Originally posted on CommuterPageBlog.

Summertime is usually synonymous with doing everything outdoors: eating, drinking, laughing, crying, playing and for the past several years now: watching movies on the big screen! With our wonderful off-street paths, on-street bike lanes and Capital Bikeshare stations, it’s as easy as pie to ditch four wheels for two and roll on over to the outdoor movie screenings!

Check out a list of some of the outdoor films in the area and give your car a break. Oh, and if you decide that riding your bike both ways isn’t for you, you can always take your bike on a bus (ART, Circulator and MetroBus), or the Metro for one leg of the trip – there are some restrictions on the Metro though.

VIRGINIA

Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival

Gateway Park on Lee Highway near Key Bridge: Fridays through August 24th

Gateway Park is accessible directly from the Mount Vernon and Custis off-street trails and from the Key Bridge where you can ride your bike on the wide sidewalks. Nearby bike lanes/sharrows include N. Lynn Street (before Lee Hwy.), Key Blvd., Wilson Blvd. and Clarendon Blvd. There are several bike friendly (or suggested) routes you can take by bike as well. There is plenty of bike parking available at Gateway Park. There are two Capital Bikeshare stations located about a five minute walk away from the park. The Rosslyn Metro station and numerous buses that leave the bus bay make it very accessible by public transit as well.

Crystal Screen: Rom Com

Courtyard at 1850 Bell St: Mondays through August 27th

The courtyard is accessible straight from the Mt Vernon off street trail past the Crystal City Water Park. Crystal Drive and 18th St. bike lanes take you right to the courtyard. There are a number of bike friendly streets that are located nearby including South Bell & Eads St., 15th St. South and 23rd St. South. There are eight Capital Bikeshare stations within a 10 minute walk. There is plenty of bike parking – check out the Crystal City BID’s handy bike parking map to see where you can park up before the show. The Crystal City Metro station is also located steps away from the courtyard.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Screen on the Green

National Mall between 7th and 12th Streets: July 16, 25, 30 and August 6

Screen on the Green is accessible directly from the off-street trails along the mall (parallel to Constitution Ave., Madison & Jefferson Dr.). The Pennsylvania Ave. bike lanes spit you out on bike friendly 4th St., or you can take 7th St. directly to the green. There are nine Capital Bikeshare stations and five Metro stations within a 10 minute walk from the green.

U Street Movie Series: Harrison Under the Stars

Harrison Playground, V St. and 13th NW: Fourth Wednesday of each month through September 26th

The Harrison Playground is located right around the corner from a Capital Bikeshare station, with four other stations within a half mile! The playground is located directly on a street with a dedicated bike lane and nearby several other streets with bike lanes including W St., T St. , 14thSt., 15thSt., R St. and 7th St.).

NoMa Summer Screen

L St. between 2nd and 3rd Streets, NE: Wednesdays through August 8th

The park is directly accessible from the Metropolitan Branch Trail, an off-street path that parallels 2nd St. NE. There are several streets with dedicated bike lanes (1st, 4th 6th) that are also close by. There are four Capital Bikeshare stations within a 10 minute walk from the park as well. NoMa’s Summer Screen can also be accessed by Metro, with both Union Station and the newly named NoMa-Gallaudet U station.

Capitol Riverfront Summer Outdoor Movies

New Jersey Ave. and Tingey St., SE: Thursdays through July 26

You’ll find one bright, red Capital Bikeshare station just steps from the plaza and two others that are less than a five minute walk away. There are several bike lanes adjacent to the plaza, and it can also be accessed from the off-street Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. The Navy Yard Metro station is also only just a five minute walk from the plaza.