The final school bell is about to ring, and Del Ray is shifting into one of its best seasons. Summer in Del Ray is an invitation to step outside, move a little more, and soak up the kind of wellness that doesn’t require a gym membership or a screen — just fresh air, good company, and maybe a few ice cream drips on your shirt.
Whether you’re planning structured summer activities or just trying to keep the kids from turning your living room into a trampoline park, getting outdoors has benefits for your body, mind, and mood — and Del Ray makes it easy to say “yes” to being outside.
Movement That Feels Good (and Doesn’t Feel Like Exercise)
Let’s talk about walking. It’s not flashy, but it’s one of the most underrated health habits out there. Walking boosts circulation, supports heart health, lowers stress, and lifts your mood. It also lets you overhear some of the best front porch conversations in town – I recently passed a 7-year-old passionately debating his grandmother about whether popsicles count as a fruit.
Here in Del Ray, walking feels more like a way of life than a workout, with plenty of built-in destinations:
- Grab a coffee from St. Elmo’s or frozen custard from The Dairy Godmother and do a loop through the neighborhood – bonus points if you make it back before the whipped cream or custard melts!
- Walk the kids to the Del Ray Farmers Market on Saturday morning and let them choose something they’ve never heard of. Purple carrots? Sure. That mystery cheese sample? Live a little!
- Head to Four Mile Run or Potomac Yard Park for a longer stroll, splash pad action, or a picnic that ends with your dog stealing half a sandwich when no one’s looking.
- Explore with no destination – let your dog pick the route! It’s humbling to be led on a zig-zagging adventure because a squirrel sneezed there three weeks ago.
For the Kids: Let Chaos Reign (Kind of)
Unstructured outdoor play is one of the best gifts you can give a child. It encourages independence, creativity, and problem-solving. Here in Del Ray, our safe, sidewalk-laced streets make it easy for kids to bike, scooter, or form spontaneous chalk-art collectives with neighbors. A group of kids on my block turned a cardboard box and two bungee cords into what they swore was “a time machine, but only for frogs.” I didn’t ask questions – I just admired the creativity.
Give them space to wander. Let them get dirty. Boredom often turns into the best kind of play.
Mental Health and Fresh Air – A Perfect Pair
Research shows that spending time outdoors — especially in green spaces — reduces anxiety and improves mood. Even just looking at trees helps lower stress hormones.
Sunlight also helps regulate sleep and mood by boosting Vitamin D. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
Del Ray Summer Happenings (and Small-Town Magic)
Summer in Del Ray has its own rhythm — one that’s equal parts community festival and casual sidewalk hangout. Here are just a few staples of the season:
- First Thursdays on the Avenue: On First Thursday, Mount Vernon Avenue becomes a lively, walkable celebration with live music, themed fun, and families out in full force. In June, we’ll celebrate Field Day; in July, don’t miss a big America 250 celebration with a small-town feel.
- Mini-Wellness Workshops: Refresh, recharge, and thrive this summer with the Del Ray Business Association’s Wellness Team! Our wellness experts will host mini-workshops throughout the summer to help you live your best life. Follow @wellraydelray for updates.
- The Del Ray Farmers Market: Saturday mornings feel like a block party disguised as a produce run. You’ll find fresh fruit, pastries, local honey, and at least two toddlers dancing to street violin music like they just invented rhythm.
- Front Porch Concerts: Local musicians perform from porches and front yards, and you’re encouraged to bring a chair, your favorite drink, and zero expectations. Last summer, I saw a guy playing the banjo with a parrot on his shoulder. I still don’t know if the parrot was part of the band or just vibing.
Keep It Simple. Keep It Consistent.
The best summer days aren’t always the big ones. Sometimes they’re a quick evening stroll before dinner, a hose sprayed into the air for backyard “rain,” or a shared popsicle between a kid and a very hopeful golden retriever.
You don’t have to plan the perfect summer. Just make a little time every day to be outside. Let the neighborhood do the rest. Del Ray has a way of turning small moments into something special.
C.J. Wesby, M.E.S. is the owner and a Medical Exercise Specialist at Foundation Fitness in Del Ray and Old Town. Outside the gym, he is a dedicated supporter and enthusiastic cheerleader for the Dunbar Alexandria-Olympic Boys & Girls Club.
Foundation Fitness specializes in one-on-one personal training and semi- private training. Each program is individualized based on your specific goals/needs and includes progress tracking, nutrition guidance, mobility work, functional movements and strength training. Learn more at foundfitpt.com.
