Because there are many options for things to do, places to eat, and experiences just waiting to happen in our nation’s capitol, it can be overwhelming to choose. Whether you’re a tourist in town for only a couple days or if you’re a seasoned Washingtonian, I’m willing to bet you’ll probably find a couple things you haven’t tried yet! I’ve included art, entertainment, food, and things to do in this comprehensive list because so many of you are asking for it.

From the Georgetown Waterfront Park to the Smithsonian Castle, is seems like there are endless opportunities for art, entertainment, food, and things to do on an adventure in DC. Rent a bike from Capital Bikeshare and ride along the National Mall or the Capital Cresent Trail; flip through rare art books at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 3rd floor Betty Boyd Dettre Library and Research Center; or catch the DC Circulator bus to Eastern Market, Yards Park, or Georgetown for entertainment and food.

Finally, I’ve listed and linked my favorite restaurants, historical sites, entertainment venues, museums, art galleries, and outdoor activities. Just hover your mouse over the art, entertainment, food, and things to do option below and click to be linked directly. Most importantly, I’ve included a star (*) next to my absolute favorites.

If you’d have any suggestions for edits or additions for art, entertainment, food, and things to do, I’d love to hear them! Maybe I’ll add them to the list. 🙂

ART

• ARTECHOUSE
• Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
• Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
• National Gallery of Art
• National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
• National Museum of Women in the Arts *
• National Portrait Gallery *
• Renwick Gallery *
• Smithsonian American Art Museum
• Smithsonian National Museum of African Art
• The Phillips Collection
• Torpedo Art Factory

ENTERTAINMENT

• 9:30 Club
• Arena Stage
• Capitol Fringe Festival Shows
• Country / Bluegrass / Blues Concerts at Botanic Gardens
• DAR Constitution Hall
• DC United MLS Game
• Echostage
• Gypsy Sally’s
• Howard Theatre
• Jazz Concerts at National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
• Landmark Theatres *
• Merriweather Post Pavilion
• The Anthem *
• The Hamilton
• U-Street Music Hall
• Warner Theatre
• Washington Capitals NHL Game *
• Washington Mystics WNBA Game
• Washington Nationals MLB Game
• Washington Wizards NBA Game
• Wolf Trap

FOOD

• &pizza
• Baked and Wired
• Bantam King
• barmini *
• Café Mozart
• GCDC
• Jetties
• Old Ebbitt Grill
• Oyamel Cocina Mexicana
• Poke Papa
• Spice 6 Modern Indian
• Tail Up Goat
• The Monocle Restaurant *
• Union Market

HISTORICAL SITES

• 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial
• Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain
• Coast Guard Memorial
• Constitution Gardens *
• D.C. War Memorial
• Francis Scott Key Memorial
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial *
• George Mason Memorial
• Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Library of Congress
• Lincoln Memorial
• Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
• Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
• Monticello
• Mount Vernon
• National Archives Building
• National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
• Navy and Merchant Marine Memorial
• Peace Monument
• President John F. Kennedy Gravesite
• Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon
• The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• The White House
• Thomas Jefferson Monument *
• United States Capitol *
• US Marine Corps War Memorial
• US Navy Memorial Plaza
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Vietnam Veterans Women’s Memorial
• Washington Monument
• World War II Memorial

MUSEUMS

• African American Civil War Museum
• Anacostia Community Museum
• Arts and Industries Building
• Botanic Gardens
• DAR
• Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
• International Spy Museum
• Mansion on O Street
• Museum of the Bible
• National Building Museum
• National Geographic Museum
• National Museum of the American Indian
• National Museum of African American History and Culture
• National Postal Museum
• Newseum
• Pentagon
• Smithsonian Institution / Smithsonian Castle *
• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum *
• Smithsonian National Museum of American History
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
• Smithsonian Pollinator Garden
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

• Alexandria Waterfront Park *
• Bike the Capital Crescent Trail from Georgetown Canal
• Captain’s Row in Old Town Alexandria
• Eastern Market on Saturday
• East Potomac Driving Range and Mini Golf
• Georgetown’s Chesapeake & Ohio Canal *
• Georgetown Waterfront Park
• Kayaking and Paddle Boarding on the Potomac
• National Arboretum
• National Gallery of Art Ice Rink
• Rent a Bike and Explore the National Mall *
• Tidal Basin Paddle Boats
• Theodore Roosevelt Island *
• Topgolf in Alexandria
• Trolley Tours
• Water Taxi to Alexandria, Georgetown, National Harbor, or The Wharf
• Wilkes Tunnel in Alexandria