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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Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

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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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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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Downtown

National Children's Museum

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SPONSORED

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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Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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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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National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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Maryland

The Fillmore Silver Spring

The Fillmore Silver Spring is the newest edition to downtown Silver Spring's historical arts community just minutes from Washington, DC.

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National Mall

National Museum of African Art

Devoted to the collection, exhibition, conservation and study of the arts of Africa

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DC Metro Area

Mexican Cultural Institute

The Mexican Cultural Institute of Washington, D.C. is committed to enriching the relationship between Mexico and the United States by sharing Mexico's vibrant cultural past and present with the local community

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National Mall

Discovery Theater

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Maryland

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Concert venue located in Columbia, MD, north of Silver Spring

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Downtown

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Ameri...

Permanent collection and exhibitions of American crafts. This gem of a museum, located in a historic building near the White House, is dedicated to exhibiting the finest American crafts from the 19th century to the present

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Mount Vernon Square

Cloakroom

DC's premier venue features 5,000 sq. ft. of space, a rooftop with panoramic views, a large stage, high-tech sound and lighting and luxe finishes.

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Capitol Hill

National Guard Memorial Museum

The museum takes visitors through 6,000 sq. ft. of artifacts, exhibits and images covering nearly 400 years of National Guard history in vivid detail.

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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

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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

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Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Nov

22

2024

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

Now - May 30, 2025

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Nov

22

2024

Dupont Circle

William Gropper: Artist of the People

Now - Jan 05, 2025

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Nov

22

2024

Virginia

Newmyer Flyer

Now - Nov 23, 2024

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Nov

22

2024

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

A Christmas Carol 2024

Now - Dec 31, 2024

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Nov

22

2024

Virginia

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Now - Jan 12, 2025

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Nov

22

2024

Downtown

SIX the Musical

Now - Dec 01, 2024

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Nov

22

2024

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Second City's Dance Like There's Black People Watching

Now - Dec 22, 2024

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Nov

22

2024

Foggy Bottom

Kingbird is now open for dinner daily!

Now - Jan 31, 2025

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Nov

22

2024

Capitol Hill

Folger Exhibition: Imprints in Time

Now - Jan 05, 2025

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Nov

22

2024

Downtown

Suchitra Mattai: Myth from Matter

Now - Nov 22, 2026

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Nov

22

2024

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Now - Apr 25, 2025

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Nov

22

2024

Downtown

In Focus: Artists at Work

Now - Apr 20, 2025

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Nov

22

2024

National Mall

Spirit & Strength: Modern Art from Haiti

Now - Mar 09, 2025

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Nov

22

2024

National Mall

The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography

Now - Apr 06, 2025

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Nov

22

2024

Foggy Bottom

Still Missing: Colombia's Search for the Disappeared from Six Decades of Ongoing Conflict

Now - Nov 25, 2024

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Nov

22

2024

National Mall

Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment

Now - Jan 19, 2025

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Nov

22

2024

National Mall

Gordon Parks: Camera Portraits from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Jan 12, 2025

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Nov

22

2024

Upper Northwest

Under Spacious Skies by Bradley Stevens

Now - Nov 30, 2024

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Nov

22

2024

The Wonders of DC Trees

Now - Jan 31, 2025

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Nov

23

2024

Mount Vernon Square

The Delegate Presents The Magic Duel

Now - Nov 23, 2024

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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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Arts & Culture

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

National Postal Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Children's Museum

Woodrow Wilson House

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Museum of the American Indian

The Fillmore Silver Spring

National Museum of African Art

Mexican Cultural Institute

Discovery Theater

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Ameri...

Cloakroom

National Guard Memorial Museum

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

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

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

2 Days Exploring LGBTQ+ Washington, DC

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

The Best City to Visit in 2025

15 Cool Hotels for Your Next Trip to Washington, DC

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

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

22

National Mall

The Peace Trail on the National Mall

22

Dupont Circle

William Gropper: Artist of the People

22

Virginia

Newmyer Flyer

22

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

A Christmas Carol 2024

22

Virginia

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

22

Downtown

SIX the Musical

22

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Second City's Dance Like There's Black People Watching

22

Foggy Bottom

Kingbird is now open for dinner daily!

22

Capitol Hill

Folger Exhibition: Imprints in Time

22

Downtown

Suchitra Mattai: Myth from Matter

22