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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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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SPONSORED

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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SPONSORED

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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SPONSORED

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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SPONSORED

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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SPONSORED

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

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery gives visitors a chance to meet fascinating Americans from more than 225 years of history in its halls

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NoMa & Union Market

Wunder Garten

Outdoor community German inspired beergarden

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Warner Theatre

The Warner is host to a variety of televised events, award shows, conferences, film screenings and unique dinners on stage.

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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.

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Virginia

Wolf Trap

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Capitol Hill

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

Hill Center aims to broaden the horizons of all who enter by providing high-quality arts, education, and cultural programs to engage more fully in the life of our city.

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Hamilton Live

The Hamilton is fast-becoming Washington, DC's new favorite gathering place for music, art, entertainment and inventive dining.

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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

An innovator in the development of new plays earning a reputation for staying plugged in to the mad temper of the times (New York Times).

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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

2 Days Exploring LGBTQ+ 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

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Mar

09

2025

Capitol Hill

The Flea Market at Eastern Market

Now - May 25, 2025

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Mar

09

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Mar

09

2025

National Mall

The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Mar

09

2025

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Mar

09

2025

Downtown

Samantha Box: Confluences

Now - Mar 23, 2025

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Mar

09

2025

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

Now - May 18, 2025

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Mar

09

2025

National Mall

Spirit & Strength: Modern Art from Haiti

Now - Mar 09, 2025

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Mar

09

2025

Brookland

Free Concert - Music at the Monastery

Now - Mar 09, 2025

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Mar

10

2025

Capitol Hill

A Room in the Castle

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Mar

10

2025

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

Now - May 30, 2025

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Mar

10

2025

Lucky "A St. Patrick's Day Pop-Up"

Now - Mar 17, 2025

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Mar

10

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

It's a MF Pleasure

Now - Mar 30, 2025

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Mar

10

2025

Capitol Hill

Iconic Capitol Hill Architecture Tour

Now - Mar 08, 2027

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Mar

10

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Now - Apr 25, 2025

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Mar

10

2025

Petworth

Monday Fun-Day

Mar 10, 2025 - Apr 28, 2025

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Mar

11

2025

Virginia

In the Heights

Now - May 04, 2025

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Mar

11

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Kunene and the King

Now - Mar 16, 2025

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Mar

11

2025

Virginia

Job

Now - Mar 16, 2025

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Mar

11

2025

Brookland

BFD Tuesdays

Mar 11, 2025 - May 27, 2025

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Mar

11

2025

Georgetown

Landmark Lecture: Enslaved at Tudor Place: The Life of Anastacia Hepburn, 1801-1895

Mar 11, 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.

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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 Museum of the Marine Corps

National Children's Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Postal Museum

ARTECHOUSE

National Portrait Gallery

Wunder Garten

Warner Theatre

Woodrow Wilson House

Wolf Trap

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

The Hamilton Live

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

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

09

Capitol Hill

The Flea Market at Eastern Market

09

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

09

National Mall

The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography

09

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

09

Downtown

Samantha Box: Confluences

09

Dupont Circle

Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line

09

National Mall

Spirit & Strength: Modern Art from Haiti

09

Brookland

Free Concert - Music at the Monastery

10

Capitol Hill

A Room in the Castle

10

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

10