73 Awesome Washington DC Activities

Adventure Park USA is an amusement park in New Market, Maryland, approximately 45 minutes from Baltimore by car. It is the largest family entertainment center in Maryland and features tons of fun attractions

Located in the National Science Federation front gardens on Constitution Avenue, this larger than life memorial to Albert Einstein is located near the Lincoln Memorial and worth the few minutes it takes to visit

More than 7,000 artists and the largest collection of New Deal Art in the world await you at the impressive American Art Museum. Also known as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, this is one of the largest and

Perhaps the most famous cemtery in the U.S.A the Arlington National Cemetery can be found at the West End of the Memorial Bridge in Arlington, Virginia just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. It is

The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is one of the Smithsonian Institution's two national museums in Wasington, D.C. dedicated to Asian art. It is named after Arthur M. Sackler, an American psychiatrist and philanthropist

This larger than life Awakening Statue is set in sand on the shores of the Potomac River at National Harbor in Prince George's County, MD. The work of art was created by J. Seward Johnson, is more than 70 feet

The Capital Wheel is a 180-foot tall Ferris wheel at the National Harbor in Maryland. Located on the outskirts of Washington D.C., the National Harbor is a popular attraction that features restaurants, shops

Since 1998, the College Park Aviation Museum has provided a great place to learn about aviation. The site of the museum is arguably the birthplace of aviation since Wilbur Wright started training the US Army at

Explore the history of crime and law enforcement with a visit to the National Museum of Crime and Punishment. The entire family can discover a world not known to regular people, ranging from authentic artefacts

DC Ducks is a company that provides informative sightseeing tours of Washington D.C. on both land and water. Their 90-minute tours provide a truly unique experience by taking visitors around the city in a restored

The Eastern Market is an historic institution of Washington D.C. It was first opened in 1873 and after a bad fire on April 30th 2007 it was renovated and re-opened in June of 2009. Inside the market is divided

Ford's Theatre will forever be famous for being the place where Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth. Today the Theatre has a number of exhibits concerning the infamous assassination along with other

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is a presidential memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. that is dedicated to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States. It consists of

A park aimed at preserving a 1920s-1950s working farm. Piglets, sheeps, goats, horses, turkeys, ducks and peacocks all live here. Start your visit at the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center where you will find

Glen Echo Park has transformed from an arts colony in the late 1800s and then into a premier amusement park in the early 1920s until the National Park Service started managing the land. The federal government

Take the kids out for an incredibly fun adventure at the Go Ape Treetop Adventures Course in Washington. Suitable for children who are 10 years old or more, the Go Ape Treetop Adventures Course may require a degree

This 800 acre park located just off the Potomac river offers breath-taking views and scenery. Great Falls Park has many opportunities to explore history and nature, all only 15 miles from the Nation's Capital

Featuring an exciting collection of 20th-century art as well as an impressive collection of sculptures, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is a nice stop for the entire family and for everyone who loves

The Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC. memorizes and commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, the museum tells fearsome and appalling story of cruelty and inhumane treatment that lasted for many years

The International Spy Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum in Washington, D.C. dedicated to the history of espionage and its impact on popular culture. It is home to the world's largest public collection of international

A 19-foot bronze statue of perhaps our nation's most esteemed founding father sits beneath a beautiful columned rotunda on the banks of the tidal basin. Visitors will enjoy a unique, 360 degree view of the city

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is a natural area maintained by the National Park Service on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. near the Maryland border. This beautiful 700-acre nature area features hiking

Looking for some water adventure and canoeing right in the hustle and bustle of the city? You don't have to go far, enjoy canoeing and kayaking at key bridge boathouse in Washington D.C. The Georgetown water front

The Korean War Veterans Memorial is a national monument dedicated to those who served in the Korean War. It is located on the National Mall, a national park in Washington, D.C. that is home to many of the country's

The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs

The Lincoln Memorial stands as a monument to the "Saviour of the Union" Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. The building is styled in the manner of a Greek Temple and sits on the western

Marine corps war memorial is located outside of Arlington national cemetery in Arlington ridge park, Virginia. The memorial is dedicated to all of the marines who lost their lives serving the nation since 1775

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is one of the most recent additions to the National Mall, a national park in the heart of Washington, D.C. that is the home of several national landmarks, museums, and memorials

Get a first hand view of the life of America’s first "first family" at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Explore the beautiful mansion and grounds and get to know the man, the ideas and the values

Experience the life of America's first family at George Washington's Estate and Gardens in Mount Vernon, Virginia. Learn the fascinating history of George Washington, America's first President and the impact that

The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial is an outdoor memorial near the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. It is dedicated to those who died during the September 11 attacks when American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked

The National Building Museum is a world class public space with fascinating exhibits "dedicated to exploring and celebrating architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning." Family drop-in

National Children's museum was opened at National Harbor in Prince George's County, Maryland in 2012. The museum was founded in 1974 but was closed in 2004 to recreate and revamp the museum as a nationally recognized

National firearms museum in Fairfax, Virginia is owned and operated by National Rifle association. The museum displays exhibits and galleries that shed light on the history of firearms in America. The museum's

The National Gallery of Art is a public art museum located in Washington, D.C. on the National Mall. This free art museum contains an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and

The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. was conceived and established in 1937, since then the Art gallery and its Sculpture Garden have been attracting crowds of locals and tourists. The Art gallery houses

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is an outdoor exhibition area of the National Gallery of Art located on Washington, D.C.'s National Mall. Since 1999, this 6-acre garden has showcased several impressive

The National Geographic Museum is a museum operated by the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. that features a variety of exhibitions related to history, culture, natural history, and society. This

The National Harbor is a 300-acre waterfront area along the Potomac River which has been developed in recent years to hold a diverse array of restaurants, shops, attractions, and festivals. It is home to over

Explore the great moments as well as the not so great moments in American History at this National Museum in Washington, D.C. There are so many interesting pieces of Americana that span three magnificent levels

The National Museum of the American Indian houses one of the world’s largest and most diverse collections of its kind. The museum’s sweeping curvacious architecture and its exhibitions, were all designed

The National Museum of Women in the Arts is the only museum dedicated to the women in various forms of Arts. The museum celebrates achievements of some prominent women in the field of visual, performing and literary

The National Portrait Gallery is a museum in Washington, D.C. that showcases historic artwork belonging to the Smithsonian Institution. It is the only art museum in the United States with a collection that solely

Learn about the history of stamps and the postal system at the National Postal Museum, the Smithsonian's first class repository for the largest, most comprehensive collection in the world, including almost 6 million

Nationals Park is a baseball park in Washington, D.C. that is the home of the Washington Nationals, a Major League Baseball Team. The over 41,000-seat park first opened in 2008, and has since hosted the Nationals'

The Newseum is a 250,000 square foot museum dedicated to teaching us about five centuries of news history with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits. There are 15 main exhibition galleries, many interactive

President Lincoln's Cottage is a national monument and historic landmark, located near the Park view neighborhoods of Washington D.C. President Abraham Lincoln and his family resided in the cottage from 1862 to

The Reston Zoo is a quaint zoo that is located a little off the beaten path in Vienna, Virginia. Do not underestimate this small rural attraction. You are able to interact more closely with the animals at this

Just up the river from Great Falls Park, this regional park has a nature center (watch the snakes get fed!), several short, easy hikes, and row boat, canoe, and kayak rental. Rent a row boat, canoe or kayak

Six Flags America is a family friendly amusement and adventure park located in Woodmore, Maryland. Part of the Six Flags Amusement chain, this park features thrilling roller coasters, a water park and other amusement

The Smithsonian Discovery Theater is a unique theater in Washington, DC, specifically targeted to young people. Live performances offer a culturally relevant and diverse experience for guests. Prepare to be entertained

If you are passionate about architecture and history, the Smithsonian Institution Building is the place to go on a weekend. The Castle was the first building to be a part of the Smithsonian Museum and nowadays

At the Museum of Natural History, popular kid destinations include the Orkin Insect Zoo, Hall of Gems and Minerals, Discovery Room, and Dinosaur-Fossil Hall (which is under renovation until 2019). The largest

One of Washington's must-visits, the Air and Space Museum is the most visited museum in the world. (8.2 million people visited in 2010. The Museum is the largest of the Smithsonian's 19 museums, and has welcomed

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is located in Washington D.C. on the National Mall. The museum is dedicated to explore and present the diversity of African American culture

Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Zoo is the nation's zoo is a 163-acre zoological park set amid Rock Creek National Park in the heart of Washington, D.C. The zoo's large park-like environment

The Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia is the companion facility to the Museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC. This dazzling $311 million storage shed, at Dulles Airport, is chock-full of cool airplanes

The Supreme Court of the United States is the most important court in the country. Its current building is located near the Capitol in the heart of Washington, D.C. and was completed in 1935. The building itself

The Mansion on O Street is a luxury boutique hotel in Washington, D.C. that is known for its eccentric interior design featuring hidden rooms and secret doors. It is especially popular with high-profile guests

Tours of the historic U.S. Capitol are free; however tour passes are required. The Capitol is open Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tours of the Capitol begin with a 13-minute orientation film and last approximately

Roosevelt Island. Just off the George Washington Parkway, over a walking bridge, is a gorgeous island “living memorial” to Teddy Roosevelt. This 88.5 acre island in the Potomac River is a National

The U.S. Botanic Garden is a plant museum at it's finest. A truly green oasis, with a jungle, a desert. a National Garden with a First Ladies water garden, a rose garden and exhibits on ecology and evolutionary

Millions of dollars in U.S. currency is printed right before you eyes as you tour the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Tour this interesting Visitor Center to explore and learn all there is to know about paper

National Archives houses the most important historical documents of the United States, such as the original Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Constitution and the 1297 version of the Magna Carta

Union Station is a train station in Washington, D.C. that is one of the busiest train stations in the United States. It is the headquarters of Amtrak, which operates passenger trains throughout the country, and

The United States Botanic Garden is a living plant museum in Washington, D.C. on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. It is the oldest botanic garden in the United States and contains a wide variety of plant displays

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one of several national memorials in Washington, D.C. located on the National Mall. Completed in 1982, the memorial is dedicated to members of the U.S. armed services that served

Constructed from marble, granite and gneiss, the Monument is the world's tallest free-standing stone structure, towering more than 555 feet (169 meters). Visitors can take an elevator to the top for panoramic

The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington, is an Episcopal cathedral located in the U.S. capital. The building's

Wheaton Regional Park is a 536-acre park near the city of Wheaton, Maryland. Located just 10 miles north of Washington, D.C., this park maintained by Montgomery County is a popular attraction for families with

Take a tour of the U.S President's home, one of the most iconic and historic buildings in the world. Tours are free and open to all the public as long as you book in advance. Walk around the hallways and rooms

The Wolf Trap National Park of the Performing Arts is the only National Park that is dedicated performing arts in its indoor and outdoor arenas. There are also hiking trails and beautiful grounds to explore on

World War II Memorial is located in the National Mall in Washington D.C., between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington monument. This memorial was built to honor the Americans who served in the world war II