Non-Touristy Things to Do in Washington, DC Besides Museums and Monuments
- Check Out Some Local Art at Blind Whino. Hidden away from all the tourists in the streets of Southwest DC is a formerly...
- Visit The Dupont Underground. Dupont Underground is another art space, located near Dupont Circle, that welcomes local...
- Run in a Scenic Road Race. Running is a huge activity...
Full Answer
What are the best museums in Washington DC?
A museum or two should definitely be on the list of things to do in Washington DC, when you plan your trip. Here are some of my favorite museums in Washington DC that I visited so far: National Portrait Gallery (for art lovers and to take a rest in the beautiful atrium) Holocaust Museum (another must in my opinion!)
Should you visit the Smithsonian museums in Washington DC?
Even if you are not a museum person, you should consider checking out some of the world-class museums in Washington DC. All the Smithsonian Museums are outstanding and you can pick and choose the ones fit your interest.
What is there to do in Washington DC at night?
One of the best things to do at night in Washington DC is visit Dupont Circle, a nieghbourhood that dazzles at night-time with casual restaurants, dive bars and lively dance clubs. What is the best free thing to do in Washington DC? Can you go inside the White House? What is the best thing to do in Washington DC outside?
What should I know before visiting Washington DC?
Here are some extra things to know before visiting Washington DC! Invest in travel insurance! You never know what may happen on the road. Prepare for incidents. Even though DC has managed to lower its crime rates over the years, muggings and pickpocketings are still fairly common — like in any other large city.
What is the best way to learn about DC neighborhoods?
Is Georgetown a good area to live in?
Is DC upscale casual?
About this website
What is the best thing to do in Washington DC at night?
One of the best things to do at night in Washington DC is visit Dupont Circle, a nieghbourhood that dazzles at night-time with casual restaurants,...
What is the best free thing to do in Washington DC?
A visit to The Martin King Luther Jr. Monument is the best free thing to do in Washington DC to learn about the significant influence he had on US...
Can you go inside the White House?
Yes! You can if you book a tour of the White House. You will need to book your tickets ahead of time for guaranteed entry.
What is the best thing to do in Washington DC outside?
If you happen to be in Washington DC in the spring, a cherry blossom tour is a great way to visit DC’s famous attractions at the most beautiful tim...
THE 10 BEST Museums You'll Want to Visit in Washington DC - Tripadvisor
Sep 12, 2022 - Looking to get inspired on your trip to Washington DC? Immerse yourself into world-class art, exciting history, and mind-bending science. Check out the best museums in Washington DC to visit in 2022. Book effortlessly online with Tripadvisor!
26 Best Things to Do in Washington, D.C. | U.S. News Travel
Ranking of the top 26 things to do in Washington, D.C.. Travelers favorites include #1 Lincoln Memorial, #2 Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials and more.
Where to Stay in Washington DC?
I love staying at Kimpton Hotels in Washington DC: Kimpton Rouge Hotel and the Kimpton Topaz Hotel are both just off of Dupont Circle and an excellent base to explore DC. If you want to explore the Northeast of DC, like the National Cathedral or Georgetown, check out the Kimpton Glover Park Hotel .
What museums are open to families?
Air and Space Museum (another great one for families) National Portrait Gallery (for art lovers and to take a rest in the beautiful atrium) The Renwick Gallery (changing exhibits) National Museum of American History (kind of a must, especially for Americans) Smithsonian American Art Museum (art lovers)
What to do if you are not a museum person?
Visit Museums. Even if you are not a museum person, you should consider checking out some of the world-class museums in Washington DC. All the Smithsonian Museums are outstanding and you can pick and choose the ones fit your interest. But there are also some private museums that are absolutely worth their money.
Is the National Arboretum worth visiting?
I just discovered the National Arboretum during our last visit to DC and it is definitely one of my favorite things to do in DC. It is a huge park and definitely worth to spend at least half a day there, especially since it is a bit out of the way. Check out my post about my last visit for more details on things to do and some beautiful landscape photos.
Is Washington a foodie destination?
Washington is an absolute foodie destination. You can literally eat your way around the world and I have done so. Try new cuisines from any corner of this earth and take your tastebuds on a journey.
Is the Botanic Garden free?
The US Botanic Garden is just off the National Mall, in walking distance to the Capitol building. Admission is free, so it if a perfect spot for a little picnic after exploring the Mall and enjoy a little break from all the miles you have been racking up as you explore the city.
Is Washington DC a good place to visit?
Washington DC is a great city to visit. There are so many things to do in Washington DC that it should take you a very long time to get bored in this city, no matter what your interests are.
What is Eastern Market?
The Eastern Market has served the Washington DC community for over 136 years! It’s a large indoor and outdoor gathering place that offers food, drinks, crafts, unique gifts, music, and more.
What is the most extensive collection of natural history specimens?
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History houses the world’s most extensive collection of natural history specimens and human artifacts. There is more inside this building than any other in the world!
How many people can stay in a townhouse in Washington DC?
Start your journey of exploring DC at this cute townhouse. You have the whole thing to yourself in the heart of America’s historic districts! It accommodates up to 4 people and the couches are to die for. You’ve got a metro really close by and Whole Foods is only 3 blocks away, too — it’s our pick for best Airbnb in Washington DC.
What is the best neighborhood in DC?
Dupont Circle is one of the best neighborhoods if you plan to go out in DC. Whether you’re looking for a casual restaurant to mingle with friends, a local dive bar, or a lively dance club, you’ll find it all.
How many acres is Lafayette Square?
Lafayette Square, also known as Lafayette Park, is a seven-acre public park that sits right across from the White House.
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington DC, the capital of the United States, is overflowing with art, history, and culture. It’s not surprising that it’s one of the most visited sought-after destinations in the country!
Where is Mathilde Magnier?
A self-proclaimed travel-yoga-freak, Mathilde Magnier is French, raised in Brussels, and spent most of her adulthood in Sydney. Prior to working for The Broke Backpacker, Mathilde was working in the tech industry for a few years. She plans to spend most of 2020 balancing wellness and la Vida Loca in Central and South America.
What is the perfect backdrop for a photo shoot?
Fragrant blossoms fill around the Tidal Basin for as far as the eye can see, making it the perfect backdrop for your photos.
What is the national zoo filled with?
The National Zoo is filled to the brim with all sorts of amazing animals, including the iconic and world famous pandas.
What to do in Washington DC?
The home of the government of the United States of America, another one of the coolest things to do in Washington DC is to visit Capitol Hill and all the offices, buildings and monuments held therein. From the Supreme Court to the Library of Congress and even the Capitol Building itself, Capitol Hill is another one of those locations in Washington ...
What are some good small museums to visit?
You can find tours specific to each museum or even combination tours to see the highlights of as many as possible! Some of the best small tours are a guided tour of the National Museum of Natural History, a tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of Air and Space or to save time – get a combined tour of both museums !
How long has the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier been guarded?
Of particular note is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which has been guarded without a break since 1937.
Why do people do tours?
Tours are often available to help you cover as much ground as possible. With so much to see, you might want to consider booking one through a reputable company so you can take advantage of as much as possible during your trip to the capital of the United States.
When is the best time to visit the Cherry Blossom?
Visit During the Cherry Blossom Season. While this may be one of the busiest times to visit, it is also the most beautiful. The cherry blossoms come before the heat of the summer and are a great interlude for warm weather.
How many advance passes are required for the Smithsonian?
We highly recommend reserving advance timed passes to this extremely popular Smithsonian museum on the National Mall. You may obtain up to six (6) advance passes. Timed passes are always required on weekends, while during peak season (March – August), passes are required for entry before 1 p.m. every day of the week.
When will the Washington Monument reopen?
The recently renovated Washington Monument reopened to the public on Sept. 19, 2019, making the attraction extremely popular among visitors, as it has unveiled a new state-of-the-art elevator and visitor center. For information regarding booking tours and acquiring tickets, as well as helpful tips for both groups and individuals visiting the Monument, check out our article on the subject. Note that advance reservation tickets are released on a daily rolling basis 90 days in advance of the desired tour date.
When are same day passes available?
Same-day online passes are released at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday from September – February and every day of the week from March – August. Additional passes are available at 9:30 a.m. and every half hour after that until supply is exhausted. Up to four (4) same-day passes can be acquired per order.
Do you need reservations to visit the National Archives Museum?
National Archives Museum. Ryan Healy. While reservations are not required to visit the National Archives Museum, booking a time for entry is highly recommended during the height of the tourist season (March – Labor Day) and during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. You can book self-guided, timed entry reservations through ...
Why are the Smithsonian museums free?
All Smithsonian institutions are free because they receive federal funding, which makes Washingtonians really , really opposed to paying for museums; locals unfortunately miss out on historical treasures and hidden gems. Plenty of fascinating options await outside of the The National Mall though….
What is the Phillips Collection?
One of the top attractions of Dupont Circle, the Phillips Collection houses a wide variety of impressionist and modernist paintings, featuring works from famed artists like Georges Braque, Paul Cezanne, and Auguste Renoir. Opened in 1921, the Phillips Collection was America’s first modern art museum, yet it fails to compete in popularity with its Smithsonian art counterparts. But its more intimate setting allows visitors to really build a relationship with the art.
What is the National Building Museum?
The National Building museum stole Washingtonian’s hearts for two summers running – first with its immensely popular giant ball bit, and this year’s geometric icebergs. The exhibits’ unique architecture and interactive features make art come alive, enthralling visitors. Spectators are forced to question their perception and also try to grasp the nature of construction. The building itself is an exhibit, with its high ceiling and elaborate decor because, as the National Building Museum often boasts, architecture is art.
What is Japanese bonsai?
Japanese Bonsai and its precursor, Chinese Penjing, are a unique form of shrubbery rooted in cultural traditions and representations. The museum houses vibrant and colorful vegetation in its outdoor gardens, most popular in springtime during cherry blossom season, and it also includes a quaint indoor pavilion for reflection. The plants are unique and traditional – there is, for example, a Japanese white pine approaching 400 years old!
What is the National Museum of Women in the Arts?
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.
What is the city of museums?
Washington DC is the city of museums. Locals and tourists alike frequent the city's many exhibits, and who can blame them? These museums house everything: Instagrammable modern art installations, dinosaurs, and even the original Starship Enterprise.
What is the National Building Museum?
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.
What is the East Building?
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.
What is the difference between the National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum?
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.
What is the museum at the Mall?
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.
What is the Peacock Room?
The museum started with Charles Lang Freer’s private collection of art and its crown jewel is The Peacock Room – a dining room decorated by James McNeill Whistler and stocked with a gorgeous array of porcelain. The rest of the collection includes Japanese, Chinese, and Indian masterpieces, among others.
What is the best way to learn about DC neighborhoods?
Another great resource for learning about DC neighborhoods is www.culturaltourismdc.org. They post events, walking tours, etc. Definitely worth checking out for more "off the beaten path" info.
Is Georgetown a good area to live in?
I would have to agree with the above posts. Georgetown, U St. and Dupont are great neighborhoods for restaurants and bars, basically nightlife, but I would also have to recommend Adams Morgan. However Old Town Alexandria does have a plethora of restaurants/bars as well. It is a great area to walk around at night especially by the water.
Is DC upscale casual?
There's lots of upscale casual in DC. I would skip Adams Morgan. That's more of a younger scene. In the U Street area, I like Bar Pilar, Vinoteca and Cork. My friends like Marvin, but I haven't been yet.