Offbeat DC Travel Guide: 45 Unique Things to do in Washington, DC

In case you were wondering, DC has its own winery! Located at The Yards in DC’s Navy Yard neighborhood, District Winery is an urban winery producing small batches of wine. Since DC doesn’t have a lot of vineyards, the winemaker, Conor McCormack, sources grapes directly from growers located on both the East and West coasts such as Finger Lakes in NY, Napa Valley in CA, and Columbia Gorge in WA. Tours are every Monday – Friday at 6:00 pm; Saturdays at 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm; Sundays at 1:00 pm. Click here to make a reservation.

Unfortunately as I near my 30’s, my wild DC party days are a thing of the past. If I head out for a night on the town, it’ll most likely involve cocktails (gin is my alcohol of choice) at a speakeasy. Speakeasies originated during the Prohibition Era when alcohol was illegal in the US – establishments selling alcoholic or illicit drinks at the time were termed as speakeasies, blind tigers or blind pigs. The term is now used to refer to underground bars that are hidden in plain sight – sometimes you need to be on an exclusive list, need an access code to enter, other times, it’s hidden behind a door in a restaurant or shop. A few of my favorites are The Gibson, Backroom at Capo Deli, 2 Birds 1 Stone, Denson Liquor Bar, and Harold Black.

With such a youthful population, DC has a vibrant nightlife scene. There are different pockets around the district where you can choose to go out, for example, if you’re in college, Adams Morgan is generally the place to be. When I lived in DC I gravitated towards 14th St and U Street Corridor having memorable nights at the famed gay bars Nellies and Town Danceboutique, Number Nine on P St, Barcelona, Cafe Saint-Ex, and El Centro on 14th, Marvin and Lost Society on U Street. I recommend starting in Logan Circle along 14th and P St NW and walking into whatever bar calls out to you before making your way up to U Street. Make a right onto U and continue to bar hop until you make it to 9th St NW to Nellie’s (there’s also a decent rooftop bar across the street called The Brixton).

The height of buildings in DC is regulated by the Height of Buildings Act of 1910 making the skyline low and sprawling. Rooftop bars throughout the city are a great way to take in the DC skyline, especially at night, and with a glass of wine. I especially like POV Rooftop at the W Hotel, the Observatory at the Graham Georgetown, and the Donovan’s Rooftop Bar.

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I first heard of DC’s very own ever-changing popup bar by Drink Company on 7th St in Shaw when the seventh season of Game of Thrones was airing on HBO. It started out as a GoT popup bar with its very own Iron Throne replica, and GoT themed cocktails. Then it morphed into a cherry blossom themed bar during the spring (click here to read my ultimate DC cherry blossom guide), a halloween-themed bar during Halloween, and a Miracle on 7th street bar during Christmas. With two hour waiting lines, my friend and I attempted to walkover on a snowy evening, around 9:00pm, only to be told they had an e-line with a two hour wait…we had no chance of getting in! From friends that have gone, they say it is well worth the wait, the cocktails are unique and delicious, and the decor is well-thought out. Click here to check out the current bar theme.

There is no shortage of free theatre in Washington DC, and one of my favorite places to watch a show is at the Kennedy Center. Both residents and tourists need to add watching a performance at the Kennedy Center on their list of things to do in DC. The building itself, and views from the Potomac River at sunset, make it well worth a visit. And, if you’re on a budget, a great way to see a show is through The Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center. Not many people know that the Millennium Stage offers free performances daily at 6:00pm – what’s on varies from day to day but it can be free plays, music, orchestra performances, and even learning how to dance.

[genesis_column size=”one-half” position=”first”][/genesis_column][genesis_column size=”one-half”][/genesis_column]U Street Corridor in Washington DC is an iconic neighborhood steeped in history, unique architecture, food, and now it’s home to some of the district’s vibrant street art scene. I love stopping by the mural alongside Ben’s Chili Bowl, which was updated in 2017 to feature the Obamas, Harriet Tubman, Dave Chapelle, and other iconic African Americans. Walking down to 9th and U, you’ll find even more murals.

The Blind Whino located in DC’s Southwest Waterfront used to be a Baptist Church built in 1886. It’s since been transformed into a colorful arts building that houses the Southwest Arts Club and serves as a community center, gallery space, concert venue, and even free yoga center.

DC used to have an extensive streetcar system located in the Dupont Circle area that was shut down in 1962. The underground tunnels and platforms were closed off to the public and were largely left forgotten until the Dupont Underground, a DC non-profit, worked with the city to lease the tunnels for art. The space is now home to a series of exhibit, and is also available to rent for fashion shows, private screenings, and musical events. Check out what’s currently on exhibit.

I’ll never forget the first time I stumbled upon the Barbie pond while walking through Logan Circle. If you’re wondering what the barbie pond is, don’t overthink it – it’s just what it sounds like: a pond filled with a collection of Barbie dolls outside a house on 15th and Q St NW. They’re always posed in a variety of ways, and if you’re walking around during a holiday, you can be sure to find them on theme!

Following them on Instagram is seriously the only perk of Instagram’s non-chronological timeline…I never miss a post!

The National Mall gets thousands of visitors every day, but almost all of them visit exclusively during the day. I’ve gone back and forth with myself about mentioning this on my site because it’s one of my favorite ways to see the Washington DC Monuments. But, here goes nothing. Not a lot of people know that you have 24/7 access to the monuments which means you can check them out any time of day. Or in my case, night, which is the best time in my opinion. I rent a Capital Bikeshare bike and start my tour at the US Capitol building, then ride out to the National Mall on either Jefferson or Madison Drive. From there I bike toward the Washington Monument, then on to World War II Memorial, followed by the Lincoln Memorial. The Reflecting Pool is particularly somber at night. From there, head to the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial, the FDR Memorial before ending up at the Jefferson Memorial, my ultimate favorite. I love spending time sitting at the edge, with my feet dangling over the Tidal Basin. There are a number of bike docks around the monuments, or near L’Enfant Plaza (7th and E St SW or 7th and C St SW) metro where you can catch the train home.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company is a beloved theatre production in Washington, DC that primarily focuses on works of Shakespeare. They also host plays by other playwrights such as Oscar Wilde, and Tennessee Williams. While I highly recommend paying for a show, I enjoy their annual Free For All production. The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Free For All offers free performances of a Shakespearean classic to the general public every summer since 1991. All you have to do is sign up for the daily lottery a day prior to the performance and you get an email notification if you’re selected. And, if you didn’t win tickets via the lottery, they hold a block of tickets for the general public which is given away each day at the theatre for that day’s performance. Come early and wait in line!

Meridian Hill is a wonderful space of greenery in the middle of Washington DC’s Adams Morgan neighborhood. The park was originally designed in the style of gardens in Italy, and features a relaxing thirteen basin cascading fountain, which is the longest in North America. The park is also home to a statue of Joan of Arc – the only equestrian statue of a woman in Washington, D.C. The park, commonly known as Malcolm X Park, is well-used and maintained by local residents. During the warmer months, the park hosts a drum circle every Sunday from 3:00-9:00pm that have been playing since the 50’s.

Opened in 1976, Kramerbooks is an independent bookhouse and DC institution located in Dupont Circle. It was one of the first bookstores in the US to feature its own adjacent cafe. In its early years, the bookstore and cafe were open 24 hours and served as a popular meeting place for residents, politicians, and authors. If you’re a fan of the HBO show Veep, the bookstore was featured in the episode Old Crone where Julia Louis-Dreyfus and John Slattery filmed their breakup scene.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States honoring the Virgin Mary. The shrine is built in Neo-Byzantine architecture and interior domes are decorated in mosaics very similar to the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice, Italy. Art lovers rejoice as the cathedral is home to the largest collection of contemporary ecclesiastical art found in its more than 70 chapels and oratories.

Unlike other cities, DC’s Chinatown neighborhood is relatively small with only a handful of authentic Chinese and Asian restaurants. It’s famous for a traditional Chinese gateway known as theFriendship arch displayed on 7th and H St NW. Designed by local architect Alfred Liu in the 80’s, the arch was commissioned by the city in order to rebuild the neighborhood. Chinatown was one of the neighborhoods affected by the 1968 race riots resulting in a decline in business and rise in crime rates. However, the neighborhood is fast-changing, but don’t come to Chinatown in DC and expect it to be anything like the areas in San Francisco or New York. It does, however, host wonderful Chinese New Year celebrations every year including a Chinese New Year parade. The parade, filled with lions and dragons, Chinese folk dancers, pageant queens, kung fu demonstrations and plenty of firecrackers, is not to be missed.

This is for all the plant lovers, which you really have to be to head over to the United States Botanic Garden to view (and sniff) one of the smelliest plants in bloom, the corpse flower. The USBG is a living plant museum promoting sustainability and educating the public about the importance of plant-life to humans and our planet. In 2017, the museum had three corpse flowers, also known as Titan Arum or stinky plants, blooming at the same time. Residents line up to see the plants in full bloom at the end of August – they give off a noxious colorless gas known as dimethyl trisulfide; the smell is often described as a combination of rotting flesh, smelly socks, garlic and dirty diapers.

One of my favorite aspects of living in Washington, DC was being able to observe the leaves changing colors in the fall, and the blossoming of trees in the spring. DC is home to the national cherry blossom festival which attracts over one million tourists from all around the world who come to get a glimpse of cherry trees in bloom along the Tidal Basin. The meaning behind the Cherry Blossom Festival extends back over 100 years and signifies a bond between the United States and Japan. In 1912 the mayor of Tokyo gifted 3,000 cherry trees to the city of Washington, D.C. to commemorate friendship. Then First Lady Helen Herron Taft held a ceremony with the wife of the Japanese ambassador and planted the first two cherry trees on the north shore of the Tidal Basin. Read my post on where to find cherry blossoms in Washington DC apart from the Tidal Basin. 

If you want to live like a local when you’re visiting DC, head to the National Gallery of Art’s free Friday Jazz in the Garden series. Held annually at the end of May in the Sculpture Garden, Jazz in the Garden, is one of DC’s most popular outdoor events featuring both local and acclaimed musicians. If you’re interested in the performer, get there about an hour in advance to get a spot up front, otherwise bring a picnic basket, find a spot in the grass, and enjoy the atmosphere!

Celebrating the 4th of July in the nation’s capital is something you have to do at least once in your life. DC goes all out in the celebrations and festivities – beginning with the National Independence Day Parade along Constitution Avenue to the free concerts at the US Capitol. There’s even an Independence Day baseball game at Nationals stadium, and ends with incredible fireworks along the National Mall. A great way to catch the fireworks display is from a rooftop bar – I especially like POV Rooftop at the W Hotel, the Observatory at the Graham Georgetown, and the Donovan’s Rooftop Bar. Or, make reservations for a dinner cruise along the Potomac River.

If you’re visiting during MLB Baseball season (which begins in March and lasts through to the end of September), then watching a Nats baseball game is something you must do. Washingtonians take their baseball seriously, and support for their team is seen all throughout the city. As someone who knows nothing about baseball (believe me I’ve tried to get into it), I still find it fun to head to a game, show some ‘Natitude’, and indulge in America’s favorite pastime. Nationals Park, which opened in 2008, is one of the better stadiums I’ve been to – the selection of food (they serve falafels and crab cakes!) and drink is great. My favorite part is watching the President’s race, a unique race during the 4th inning where caricature foam heads of the presidents compete to win. It’s a whole lot of laughs and very DC. Tickets can be cheap, and you can get them on the official Washington Nationals website.

The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest federal court in the United States, and being able to attend an oral argument is an opportunity to see history in the making, especially on critical social issues. While Supreme Court judges do not hear arguments every day, it’s good to know that all oral arguments are open to the public. The court runs from October each year until early summer before a recess. Interesting cases can attract a crowd very early in the morning, and controversial ones often have people camping out the night before just to get one of the limited seats inside the courtroom.

If you’ve been to Europe during the holidays you know just how charming and quaint the Christkindlmarkt’s can be. Thankfully, Washington D.C. does not disappoint and has its fair share of holiday pop-up markets. One of the most popular ones is the Downtown Holiday Market located in the heart of DC on 8th and F St NW. The holiday market features a rotating selection of exhibitors and artisans offering arts & crafts, jewelry, clothing, and plenty of food and drink options. The market runs daily from mid-November till Christmas Eve.

The Capitol Hill neighborhood is one of Washington, D.C.’s oldest areas with 19th century houses, and historic buildings like the US Capitol, and Supreme Court. I highly recommend taking a walking tour (aka getting lost) through the Capitol Hill streets, marveling at the distinct DC row houses. Grab a bite to eat at Market Lunch inside the famed Eastern Market. They’ve been serving up breakfast and lunch since 1978, or walk over to Barracks Row on 8th street and take your pick from the variety of restaurants lining either side.

An advantage of living in the District is the easy access one has to outdoor activities. Spring and early-summer in DC are wonderful times to get outdoors and appreciate nature. The Potomac River passes through DC and is over 383 miles long and is the fourth largest river along the Atlantic coast. Kayaking along the Potomac River is a popular thing to do in the warmer months, and I especially like renting from Key Bridge Boathouse at the Georgetown waterfront. You can kayak down the Potomac to Theodore Roosevelt Island, where you stop and spend an hour hiking through the island that serves as a memorial to former president and conservationist, Theodore Roosevelt.

The closest you can get to seeing planes take off and land (apart from being in the airport) is an area known as Gravelly Point along the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Arlington, VA. Access to the area is possible by car but parking is limited, or by the Mount Vernon Trail.

The Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal operated for over a hundred years and transported coal, lumber, and agriculture produce along its waterway. Nowadays, it’s mainly used for recreational purposes especially within the active DC community. Spend an afternoon walking (or jogging) the canal track, which starts in Georgetown and goes on for 184.5miles all the way to Maryland.

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Rock Creek Park, located entirely within the District of Columbia, is the oldest and largest urban park in the National Park System. It’s more than twice the size of Central Park in NYC and offers venues for hiking, biking, roller-blading, bird watching, horseback riding and has the National Park Service’s only planetarium. There are two primary trails that run within the park and it’s completely possible to create your own hike that can be anywhere from one mile in length to ten miles. If you want to explore the park a little further,  here’s 11 things you can do in Rock Creek Park.

The National Mall is home to a number of activities all throughout the year, and one of my favorites is the annual Yoga on the National Mall event that runs in conjunction with Metro DC Yoga Week. The mission of this yoga non-profit is to to provide DMV residents with an opportunity to try a yoga class for free or $5 at participating studios across the metro DC area. Bring your mat and come practice yoga with thousands of other yogis right under the facade of the Washington Monument. P.S. If you’re visiting any other time of the year, I highly recommend signing up for ClassPass – you have access to a number of popular yoga studios not only in DC but throughout the U.S. Get ClassPass – 70% off your first month of any plan. 

The Kennedy Center offers free yoga classes every Saturday morning as part of their health and wellness program, Sound Health. The community yoga classes in partnership with NIH were created to make important connections between the arts and mind-body wellness. Bring your own yoga mat, and towel and practice yoga in the Grand Foyer of the Kennedy Center. Get dates and more info on the Sound Health: community yoga at the Kennedy Center’s website.

Georgetown, a favorite of locals and tourists alike, is a quaint neighborhood in Washington, DC known for its charm, scenic views of the Potomac, and cobblestone streets. Spend the day walking around, doing some shopping before indulging in a delicious lunch or dinner at some of Gerogetown’s famed restaurants like Martin’s Tavern, Kafe Leopold, Fiola Mare, or Cafe Milano where you’ll be sure to rub elbows with DC politicos.

I’ve been following Walk with Locals on Instagram for a while now and love what the account has set out to do. It was started by Carl Maynard, a photographer from DC, and is a tour for locals who share a love of discovering their city and photography. All they do is set a date and time for a walk, and people show up! While originally beginning in DC, they’ve been expanding to other cities within the US, and I’ve even seen a few international locations recently. I’d love to catch a tour the next time I’m in DC – I mean what better way to explore a city than through the eyes of a local?

The Southwest Waterfront is another historic neighborhood in DC that has been undergoing renovations in the past couple of years. It’s known for DC’s oldest open-air fish market, Maine Avenue Fish Market, selling fish, crabs, and oysters since 1805. The latest development in the area is The Wharf, featuring sustainable housing, and a vibrant dining scene. There are also three hotels – InterContinental at The Wharf, Hyatt House at the Wharf, and Canopy by Hilton. Here’s everything you can do at The Wharf.

The National Arboretum is an arboretum in Northeast Washington, D.C. that’s part of the USDA. It’s mainly used as a research facility for trees, and flowering plants,  but is most commonly known by Washingtonians as the location of the National Capitol columns. The columns were originally meant for the US Capitol, but the iron dome was significantly bigger than what was originally envisioned, and so the columns could not hold its weight. They were moved to the arboretum in the 80’s where the 22 Corinthian-Style columns now remain in an open meadow with a reflecting pool in front of it.

Located for 2.2 miles on H St/ Benning Road in the Northeastern neighborhood of Washington, D.C., the DC streetcar is a free form of public transportation available to take you down H Street Corridor. H Street was another neighborhood destroyed by the race riots in 1968, and it took the neighborhood a lot longer to recover. The DC streetcar route, which officially opened in 2016, runs east starting from Union Station toward Oklahoma Avenue and west starting at the Benning Road/Oklahoma Avenue stop, providing access to the bustling cafes, restaurants, and stores that have now opened up in the neighborhood.