Downtown Washington Summer Bucket List

Do yourself a favor and wake up early and treat yourself to Joe’s Bakery on North Main Street. Veteran-owned and a local staple, Joe’s is consistently voted the top donut shop in the Observer-Reporter's Best of the Best every year. On a typical day, he closes the doors when he sells out, so set your alarm and get there before they are gone. Popcorn Willy is another downtown staple that is serving up the answer to your sweet tooth! With flavors like English toffee, cotton candy and mixed fruit, you can grab a few bags to take to all your summer activities. And don’t forget, Farmers & Friends Marketplace will have ice cream for you and your family in store for you to enjoy also!

If a summer spruce up is on your list, try out our local barber shops, Barbarella’s and Rich’s Barber Shop. Established and reliable, Rich (Rich’s Barber Shop) and Dawn (Barbarellas) can trim with the best of them! If highlights and colors are more your style, Krave Hair Salon is in the heart of downtown and will have your glam up in no time flat. For relaxation and rejuvenation, our newest business, Rebel House Esthetics is open for business at 33 West Chestnut and offers various services to help you wind down.

And lastly, Cloud Nine Nail Bar is more of an artwork studio than a nail bar! Ellena and crew do amazing work and will indulge even your craziest summer design ideas.

We all know that the beautiful weather in western PA is only here for so long, so get outside while you can. Sit outside at any of our patio dining venues: President’s Pub, Washington Brewing Company, Cretan Gyros, The Table, Popcorn Willy, Harmony House Cafe and Chicco Baccello. While you are soaking up the sun, take a walk over to our Urban Garden Project, Firefly Gardens. You might even catch a class or group study there while you are checking it out.

Grab a local momento and stop by Wild Hope Boutique for a one of a kind design T-shirt or mug featuring various Washington icons. For unique decor and custom paintings of the local area, check out Thistledown by April Ryan. April has so many talents and her store is a delight for the sense! She also offers painting and art classes throughout the summer.

The summer must-do for the city is the Whiskey Rebellion Festival. Now in its thirteenth year, the Whiskey Rebellion offers not only a glimpse into Washington’s past, but also a host of entertainment and food options as well. No historical trip to Washington would be complete without a trip to the Bradford House and museum. Stop in the gardens to see what life was like for adults and kids alike around the time of the Whiskey Rebellion.

Attend one of the many downtown events this summer!

Every Thursday through October, the Main Street Farmers Market is open and your best place to stock up on your summer needs! With a huge array of vendors, you’ll see why it was voted the “Best in the Burgh!" For live entertainment, Nineteen North is offering concerts and comedians on various nights and weekends all summer long. Cretan Gyros will be dishing up their famous specialties with a live Greek band on various nights this summer starting on May 26th at their location on Bronson Ave. If large events are more your style, we also have no shortage of those! The Whiskey Rebellion Festival kicks off on Friday, July 7th and includes entertainment and a parade on the 8th, celebrate all things local and Washington on August 5th, and the Rally on Main is on August 26th.