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Things to do · Washington

Things to do in Washington

79 ideas for a day or a night in Washington, by what you’re in the mood for.

By type

Nightlife · 18Live music · 15Arts & culture · 14Tours & day trips · 10Outdoors · 7Sport · 6Walking tours · 3Markets · 3Family · 2Festivals & events · 1

Nightlife in Washington

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Jack Rose Dining SaloonAdams Morgan · $$$9:30 ClubU Street · $$Blues AlleyGeorgetown · $$$The AnthemSouthwest & The Wharf · $$$Black CatLogan Circle · $$BluejacketNavy Yard · $$EchostageIvy City · $$$Wunder GartenNoMa · $$FlashShaw · $$DC BrauIvy City · $$

Live music in Washington

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SugarWed 14 October · The AnthemWeedeater with Zeke, Royal Thunder and Witch's MirrorThu 15 October, 7pm · Black CatDon Omar: The Last King World TourThu 15 October, 8pm · Capital One ArenaMorrisseyThu 15 October · The AnthemRod Wave: Don't Look Down TourFri 16 October, 8pm · Capital One ArenaSOFI TUKKER Presents: Animal TalkFri 16 October · The AnthemThe Residents - Eskimo LiveSat 17 October · 9:30 ClubAJJ with Greet DeathSun 18 October, 7:30pm · Black CatJohnny Blue Skies and the Dark Clouds: Mutiny For The Masses 2026 TourSun 18 October, 8pm · Capital One ArenaGillian Welch & David Rawlings Play Grateful Dead: Acoustic ReckoningSun 18 October · Warner Theatre

Arts & culture in Washington

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Brian Cox in The ScoreWed 14 October, 7:30pm · Harman HallFrida...A Self PortraitWed 14 October, 7:30pm · Klein TheatreCome From AwayWed 14 October · Ford's TheatreHundred DaysWed 14 October · The Keegan Theatre · From $65Measure for MeasureWed 14 October · Folger TheatreSUBMERGE ProjectWed 14 October · ARTECHOUSE DC · From $17The Fruits of Our LaborWed 14 October · Arena Stage at the Mead CenterMolly KearneyWed 14 October · DC ImprovArnez J.Thu 15 October · DC ImprovFreeCarlotta Corpron: Light Is a Plastic MediumFri 16 October · Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Tours & day trips in Washington

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Arlington National Cemetery4 hrs · Metro Blue line to Arlington Cemetery · FreeGeorge Washington's Mount Vernon4 hrs · Drive or bus from DC (about 30 minutes)Shenandoah National Park & Skyline Drive8 hrs · Drive from DC (about 1.5-2 hours) · From $15Old Town Alexandria4 hrs · Metro Blue/Yellow line to King Street · FreeAnnapolis, Maryland8 hrs · Drive from DC (about 45 minutes) · FreeGreat Falls Park4 hrs · Drive from DC (about 30 minutes) · From $10Harpers Ferry National Historical Park8 hrs · Drive or MARC train from DC (about 1.5 hours) · From $10Loudoun County Wine Country4 hrs · Drive from DC (about 1 hour)Luray Caverns4 hrs · Drive from DC (about 2 hours) · From $18Gettysburg National Military Park8 hrs · Drive from DC (about 2 hours) · Free

Outdoors in Washington

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FreeNational Mall and Memorials Walk5 km · about 3 hrsFreeMount Vernon Trail29 km · about 3.5 hrsFreeRock Creek Park Hikesabout 2.5 hrsFreeC&O Canal Towpath from Georgetownabout 2 hrsFreeCapital Crescent Trail18 km · about 2.5 hrsFreeTheodore Roosevelt Island Trailsabout 1.5 hrsFreeDC African American Heritage Trailabout 4 hrs

Sport in Washington

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D.C. United vs. New York Red BullsWed 14 October, 7:30pm · Audi FieldWashington Capitals vs. Montreal CanadiensWed 14 October, 7:30pm · Capital One ArenaWashington Spirit vs. Gotham FCSat 17 October, 12:30pm · Audi FieldWashington Capitals vs. New Jersey DevilsSat 17 October, 1pm · Capital One ArenaWashington Capitals vs. Los Angeles KingsTue 20 October, 7pm · Capital One ArenaWashington Wizards vs. Milwaukee BucksWed 21 October, 7pm · Capital One Arena

Walking tours in Washington

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FreeWalking Tour of DC MonumentsDaily · 2 hrs · ★ 4.4 on GuruWalkFreeDC Monuments by Moonlight Daily · 1.5 hrs · ★ 4.3 on GuruWalk▶ VideoThe Best Places to Take Photos in Washington DCAny time · 12 hrs · From €2

Markets in Washington

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FreeEastern Market Outdoor MarketSat 17 October, 9am · Eastern MarketFreeFRESHFARM Dupont Circle MarketSun 18 October, 8:30am · 20th Street NW between Massachusetts & Connecticut AvenuesFreeMaum Market at The WharfSun 18 October, 12pm · 101 District Square

Family in Washington

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Boo at the ZooFri 16 October, 5pm · Smithsonian's National Zoo · From $35FreeThe Big BuildSat 17 October, 10am · National Building Museum

Festivals & events in Washington

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FreeTurkish FestivalSun 18 October, 11am · Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd and 6th Streets
What’s On WashingtonThis week in Washington, day by dayTonight, this weekend, the Top 10 and the regular nights.Eat & drinkWhere locals eat in WashingtonThe restaurants, cafés and bakeries locals love.

Things to do in Washington, answered

What are the best things to do in Washington?

Right now: Jack Rose Dining Saloon (nightlife), Sugar (live music), Brian Cox in The Score (arts & culture) and Arlington National Cemetery (tours & day trips). Each list is refreshed several times a day.

What can I do for free in Washington?

Carlotta Corpron: Light Is a Plastic Medium, To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare, National Mall and Memorials Walk and Mount Vernon Trail, and 12 more.

What's on in Washington this week?

What's On Washington has this week day by day: tonight, this weekend, the Top 10 and the regular nights hotels and hostels run.