18 Unique Things to Do in Washington DC
Washington DC is quickly becoming one of my favorite cities for a weekend getaway. It’s an easy trip from NYC, there’s always something new to explore, and it’s actually a pretty good city for budget travelers.
I took a weekend trip to DC earlier this year for the Cherry Blossom 5k and I was reminded again just how much I love this city. The flowers were in peak bloom, I tried some new-to-me restaurants, and I spent time in multiple museums that I’d never visited before.
DC is a heavy hitter when it comes to sightseeing. Of course, there’s the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the White House. And if it’s your first visit you’ll want to check out all of those. But if you, like me, find yourself in DC again and again, here are 18 unique things to do in Washington DC that you might want to keep in mind for your next visit.
If you are heading to Washington DC here are a few things you might want to know right away:
- All of the Smithsonian Museums are free but some still require timed entry tickets. Be sure to visit the website for each museum you want to visit to see if you need to reserve a free timed-entry ticket in advance.
- DC Metrobuses are a convenient way to get around and you can use the same transit card to pay for the buses and trains. The SmarTrip App makes it easy to pay for everything straight from your phone.
Ready to explore DC? Let’s dive into my list of 18 unique things to do in Washington DC!
#1. See a Letter Postmarked From Space at the National Postal Museum
If you’ve never visited the National Postal Museum, do yourself a favor and check it out ASAP. It’s a small, lesser-known Smithsonian Museum not far from Union Station. The collection includes hundreds of historic stamps, different methods of postal transportation, and a permanent collection of unique mail including a letter sent via the Pony Express and another postmarked in space.
#2. Pose in Front of the Watermelon House
Brighten up your Instagram feed with some pictures at the colorful Watermelon House. You’ll find this spot at 1112 Q St NW in the Logan Circle neighborhood. While the residents encourage visitors to take pictures with the mural, remember that people do live here so try to be respectful while snapping your selfies.
#3. Wander the Gardens at Dumbarton Oaks
Georgetown is home to a huge mansion-turned-art museum known as Dumbarton Oaks. The museum is filled with Pre-Columbian art and features a stunning Music Room where concerts are still held. But the highlight here are the gardens that the famous landscape gardener Beatrix Farrand helped design in the 1920s. The gardens are free from November 1 – March 14 but there’s a small fee the rest of the year.
#4. Take a Canal Tour
C&O Canal boat tours are offered in Georgetown as of May 2023. Check the website for updates and for a chance to secure tickets for this unique tour. Even without taking a tour, you can walk, jog, or bike along a scenic section of the 184.5 miles of canal-side paths.
#5. Walk Down The Exorcist Stairs in Georgetown… If You Dare
With flickering gas lamps lining the cobblestone streets, this historic part of town already feels a bit spooky after dark. But to really get a scare, sign up for a Georgetown Ghost Tour to learn about all of the local hauntings. You’ll even get a chance to see the famous staircase featured in The Exorcist.
#6. Enjoy a Wafu Italian Meal
I tried Wafu (which means “Japanese-style”) Italian for the first time at Tonari and I can’t say enough good things about the experience. According to Tonari’s website, this culinary style took off in Japan in the 1990s. Tonari is located in Chinatown, not far from Ford’s Theatre and the National Portrait Gallery. The menu includes pizzas and pasta made with Hokkaido flour produced in Japan.
#7. Play Ping Pong at a Bar
There are some great bars in DC but if you want to do something a bit different while you drink, check out one of the area’s ping pong bars. SPIN offers walk-in and table rates by the hour. It’s a chain and you’ll find other SPIN locations in NYC, Boston, Seattle, and more.
For a local option, there’s Doubles. This cafe offers coffee drinks in the morning and a few cocktails and beer and cider in the afternoon. Walk upstairs to find the ping pong table if you visit this one.
#8. Check out the Arcade Games at Astro Beer Hall
Ping pong isn’t the only game you can play at a DC bar. Astro Beer Hall has tons of nostalgia-inducing arcade games like Skeeball, Shoot to Win Basketball, and Pacman. There’s a daily happy hour and it’s conveniently located next to Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken so you can also pick up one of DC’s best doughnuts while you’re there.
#9. Stroll Through the USDA Farmer’s Market
During the summer you can check out a farmer’s market right outside the headquarters of The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Check the website for any scheduling updates but it’s currently running on Fridays from 10am – 2pm from June 2 – September 29, 2023.
#10. Explore the White House Visitor Center
Want to see some historic artifacts, step inside for a minute, or need a bathroom break? The White House Visitor Center has you covered. While it’s not actually inside the White House, the visitor center is less than a half mile away. Step inside (and through airport-style security) to see some pieces from the White House’s historic collection or get a stamp for your National Parks passport book. Plus, as I mentioned, there are some free, clean bathrooms here – and we all know how important that can be when you’re exploring a city.
#11. Go For a Run Through the Zoo
One of my favorite things to do in DC is to go for a morning run through the Smithsonian National Zoo. When else can you see giant pandas, bison, and gorillas on a run? It’s free to visit but you’ll need to reserve passes ahead of time. It’s well-known that runners go through the zoo but, if you’re going to do this, I recommend going first thing when the zoo opens. It won’t be crowded so you can do your jog without getting in the way of strollers and other visitors.
#12. Take in the View From the Old Post Office Tower
Unlike other major cities, DC doesn’t have skyscrapers and there aren’t many observation decks. However, if you want to get an aerial view without going to the top of the Washington Monument, check out the lesser-known observation deck in the Old Post Office Tower on top of the Waldorf Astoria. This is a National Parks site and is free to visit as long as you know where to go. Free, self-guided tours are offered every 5 minutes from the lobby of the Old Post Office elevator pavilion and you’ll have to follow signs to get there. Once you get to the top you’ll be treated to some incredible views of the Washington Monument and Capitol Building.
#13. See a Hotel Where the Beatles Stayed
The Omni Shoreham Hotel in Woodley Park might not look like the most modern hotel anymore, but this historic hotel has seen many famous guests since it opened in 1930. When the Beatles came to America for the first time in 1964, they stayed in a Presidential Suite in this hotel. Room 625 now has a sign outside to honor the band’s iconic stay.
#14. Admire the Murals in The Alley Museum
The DC Alley Museum began commissioning murals in Blagden Alley back in 2015. Today, strolling through this alley feels like stumbling into a hidden gem of colorful art. It’s free to explore and close to some excellent restaurants and bakeries like Unconventional Diner and Seylou Bakery.
#15. Attend a Free Show at the Kennedy Center
One of the best parts about visiting DC is how many cultural events you can experience for free. The Kennedy Center, one of DC’s stunning performing arts venues, hosts tons of free events every week. Most of these events are held on the Millennium Stage so check the website for an updated lineup and to reserve your free tickets.
#16. Join a Sketch & Discover Tour at the National Museum of Asian Art
The National Museum of Asian Art is a great museum to check out anytime, but if you happen to be visiting on the first Sunday of the month, sign up for a free Sketch & Discover tour to get a unique perspective on the collection. The tour runs from 11am – 12pm and is led by a knowledgeable and passionate docent who highlights different pieces in the collection. Everyone gets a sketchbook and pencil on the tour and, trust me, you don’t have to be an artist to get a lot out of the experience.
#17. See Civil War-era Medical Instruments at the National Museum of Health and Medicine
If you’re interested in medical history and have a strong stomach, consider visiting the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, Maryland. This museum was on my list for a while and it was fascinating to visit. However, I wasn’t fully prepared for all of the bone fragments, organs in jars, and other medical specimens on display.
#18. Celebrate at a Festival on The Wharf
The Wharf hosts tons of free events and festivals throughout the year. From outdoor movies to free concerts to Christmas boat parades, there’s always something going on here. Check out the lineup of events online to see what’s happening soon. Even if there isn’t a festival going on, The Warf is home to some great restaurants, bars, and bakeries – like District Doughnut.
I hope you enjoyed my round-up of 18 unique things to do in Washington DC. What did I leave off the list? Let me know in the comments below.
If you’re planning a trip to DC, check out my other guide:
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