Who says Washington isn’t an adventure city? This 51,000-sq-ft building in the revitalizing NoMa neighborhood – outdoor retailer REI’s fifth flagship store – proves it. Peruse an enormous array of outdoor gear and clothing, sign up for a guided local hike, attend a navigation-skills event, or simply sip coffee at the in-house cafe (or around the outdoor fire pit).
One of the coolest things about the massive store is the Adventure Station, where national park staff and/or volunteers are on hand to help you plan your next outdoor adventure in the DC area. And there’s history to boot. The store occupies the historic Uline Arena, also called the Washington Coliseum, best known for hosting the Beatles’ first American concert in 1964. President Dwight D Eisenhower’s inaugural ball in 1953, as well as countless professional hockey and basketball games, also took place here. History buffs will be happy to know that hints of the past remain, including one hallway with original basketball flooring and old stadium seating mounted to the wall.
