know by this point, our new National Mall tour center is located in L’Enfant Plaza (which is undergoing a serious revitalization these days!) Read up on our very favorite things about the new neighborhood we call home.

1. The Waterfront
With prime real estate on the Potomac River, the Southwest Waterfront is definitely worth a visit (or two, or ten…). There you’ll see the oldest continuously operating fish market in the whole United States in the Maine Avenue Fish Market. Nearby you’ll also find the Gangplank Marina, which houses hundreds of boats and outdoor dining to boot.

2. Nationals Park
Arguably the most popular destination in Southeast DC, Nationals Park is located along the Anacostia River in the Navy Yard area of Washington. It is home to our fabulous Nationals baseball team, but also boasts a wide array of culinary treats for game-goers. Flying Dog beer and a Ben’s chili dog, anyone? Yeah, we thought so.

3. Food trucks
Granted, food trucks are the rage all over the DC area, but we’re especially fond of the variety and volume of trucks that set up shop daily in L’Enfant Plaza. Check out Food Truck Fiesta before grabbing a bite and then head over to a nearby park (or the Mall!) to enjoy your sure-to-be-amazing dish.

4. L’Enfant Plaza’s Face Lift
Major progress is being made in the Southwest neighborhood as a whole these days, but especially in our neck of the woods at L’Enfant Plaza. The new outdoor atrium is officially open, which leads to an underground shopping and dining center. With new stores and restaurants popping up all the time, this is sure to be a major SW destination!

5. Hains Point
What better way to spend your lunch break than with a quick bike ride? This is how many Washingtonian professionals spend their midday respites at Hains Point. Ride around the East Potomac Park and head back to your office happy and recharged- Bike and Roll DC approved!