The unofficial end to summer 2014 is upon us- time to mourn! Kidding, of course. It’s really time to just sit back, relax, and kick your feet up one last time to enjoy the fruits of summertime! Here’s a roundup of the top 5 Labor Day weekend celebrations in DC…

National Book Festival
Calling all book lovers! Stop by the Walter E. Washington Convention Center this Saturday, August 30th for a day made in bookworm heaven. Over 100 award-winning authors and poets will be on site to sign your favorite reads.

Labor Day Concert
What’s a long weekend without a good concert? Taking place this Sunday, August 31st, enjoy a complimentary concert by the National Symphony Orchestra.

Virginia Scottish Games
This Saturday and Sunday, celebrate Alexandria’s vibrant Scottish heritage with traditional Scottish music, dancing, sheep-herding, an antique car show, and much more!

DC Blues Festival
This annual (and free!) festival features both local and national blues acts. Fun for the whole family, this event features interactive workshops and a musical instrument petting zoo- yes, you read that correctly!

Smithsonian Experience by Bike
We are pretty excited to announce the expansion of our operations at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History to include bicycle tours! Premiering Labor Day weekend, we’ll be offering a 2 hour or 3.5 hour experience by bike that is sure to wow! Book now, have fun later.

Visit National Harbor
Head south to glorious National Harbor for some serious family fun! Take in the beautiful vistas from atop the Capital Wheel, or participate in this weekend’s Dragon Boat Races.

Tour DC by Bike or Segway
Take a sunset ride around the district’s monuments and memorials in true DC fashion (by bike or Segway, we mean!). Spots are still available on our late summer Sites@Nite and Sites by Segway tours, so book today!

See an Outdoor Movie
Have a throwback moment (drive-ins, anyone?) and see a movie in the great outdoors! There are still several spots to watch a good flick or two before summer 2014 is officially over, socheck out this list here.

Cheer on the Nats
N-A-T-S, NATS, NATS, NATS! Celebrate the best of summer at Nationals Park with a hot dog, a cold beverage, and America’s favorite pastime.

Paddle the Potomac
That’s right- take to the river! Visit our friends at the Key Bridge Boathouse, and get your crew outfitted on some stand-up paddle boards (or a kayak or canoe). Nothing quite like enjoying a DC sunset on the water!

Happy Friday, everyone!

We love summer Fridays almost as much as we like bicycles (i.e. a LOT)- and that’s why we’re giving you a quick list of what YOU should be excited about for this weekend!

Restaurant Week
Running through this Sunday, August 17th, there are still reservations open at some of the DC area’s top restaurants! 3-course lunches are $20.14 and 3-course dinners go for $35.14 for this gourmet event. Make your reservation now! (Seriously though… like, right now.)

DC Beer Week
For our 21 and over fans, Beer Week officially kicks off this Sunday the 17th! Hundreds of venues (yes, hundreds!) in the DMV area will be participating with beer-related events.

Segway the Sites
Glide around the District as you soak in all the summer goodness DC has to offer… (the monuments seriously look amazing in this golden August lighting, am I right?). Nothing wrong with playing tourist in your own city, folks!

WACA Gala
Join the Washington Area Concierge Association for “A Night in Nashville” at the HamiltonSunday August 17th. There’ll be a live performance by Amy Wilcox, a plethora of food and drinks, and raffle prizes to boot! Today is the last day to purchase discounted tickets, so get on it! Oh, and don’t forget your best cowboy hat…

We’d like to say an “official” goodbye to our trusty/amazing/superb/exceptional/fantastic Operations Manager, Jeffrey Holliday! His immeasurable impact at Bike and Roll DC will surely be felt for years to come (yes- he was just that good!). We’re all very excited for what the future will bring him, and are thrilled to welcome new “Ops Man”, Keith Winer to the team! (More on him soon…)

As some of you may know, aside from being an all-around great employee, Jeffrey was frequently the “talent” in our marketing endeavors. Let’s take a look back at some of his major starring roles…

There was that time he led a filmed Segway tour around DC… Or that time he played adown and out Film Noir protagonist… or even that time he reenacted “Starbucks Drake hands”! But, lest we forget, his shining role as our cheesy bike salesman!

Ahhh, we sure will miss him… Happy Trails, Jeffrey!

Fresh air, the sweet smells and sounds of summer, and a beautiful bounty of fresh picked fruits and vegetables everywhere you look…. yes, we’re talking farmers markets!

What better way to celebrate the weekend than with a trip to a local farmers market? We’ve done a bit of research and are bringing you the top 5 farmers markets you should be frequenting in the DC area. And the good news is, most are just a quick bike ride away! No bike? No problem. Swing by our Downtown DC location and pick up one of our DC Cool bikes, equipped with wonderfully retro-chic front baskets to haul your newly purchased goodies.

1. Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market
One of the most popular in DC, this outdoor market is located on 20th St between Mass Ave and Hillyer Pl. During its peak, this market has over 40 farmers offering the very best in produce, meat, and baked goods. Talk about fresh!

2. Eastern Market
Not technically a “farmers market” per se, but a food and arts market that offers a plethora of options for the weekend shopper. Located in the heart of Capitol Hill, Eastern Market is historically renowned as the go-to for indoor/outdoor markets in DC. Stop by and see what all the fuss is about!

3. Del Ray Farmers’ Market
Voted locally as one of the very best, the Del Ray Farmers’ Market is just a bike ride away from Downtown (right off Mount Vernon Ave in Alexandria), and offers a quaint Virginia setting along with a variety of farm-fresh produce for perusal.

4. Takoma Park Farmers Market
Make the trip to historic Old Takoma for a true farmers market gem. Located off Laurel Ave, this market is open every Sunday and offers a “producers-only” philosophy that provides shoppers with only locally grown and sold items.

5. Union Market
Another not-so-farmers-market market, Union Market is located at 1309 5th Street NE. With over 40 local artisans offering a wide selection of produce, crafts, jewelry, meats, and gelato, there’s sure to be something for everyone!

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!

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.

Our Marketing Director recently travelled to Australia and New Zealand for business, and was kind enough to bring a plus one in the form of her favorite (plush) camel! Let’s take a gander at the photo diary Aladdin kept during his trip…

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!

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!