Get rolling with Capital Bikeshare

Grab a red bicycle — and your helmet — and explore the city on two wheels. | Read story

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You've seen those distinctive red bicycles around town, but have you taken advantage of the 100-odd Capital Bikeshare stations dotting Washington and Arlington? If not, there's no time like the present; click through to get a sampling of four itineraries that will entertain art lovers, vintage-shopping enthusiasts, night owls and sun worshippers.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

But first, the basics: You can rent a bike by the day ($5), or opt for a month-long or annual membership ($25 and $75, respectively). For those prices, you can bike for up to a half-hour at a time, but beyond that the prices start to tally. With that in mind, the following multi-stop excursions incorporate Capital Bikeshare stations within 30-minute rides of each other.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

There are any number of reasons to combine a museum-filled afternoon with bicycling: You can cover more ground, not to mention get much-needed fresh air after spending so much time in the carefully regulated interiors of the Hirshhorn and the Corcoran. An even bigger plus? A little pedaling may undo the curious leg strain reaped from the museum shuffle.

Among the museum stops is the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Drop in to see what temporary exhibition has taken over the rotunda. At the moment, that would be 50 small works by painter Chris Martin, which complement his colorful, large-scale canvases that are part of the show "Painting Big."

Denny Henry

The Reynolds Center offers a two-fer, plus a Capital Bikeshare station right out front: The former Patent Office building houses both the American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, where visitors can see the temporary exhibtion "Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter," which includes stunning work by Shizu Saldamando.

Michael Underwood

The peaceful and architecturally spectacular Kogod Courtyard, with a cafe for refueling with food and drinks, is also within the Reynolds Center.

Tim Hursley/Smithsonian American Art Museum

The last stop on the art ride is the Hirshhorn Museum on the Mall, which is now showing Andy Warhol's 102 paintings of "Shadows."

Bill Jacobson

Pack sunscreen, a water bottle and tennis racquets for this longer excursion, which can be broken into smaller itineraries for those who want to linger at each stop or for cyclists daunted by crossing three quadrants on two wheels.

Richard Turtletaub / for The Washington Post

The excursion starts at the National Zoo.

Carol Guzy / The Washington Post

After hanging out with the pandas, among other adorable animals, head to Marie Reed for a game of tennis and Vinoteca's back patio for bocce.

Gerald Martineau / for The Washington Post

Stop at the Penn Quarter location of Teaism for a bento box to go.

Juana Arias / The Washington Post

And enjoy your lunch at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, either around the fountain or on the grass in the shadow of Roxy Paine's metal tree.

David Aaron Troy / for The Washington Post

Last stop: The Yards Park on the Anacostia River.

Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District

It's a typical Friday night, and inevitably, choices have to be made. You have friends hanging out in Columbia Heights and others on H Street NE. You want to have dinner in Gallery Place and a drink on U Street. Riding a bike means not having to be quite so selective. And, for $5, it sure beats the pants off of paying for a taxi.

Richard Turtletaub / for The Washington Post

You're going to bike it off anyway, so why not start with food at Hill Country? Try the slow-smoked barbecue and such sides as cheddar mac and cheese, cornbread and collard greens.

Scott Suchman / for The Washington Post

The Passenger is a great place to stop for cocktails, whether it's Tiki Tuesday or Friday, when drinks are inspired by characters from the TGIF shows of yore, such as "Boy Meets World" and "Family Matters."

Amanda Voisard / The Washington Post

From Fifth and K, you're just a hop, skip and a ride from H Street NE, including live music at the Rock and Roll Hotel and tasty treats at Dangerously Delicious Pies.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

Head back to Northwest and American Ice Co., where the patio is always full and the selection of local microbrews never falters.

Evy Mages / for The Washington Post

End the night at Room 11 in Columbia Heights, where you can grab a corner seat and a glass of Argentine malbec or Txakolina, a white wine from Spain's Basque country.

Evy Mages / for The Washington Post

Traveling by bike on a shopping trip means limited space to carry your loot. But that's not to say that shopping and biking have to be as difficult to pull off as, say, mixing polka dots and plaid. Draw inspiration from your eco-friendly wheels and strap on a backpack before cycling to a selection of eco boutiques and vintage shops.

Richard Turtletaub / for The Washington Post

After dropping by Carbon, Mercedes Bien and Meeps, it's time to check out Legendary Beast, where you'll find silver dangling necklaces and racks of discount earrings. The best part? However much you buy, it will all fit in your backpack.

Dayna Smith / for The Washington Post

No vintage shopping trip in Washington would be complete without a pit stop at Georgetown's Annie Creamcheese, retailer of everything from colorful accessories to cardigans to ball gowns.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Finish your trip a few doors down at Second Time Around, the high-end consignment store known for designer wear as well as vintage clothes. Don't miss the rack of staff picks.

Dayna Smith / for The Washington Post

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