Washington, D.C. guide
Things to do in Washington, D.C.
Things to do in Washington, D.C.: start with 9:30 Club, Eastern Market, and Library of Congress. Use the 204 places below to build a plan around this theme; each place has source-backed details behind its description.
204 places
Places to start with
Source-backed place · Theaters and music
9:30 Club
A legendary Washington, D.C. concert venue and nightclub, recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the top ten live music spots in t…
Tickets Ticketmaster
Source-backed place · Markets
Eastern Market
Washington, DC's oldest continually operating public fresh food market, located in a historic 19th-century brick building in the…
Source-backed place · Museums
Library of Congress
The world's largest library and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States, serving as the research arm for Con…
Source-backed place · Landmarks
Lincoln Memorial
A neoclassical temple honoring the 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln, anchoring the western end of the National Mall with its…
Source-backed place · Markets
Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf
Established in 1805, the Municipal Fish Market is the oldest continuously operating fish market in the United States, offering a…
Source-backed place · Museums
National Gallery of Art
A preeminent world museum on the National Mall, featuring an expansive collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to the pres…
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
National Mall
The premier civic and symbolic heart of Washington, D.C., this expansive landscaped park stretches from the U.S. Capitol to the P…
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
National Mall and Memorial Parks
Known as 'America's Front Yard,' this vast expanse of green space in downtown Washington, D.C., showcases over 100 unique monumen…
Source-backed place · Museums
The Phillips Collection
America's first museum of modern art, housed in the former home of its founder, Duncan Phillips, in the heart of Dupont Circle.
Source-backed place · Landmarks
The Watergate Complex
A midcentury modern landmark in Foggy Bottom, this six-building complex is globally recognized for its architectural brilliance a…
Source-backed place · Landmarks
Tidal Basin
An iconic man-made reservoir in West Potomac Park, the Tidal Basin combines engineering and beauty, serving as the heart of the N…
Source-backed place · Landmarks
U.S. Capitol Rotunda
The symbolic and physical heart of the U.S. Capitol, this massive domed gallery showcases historic paintings and sculptures while…
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
U.S. National Arboretum
A sprawling 451-acre public garden and research facility in northeast Washington, D.C., blending scientific discovery with stunni…
Source-backed place · Theaters and music
Black Cat
A cornerstone of Washington's indie scene since 1993, this legendary venue on 14th Street NW hosts independent music, punk, and e…
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
C&O Canal Towpath
A historic 184.5-mile dirt and stone trail stretching from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland, originally built for mules to tow…
Source-backed place · Museums
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
The opulent former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, this historic house museum showcases a world-class collection of Russian a…
Reservations Resy
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
A serene sanctuary in Northeast D.C., this unique National Park Service site features over 45 ponds of water lilies and lotus wit…
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens
A serene 700-acre sanctuary in Northeast D.C., this is the only National Park Service unit dedicated to the propagation and displ…
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
Meridian Hill Park
A grand Italian-style garden in Northwest D.C., this National Historic Landmark features monumental walls, cascading fountains, a…
Source-backed place · Theaters and music
Pearl Street Warehouse
An intimate nightlife fixture at The Wharf, this venue hosts national musical acts in a 300-person room featuring full-service ba…
Source-backed place · Theaters and music
Songbyrd Music House
A celebrated live music venue, bar, and restaurant in the Union Market neighborhood, known for its eclectic mix of performances a…
Tickets DICESource-backed place · Theaters and music
The Anthem
A bold, industrial music venue and auditorium in the Southwest Waterfront, The Anthem hosts marquee international artists and loc…
Source-backed place · Museums
The Museum at Dumbarton Oaks
A hidden gem in Georgetown, this Harvard University research institute and museum houses an exceptional collection of Byzantine a…
Source-backed place · Parks and outdoors
Theodore Roosevelt Island
A 91-acre wooded sanctuary in the Potomac River, dedicated to the 26th President's legacy as a conservationist and outdoorsman.
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