As the nation's capital, Washington is a key American city with a unique character. It also offers some must-see attractions for anyone traveling in the United States. There are plenty of fascinating things to do in DC for residents and visitors alike. Whether you're interested in history, science, the arts, or nightlife, Washington has something to offer you.
Those residing in Washington tend to have friends and family visiting who want to see the best of this fascinating metropolis. You can use the suggestions below to plan out your Washington visit or to figure out where to take family and friends when they visit you.
The following are some of the most important attractions in Washington that you should be aware of.
Fun Things to Do in Washington, D.C.
If you're looking for fun things to do in Washington, you might not know where to get started. This city has so many options. Whether you want to experience city events like the Cherry Blossom Festival or the Independence Day Parade, you'll find special events going on in Washington just about every weekend of the year.
When it comes to top activities in Washington, a lot of the best attractions are found on the National Mall. Simply touring the monuments like the Lincoln Memorial or the Washington Memorial is a lot of fun on a beautiful day in the spring or summer. Also, the National Mall features some of the top museums in the nation. Some of the must-see museums are the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Air and Space Museum.
There are other great things to do in DC if you're interested in the performing arts. The National Theatre is a venue for stage productions that is found on Pennsylvania Avenue not far from the White House. Two other venues for the performing arts in Washington are the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Warner Theatre downtown on 13th Street Northwest.
There are numerous destinations for shopping in the city. Two good options are CityCenterDC and Washington Square. Another shopping option is Gallery Place, which is located in central Washington in the Chinatown area.
Things to Do in DC with Kids
Washington is a very family-friendly city. A lot of museums and other attractions in the city are geared toward appealing to kids with interactive exhibits. One great way to familiarize your kids with the city and get them enthusiastic about exploring more is to take them on a family-friendly tour. Park rangers at the National Mall offer family-friendly tours by foot. These are one of the best things to do in DC with kids.
After a tour, you and the kids will have more ideas on what to do in DC with the family. If you've got toddlers along, it's a good idea to one of the museums that's particularly appealing to the youngsters. Check out the National Air and Space Museum or the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute if the kids are animal lovers.
Kids that are sports fans might want to see a professional baseball or basketball game while in town. Washington is home to the Washington Nationals baseball team and the Washington Wizards NBA team.
If you have a teenager to entertain, you might consider a visit to the U.S. Capitol Building. Tours are offered at this building, and these tours provide teens with an explanation of the inner workings of our representative democracy. Teenagers with an interest in art may enjoy checking out Artechouse. This is a new gallery located near the National Mall with some unique exhibitions including 3D sculptures and light installations.
Things to Do in DC for Adults in DC
Adults can find plenty of attractions to keep themselves entertained during a stay in Washington. Adults can enjoy nightlife in DC at many hot spots. Those looking for a wild night of live music can check out Echostage, which is located on Queens Chapel Road in the Northeast of the city.
Adults might also enjoy visiting some of the art museums on the mall. Two great options are the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The National Portrait Gallery is another great option for adults interested in both art and American history.
Adults with a green thumb might want to check out the National Arboretum. The National Arboretum spans over 446 acres and is home to many different types of plants and trees. If you're thinking for things to do in DC for adults that involve the outdoors, the National Arboretum is a great option.
Free and Cheap Things to Do Washington, D.C.
One of the great things about DC is that there are so many things to do for free. If you're managing the budget for your trip to DC, you'll be happy to know that the museums on the National Mall can be visited free of charge. There are a total of eleven different museums that are part of the Smithsonian on the National Mall. Additionally, there are six other museums along with the zoo that are located in the greater Washington area. It would take you well over a week just to visit all the free museums in the city!
Fortunately, museums aren't your only option when it comes to free and cheap things to do. It's free to walk around the National Mall and check out all the presidential memorials. If you plan in advance, you might be able to arrange a free visit to the White House. You can visit the White House for free, but you have to arrange to do so with the congressional representative from your area before your trip. You can also visit the Library of Congress and the Capitol Building for free.
There are also plenty of other inexpensive options in store once you've tired of the museum scene. There are numerous parks you can visit in the city for free. These include The Yards Park on Water Street Southeast and Fort Dupont Park on Minnesota Avenue Southeast. It can also be entertaining to walk around Georgetown Waterfront Park or the Palmer Alley area to sightsee.
Things to Do in Downtown DC
There's a lot to see and do in downtown DC. The downtown DC area is always bustling with activity. Probably one of the most important spots to check out in terms of things to do in downtown DC is the CityCenterDC shopping area. Not only is this a great spot for shopping, but it's also a great spot for dining. There are many fantastic restaurants located here like Conrad Washington, DC, Estuary, and DBGB Kitchen & Bar.
If you're an adventurous explorer, one great spot in downtown DC is the National Geographic Magazine headquarters. Here you can check out exhibits on a lot of different themes, but all having to do with discovery and exploration. Although a lesser-known DC museum, the National Geographic Magazine headquarters is an unforgettable place in downtown DC that offers some truly unique attractions.
Those interested in seeing a musical performance downtown can check out the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall. This venue offers frequent performances by comedians, musician, and more. The venue also has a museum with exhibits on the American Revolution.
Things to Do in DC at Night
You don't have to call it a day when the sun goes down in DC. There are plenty of great things to do in DC at night. If you visit the city, you should know that the memorials on the National Mall are all available for visiting around the clock. Visiting the Washington Monument or other monuments on the mall at night can be very beautiful. In fact, the monuments can actually be quite crowded and popular in the evening hours and at night.
There are a lot of tour companies offering nighttime tours in the city. Some tours are nighttime themed like certain ghost tours of the city. You can also do a tour of the National Mall at night or do a nighttime Lincoln Assassination tour.
If you're looking for things to do in DC to spend a night out on the town, you'll want to know some of the hottest neighborhoods for nightlife. These days, some of the best spots to head to for nighttime dining or bar crawling are Georgetown, U Street Northwest, and Adams Morgan.
Romantic Things to Do in DC
Probably one of the best things to do for couples in Washington is to take a nighttime dinner cruise around the Potomac. This is a great way to take in views of the city while enjoying a delicious meal with that special someone.
There are many romantic DC restaurants for those looking for romantic things to do in the city. One of the most romantic dining spots in the city is Le Diplomate on 14th Street Northwest. This French restaurant features a charming sidewalk cafe as well as a menu of exquisite cuisine options.
In addition to romantic restaurants, Washington DC also offers its fair share of romantic hotels. If you're looking for the perfect night's stay for romance, try the St. Gregory Hotel or the Watergate Hotel. For some extra romantic flare, book a room that includes a fireplace. Several DC hotels offer rooms with fireplaces.
If you're looking for a romantic spot to take a stroll in the city, consider heading to the National Gallery of Art and checking out the Sculpture Garden. This is a romantic Washington spot where the beauty of art and nature combine to make for an unforgettable stroll.
Cool Things to Do in Washington, D.C.
If you want to step out of the ordinary with your DC sightseeing, there are plenty of unique attractions that the city has to offer. One of the cool things to do in the city is visiting the National Capitol Columns. The National Capitol Columns are located in the National Arboretum. These are the actual columns that were used in the Capitol Building at the time of presidents Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. The columns were replaced in the 1950's. The government eventually decided to put them on display as an attraction in the National Arboretum with the help of the Department of Agriculture.
Those tired of the same old museums might want to check out the International Spy Museum for something a little different. This museum features some 750 artifacts all dealing with the history and practice of espionage. The museum's exhibits explain the history of espionage from the time of the Egyptian empire all the way up to modern times.
Another unique attraction in DC is the Catacombs of Washington DC. Franciscan monks created these catacombs at the end of the 20th century. They were designed to create a replica of the Holy Land. This was a way to allow those in North America to experience the Holy Land even though they couldn't afford the journey. These catacombs are located near the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and they can still be visited and toured today.
Outdoor or Indoor Things to Do in DC
You might find yourself needing to have outdoor or indoor things to do to deal with weather conditions during your Washington stay. The museums on the National Mall are great for dealing with inclement weather. Browse the exhibits until the sun comes out and then head back outside to tour the monuments.
If it's a rainy day, you can also head to the Union Market in the NoMa area of the city. This is a great place to shop for the products of local food vendors. Come hungry, because there is also a lot of great food for sale to snack on and give you energy for more shopping!
Now it's time to get started seeing everything there is to see in America's capital. Washington has so much to offer that it would take a long time to see everything. Enjoy the sightseeing and touring as you familiarize yourself with all these amazing attractions!