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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Brookland

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

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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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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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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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National Mall

National Museum of the American Indian

Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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Anacostia

Anacostia Community Museum

Welcome to the Anacostia Community Museum

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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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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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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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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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Shaw

Eighteenth Street Lounge

Stunningly furnished venue with outdoor patio, a max capacity of up to 300 guests, located directly across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Options for live entertainment, full bar service, and catering.

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National Mall

Art Museum of the Americas, Organization...

The oldest museum of modern and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art in the United States

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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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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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Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Smithsonian American Art Museum

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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...

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 ...

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

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

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

Aug

08

2025

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

Now - Aug 08, 2027

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Aug

08

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Last Chance to Experience Bond In Motion at the International Spy Museum!

Now - Sep 01, 2025

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Aug

08

2025

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

Now - Feb 01, 2026

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Aug

08

2025

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

Now - Aug 29, 2025

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Aug

08

2025

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

Now - Nov 02, 2025

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Aug

08

2025

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Aug

08

2025

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

Now - Apr 25, 2026

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Aug

08

2025

Downtown

Faces of Civil War Nurses: A Photo Exhibit

Now - Aug 30, 2025

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Aug

08

2025

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

Now - Apr 30, 2027

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Aug

09

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

Now - Jan 04, 2026

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Aug

09

2025

Dupont Circle

Secret Beer Gardens

Now - Oct 22, 2025

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Aug

09

2025

Logan Circle

Logan Circle Walking Tour

Now - Aug 31, 2025

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Aug

09

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

The Delegate Presents The Magic Duel

Aug 09, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025

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Aug

09

2025

2025 OTAKON Annual Convention

Now - Aug 10, 2025

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Aug

09

2025

National Mall

Special Exhibitions and Installations

Now - Jan 01, 2027

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Aug

09

2025

Capitol Hill

Iconic Capitol Hill Architecture Tour

Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 07, 2027

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Aug

09

2025

Downtown

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Now - Sep 07, 2025

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Aug

09

2025

Georgetown

River Club Brunch

Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 08, 2027

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Aug

09

2025

Dupont Circle

APROPOS OF NOTHING

Now - Aug 10, 2025

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Aug

09

2025

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

Guided Tour of the Missing Soldiers Office

Now - Aug 07, 2027

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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

The District Blog

Great Patios for Eating & Drinking in Washington, DC

Your Guide to the 13 Coolest Neighborhoods in Washington, DC

What You Need to Know About Summer Restaurant Week

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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

What You Need to Know About Summer Restaurant Week

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.

Saint John Paul II National Shrine

National Museum of Women in the Arts

National Museum of the Marine Corps

ARTECHOUSE

National Museum of the American Indian

Anacostia Community Museum

National Postal Museum

National Children's Museum

National Guard Memorial Museum

Rubell Museum

National Portrait Gallery

Eighteenth Street Lounge

Art Museum of the Americas, Organization...

National Portrait Gallery

Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Ameri...

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Wildly Authentic Things to Do

Where to Find the Most Colorful Street Murals in Washington, DC

Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC

Discover the National Gallery of Art East Building 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

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

08

Virginia

Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit

08

Southwest & The Wharf

Last Chance to Experience Bond In Motion at the International Spy Museum!

08

National Mall

American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection

08

Southwest & The Wharf

Bond In Motion Exhibition at the International Spy Museum

08

National Mall

Little Beasts: Art, Wonder, and the Natural World

08

Dupont Circle

Essex Hemphill: Take care of your blessings

08

National Mall

Back and Forth: Rozeal., Titian, Cezanne

08

Downtown

Faces of Civil War Nurses: A Photo Exhibit

08

U Street

U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour

09

Penn Quarter & Chinatown

LGBTJews in the Federal City

09