washington dc museums tour

Find the most interesting museums in Washington, DC

Discover Museums to Visit in Washington, DC

Smithsonian museums in washington, dc.

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National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

National Children's Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps: Enter and experience what it means to be a Marine.

Dupont Circle

Woodrow Wilson House

Dine intimately in the presidential Dining Room, enjoy cocktails throughout the main museum rooms or relax and unwind in the tranquil period garden.

National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum

Find Inspiration at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum

National Gallery of Art

National Gallery of Art: Of the nation and for all the people.

National Museum of African Art

Devoted to the collection, exhibition, conservation and study of the arts of Africa

National Air and Space Museum Steven F. ...

Fly High at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

DC Metro Area

Mexican Cultural Institute

The Mexican Cultural Institute of Washington, D.C. is committed to enriching the relationship between Mexico and the United States by sharing Mexico's vibrant cultural past and present with the local community

National Museum of African American Hist...

A People’s Journey, A Nation’s Story

Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services

Known as the Castle, the oldest of the 19 Smithsonian museums houses the Smithsonian Visitor Center, which offers volunteers ..

National Museum of American History

The National Museum of American History showcases national treasures, like the Star-Spangled Banner and special exhibits on girlhood and religion

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The best museums in Washington, DC to visit

From ancient Egyptian artifacts to a museum all about spies, there's something for everyone in DC

It’s highly likely that you’re planning to stop by at least a few museums during your visit to Washington DC . You’re in the capital, after all, so there’s a hell of history to learn about and plenty of culture happening here. 

But if it’s all looking a bit overwhelming, don’t panic. We’ve rounded up the very best museums and galleries in the city, for modern art to old nuclear missiles, and deep dives into American Indian, African American and Asian art history. Whatever it is you’re looking for, you’ll find it in DC. Here are its best museums. 

RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best  things to do in Washington, DC 🏛️ The best  Washington, DC attractions 🍴 The best  restaurants in DC right now 🏘️ The best  Airbnbs in Washington, DC

This guide was written by Washington DC locals.   At Time Out, all of our  travel guides  are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our  editorial guidelines . 

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Best museums in DC

1.  National Museum of African American History and Culture

• Things to do

The most iconic museum in DC, the National Museum of African American History and Culture is eight floors of fascinating historical exhibits. Here you’ll find tributes to historical figures, moments and events that have shaped America’s past and the present day. You’d actually need a number of days to fully get into everything here, but you can still get a mighty lot done in a few hours (with a stop at the lovely Sweet Home Cafe for lunch). 

2.  National Museum of Asian Art

The National Museum of Asian Art is an incredibly thoughtfully put together group of exhibits to help visitors learn about Asian history in the US and beyond. From Chinese and Japanese contemporary art to artifacts from Ancient Egypt, this museum is a central hub for the Asian community and more in DC. You can book self-guided visits, virtual tours or onsite tours, and there are kid-friendly days and tours too. 

3.  National Museum of the American Indian

Dedicated to America’s colonized and historically abused Indigenous people, the National Museum of the American Indian joined the Mall in 2004, bringing with it significant Native American artifacts and a renowned cafeteria. (The Mitsitam Native Foods Café offers a stunning collection of dishes inspired by Indigenous cuisines.)

The building is as much a part of the message as the exhibits. The details are extraordinary: dramatic, Kasota limestone-clad undulating walls resemble a wind-carved mesa. The museum’s main entrance plaza plots the star configurations on November 28, 1989, the date that federal legislation was introduced to create the museum. The museum is also curated with art in a wide variety of mediums from a diverse assortment of Indigenous American nations. Artwork includes film, photography, pottery, textiles, woodworking, and much more. 

4.  Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

• Art and design

This spectacular, aggressively modern cylindrical building enlivens the predominantly neoclassical architecture lining the Mall. The structure, which was completed in 1974, was meant to house self-made Wall Street millionaire Joseph Hirshhorn’s collection of 20th-century painting and sculpture. The museum now presents art in a range of media, including works on paper, painting, installation, photography, sculpture, digital and video art. The museum has housed some of the most-hyped visiting exhibitions on earth, from Ai Weiwei’s Trace to Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors. Don't miss the sculpture garden, which includes works from Rodin, Louise Bourgeois and Alexander Calder.  

5.  National Museum of African Art

This museum’s entrance pavilion lies across the amazing Enid Haupt Garden, directly across from its twin, the Sackler. The museum opened in 1987, and its primary focus is ancient and contemporary work from sub-Saharan Africa. The museum draws visitors into different aspects of African art and culture. The rich ceremonial garb and textiles, including blankets made in Mali and embroidered hunters’ shirts, are a must-see.  

6.  Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

The Renwick's informal motto might be "go big or go home." The museum is popular for its interactive exhibits and large-scale modern art pieces. Following a $30 million renovation that wrapped up in 2015, the Renwick is a far cry from its former self. Perhaps best known for its blockbuster, much-Instagrammed 2015 “Wonder” exhibit, this Smithsonian museum celebrates craft and design in the digital age. Other notable exhibits have included the quirky “Murder Is Her Hobby,” a collection of gruesome doll houses used to help detectives solve crime scenes. 

7.  National Air & Space Museum

Air & Space tops visitors’ to-do list, year in, year out. In the central Milestones of Flight hall, towering US Pershing-II and Soviet SS-20 nuclear missiles stand next to the popular moon rock station, where visitors can see a lunar sample acquired on the 1972 Apollo 17 mission. The 1903 Wright Flyer—the first piloted craft to maintain controlled, sustained flight (if only for a few seconds)—and Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St Louis are both suspended here. Carve out three to four hours and don't miss the test model of the Hubble Space Telescope, which is currently orbiting in space taking snap-shots of the universe. 

8.  National Museum of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History is iconic on the Mall. The museum boasts longtime favorites like the Hope Diamond, which has been drawing crowds for over sixty years, and state of the art exhibits like the Hall of Mammals. The recently renovated Hall of Fossils is a must-see –  visitors may feel like they've traveled back in time. But don't worry, these dinosaurs don't bite.  Dinosaur fossils are posed interacting with each other, even engaged in life-and-death battles.

9.  United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

This three-floor museum contains more than 900 artifacts and four theaters showing archival footage and survivor testimony from the Holocaust. Themes such as the murder of the disabled, Nazi eugenics and resistance, and Jewish resistence all present a chronological history of the event.

The objects and symbols make powerful impressions: thousands of camp victims’ shoes piled in a heap personalize the losses. While the main exhibition is suitable for children of 11 and over only, a specially designed children’s exhibition, “Daniel’s Story,” at ground level, is presented to children of eight and over and teaches about the Holocaust through the story of one boy. Guests should consider reserving their tickets beforehand since wait lines can be long. 

10.  Smithsonian American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum take up two sides of the same interconnected building. Among the most notable portraits is Gilbert Stuart’s seminal “Lansdowne” portrait of George Washington and Andy Warhol’s iconic Marilyn. The Portrait Gallery houses the only complete collection of U.S. Presidents' portraits, while the American Art Museum houses prominent works by American artists including Edward Hopper and Georgia O’Keefe. Free timed entry passes are required.

Unlike many other museums in the area, the dual musuems also include an open, airy courtyard – the perfect place to rest, eat lunch, read a book, or splash your feet in the flowing water fountains.

11.  National Gallery of Art

• National Mall

Comprising two separate buildings connected by a trippy underground moving walkway, the National Gallery of Art is a world-class museum with artwork from around the globe.

The West Building highlights European and American art from the 13th to the early 20th centuries, as well as Spanish, Dutch, Flemish, French and German works from the 17th century. Don't miss Leonardo da Vinci’s almond-eyed portrait of Ginevra de’ Benci, the only work of the artist in the Western Hemisphere.

The East Building represents more current work, including a skylit atrium that houses a 32-foot long still mobile by Alexander Calder. Stroll through the sculpture garden, a six-acre square across 7th Street the includes a Louise Bourgeois 10-foot bronze spider and a pyramid by Sol LeWitt. Free timed entry passes are required.

12.  National Museum of Women in the Arts

Note: Temporarily closed for renovation The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) houses a collection of more than 4,500 works by more than 1,000 women from the 16th century to the present. Highlights to the permanent exhibit include Renaissance artist Lavinia Fontana’s dynamic Portrait of a Noblewoman,  Frida Kahlo’s defiant 1937 self-portrait Between the Curtains  as well as works by Elisabetta Sirani, Alma Woodsey Thomas, Barbara Hepworth and Louise Bourgeois. There are also special collections of 17th-century botanical prints by Maria Sibylla Merian and works by British and Irish women silversmiths from the 17th to 19th centuries. The museum hosts free community days every other week, on the first and third Sundays of each month.

13.  Postal Museum

The Postal Museum is perhaps the most obscure of the Smithsonian’s offerings. A museum devoted to postal history and philately (stamp collecting) may sound like a hard sell, but there’s a trove of interactive and entertaining exhibits housed within the skeleton of what was once the enormous DC City Post Office. Check out the permanent exhibit “Mail Marks History,” which boasts some important and surprisingly poignant artefacts, including a letter mailed from aboard the Titanic. Pick out stamps from around the globe to start your own stamp collection. Write and ship a postcard directly from the museum. And go to the downstairs level of the museum to explore how mail has traveled across the country on trains, planes, and carriages.

14.  National Museum of American History

The continuing transformation of the National Museum of American History has led to several renovations that highlight some of America's most beloved artifacts. Floors are organized around loose themes, allowing a huge diversity of exhibits to tell American stories in an entertaining and informative manner. We love the dresses of the First Ladies and Dorothy’s ruby red slippers. Oh! And there’s Julia Child’s actual kitchen and a Dumbo car from Disneyland’s Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride. Free timed-entry tickets are required.

15.  National Building Museum

• Judiciary Square

A privately run collection, the National Building Museum produces smart, noteworthy exhibits focusing on architects and the built environment, both contemporary and historical. Among the exhibitions, 'House & Home' discovers the history and many meanings of 'home,' both physical and cultural, with an array of all things household, from household goods and decorations (including a poster of Farrah Fawcett and a fondue set), to building materials to mortgage papers. Fittingly, the building itself is gorgeous: an Italian Renaissance-style Great Hall features eight colossal 75-foot Corinthian columns that lead to ceiling 15 stories above. The museum also creates a community exhibit each summer where visitors can see the Great Hall transformed into a ball pit, a lawn with hammocks and water features, or other wonderland. 

16.  International Spy Museum

• Penn Quarter

The world of DC’s prestige paid-entry museums was shaken up dramatically in 2019, with the Newseum closing indefinitely and the International Spy Museum moving to sleek new digs in L’Enfant Plaza. In its larger space, the museum boasts many exhibits that lean so hard into “infotainment” that a trip can feel less like learning about spies and more like a game of pretending to be one. Test your sleuthing abilities and gawk at an array of spy gadgets, including KGB-issued poison pellet shooting umbrellas and Germany’s Steineck ABC wristwatch camera. James Bond junkies will be in heaven—the groovy silver Aston Martin from 1964’s Goldfinger assumes a central spot in the museum. 

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How Many Washington, D.C. Museums Can You See in a Day?

You don’t have to do a museum marathon to experience d.c.’s best. local experts weigh in on their favorite itineraries and tips for the perfect museum day in washington..

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The Smithsonian American Art Museum is just one of many cultural delights in D.C.

Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum/Ken Rahaim

Some of this country’s greatest museums and galleries are in Washington, D.C. Don’t be fooled into thinking that Washington is simply a static repository of culture—recent arrivals like the National Museum of African American History and Culture will soon be joined by newer institutions like the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women’s History Museum .

We spoke to local experts about which museums they like to pair together and got their tips on where to grab a bite or a drink along the way.

How to plan the perfect D.C. museum day

• You don’t have to do a museum marathon. A little planning ahead means you can arrange a day that suits your own interests. Do you prefer dinosaurs to fine art? Space capsules and Prince’s guitar or portraits of presidents?
• Consult a map to order your multimuseum itinerary by location. Then prioritize the galleries and works you’re most eager to see in each.
• Start your day early to beat the crowds still lingering over breakfast.
• Consider joining guided tours to enrich the experience.
• Most of D.C.’s museums have resumed walk-up visits since the pandemic restrictions have eased, so advance tickets are no longer needed for most. One popular exception is the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which still operates on free timed-entry passes.

Dorothy’s slippers are on view in the National Museum of American History.

Courtesy of National Museum of American History

A classic tour of the Smithsonian museums

Eric Lewis, owner of Grand Atlas Tours, has crafted what he believes to be the ideal all day tour of Smithsonian museums. “Start with the Smithsonian Castle to learn the fascinating, enigmatic origins of the Institution,” he says. Next on Lewis’s list is the National Museum of American History . “Don’t miss the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the national anthem, and Abraham Lincoln’s top hat [the last one he wore].”

Follow that up next door with a wander through the largest Smithsonian by collection size, the National Museum of Natural History. It includes the Bones Exhibit, the Hall of Mammals, the Hall of Fossils (including a T-Rex), and the Gems and Minerals exhibit where you can see the Hope Diamond, the world’s largest blue diamond, renowned for its clarity and—Lewis notes—its reputed curse .

While you’re here, grab lunch. The Washington Post named the on-site Ocean Terrace Cafe among the best of the Smithsonian museum restaurants. Plus, you get to eat with a view of a megalodon, an extinct mega-toothed shark that used to swim (and dine) in the nearby Chesapeake Bay.

If you have energy for one more museum, pop over to the Smithsonian American Art Museum , which Lewis says is not just great for art lovers but also places you “in the perfect neighborhood for a post-museum dinner: right across the street is Zaytinya by José Andrés .”

According to Lewis, “A grand day at the Smithsonians is eminently doable. But museum fatigue is real. Only the most endurance-minded travelers should aim to see more than three major museums in a day—distances on the National Mall can be deceptive, so the walk between them is longer than people anticipate.”

D.C. has art lovers covered, too.

Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum/Courtney Rothbard

The art lover’s museum day

“For a day of art-minded museum hopping in the DMV, what we call the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area, start your day at the National Gallery of Art , one of the nation’s most important cultural repositories,” recommends Ariana Panbechi-Cole, program manager for curriculum and instruction at Sotheby’s Institute of Art .

Panbechi-Cole, a self-declared Renaissance nerd, suggests heading straight to the museum’s Italian Renaissance collection. That’s where you’ll find the only da Vinci painting on permanent public view in the Americas, Ginevra de’ Benci . “There’s also an impressive work by Raphael called The Alba Madonna that is breathtaking,” she says.

The NGA’s West Building holds works by van Gogh as well as masterpieces by Rembrandt and Monet. The East Building houses modern and contemporary art by the likes of Pollack and Picasso. “I greatly admire pop art, so I always visit Roy Lichtenstein’s Look Mickey , Andy Warhol’s A Boy for Meg , and Wayne Thiebaud’s Cakes , which is one of the most visually delightful pieces in the NGA’s collection,” Panbechi-Cole says.

After this much art appreciation, you’ll surely need a pick-me-up. Enjoy a scoop of gelato at NGA’s Espresso & Gelato Bar or take a break in the NGA Sculpture Garden where you can sit and admire Robert Indiana’s AMOR or Louise Bourgeois’s Spider .

For your afternoon viewing, Panbechi-Cole offers up two possible itineraries; one stays local and one ventures farther afield.

Option 1: A 40-minute drive northwest from the National Mall, Glenstone is a private contemporary art museum in Potomac, Maryland. “It’s arguably one of the coolest and most unique institutions in the country,” says Panbechi-Cole. “Glenstone boasts one of the most impressive collections of postwar art and is on a lush campus of 230 acres. Part of what makes it so unique is the lack of didactic material. The galleries are curated to emphasize the experience of the visitor. The gallery space invites the visitor to draw their own conclusions from the artwork they encounter, rather than having a curator tell them what a work is ‘supposed’ to mean. Installations of landscape and sound art make the museum grounds such an interactive and dynamic space to have a one-on-one encounter with art.”

Glenstone offers a couple of tasty choices for lunch: there’s an indoor restaurant with a simple menu composed mostly of soups, salads, sandwiches, and a few hot entrées. Outdoors on the patio, you’ll find a pared-down menu and a scenic place to contemplate the grounds.

Option 2: If you’d prefer to stay in town, walk a few blocks off the National Mall to the National Portrait Gallery (NPG), the only place besides the White House with a permanent portrait exhibit of all the U.S. presidents. Lunch is just as important to Panbechi-Cole as the art she’s viewing: “Near NPG, at Crane’s , you can enjoy a $35 Michelin-starred lunch. The Spanish-Japanese fusion restaurant has a beautiful bento box and a stunning dining room.”

After lunch, she recommends the intimate Phillips Collection ( timed tickets: $16/adults, 18 and under free) , a 25-minute ride on the Metro’s Red Line to Dupont Circle. Founded in the 1920s in the Phillips family home, this collection was America’s first museum of modern art. Because the works by Picasso, Monet, van Gogh, Degas, Cezanne, and the celebrated Renoir painting Luncheon of the Boating Party are hung on the walls of a family home, it really feels like you’re viewing a private art collection. It also has thought-provoking contemporary exhibits that have reflected on the COVID pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement.

Another plus: Locals know the entry fee keeps the Phillips Collection less crowded than the free-admission museums along the Mall.

If you can only see one (OK, two) contemporary museums . . .

The horror! Just kidding. AFAR suggests you make time for the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden . The former is a fully immersive conversation about race and racism, while the latter has a special Laurie Anderson exhibit on through July 31, 2022.

>>Next: The AFAR Guide to Washington, D.C.

Museums in a Day

A half-day tour, with an emphasis on museums

Quick Details

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• Key Hole Availability: Only offered as a Private Tour
• Duration: 6 hours
• Flexible itinerary available—just ask!

Tourists would be remiss to travel to DC without perusing the fascinating modern art of the Hirshhorn, greeting our ancestors at the Natural History Museum, or witnessing man’s greatest adventures at the National Air and Space Museum. But with so much to see, touring the museums can be an overwhelming and exhausting experience, and you never know if you’re missing out on the best the museums have to offer.

That’s where we come in with our DC  Museums in a Day  tour. We’ve done all the homework for you. We’ve researched, and researched, and explored, and researched some more, until we became experts on every museum on the National Mall. We know the secrets behind the museums’ most popular exhibits, as well as the hidden treasures that the average visitor walks right past without a second look. But we also know all about the museums themselves: their history, their missions, the architecture behind their stunning buildings, and the lovely surrounding gardens that each tell a story.

Once we had the facts down, we were able to pinpoint the true must-sees of each museum, and create a plan of attack so that we can show you everything in one day. That’s right. Give us six hours, and we will give you the Smithsonian Institution under your belt on this incredible museums tour of DC.  We take you to the Portrait Art Gallery, where you can see the faces behind our stories; the Hirshhorn Museum, home to contemporary art and a stunning view of downtown DC; the American History Museum, to see Dorothy’s ruby-red slippers and a famous old flag; the Natural History Museum, where the Hope Diamond lies waiting for its next victim; the Air and Space Museum, which holds the secrets of the universe; and the Freer Gallery, where the East meets the West. Along the way, we visit statues in outdoor sculpture gardens that play tricks on your eyes and weave their own tales.

By the end of your  Museums in a Day  tour, you’re more than satisfied knowing you got the full DC museums experience, and then some. Of course, we never let you leave without our signature souvenirs, and the comfort knowing you’ve made a friendship with DC Insider Tours that lasts long after your tour ends.

• Chevron down Tour Highlights by Location
• American History Museum
• Natural History Museum
• Air and Space Museum
• Hirshhorn Museum of Modern Art
• Smithsonian Castle
• Portrait Art Gallery
• National Gallery of Art Outdoor Sculpture Garden

Related Tours

• Key Hole Private Tour
• Hour Glass 4 Hours
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The Big Three

The most popular Smithsonian museums also happen to be some of the most popular museums on Earth. If you’re looking to focus on just these three mega-famous museums,  The Big Three  is for you.

• Hour Glass 6 Hours
• Tags Chauffeur Available , Museum Tour

The Great Compromise

When you visit Washington, DC, chances are you’ll have to divide your time between the iconic monuments and memorials and the world-class museums. If you don’t have much time, which do you pick? Pick both!

Travel and Dish

Traveler, Diner, Photographer @TravelandDish

18 Washington D.C. Attractions that Require or Recommend Advance Tickets (and how to make them)

Before you travel to Washington DC, it’s important to plan your visit by making advance reservations at many popular attractions. It’s important to check out each website for the latest on the hours of operation. Some attractions remain closed. (updated November 29, 2022)

1 National Archives 

Where to get tickets: archives.gov/museum 

Tour times: Guided, Every 15 minutes beginning 10:30 to 90 mins before close 

Adult cost: $1.00 

Notes: walk-ins allowed, but Fast Pass is recommended  

2. The White House 

Closed. Where to get future tickets:  whitehouse.gov  Must go through member of Congress. 

Tour times: Mon.–Thu., 7:30–11; Fri.–Sat., 7:30–1:30  

Max days ahead: 180 

Min days ahead: 21 

Notes: Background check is required. Tours have resumed.

3. US Holocaust Museum 

Where to get tickets:  ushmm.org  

Tour times: 9:45 am – 4:45 pm  

Max days ahead: Same day and advance tickets online  

Notes: Passes required Mar-Aug, not required September – February 

4. Treasury Building 

Closed. Where to get tickets : Must go through member of Congress. Limited to legal American citizens at this time.

Tour times: Every other Saturday morning, 9 am and 10:30 am 

Notes: Background check is required. Visitors must enter through the West building entrance (Bell entrance).  This entrance is located in between the Treasury Building and the White House.  A docent will meet you to escort the group into the building.

5. Washington Monument 

Where to get tickets:  www.recreation.gov  877-444-6777 

Tour times: 9 am – 5 pm 

Adult cost: $1.00 processing fee 

Notes: Some same day passes on first come/first serve available, but best to reserve a ticket in advance. (You can wait around the Monument grounds and often people will have extra tickets and give them out)

6. The Pentagon 

Closed. Where to get tickets: pentagontours.osd.mil 

Tour times: Mon.–Fri., 9–3 

Max days ahead: 90 

Min days ahead: 14 

Notes: submit request, must show ID (passport, driver’s license, permanent resident card) Public tours have resumed. You will not be allowed to bring any electronics on your tour.

7.  U.S. Capitol 

Where to get tickets:  visitthecapitol.gov for tickets 

Tour times: 9 am –3 pm weekdays only 

Min days ahead: 1 

Notes: Some same day passes available, Gallery Passes obtained through Congressional representative. But all tours, programs and activities in the visitor-approved areas like the Rotunda, Statuary and the Crypt are free of charge. Visitors enter through the Capitol Visitor Center, located underground on the east side of the Capitol. 

8. Ford’s Theater National Historic Site 

Where to get tickets:  fords.org  for Historic Site Visit 

Tour times: Daily, 9–4 

Adult cost: $3 

Notes: Advance reservations strongly encouraged. Limited number of Same Day passes are available for timed-entry every half hour from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday – Sunday. The Theatre is not included in every ticket. 

9. Department of State Diplomatic Reception Rooms 

Where to get tickets:  diplomaticrooms.state.gov For information call  202-647-3241 

Tour times: Mon.–Fri., 9:30, 10:30, 2:45 

Notes: Fine Arts tour, not appropriate for children. 

Background The State Department building is a secure facility, and visitors will need to check in at the information desk inside the C Street entrance. Be sure to bring photo identification. You must be pre-cleared or cleared in by an employee for a tour.

10.  Frederick Douglass National Historic Site  

Where to get tickets: nps.gov/frdo 

Tour times: Daily, 9, 12:15, 1:15, 3, 3:30 (walk-ins only), 4 (Apr.±Oct.) 

Standard Tours (1 to 10 people)

Space is limited to ten people on the standard tour. Reservations are not required, but they are  strongly encouraged . To make a reservation, visit  recreation.gov  or call 1-877-444-6777. There is a $1.00 fee for each reserved ticket. Reservations must be made at least one day in advance. If available, unreserved tickets are otherwise free to the public and may be claimed on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are recommended to guarantee your place on a tour.

Adult cost: $1.00 

Notes: Same day passes available.

11. President Lincoln’s Cottage 

Where to get tickets: lincolncottage.org 

Tour times: Mon.–Sat., 10–3; Sun., 11–3 

Adult cost: $15, Kids $5 (should be 6 or older) 

Min days ahead: 0 

Notes: Advanced tickets suggested. On site tickets are sometimes available. 

12. Bureau of Engraving and Printing 

Where to get tickets: Tickets required on day of visit beginning at 8:30 am.  

Tour times: Mon.–Fri, 8:15–8:45, 4–4:45 

Min days ahead:  

Notes: Tickets only required Mar-Aug; can be picked up at ticket window for other times.  Currently closed .

13. Folger Shakespeare Library 

Where to get tickets: folger.edu 

Tour times: Saturday at noon 

Max days ahead: 60 

Notes: This is for READING ROOM TOURS; regular tours do not require tickets.  Currently closed for renovations. Opens November 17, 2023.

14. FBI Experience  

Where to get tickets: Security approval required. Must go through member of Congress. 

• Submission:  Confirms your congressional representative scheduled the correct tour date and time.
• Security approval:  Verifies your tour time and approval to enter FBI space and provides tour logistics you need to know prior to your visit.

Tour times: Mon.–Fri. 9 am -4:30 pm 

Max days ahead: 35 

Notes: No Federal Holidays, must be 16 or older with government issued ID.

15. National Museum of African American History and Culture 

Where to get tickets: Timed entry passes available online, required on Saturday and Sunday 

Tour times: Mon.–Fri. 10 am -5:30 pm 

Adult cost: free 

Max days ahead: 90 days 

Notes: Walk-in entry on Monday-Friday from 1 pm until close on March-August 

16. International Spy Museum

Where to get tickets: tickets.spymuseum.org

Adult (13-64) –  $26.95 Youth (7-12) –  $16.95 Child (6 and under) –  FREE (ticket required)

Hours: Thursday through Wednesday 9 am – 7 pm

Location: L’Enfant Plaza Station. Rooftop viewing. Spies under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

17. Planet Word

Where to get tickets: https://planetwordmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/

HOURS Wednesday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last entrance time is 3:30 p.m.

LOCATION 925 13th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005 Entrance on K Street

Cost: General admission is free, with a suggested $15 donation to support the museum’s mission-driven programs, exhibits, and educational outreach.

18. Museum of the Bible

Reserve Online for discount tickets: https://www.museumofthebible.org/plan-your-visit

Hours: Open 7 days a week from 10 am – 5 pm

Cost: Adult Advance tickets $19.99 Walk Up: $24.99

Seniors, Military, First Responders, and Students $19.99

Youth (Ages 5–17) $13.99, Walk up $14.99

Children (Ages 4 and under) Free

Old Post Office Tower

Where: Located at the intersection of 12th Street and Pennsylvania Ave N.W. (part of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel) Information

Cost: Tickets are Free, No reservations needed

Hours: 9 am – 4 pm, tours commence every five minutes

Self-Guided Tours begin from the elevator lobby on the stage level of the Old Post Office Pavilion. Visitors board the glass elevator to the exhibit area, then the elevator rises 270 feet viewing area.

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Welcome to the Virtual Visitor Center

Today, Friday, January 19, the following Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., are open: 

• National Air and Space Museum
• National Museum of African American History and Culture
• National Museum of American History
• National Museum of Natural History
• Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Virginia

All other D.C. museums, including the National Zoo, are closed today. 

When you visit the Smithsonian, you’re entering the world’s largest museum complex, with approximately 157 million artifacts and specimens in its trust for the American people. Most of our museums are located in the Washington, D.C., area with two in New York City.

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With multiple museums and more than 250 exhibitions, it can be hard to know where to start. My Visit allows you to create a list of your "favorite" exhibitions and museums to help you make the most of your time with us.

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Learn more about the Smithsonian, its history, treasures, and stories.

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Explore your favorite Smithsonian museums and gardens with touchless scavenger hunts!

Podcast host Lizzie Peabody sneaks listeners through Smithsonian’s side door to search for stories that can’t be found anywhere else.

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Completed in 1855, the Castle is our signature building. The  Castle is closed  for its first major renovation in more than 50 years. But even though the Castle is closed, there is lots to see and explore online!

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James Smithson, the founding donor of the Smithsonian, bequeathed his estate to establish the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Smithson’s gift inspired a unique public-private partnership that leverages an extraordinary commitment from Congress to activate additional private support to connect with more Americans.

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The capital of the United States, the playground of politicians and presidents, is just as enticing for tourists who want to experience a slice of American history. Our English speaking guides organize private and small group tours to the city’s most important institutions, like the National Museum of American History and the Air and Space Museum. Rub elbows with senators as you stroll the historical monuments on the Mall and learn about the iconic figures buried at Arlington National Cemetery. At Babylon Tours, our engaging guides want to make it clear that D.C. isn’t just for the fat cats on Capitol Hill – it’s also yours to explore.

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How to plan a walking tour of the best museums in Washington, DC

In a city full of world-class museums and galleries, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are six of the best locations to get a cultural flavour of the US capital.

Washington, DC holds a special place among the American cities — not just for its importance as the nation’s capital, but for its breadth of rich cultural experiences, too. Visitors will find some of the world’s most esteemed museums, libraries, galleries and institutions here, covering everything from contemporary art and natural history to space travel and go-go music.

Downtown DC and its attractions are easy to explore on foot, although bikes can also be hired through rental schemes across the city. The route below, which includes some of the city’s big-hitting museums and unexpected treasures, is around 11 miles and takes just over four hours on foot, without stopping. Travellers should consider breaking it up into stages, allowing plenty of time to appreciate the art, artefacts and experiences on display, as well as the timeless city views along cherry tree-lined avenues and the National Mall.

1. Phillips Collection

Start at this striking, red-brick museum in the leafy Dupont Circle neighbourhood. Founded in 1921 by art collector Duncan Phillips and his wife Marjorie, the Phillips Collection was the first museum of modern art in the US and continues to change and expand with new exhibits. The intimate collection is a rollcall of some of the most celebrated names in American and European art, including Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, Matisse and Whistler. Be sure to admire the masterly strokes of Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party , and the Rothko Room, home to four distinctive abstract oeuvres. A couple blocks away is Planet Word , an immersive language experience and the first voice-activated museum. Free to visit, the museum engages, educates and showcases the immense power of language with various interactive exhibits, including a 22-foot-tall wall of commonly used words.  

2. National Museum of Women in the Arts

Half an hour’s walk along Connecticut Avenue and H Street NW leads to the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA), housed in a glorious 1908 Masonic temple that’s fresh from a 2023 renovation. Over 1,000 female artists have work on display here, including Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe, as well as lesser-known names from the Renaissance through to the present. This is the only major museum in the world to have an all-female collection — a responsibility the NMWA takes seriously; the gallery’s advocacy and education programmes aim to redress the gender imbalance in the art world.

3. National Mall  

Make the short walk south — past the White House and President’s Park — and the National Mall unfurls like a vast, green carpet, bookended by the Lincoln Memorial and the United States Capitol, with the towering Washington Monument at the heart of it. Located around this iconic, two-mile grass promenade are some of the country’s most hallowed landmarks: the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Smithsonian Castle and the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world, where visitors can admire the ornate surrounds of the Main Reading Room. At a leisurely pace, a full lap of the Mall can easily take over two hours, so allow time to take it all in. Come back at dusk to watch the sunset spilling over the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool.

4. Smithsonian museums  

Many of the Smithsonian Institution’s 21 museums stand proudly on the National Mall. The world’s largest natural history collection is on display at the National Museum of Natural History , charting the earth’s story with exhibitions and activities, while the National Air and Space Museum offers a deep dive into the history of air and space travel, with exhibits including Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit and a model of the Star Trek Starship Enterprise . Explore the nation’s political and cultural identity, from the colonial era to the modern day,   at the National Museum of American History , where highlights include George Washington’s military uniform and Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz .

5. Go-Go Museum & Café

Hire a bike to cross the Anacostia River and seek out one of the city’s newest museums. As its name suggests, the Go-Go Museum and Café celebrates go-go music, the lively style of funk known for its distinctive snare beat and call-and-response vocals. Declared the official music of DC in 2020, go-go has its roots in the city’s African American community, with local guitarist Chuck Brown (1936-2012) dubbed the ‘Godfather of Go-Go’. Music lovers can learn more about the genre and its place in the American soundtrack through exhibitions, outreach programmes and live music performances. The museum is slated to open in early spring 2024.

6. Rubell Museum

Back across the river, on 1st Street SW, the Rubell Museum is a vivid romp through contemporary art. This is one of the largest private collections of modern works in North America, amassed over a period of nearly 60 years by Don and Mera Rubell and their son, Jason. Their support of artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons and Keith Haring at the beginning of their careers allowed them to obtain some of their earliest works. See them showcased alongside underrepresented contemporary artists through a collection of paintings, sculptures, videos and photography.

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Museums in Washington DC

In the bustling world of Washington DC, the only thing more hip than being a celebrity is being a history buff; DC may be the only place in the world where the high-school history nerds are now revered as the "cool kids." Whether you’re looking to appreciate the incredible remnants of American culture or looking to increase your knowledge of the history of the world, Washington DC has a museum that caters to any yen. From the world-famous Smithsonian to the smaller, less-known galleries chronicling the roots of art in African American culture, the ways to immerse yourself in historical beauty are limitless. Even if you lived your entire life in Washington DC, you might still be surprised by the amount of street corner nooks and crannies where knowledge and appreciation are served on a silver platter.

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National Gallery of Art Un-Highlights @ the NGA

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Made for museum lovers and skeptics alike, our Un-Highlights tour of the National Gallery of Art will show you a side of the National Gallery you’ve never seen before! Join our renegade tour guides on a high-energy, two-hour group tour through these historic halls with a “tasting menu” approach as you learn the crazy true stories behind a selection of art across the National Gallery of Art’s collection. This is not your grandma’s museum tour.

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What Makes Our Tours Awesome

World class guides.

Renegade Guides are award winning entertainers, comedians, academics and nerds; this is not your average docent tour. New guides train in the Museum Hack craft for 3 months before ever leading a tour.

Smart Humor, Mind Blowing Facts, Juicy Gossip

If you prefer your history drunk and a little sassy then you are our kind of people. We do deep research into the museum collections to learn the facts you won't find on the plaques, and then build out stories that connect with stuff in your life.

Small Group, VIP , Social Experience

Our standard group size is 10 or less, which is important because your guide will know you by name and can personalize the tour for what you want to see. It's also a great social experience, so you can come solo and make new friends or bring your SO, BFF, mom, grandma, OkCupid / Bumble / Grindr-crush, Tamagotchi, FWB or entire squad.

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All full price tickets include museum admission, up to a $25 value (so the tour portion is more like $34 - $44). When you arrive at the museum, your guide will have your admission ready so you can launch right into the tour without waiting in line.

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Guests often call our guided tours "the best thing to do in Washington DC" and sometimes "pretty f***ing awesome!" You may have noticed companies intentionally sharing average reviews of like 4.7 stars, which they do because a study a few years back said the internet trusts that more than a perfect 5.0. Our actual average is 5/5, so f**k it.

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Discover the Natural World

Open seven days a week, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., except Dec. 25 We're on the National Mall 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20560 Free Admission

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Understanding the natural world and our place in it.

Delve into the fascinating story of our planet, from its fiery beginnings through billions of years of transformation, and explore life on Earth through exhibitions and activities, collection objects and research that happens in the lab and in the field.

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During this time when educational resources are more important than ever, we are expanding our digital content and programming to provide them to you. Please help support our efforts to keep curious minds engaged and educated about the wonders of the natural world.

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Where to go

Experiences in washington dc, introducing washington dc.

Often overshadowed by the more flashy New York City, Washington DC represents an essential destination of an East Coast tour. In fact, the District of Columbia is a real must-see for those who want to discover and get in touch with the true essence of American history and culture.

Not only a political capital but also an important cultural and artistic center , Washington DC is found between the states of Virginia - on its southwest side - and Maryland - on its southeast, northeast, and northwest sides.

The ideal tour of Washington starts from the National Mall , a monumental avenue of about 3 km that runs along the east-west from Capitol Hill to the Lincoln Memorial .

Bordered on the north by Constitution Avenue and on the south by Independence Avenue, this spectacular green artery of the city is also home to major museums, including the Freer and Sackler Galleries - parts of the National Museum of Asian Art - the Hirshhorn Museum - which is the modern Art museum of the Smithsonian Institution - the National Air & Space Museum - visited by more than 8 million tourists per year - and the National Gallery of Art - gathering a huge exhibition of paintings, sculptures and other decorative arts from the Middle Ages to today.

Near the gleaming white marble of Capitol Hill, you cannot miss the Washington Monument , known obelisk located in the western part of the National Mall, and the White House , the most famous house in America and residence of all the U.S. presidents since John Adams.

Moving from the city center you can reach the famous Arlington National Cemetery , the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the George Washington Memorial Parkway .

For a pleasant evening stroll, the choice is definitely on Dupont Circle . This trendy area is the focal point of social life in the city. The neighborhood of Georgetown is also worth visiting, home of the famous Georgetown University and of the Georgetown Waterfront, spectacular group of buildings on the banks of the Potomac with beautiful fountains, trendy bars and excellent restaurants.

From Musement Mag

The 31 best things to do in D.C. this weekend and next week

The penultimate week of the National Cherry Blossom Festival is filled with activities for all ages and interests, from the live music, hands-on activities and fireworks at Petalpalooza at the Capitol Riverfront to the art-centric First Saturday at the National Gallery of Art to the pop-up market at National Landing’s Pink in the Park festival. Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday is celebrated with concerts at the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center. The Words Beats and Life Festival focuses on poetry and hip-hop at events around the city. March Madness viewing parties get more intense now that the tournament is down to the Final Four. Oh, and did you know there’s a solar eclipse on Monday, with viewing parties across the D.C. region?

Thursday, April 4

Words Beats and Life Festival

The Words Beats and Life Festival officially began Monday, but the annual mix of poetry, hip-hop and activism picks up steam as the weekend approaches. On Thursday night, choices include dance-forward “electronic folk music” from the trio of Sunken Cages, Dragonchild and Faraway Ghost on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage ( free, 6 p.m. ); Word Power: Dynamic Duos , an event mixing DJs, poets and lyricists at Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville, followed by an open mic ( 8 p.m., $5 ); and a free rooftop party at the Eaton hotel with DJs Miss H.E.R., Farrah Flosscett and Coco Spinelle dropping hip-hop, Afrobeats and beyond ( 8 p.m., free with RSVP ). As the week goes on, look for a talk with poet, actor and songwriter Saul Williams at Woolly Mammoth ( Friday ); youth poetry slams and a “ Literary Decathlon ” that involves writing haikus and love poems and a “compliment battle” ( Saturday ); and the Jazz and Blossoms party in Franklin Park ( Sunday ). Through Sunday; event prices vary .

Cherry Fund: Rewind

Since 1996, the Cherry Fund has raised more than $1.3 million for nonprofits helping D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community, bringing DJs and participants from around the world for parties. This year’s party, which benefits the DC Center for the LGBT Community , has a theme of “Rewind,” so consider it a teaser for June’s “Totally Radical” Pride festivities. The celebrations start Thursday with a free party at Kiki on U Street, featuring DJ Tezrah. The parties keep coming: Friday at Ultrabar with Brazilian DJ Paulo Pacheco and Mohammed from Atlanta, inspired by “legendary dance floors of days gone by”; Saturday at the Mayflower with DJs Orel Sabag (Israel) and Tom Stephan (London) until 3 a.m., followed by the “after-hours” party at Flash that kicks off at 4 a.m. and runs until 9, including a daylight party on the roof; and Sunday night’s finale, at Zebbie’s Garden, with Cherry regular Nina Flowers. Through Sunday. General admission $45-$70; VIP pass for all events $220 .

Eclipse Cocktails at Red Derby

On Monday, the D.C. Public Library began handing out free solar glasses that will protect your eyes during the upcoming eclipse. Neighborhood online groups were soon full of reports that all the glasses were gone, and at least one reporter struck out when they went to their neighborhood branch around lunchtime. The Smithsonian is handing out tens of thousands of free glasses before the main event, but if you want to have some fun with it, the Red Derby’s serving up a free pair of glasses alongside its new raspberry rum swizzle, dubbed the Eclipse Cocktail . Get one before they’re gone. Though Saturday. $10 .

Friday, April 5

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra: ‘Aspects of Ellington’ at the National Museum of Natural History

April is Jazz Appreciation Month, but the celebrations are especially sweet in D.C. this year, with concerts and events honoring the 125th birthday of native son Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington. This weekend kicks off with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra’s “Aspects of Ellington” at the National Museum of Natural History, which will draw on diverse works from across Ellington’s songbook: The Smithsonian says selections might include the 1927 shuffle of “East St. Louis Toodle-Oo” and the “Degas Suite,” a 1960s film soundtrack unreleased in Ellington’s lifetime. ( 7 p.m. $30. )

March Madness: Women’s Final Four viewing parties

Only six schools are still playing in March Madness , and there are viewing parties for all the survivors this weekend — a guarantee that the bar will have full sound and plenty of screens. The Women’s Final Four takes place on Friday night, with North Carolina State facing South Carolina at 7 p.m. N.C. State alumni will be fixtures at Lou’s City Bar this weekend, with both the men and women still involved. (On Sunday, red-and-black pompoms were scattered around the screen-filled bar hours before tip-off.) The Gamecocks, meanwhile, watch their games at Atlas Brew Works on Half Street near Nationals Park. The second game, which begins at 9:30 p.m., features Connecticut and Iowa . U-Conn fans pack into Clarendon’s Colony Grill, while you’ll see Caitlin Clark jerseys at Mission Navy Yard, D.C.’s official Iowa alumni bar.

Cherry blossom performances at the Tidal Basin

The National Cherry Blossom Festival officially runs through April 14, but the free daily musical performances at the Tidal Basin Welcome Area are wrapping up this weekend. Take in a cross-cultural tradition while listening to local acts including R&B singers Natalie Redd and PatriceLive, Andean folk group Raymi, and brotherly prog-rock duo deTournai. Through Sunday. Free .

Tosser at Rhizome

On its debut album, D.C. band Tosser scrubbed off some of the “ polish ” of earlier releases for a noisy, guitar-powered album that accidentally predicted the malaise of a pandemic period that it predated. The group’s just-released album “Sheer Humanity” is not as much polished as sharpened, its grungy riff rock even heavier and edgier than before. 7 p.m. $15 .

‘Exsanguinated’ at Red Bear Brewing

The NoMa brewery follows its weekly “RuPaul’s Drag Race” viewing party with a specific live drag challenge of its own: a “vampire ball.” Named for the medical term for draining blood, this event is hosted by local performer (and winner of a “spookiest ghoul” competition last year) Johnny Alucard . 9 to 11 p.m. Free.

Saturday, April 6

Petalpalooza

Multiple stages of live music, art installations, hands-on family activities, a market, food trucks and a beer garden are highlights of the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s annual Petalpalooza along the Capitol Riverfront near the Navy Yard. Five zones of entertainment are featured throughout the neighborhood, and the event is capped with a fireworks display set to music, which begins at 8:30 p.m. 1 to 9 p.m. Free .

Pink in the Pool and Pink in the Park at National Landing

National Landing hosts a pair of free Saturday events for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. First up is Pink in the Pool , a kid-centric event at the Long Bridge Aquatics Center with story time, snacks and an origami class ( 9 a.m. to noon ). Pink in the Park , originally scheduled for March 23, features a pop-up market with more than two dozen vendors, curated by AAPI art and culture organization Samasama. The day also includes live mural painting, art from the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington, and a pop-up food and beverage area. DJ Em-Pulse and Les the DJ provide the tunes ( 1 to 5 p.m. ). Both events are free.

First Saturday at the National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art’s monthly First Saturday series has a flower theme (surprise!) during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, so visitors can create floral art from paper or practice sketching a floral arrangement, explore paintings of flowers in the galleries, watch Japanese movies, and listen to traditional Japanese music. Little ones can have their faces painted or listen to story time. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free .

Kimonos and Cocktails on 17th Street NW

Bars and restaurants along 17th Street near Dupont Circle team up for the new Kimonos and Cocktails, a bar crawl featuring cherry blossom-themed cocktails and mocktails. Arrive early for a kimono demonstration, beginning in Stead Park at 2 p.m., then taste your way down the street before voting for a favorite concoction. 5 to 8 p.m. Free .

Art Blooms at the Mosaic District

The two-day Art Blooms in Fairfax’s Mosaic District brings a marketplace of 90 makers and vintage vendors, music on multiple stages, and a farmers market with food and drinks. Families can bring the kids to meet singing princesses, and everyone should take advantage of the free shuttle from the Dunn Loring Metro station. Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free .

Dupont Circle Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Market

There’s a lot happening in Dupont Circle this weekend, including Saturday’s Kimonos and Cocktails bar crawl and Sunday’s tea party in the circle. But don’t overlook the Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Market, where you’ll find more than 75 makers and vendors set up across the neighborhood: along Connecticut Avenue NW between Q and S streets; on P Street between 20th and 22nd streets; and 17th Street between P and R streets. Meanwhile, on Saturday, there’s also a mural installation in Dupont Circle Park and craft activities, such as origami and bookmark making, in the garden behind the historic Heurich House . Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets has more information about neighborhood events on its website. Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Free .

Unique Markets at Dock 5 at Union Market

Find a new favorite D.C.-based small business at the Washington edition of Unique Markets, a roving pop-up shop that travels the country showing off emerging brands. More than 70 sellers are setting up shop above Union Market, with offerings including jewelry, clothing (vintage and new), bath products, candles, ceramics and packaged food. Admission includes perks like free drinks, including nonalcoholic beers from Best Day Brewing; DIY craft projects to try; stations with photo ops; and a tote bag to carry all your purchases home. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $12 for one-day admission; $16 for a weekend pass; free admission for ages 14 and under .

March Madness: Men’s Final Four

Saturday brings the men’s side of the NCAA Tournament. The first game, at 6:09 p.m., features North Carolina State and Purdue . As mentioned above, N.C. State alumni head to Lou’s City Bar in Columbia Heights, and Boilermakers watch their games at the Bottom Line on K Street. Alabama and Connecticut follow at 8:49 p.m. U-Conn alumni are heading back to Colony Grill in Clarendon, where they will have watched their women’s team play on Friday, while Alabama fans have been going to Salazar on 14th Street for their March Madness game watches. The winners, of course, play for the national championship on Monday.

‘Back 2 the Circle’ Cypher Jam and Fresh Fit Clothing Swap at the Kennedy Center

Indigenous hip-hop is front and center at the Kennedy Center’s Reach on Saturday evening, with performances by rapper Supaman, DJ Element, and B-girl and curator Miss Chief Rocka. Groove to tunes by DJs Diyanna Monet and 4REAL. Bring gently used clothing and accessories to swap, and bring your best moves for a dance contest with celebrity judges. 5 to 9 p.m. Free .

Mumbo vs. Gumbo at Sycamore and Oak

Five years ago, a complaint about go-go music playing from speakers at a phone store at the corner of Seventh Street and Florida Avenue NW launched the Don’t Mute D.C. movement, and helped go-go become the official sound of D.C. Mark the anniversary with a party at Sycamore and Oak in Congress Heights, where Mumbo vs. Gumbo features live go-go from Backyard Band and District Kings and the horn-driven sound of the Crush Funk Brass Band. Meanwhile, there’s New Orleans-style cuisine from Triceys D.C., Dionne’s and the vegan Glizzys. 3 to 7 p.m. Free .

Capital Art Book Fair at Eastern Market

More than 30 exhibitors from around the world — as close as Silver Spring and as far as Seoul — convene at Eastern Market’s North Hall to celebrate art books. Participants include artists, established publishers and indie bookmakers selling zines, photography books, graphic novels and more. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.

NSO Music for Young Audiences at the Kennedy Center

This family-focused concert returns to introduce youngins to, as the Kennedy Center bills it, “some of the greatest music ever written.” The program is led by two National Symphony Orchestra musicians (bassist Paul DeNola and violinist Heather LeDoux Green) and features a “trunk full of gags” used throughout the show, though besides their instruments, the performers are silent. Come early for Musical PLAYspace, where kids are invited to try out the instruments they’ll see onstage, and stay after the Saturday afternoon performance for a Q&A with the artists and creative team. Saturday, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. $20.

Sunday, April 7

Japanese Stone Lantern Lighting Ceremony at the Tidal Basin

The Cherry Blossom Princesses take center stage at the Tidal Basin during the Japanese Stone Lantern Lighting Ceremony, the annual lighting of the 17th-century lantern that is located near the site where the first cherry blossom trees were planted in 1912. 2:30 p.m. Free .

Jazz and Blossoms at Franklin Park

The music-focused Jazz and Blossoms festival returns downtown with performances by Digable Planets, the Sun Ra Arkestra, the JoGo Project, Madison McFerrin and the Daylight DJs. The day in Franklin Park — part of the Words Beats and Life Festival — also includes art installations, graffiti walls, lawn games, haiku-writing stations and nonalcoholic beverages. Noon to 7:30 p.m. Free .

Dupont Circle Tea Party

Take a break from shopping at the Dupont Circle Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Market (see the listing under Saturday) for a warm beverage on Sunday afternoon. Visit the festively decorated Dupont Circle Tea Party for free beverages from Teaism, Tea Mansion and Valley Brook Tea. Noon to 5 p.m. Free .

Blossom Block Fest: Flea D.C. at Sycamore and Oak

Congress Heights’ Sycamore and Oak is the home of the Blossom Block Festival, where a flea market highlights Black creatives alongside family activities and live music. Noon to 5 p.m. Free .

Tulip Ride and Tulip Walk on the Mount Vernon Trail

The cherry blossoms aren’t the only flowers worth fawning over during springtime in Washington, and the nonprofit Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail proves it on a morning dedicated to exploring the area’s prettiest tulip patches. There are two options happening simultaneously: a bike ride to three tulip-covered sites located on and near the Mount Vernon Trail as part of an eight-mile loop, or a five-mile stroll to two sites. The Tulip Ride/Walk is organized in partnership with WalkArlington and the Rosslyn BID, and free online registration is required. Both the ride and the walk begin and end at Compass Coffee in Rosslyn. 9 a.m. to noon. Free; advance registration required .

Bottomless Drag Brunch at El Techo

Drag stars Tara Hoot, Evry Pleasure and TrevHER join DJ Lemz on El Techo’s verdant tropical rooftop for two bottomless brunches raising money for the Cherry Fund. Tickets include a choice of entree with unlimited bloody marys, mimosas or margaritas, plus all the entertainment you can handle while helping the nonprofit Cherry Fund support D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. $45 .

G.A.S. (Grown and Sexy) at Metrobar

One Sunday a month from April through the end of summer, DJs Alizay, B-Sharp and Farrah Flosscett are trying to make the end of your weekend a little more sophisticated and fresh. Expect the vibe at this “Grown and Sexy” party to be set by hip-hop and soulful R&B, without getting as crazy as you might on a Friday night. 6 to 11 p.m. Free with RSVP .

Monday, April 8

Solar eclipse viewing parties

Did you know there’s a solar eclipse on Monday? And there won’t be another total eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2045? Even though D.C. will experience only a partial eclipse, there are viewing parties across the region . The biggest celebration takes place on the National Mall , where the National Air and Space Museum is joined by scientific organizations including NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for a free, family-friendly afternoon festival. View the eclipse safely through solar telescopes and sun spotters, watch live NASA video from the path of totality, or see the sun through a satellite’s ultraviolet cameras. Hands-on activities take place between Fourth and 12th streets, and safe eclipse viewing glasses will be free while supplies last. Other options include the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center , George Mason University’s observatory and Sky Meadows State Park . Adults playing hooky to see the eclipse can watch from the rooftop Deck 11 bar at Yotel D.C., or the Starr Hill rooftop beer garden at the Perch in Tysons, which is handing out glasses with every food or drink purchase, beginning at 2 p.m. Times vary; the peak of the eclipse in D.C. will be at 3:20 p.m .

Tuesday, April 9

Mariah the Scientist at Echostage

Let’s take her stage name literally. There’s something almost clinical about the singing of this Atlanta-raised R&B star as she continues to steer the sang-froid she shares with SZA, Frank Ocean and Jhene Aiko toward the absolute zero of American soul music. She can reach for a high note when she needs to, but how low can she go? 8 p.m. Only verified resale tickets available .

Bad Bunny at Capital One Arena

It’s hard to say whether we’ve reached peak Bad Bunny — or we ever will. The 30-year-old’s renown only seems to grow bigger and brighter as his albums continue to expand into new zones of rhythm and rhyme. Onstage, he makes that expansiveness feel not only coherent, but riveting. In other words, checking out one of the planet’s most electrifying pop performers while he’s still on top of the world sounds like a good idea. 8 p.m. $202-$675 .

Wednesday, April 10

Jason Moran: Solo Ellington at the Kennedy Center

Tributes to Duke Ellington continue as the great pianist Jason Moran — the Kennedy Center’s artistic director for jazz — explores the breadth of Ellington’s music during a solo piano concert in the Eisenhower Theater, accompanied by a selection of Gordon Parks’s photos of Ellington. ( 8 p.m. $35-$80. )

23 Things To Do In Washington DC With Kids [+ 2 Day Itinerary]

T here are so many things to do in Washington DC with kids. Plus, there is so much history to see and share! We did Washington DC back when the kids were 7, 5, 5, and 3 and went again when they were 14, 11, 11, and 9.

Both times we did similar things, but with the kids being older, it was fun to dive deeper into the history and meaning behind what we were seeing. We also tied this trip into our East Coast road trip , where we also visited New York City , Boston , Philadelphia , Lincoln NH , and a few more places.

Transportation

Both times we went into Washington, DC, we took public transportation to get into the heart of the city. Once from a couple of hours away and the other time from the Cherry Hill RV park. Both times it worked out well and is definitely what we recommend when visiting DC.

The public transit in DC is straightforward to use. Getting around with your family is accessible between the Metrorail and Metrobus services. For those that prefer to explore via two wheels, there are 2 main options both of which provide daily passes up to a year old membership.

Time Of Day To Visit

We are not early risers, so we just go when we get up and get moving. Typically sometime after 11 am. This has never been a problem for us. But it can be if you want to hit a lot of museums since they can close around 4 or 5. If that is what you want to do, be sure to check their schedules.

Also, note there are few places to eat right within where all the monuments are. So either plan to bring your own food or stop somewhere around the White House before heading further into the monuments.

The other option is the food trucks that are by the museums. There is typically a great assortment of different types and styles of foods offered at the food trucks. This great selection of food trucks can be a fantastic way to experience foods from other cultures.

However, it can be challenging for the food trucks to know the hours and when they will be there. Be prepared to wait in line for some of the more popular trucks.

In DC you will also find a great selection of food tours. These tours can be a great way to taste the popular local delicacies and experience the culture of a neighborhood.

Below I am going to share the route we took to explore the monuments around DC with our kids. We had breakfast before we got there and went knowing we would be eating lunch soon.

• White House Visitor Center

The visitor center is not by the front of the White House. Instead, it is a few blocks away. Even if it is a bit out of your way, it is worth stopping at. You can follow the history of the Presidents, see images from the Presidents living in the White House, the First Ladies, and more. See interactive exhibits filled with the history of the founding fathers. This free museum offers an insight into the daily lives of our past presidents, with almost 100 artifacts on display.

You have to walk through a metal detector before entering, so be aware of that.

Black Lives Matter Plaza

This racial equality landmark in downtown DC is a two-block section of the street featuring giant lettering. From the road, it is hard to see much. But it is cool to see the 50-foot lettering and compare them to images we have seen of the street. This is one of the newest landmarks in the capital.

White House

You must go to the White House when visiting Washington, DC. Getting into it is another story – especially nowadays, but we know friends who have done it. We made a last-minute effort to get in, but it was a no-go. To tour the White House, some planning is needed. Requests for visiting need to be submitted to a member of Congress at least three weeks before your planned trip. The good news is that the tour is free of charge. It just requires planning. If you manage to book a tour, note that all persons over the age of 18 are required to present a valid ID upon entry. Flash photography is not allowed during the tour. Secret Service members are stationed in each room if you have any questions.

No matter if you couldn’t book a tour, it is still fun to see it from the outside and take a picture in front of it. Download the White House Experience App to help you plan your visit or to tour the White House Virtually.

• Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is the world’s tallest freestanding stone structure. Seeing this piece of history from the inside requires booking a ticket ahead of time. We aren’t good at that. . . so we always check the monument from the outside. T

he kids had fun trying to “hold” the monument in our hands. If you are lucky enough to get tickets, be sure to check out the view from the amazing observation deck. You can order tickets up to 30 days in advance or attempt to get same-day reservations to see this iconic obelisk. Note that the same-day tickets are harder to come by but are an excellent option for those on a last-minute trip.

GCDC Grilled Cheese Bar

The GCDC Grilled Cheese Bar was a yummy place to get Grilled Cheese after visiting the Washington Monument. It was busy, so you should order ahead or be ready to wait. We had to stand around for a while, waiting for a table to open up. From a wide assortment of grilled cheeses, mac and cheese, and quesadillas, every cheese lover in your family will be in heaven.

• World War II Memorial

Located by the Smithsonian and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, this solemn memorial is dedicated to all service members that gave their lives during World War II. The memorial contains 56 granite pillars. One pillar for each state or territory whose citizens bravely sacrificed their lives for the freedom of others. We always look for our home state of Wisconsin to get a picture next to when visiting this memorial.

• Lincoln Memorial

It is a beautiful walk from the World War II Memorial up to the Lincoln Memorial. It is located on the western edge of the National Mall. Once in the Memorial, we read the Gettysburg address etched into the wall and grabbed a picture by Lincoln. The Gettysburg Address was an essential part of Civil War history. Get a photo looking out from the Memorial onto the reflecting pool. The Lincoln Memorial is open 24 hours daily, 365 days a year, making it super easy to fit into any of your travel plans. Ancient Greek inspired the Lincoln Memorial’s design Temples. The memorial has been home to many noteworthy moments in America’s history, including Martin Luther King Jr’s I Have a Dream Speech.

• Martin Luther King Jr Memorial

The Martin Luther King Jr Memorial is located by the lake next to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial or can be reached with a 15-minute walk from the Smithsonian Metro stop. This monument has many places to stop to read timeless quotes from his I Have a Dream speech carved into its walls and to talk about the history of this civil rights icon. National Park Service Rangers are on site most of the time to answer any questions you have.

• Franklin D Roosevelt Memorial

We didn’t visit here the last time we came, and I am so glad we did this time. We stopped in the gift shop/visitor center by the monument, grabbed the Who Is Franklin D Roosevelt book, and sat on a bench to read it to the kids.

He had so many great quotes, and seeing them up on the walls was awesome. This memorial guides you back in time to FDRs four presidential terms, where he lead our country through the difficult times of the Great Depression and World War II.

• George Mason Memorial

We weren’t trying to go here but made a stop while we were taking a walk around the lake to the Jefferson Memorial. This memorial is dedicated to one of the often overlooked founding fathers. Though most of history has forgotten him, George Mason played a vital role in our nation’s founding. This memorial isn’t on the Tidal Basin Path, so it can be easy to miss.

• Jefferson Memorial

The Jefferson Memorial is located on the Tidal Basin, boarded by beautiful cherry blossom trees. At night the neoclassical architecture can be seen shining over the water. This open-air building is free to enter. You will find quotes from the Declaration of Independence etched on the walls inside. We also stopped at the gift shop here and got a picture with Jefferson facing out over the water.

There is so much history in Washington, DC. It is well worth taking your kids no matter what age they are! It starts a lot of great conversations about our nation’s history.

That was a wrap on our day walking the monuments of DC. By this time, and after all that walking, everyone was hungry, so we headed out.

Day 2 was all about the museums. One of the best things about the museums in Washington, DC is most offer free admission. We checked out the following museums:

• National Museum of American History

This was a fascinating museum with a visual history of America. Not just text box things but also how people lived, what they wore, etc. The exhibits allowed us to step back in time and experience history. It was not what I expected, but it was very informative, and I am glad we brought the kids here to see it. With its rotating featured exhibits, there is always something new to see and learn about. The best part is that the museum is free of charge, and no tickets are required.

• National Gallery Of Art

Located near the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the National Gallery of Art features more than 150,000 pieces of art. The museum offers free guided tours, or you can explore on your own with a self-guided tour via the APP. For any homeschooler or roadschooler, be sure to check out the educational resources available online https://www.nga.gov/learn/teachers.html

• National Archives Museum

We went here to see the Declaration of Independence. It was cool to see it in person. When in DC, I recommend checking it out. We didn’t have to wait long to see it, and the kids really enjoyed it since we had been talking so much about it. It is a unique experience to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights up close. Located between Constitution Ave and Pennsylvania Ave, admission is always free. The museum is open to the public every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

That is how we spent our two days in DC. There are also a variety of other things you can do in DC with kids.

Here is a high level breakdown and a map of what we did with our 2 days in Washington DC:

Day 1: Monuments

• Lunch: GCDC Grilled Cheese Bar

Day 2: Museums

Great paid tours.

Hop-On and Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour See the sites and history of DC from a double-decker bus. This easy bus tour visits the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, National Capitol, the National Cathedral, and more.

Mount Vernon River Cruise On this full-day tour, you will cruise up the Potomac River and visit George Washington’s estate. This tour is a great way to experience the history of colonial America while wondering about the home of George and Martha Washington. Be sure to watch the documentary on the American Revolution in the 4-D theater.

African American History Tour On this 4-hour tour, you will see some of the most iconic sites and lesser-known unique landmarks in civil rights history. From the home of Frederick Douglass to African American Civil War Memorial and Museum to Howard University take an in-depth look at the struggle for civil rights.

Monuments and Memorials Bike Tour Bike through the Tidal Basin and National Mall on this self-guided tour. This three-hour guided tour is perfect for all ages and includes bikes and helmets.

Tastes of Georgetown Food Tour Learn about the history of DC’s oldest and most iconic neighborhood while sampling delicious local foods.

Georgetown Ghost Tour Discover the dark side of this historic part of the city, including visiting the famous Exorcist stairs featured in the movie during this walking tour.

Additional Things To Do

Capital Wheel With this flexible date ticket, see gorgeous views of Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia from the wheel. The Capital Wheel is located just outside of downtown in the National Harbour.

United States Botanic Garden See the beauty of nature for free at this beautiful site. Stop by the Children’s Garden for great kid-friendly, hands-on educational programs. For younger kids be sure to print off the coloring book from the website before your visit.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum See the history of flight in the US, from the Wright Brother’s flyer to the Mars Rover. From the Planetarium, IMAX Theater, interactive exhibits, and even a story time for kids there is something for all ages.

If you want to escape the hustle of the city, check out Rock Creek Park . This piece of tranquility in the middle of the city offers concerts, horseback riding, hiking, and more. Visit the Civil War sites in this picturesque park to learn more about its place in history.

There is also the Capitol Building, International Spy Museum, Smithsonian National Zoo and Glen Echo park.

More Great Family Fun

Escape game washington dc.

There are 2 great Escape Game locations in the DC area. Visiting Escape Rooms is a favorite activity for our family. Up to 8 people are locked in a room, you have 1 hour to solve clues to escape.

The Escape Game Washington DC has 9 different rooms to choose from. The rooms are varying levels of difficulty. Each room is filled with unique props to help you solve the mystery of how to escape. We highly recommend this great indoor family entertainment. Book your tickets here!

Things To Know

• Bring Cash! You can use cash at the Metro to buy set dollar amount tickets. You also need cash to purchase anything from the street vendors.
• Metro: Do your research before you get there so you know which stop you should park by and which Metro line you want to get on. Remember you determine that by seeing where the Metro Line will END – that will tell you which train you should get on.
• Pentagon Mall – The parking garage worked out great. We were far enough outside of the city that traffic wasn’t crazy and we were parked in a parking garage. At the time it was $18 for the day. Bring your ticket with you and pay at the mall before you leave. You then need your ticket to leave the parking structure/lot.
• Stroller: You could bring a stroller. All the monuments have elevators. So if you are ok with dealing with that and navigating your way through crowds with your stroller and up and down the sidewalk/street you can bring one.
• Walking: No Joke! all the monuments are FAR apart so if you plan to walk to see everything you will be walking for miles.
• Water: Bring water bottles. There are drinking fountains at all the monuments and with all the walking you will need water.
• If you want to go into the Washington Monument you need to get tickets ahead of time – or potentially in the morning if you are the first one there. Do your research on this one if it is something you want to do.

Washington DC Route Map

Here is the map of the route we took when our kids were 7, 5, 5, and 3. We followed a very similar route the last time we went but went through the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial this time.

Here is a great post on apps you should download for your Washington DC trip !

There is so much to do in Washington DC . If you only have 1 day you can do most of the monuments. But to see everything DC has to offer you would need to go for more than 1 day.

Where To Stay

Washington Plaza Hotel This hotel is located close to the White House and Dupont Circle. The hotel offers a wide variety of rooms and suite choices.

Courtyard by Marriott Washington Downtown/Convention Center Stay in the heart of our nation’s capital. This hotel has a restaurant, private parking, free bikes, and a beautiful garden on site.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Georgetown This hotel is located near Dupont Circle and just minutes away from the Dupont Metro Station and Foggy Bottom Metro Station. The hotel offers a free complimentary hot breakfast each morning and a small selection of appetizers every evening.

Vacation Rentals

Private Apartment in a Historic Home Located in the center of Northwest DC, this home is located within walking distance of the Metro and monuments and museums. This private apartment sleeps 4.

Historic Victorian Townhome This beautiful three-bedroom townhome is located in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Walking distance to restaurants, bars, and the National Mall.

We stayed at Cherry Hill RV Park . This is the perfect RV park to stay at for exploring Washington DC. You can even take a bus to the metro station (we opted to just drive and park at the station so we didn’t have to manage as many schedules) and that was super easy too!

The park itself is amazing and we were there around Halloween so it was even more amazing!! If you have the time plan to spend a day just in the RV park too.

Note: They have a HUGE laundry room at the RV park.

There really are a lot of great things to do with kids in Washington DC and we are excited to come back again in the future to continue exploring more! Looking to extend your East Coast Trip? Consider visiting New York City,   Boston, or New Hampshire !

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