Washington DC Arts & Culture

Anyone in DC can tap into the city’s creative heartbeat, you just need to know where to look.

Whether you become inspired by free museums or culturally diverse neighborhoods with bustling shops and cafes, this city has it all. Catch a musical before it hits Broadway. Go where DC creators hatch their best ideas. Subscribe to a podcast that’s recorded live from your hotel. The District oozes with local flavor and one-of-a-kind experiences. Bottle it up on your trip when you tour colorful street murals, chat with artists at Eastern Market or accept a standing invite to the Meridian Hill drum circle.

Passport DC - Embassy Open Houses

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Downtown

National Children's Museum

A playful learning adventure awaits at National Children's Museum!

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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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Downtown

National Museum of Women in the Arts

First major museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts.

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SPONSORED

Southwest & The Wharf

ARTECHOUSE

At the crossroads of art, science and technology, ARTECHOUSE brings a true 21st century art experience to the nation's capital.

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Virginia

National Museum of the Marine Corps

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

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Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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Brookland

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Our Brookland location was opened in December 2021 boasting 9 auditoriums and a total of 870 seats.

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Southwest & The Wharf

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for Ameri...

Tony Award-winning theater with a focus on the production, presentation, development and study of American voices from classics to world premieres.

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Columbia Heights

Spain-USA Foundation

Located in the 16th Street, NW Historic District, the Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain serves as the headquarters of the Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain

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Downtown

National Gallery of Art

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

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

DC History Center

Learn about local Washington, DC history!

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Sixth & I

Sixth & I is a center for arts, entertainment, ideas, and Jewish life in Washington, DC.

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Petworth

Hook Hall

DC's premier event venue, beer garden, cafe and tavern featuring a large indoor and outdoor space located in the heart of Washington, DC.

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Dupont Circle

Anderson House–The American Revolution I...

Experience the history and splendor of Gilded Age Washington at Anderson House, a 1905 Beaux Arts mansion built as the winter home of Larz Anderson, an American diplomat, and his wife, Isabel

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Wildly Authentic Things to Do

Guests Taking Photo of Ben's Chili Bowl Mural

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Where to Find the Most Colorful Street Murals in Washington, DC

Vibrant street art adds color to DC in any season.

Henry the elephant in the National Museum of Natural History

Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC

History, science, art and culture come alive at these free DC museum...

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A variety of performances grace stages throughout the District – her...

Couple walking with child during Capital Pride Parade - LGBTQ Summer Events in Washington, DC

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National Gallery of Art East Building - Museum on the National Mall - Washington, DC

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building in Washington, DC

Explore modern artworks in this stunningly beautiful free museum on ...

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Venture off the National Mall to these knowledge centers for a uniqu...

Inside National Museum of African American History and Culture

Ways to Celebrate African American History & Culture in Washington, DC

Honor the Black experience at these museums, memorials and more thro...

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Why Washington, DC's performing arts scene is in a class of its own

Grandfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown Mural by Aniekan Udofia

Keep on Groovin’: An Intro to Go-Go Music in Washington, DC

The official music of the city has a fascinating history, but its st...

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Mar

31

2025

National Mall

The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Mar

31

2025

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Mar

31

2025

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

Now - May 18, 2025

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Mar

31

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Mar

31

2025

Downtown

Women's History Month

Now - Mar 31, 2025

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Mar

31

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Now - Aug 29, 2025

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Mar

31

2025

Petworth

Monday Fun-Day

Now - Apr 28, 2025

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Mar

31

2025

Downtown

Cherry Blossoms at Love, Makoto

Now - Apr 13, 2025

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Apr

01

2025

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

Now - May 30, 2025

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Apr

01

2025

Capitol Hill

A Room in the Castle

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Apr

01

2025

Downtown

"Sister Act" at Ford's Theatre

Now - May 17, 2025

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Apr

01

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Uncle Vanya

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

01

2025

Foggy Bottom

Earth to Space Festival

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Apr

01

2025

Virginia

In the Heights

Now - May 04, 2025

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Apr

01

2025

Georgetown

Cherry Blossom Tasting Menu

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Apr

01

2025

Brookland

BFD Tuesdays

Apr 01, 2025 - May 27, 2025

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Apr

02

2025

Upper Northwest

47th Amethyst Anniversary

Apr 02, 2025 - Apr 19, 2025

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Apr

03

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Fake It Until You Make It

Apr 03, 2025 - May 02, 2025

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Apr

03

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Apr 03, 2025 - Mar 27, 2027

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Apr

03

2025

Dupont Circle

Phillips after 5: Cherry Blossom Jamboree

Apr 03, 2025

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Featured Places to Stay

Book a memorable night at DC hotels

Boutique hotels, family-friendly hotels, budget-friendly hotels - whatever you're looking for, you'll find it. Explore the hotel options waiting for your arrival.

Take Me There

Southwest & The Wharf

Canopy Washington DC The Wharf

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Downtown

Eaton Washington DC

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Downtown

Hotel Zena

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Adams Morgan

The LINE DC

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Learn more about how Washington, DC invests in the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders.

Free Things to Do: Best of Washington, DC

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Celebrate WorldPride in Washington, DC: May 17 – June 8

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

Arts & Culture

Anyone in DC can tap into the city’s creative heartbeat, you just need to know where to look.

National Children's Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Postal Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of Women in the Arts

ARTECHOUSE

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Anacostia Community Museum

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for Ameri...

Spain-USA Foundation

National Gallery of Art

DC History Center

Sixth & I

Hook Hall

Anderson House–The American Revolution I...

Wildly Authentic Things to Do

Where to Find the Most Colorful Street Murals in Washington, DC

Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC

Theaters & Performance Spaces to See a Show in Washington, DC

2 Days Exploring LGBTQ+ Washington, DC

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building in Washington, DC

20+ Cool & Interesting Museums in Washington, DC That Aren’t On the National Mall

Ways to Celebrate African American History & Culture in Washington, DC

Grab A Seat: Washington, DC’s Theaters Are Must-See Attractions

Keep on Groovin’: An Intro to Go-Go Music in Washington, DC

The Best City to Visit in 2025

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

31

National Mall

The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography

31

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

31

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

31

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

31

Downtown

Women's History Month

31

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

31

Petworth

Monday Fun-Day

31

Downtown

Cherry Blossoms at Love, Makoto

01

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

01

Capitol Hill

A Room in the Castle

01