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

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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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

Downtown

National Children's Museum

A playful learning adventure awaits at 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

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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Congress Heights

CareFirst Arena

Entertainment and Sports Arena

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National Mall

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

The National Museum of Asian Art is dedicated to advancing public knowledge about the arts and cultures of Asia through exhibitions, publications, research and education.

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Shaw

SOST

Sost provides a versatile venue in DC’s historic Shaw neighborhood, rooted in the music, culture, and creativity of the Black and African Diaspora.

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Southwest & The Wharf

Rubell Museum

Rubell Museum DC brings the Rubell Family’s extensive contemporary art collection to the nation’s capital.

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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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Foggy Bottom

National Museum of American Diplomacy

The first museum dedicated to telling the story of American diplomacy.

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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.

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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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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

Jun

30

2025

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

Now - Jul 06, 2025

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Jun

30

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Jun

30

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Jun

30

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Now - Aug 29, 2025

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Jun

30

2025

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

Now - Aug 03, 2025

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Jun

30

2025

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jun

30

2025

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

Now - Jun 28, 2027

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Jul

01

2025

Logan Circle

Logan Circle Walking Tour

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Jul

01

2025

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

Now - Jun 08, 2027

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Jul

01

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

A Wrinkle in Time

Now - Jul 18, 2025

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Jul

01

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Jul

01

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Duel Reality

Jul 01, 2025 - Jul 20, 2025

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Jul

01

2025

Virginia

The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson

Now - Jul 13, 2025

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Jul

01

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Jun 30, 2027

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Jul

03

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Jul 03, 2025 - Apr 30, 2027

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Jul

03

2025

Dupont Circle

Phillips after 5: Summer Fiesta

Jul 03, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

Jul 04, 2025 - Jun 26, 2027

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Jul

04

2025

Downtown

July 4th at the National Archives

Jul 04, 2025

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Jul

04

2025

Downtown

Faces of Civil War Nurses: A Photo Exhibit

Jul 04, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025

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Jul

05

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Delegate Presents The Magic Duel

Jul 05, 2025 - Aug 02, 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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Partner Content

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Your Meeting Planner Toolkit

Museums with After-Hours Programming in Washington, DC

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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.

ARTECHOUSE

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Postal Museum

National Children's Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

Anacostia Community Museum

National Museum of the Marine Corps

CareFirst Arena

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

SOST

Rubell Museum

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

National Museum of American Diplomacy

The Phillips Collection

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Ameri...

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

30

National Mall

Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist

30

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

30

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

30

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

30

National Mall

In the Tower: Chakaia Booker

30

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

30

Georgetown

River Club Happy Hour

01

Logan Circle

Logan Circle Walking Tour

01

Dupont Circle

Happy Hour at Residents

01

Southwest & The Wharf

A Wrinkle in Time

01