Museum Nights for Urban Explorers

Who says kids have all of the fun? DC museums also offer after-hours programs designed with adults in mind.

Head to The Phillips Collection (phillipscollection.org) on the first Thursday of the month for Phillips After 5, an evening gathering for art lovers to mix and mingle with jazz music, cocktails and fascinating exhibitions.

When new exhibitions open at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Gallery (hirshhorn.si.edu), you can expect that Hirshhorn After Hours is just around the corner. The late-night event combines edgy art with contemporary cuisine, cool cocktails and music from notable DJs.

The International Spy Museum (spymuseum.org) is one of downtown DC’s hottest nightlife destinations on Friday and Saturday evenings with Spy at Night. The sleek and chic museum serves spy-themed dishes and drinks and challenges its visitors to real-life espionage adventures.

You’ll frequently find lectures, book signings, tours and other educational opportunities at locations like the Corcoran Gallery of Art (corcoran.org) and the National Building Museum (nbm.org).

Or, see what’s on the calendar for the Smithsonian’s Resident Associates program (residentassociates.org). Discussions with Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, culinary celebrations with leading chefs are just a few of the topics you’re likely to find.

This summer, Madame Tussauds (madametussauds.com) offers extended hours Sunday through Friday where you can stand face-to-face with Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, Robin Williams, Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie.

Experience historic Anderson House (societyofthecincinnati.org) at night with behind the scenes museum tours, featuring the secret staircase and wine tasting in the garden which is normally not open to the public.

Behind the Scenes Secret: And if you want to see “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” on the REALLY big screen, be sure to catch a showing of the movie on the larger-than-life IMAX screens at the National Air and Space Museum or the National Museum of Natural History. Check si.edu or call (202) 633-1000 for a schedule of show times.