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

SPONSORED

Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Museum of Women in the Arts

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

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Capitol Hill

National Postal Museum

Smithsonian National Postal Museum

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Foggy Bottom

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

Book your meeting at the Nation's Cultural Center

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

Downtown

National Children's Museum

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

VIEW DETAILS

SPONSORED

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.

VIEW DETAILS

National Mall

National Archives Museum

Home to the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, the National Archives holds more than 15 billion records.

VIEW DETAILS

Dupont Circle

The Phillips Collection

Encounter superb works of modern art in an intimate setting at The Phillips Collection, an internationally recognized museum in Washington's vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood.

VIEW DETAILS

Dupont Circle

O Museum In The Mansion

With over 100 rooms and 80 secret doors, O Museum in The Mansion is one of the most unique experiences in the world.

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

The National Theatre

Located on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House, the historic National is one of America's oldest, continually-operating theaters.

VIEW DETAILS

U Street

9:30 Club

Concert venue located a few blocks from the U Street Metro stop

VIEW DETAILS

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Smithsonian American Art Museum

VIEW DETAILS

Virginia

Wolf Trap

VIEW DETAILS

National Mall

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Located between 14th St. and Raoul Wallenberg Pl., SW (formerly 15th St

VIEW DETAILS

Wildly Authentic Things to Do

Guests Taking Photo of Ben's Chili Bowl Mural

Learn More

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...

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

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

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 ...

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

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...

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

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...

A couple looks at a colorful painting at the Phillips Collection.

2 Days of LGBTQ+ Culture & Arts in Washington, DC

Whether during Pride or year-round, visitors and locals can embrace ...

The Best City to Visit in 2025

Washington, DC shines with can’t-miss events, new exhibits and prais...

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

Jul

02

2025

Virginia

The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson

Now - Jul 13, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

02

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

02

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

A Wrinkle in Time

Now - Jul 18, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

02

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

02

2025

Logan Circle

Logan Circle Walking Tour

Now - Aug 31, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

02

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Jul 01, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

02

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

02

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

02

2025

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

Now - Aug 03, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

02

2025

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

Now - Aug 31, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

02

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

02

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Now - Aug 29, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

03

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Duel Reality

Now - Jul 20, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

03

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Jul 03, 2025 - Apr 30, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

03

2025

Dupont Circle

Phillips after 5: Summer Fiesta

Jul 03, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

04

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

Jul 04, 2025 - Jun 26, 2027

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

04

2025

Downtown

July 4th at the National Archives

Jul 04, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

04

2025

Downtown

Faces of Civil War Nurses: A Photo Exhibit

Jul 04, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

04

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Friends N' Fireworks

Jul 04, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

Jul

04

2025

Georgetown

4th of July at the River Club

Jul 04, 2025

VIEW DETAILS

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

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

Eaton Washington DC

VIEW DETAILS

Downtown

Hotel Zena

VIEW DETAILS

Adams Morgan

The LINE DC

VIEW DETAILS

Partner Content

The District Blog

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Ways to Celebrate Fourth of July in DC

Order Your Free Visitors Guide

5 Reasons to Partner with a DMO

Exceptional Venus for Your Meeting in Washington, DC

Your Meeting Planner Toolkit

Museums with After-Hours Programming in Washington, DC

Learning on Location

Top Ways Washington, DC is a Sustainable City

Member Testimonials

Learn More About Partnerships

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

The District Blog

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

Ways to Celebrate Fourth of July in DC

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.

Anacostia Community Museum

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Postal Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performin...

National Children's Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

National Archives Museum

The Phillips Collection

O Museum In The Mansion

The National Theatre

9:30 Club

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Wolf Trap

United States Holocaust 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

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

2 Days of LGBTQ+ Culture & Arts in Washington, DC

The Best City to Visit in 2025

Upcoming Cultural & Performing Art Events

02

Virginia

The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson

02

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

02

Southwest & The Wharf

A Wrinkle in Time

02

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

02

Logan Circle

Logan Circle Walking Tour

02

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

02

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

02

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

02

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

02

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

02