Washington, DC Things to Do & Washington, DC Attractions

Washington, DC Places of Interest

Smithsonian Institution
Today the Institution displays over 142 million items in its 19 museums, zoo and nine research centers, many of which are located in Washington, DC. Read more

Smithsonian American Art Museum
As the name implies, the Smithsonian American Art Museum is a treasure trove of over 40,000 pieces of American art from three centuries of history. The collection ranges from 19th century landscapes to American impressionist pieces to New Deal projects. Read more

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Guests to the National Air and Space Museum can see the original 1903 Wright Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis and the command module of Apollo 11, just a few of its over a hundred items on display in 22 exhibit galleries. Read more

National Museum of American History
Closed in 2006 for an $85 million renovation, the museum re-opened in fall 2008 with new exhibitions and updated signature ones. Today, guests can explore three million artifacts that detail the cultural, social, technological and political history of the nation. Read more

National Museum of the American Indian
Designed by Native people, the five-story limestone building sits on 4.25 acres of simulated wetlands, modeled after four areas indigenous to the Chesapeake Bay. Inside, the museum houses over 800,000 works in its four permanent exhibitions. Read more

National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History boasts an astounding collection of over 126 million items, from fossilized pollen to dinosaur skeletons to the famed 45.52-carat Hope Diamond. Read more

Arlington National Cemetery
Former President John F. Kennedy, whose tomb is marked by an eternal flame, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, world champion boxer Joe Louis are among the roughly 310,000 people laid to rest at this site. Read more

Washington Monument
At slightly over 555 feet tall and shaped like an Egyptian obelisk, the monument is an icon of the city skyline, visible from about 30 to 40 miles away on a clear day. Read more

Washington, DC Entertainment

Arena Stage
The venue produces both American classics and new works, which over the years have included productions such as The Crucible, South Pacific, and The Great White Hope. Read more

John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
The center sits on 17 acres overlooking the Potomac River, serving as host to over 2,000 performances annually, as well as home to the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington Opera, Washington Ballet and American Film Institute. Read more

Georgetown
Visitors can browse an array of retail shops, from trendy boutiques to international chains such as Lacoste and Kate Spade, or enjoy a meal at one of over 100 restaurants.
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Ford's Theatre
After 18 months, Ford's re-opened in February 2009 with a number of upgrades, including new seats; upgraded sound and lighting systems; improved heating and air conditioning systems; renovated restrooms; and a new lobby. Read more

Union Station
Union Station has come a long way since the 19th century, but still retains much of its former glory after a three-year, $160 million renovation. Read more

Washington, DC Restaurants

1789 Restaurant
Guests dine in one of six unique seating areas, including the Manassas Room, walled in siding from a 19th century Maryland barn, and the Wickets Room, an oak paneled area on the mezzanine level adorned with a three-tiered chandelier.
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BlackSalt Fish Market & Restaurant
Not just a restaurant, BlackSalt is a one-stop location for any seafood lover, as the Fish Market offers daily selections, seasonings, oils and condiments.
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Brasserie Beck
A contemporary take on this European style of dining, the restaurant offers French and Belgian fare such as Duck Congolese Almondine and Chicken Waterzooi, a Belgian stew. To complement its elegant dishes, Brasserie Beck proclaims it's beer list as the city's most extensive outside of Belgium. Read more

Citronelle
Citronelle weaves together an eclectic mix of cuisine, from French to Asian to American, into a delicious array of light yet flavor-dense foods. Read more

Kinkead's
A menu full of seafood and steak selections, Kinkead's classics include North Atlantic cod topped with crab imperial and Virginia ham, and pepita-crusted Norwegian salmon. Read more

Old Ebbitt Grill
Mahogany walls, antique gas chandeliers and fixtures, English lace curtains and velvet booths provide an antique charm to the grill's cozy atmosphere. Read more

Ristorante Tosca
The décor at Ristorante Tosca is sleek and modern, with walls and furniture in stone and earth tones. Pastas are made fresh daily, and dishes are bursting with the flavors of prosciutto, Parmesan cheese, tomatoes and red wines. Read more

Washington, DC Nightlife

9:30 Club
Located in an old gospel music hall and radio broadcast site, the two-level club has four full bars, offering an extensive list of bottled and draft beers as well as cocktails. Read more

Café Citron
Café Citron is a self-described mixture of carnival-like energy and cosmopolitan style. Guests can stop by for the house special, a Cuban mojito, or try one of numerous cocktails. Read more

Brickskeller Dining House & Down-Home Saloon
A self-proclaimed "World of Beer," the Brickskeller has served over 5,000 beers since its opening in 1957, winning it a spot in the Guinness World Records for the most varieties of beer commercially available. Read more

H Street Martini Lounge
H Street Martini Lounge's exposed brick, marble bars, tin ceilings and wood finishing create a sleek, hip environment for grabbing at drink or enjoying live entertainment. Read more

The Park at Fourteenth
Overlooking Franklin Square, the Park at Fourteenth attracts a diverse clientele to its four-story lounge and restaurant space. Beef, chicken and crab cake sliders, and spinach and parmesan dip make great small plates to nibble on with drinks. Read more

Family Activities in Washington, DC

International Spy Museum
The first and only museum dedicated solely to intelligence, the museum is home to six permanent exhibits intended to educate the public on the role of espionage in national security.
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National Postal Museum
Located on the lower level of the historic 1914 City Post Office Building, the National Postal Museum offers guests an educational experience on the history and facts of different aspects of the postal system. Read more

Newseum
Located on America's Main Street between the White House and U.S. Capitol, the Newseum beckons visitors with its 74-foot-high marble engraving of the First Amendment on its exterior. Guests can explore seven levels of exhibits, theaters and shopping that showcases five centuries of news history. Read more

Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Located in northwest Washington, the 163-acre National Zoo features roughly 2,000 animals from about 400 species, about one-fifth of which are endangered. Read more

Recreation and Outdoors in Washington, DC

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Across 12 acres on the east bank of the Anacostia River, guests can explore over 45 ponds that serve as home to a variety of water lilies, lotuses and other tropical plants. Read more

U.S. Botanic Garden
Today, the recently-restored Conservatory building houses nearly 4,000 specimens in separate rooms, divided to simulate habitats including Desert, Oasis, Jungle and Garden Primeval. Read more

U.S. National Arboretum
The 446-acre U.S. National Arboretum is a true outdoor escape in northwest Washington. Roughly 600,000 people annually travel the 9.5 miles winding through the grounds, covered in azaleas, boxwoods, daffodils, daylilies, maples, peonies and
more. Read more

Washington, DC Tours

Bike and Roll Tours
Bike and Roll offers four themed bike tours around the city: the seven- to eight-mile Capital Sites Tour, the company's most comprehensive, provides bikers with an overview of the city while passing by major sites such as the Capitol Building, World War II Memorial and Supreme Court. Read more

DC Ducks
DC Ducks invite guests to explore the city in its unique original World War II DUKW amphibious vehicles, capable of both land and water transport.
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On Location Tours
On Location Tours, Inc., offers a guided bus tour of the Washington, DC area, transporting guests to some of the sites throughout the city that they may have seen on the big screen. Read more

White House Tours
Up to 10 guests can catch a one-of-a-kind glimpse of the command center of the United States' government, exploring rooms such as the library and special event rooms, all while learning about the past and present of one of the country's most iconic residences. Read more

Washington, DC Things to Do and Washington, DC Attractions

Washington, DC Places of Interest

Washington, DC Entertainment

Washington, DC Restaurants

Washington, DC Nightlife

Family Activities in Washington, DC