Add your stop to The Post's America 250 tour

To mark America's upcoming 250th birthday, The Washington Post is taking readers on a tour of the nation's capital city region, with stops that teach about the country's past, present and future.
But we need you're help. Where are the historical, quirky and off-the-beaten path places in the Washington, D.C., region where you would take your family to learn about the American story?
Send us your suggestions through the form below.
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Yahoo

25 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Pass the limp sarnies and lukewarm tea - it's picnic season!

IN the US they do it most often on the 4th of July. In Italy it's Easter Monday. In France it's Bastille Day. And in the UK we do it pretty much anytime, but preferably not when it's raining. Picnicking is one of the nation's most popular things-to-do. We love it so much there's a whole week dedicated to it. What's not to love about a picnic? Limp cheese sarnies and lukewarm tea never tastes quite so good as it does sitting on fold-up camping chairs on a patch of grass overlooking public toilets. National Picnic Week (June 14-21) marks the 'official start of picnic season' by encouraging us to head for the great outdoors, with blankets and baskets, and embrace the start of summer. Picnicking has been a pastime since the 18th century - the French started it when they opened royal parks to the public after the Revolution. Today, picnics are on the rise in the UK; on average we're picnicking at least three times a year - that's 94 million picnics a year, apparently. National Picnic Week is an awareness campaign promoting litter-free picnics and providing picnic tips, hotspots and recipes. Spending time outdoors promotes wellbeing, and eating al fresco is a lovely way to spend time with family and friends. We were always having picnics when I was a kid. We had them in the garden, and a Sunday afternoon 'drive out' was usually accompanied by a flask of tea. Sometimes the locations were scenic - the Dales, the Lakes, the coast, gardens of a stately home - and sometimes we'd pull up in a car park or a layby, passing egg sandwiches and crisps round over the roar of passing traffic. The journey to our static caravan on the east coast often involved a 'comfort break' near Hull, and out came the flask of tea, which we supped in plastic cups watching heavy engineering in progress on the construction of the Humber Bridge. Wherever it was, a picnic was a treat. For me, this had a lot to do with my love of the Famous Five, whose adventures were, of course, fuelled by lashings of tomatoes and ginger beer. Food tasted better outdoors; I loved the packed lunches my mum sent me off with on trips with school or the Brownies; a potted meat sandwich, an apple and a Penguin biscuit seemed quite decadent eaten out of a Tupperware box sitting cross-legged in a damp field in Keswick or on a plastic bench at Frontierland. It was only when we pulled in at a service station, on holiday journeys, that I resented the humble picnic. Our family only used service stations for the toilets, returning to the car for home-made sandwiches, supermarket Scotch eggs and the ubiquitous flask of tea. I'd look longingly across the car park and wonder what exotic feasts were being served up in those forbidden restaurants. The romance of picnicking has led to a growth in Insta-friendly posh picnics. You can order wicker hampers filled with artisan cheeses, sun-dried tomato focaccia, cured meats, marinated olives, plump strawberries, bottle of fizz. Posh picnic essentials include a plush blanket, china crockery, linen napkins, cutlery, glasses and a bottle opener. All very Merchant Ivory, but a thrown-together picnic is more fun. And it's not a proper picnic unless you're batting away flies/wasps/midges or it's chucking it down before you've started on the flapjacks. My sister, as a toddler, once got a wasp stuck in her throat when it crawled into her sandwich, and was rushed to hospital. That was a particularly eventful picnic. Some picnics were endurance tests; we'd push on, through thunder storms/ insect swarms/medical emergencies, in matching cagoules. My parents didn't believe in windbreaks (consequently I thought windbreaks were as sophisticated as motorway restaurants) so al fresco dining often involved chasing sausage rolls across breezy beaches. But despite - or maybe because of - the wind, rain, wasps and heavy engineering, some of my fondest memories are of picnics.

Fast Company

29 minutes ago

• Fast Company

Van Life 2.0: Gen X is tricking out vans for road tripping's next era

While not everyone bought a camper van during the COVID-19 pandemic, we all probably know someone who did. As people with money suddenly found themselves with time on their hands and no particular place to be, sales of compact but full-featured Class B camper vans soared, increasing 91.5% from 2020 to 2021, according to the RV Industry Association (RVIA). Van life became a hashtag, a lifestyle, and an aspiration. While sales have settled back down to pre-pandemic levels, the market for high-end vehicles remains strong, with manufacturers tempting new and returning buyers with an array of new models that push the limits of performance, luxury, and price. And then there are all the new rugged details. Not content to stick to the pavement, the latest cohort of van owners wants to get off-road, too—or at least look like they do. You may have spotted an increasing number of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans bedecked with all manner of racks, ladders, spare tires, and fuel cans, traction boards, and outdoor gear. These are the 'overlanders.' The overland category includes a variety of vehicle types—from 4x4s accessorized with trendy rooftop tents, to burly Class C camper trucks (see to all-terrain 'adventure vans' that combine the comforts of much larger campers with the off-road performance of an expedition vehicle. The promise is appealing: get to wild places that others can't, and sleep comfortably (and maybe stream some Netflix) when you get there. With massive fuel reserves, freshwater tanks, and arrays of solar panels and lithium-ion batteries, today's top-of-the-line adventure rigs are designed to support days or weeks of self-sufficient off-grid exploration. This blend of comfort and adventure is exactly the draw for overlanders, who are largely an affluent, middle-aged bunch. According to the RV Industry Association's 2025 RV Owner Demographic Profile, 13% of current RV owners cite the ability to camp off-grid, or 'boondocking,' as a primary motivator in their vehicle purchase. The biggest U.S. overlanding event, Overland Expo —where owners come to camp out and would-be owners come to check out vehicle 'builds,' has grown from one event with 800 attendees in 2009 to five regional events in 2025. (The inaugural Southern California event this March had 19,000 attendees and 303 exhibitors. Subaru is the first-time lead corporate sponsor.) The 2024 event series attracted more than 80,000 attendees, up 35% from 2021. More than 12 million Americans are expected to overland in 2025, up from 8 million in 2024, according to the Overland Expo's new 2025 Overland Industry Report. Subscribe to the Design latest innovations in design brought to you every weekday SIGN UP Privacy Policy | Fast Company Newsletters advertisement The final deadline for Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech Awards is Friday, June 20, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.

Travel + Leisure

37 minutes ago

• Travel + Leisure

Nurses, Podiatrists, and Travelers Love These Comfy Sneakers That Are ‘Just as Good' as Brooks—and They're $50

As a frequent flier, the most important part of my travel outfits is my footwear. Having comfortable shoes is crucial for keeping my feet supported and cozy while I'm navigating the airport or exploring a new city on foot. Usually, my go-tos are some cushy sneakers my podiatrist recommended, but a new, expert-approved style caught my eye after reviews said they're 'just as good' as a pair of the celeb-loved Brooks. The Asics Gel-Excite 9 Running Shoes have become a popular pick from Amazon's fashion store because of their similarity to Brooks in terms of comfort, arch support, and style. And, right now, you can score the walking sneakers for $50. Shoppers keep saying that these are the most comfortable shoes, comparing them to 'walking on a cloud.' The thoughtful design includes an engineered jacquard mesh upper that's soft and breathable, and the brand's special Ortholite sockliner, which helps absorb sweat, so your feet can stay cool and comfy while you're running to your gate or exploring outdoor summer markets. One reviewer, who has tried Hokas, On, and Brooks, confirmed that these are 'better than more expensive brands.' They wrote, 'I always come back to Asics Gel.' It's understandable considering the shoes have plush insoles with arch support and proprietary technology that makes your feet and shoes work together to reduce joint soreness. Nurses can even attest to how comfortable the sneakers are: one wrote, ' These have enough support and cushion to last my entire 12-hour shift.' Another added that they look stylish and the cushioning is "fantastic." Plus, a 56-year-old traveler added that they walked for 16 hours at Disney and their feet felt great. You won't have to worry about an uncomfortable break-in period either; they're 'super comfortable all day,' right out of the box, per one shopper. You can choose from 15 different colors, including navy blue, as well as a trendy, eye-catching coral. Snag the popular Asics walking shoes while they're still in stock for $50, and check out more options on sale from the brand at Amazon. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.