Looking for one-of-a-kind things to do in Washington DC? We’ve got you covered! Whether you are new to the area, or you’ve been calling the District home for years, keep reading to discover our DC must-dos.
When thinking about Washington DC, images of the city’s memorials, museums, and gleaming, white government buildings probably come to mind. While these top attractions shouldn't be missed, DC is chock-full of hidden treasures.
From bottomless (yes, bottomless!) mimosa brunch cruises to brewery tours and biplane rides, we’ve rounded up 34 of the best things to do in Washington DC. And for those of you who have never been, we’ve also included our favorite touristy stops!
ADVENTUROUS THINGS TO DO IN WASHINGTON DC
Bucket list biplane rides. Thrilling zipline adventures. High-speed stock car racing. You name it, DC’s got it!
1. FLOAT IN A HOT AIR BALLOON
Sure, you could explore the gorgeous Virginia countryside on foot…or you could float above it in a hot air balloon! Hop inside the balloon’s roomy basket and feel a wave of excitement as you lift off the ground. Enjoy unparalleled views of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley, local vineyards, and so much more!
2. ENJOY AN AEROBATIC BIPLANE RIDE
Loop, roll, and soar through the air in an open-cockpit biplane! Secure your helmet and goggles before taking to the skies in a beautifully restored World War II Stearman. You’ll be smiling from ear to ear as your pilot performs expert maneuvers including loops, spins, Cuban 8’s, thrilling dives, and more!
3. LEAP OUT OF A PLANE
There’s a reason why skydiving is on so many people’s bucket lists. It’s an absolute blast! Take in one-of-a-kind views of Capitol Hill, the National Mall, and Chesapeake Bay. Then, take a leap of faith and jump from 10,000 feet. Enjoy an adrenalizing moment of free-falling before safely gliding back down to Earth.
4. GO INDOOR SKYDIVING
No plane or parachute? No problem! Step inside a state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnel and experience the thrill of floating, flying, and free-falling – you’ll feel like you’re actually skydiving! Just because this experience takes place indoors doesn’t mean that it won’t get your heart pumping!
5. ZIP THROUGH AN AERIAL ADVENTURE COURSE
Aerial adventure courses are an exciting and fun activity for the whole family! Climb high into the trees and complete thrilling obstacles including rope ladders, Tarzan swings, tightropes, and so much more. At the end of your treetop journey, soar down a high-speed zipline!
6. STEER A STOCK CAR
Get behind the wheel of a real-life stock car and shred some rubber as you race around the Dover International Speedway or the Richmond Raceway. After securing your helmet, climb inside this powerful vehicle, and feel the engine roar to life beneath your fingertips. For a truly one-of-a-kind driving experience, put the pedal to the metal inside an open-wheel Indy-style car!
7. HIKE NEAR THE GREAT FALLS
Located just 20 miles northwest of downtown DC, Great Falls Park is a gorgeous natural oasis. Here, the waters of the Potomac River speed up, carving the rock around them, before cascading into a series of picturesque falls. Lace up your hiking boots and explore the falls, the surrounding forests, or look for wildlife.
TASTY THINGS TO DO IN WASHINGTON DC
Taste your way through DC with these delicious food tours, dining cruises, beer tastings, and more!
8. INDULGE IN A BOTTOMLESS MIMOSA BRUNCH CRUISE
Sit back, relax, and enjoy a gorgeous Sunday morning sail down the Potomac River! Dine on delicious brunch-time favorites including smoked salmon, frittata, seasonal fruit, and croissants. As if that wasn’t enticing enough, you’ll also enjoy all-you-can-sip mimosas!
9. VISIT THE CITY’S BEST BREWERIES
Whether you like your beer frothy, hoppy, heady or sour, experience the rich history of DC in a tasty, new way! Go behind-the-scenes of 4 of the city’s top breweries. Discover how each brewery masterfully blends ingredients to create the perfect brew. Then, taste the fruits of their labor and sample up to 16 different beers!
10. CHANNEL YOUR INNER SOMMELIER WITH A PRIVATE WINE TOUR
Featuring a subtropical and humid climate, Virginia’s rolling hills are perfect for growing different grape varieties. Venture to the historic Philip Carter Winery for a fascinating winery tour. Sip, swirl, and savor award-winning Chardonnays, bold Cabernet Sauvignons, and so much more. Then, finish things off with a scenic picnic!
11. BUY FRESH PRODUCE FROM A FARMERS MARKET
Completed in 1873, DC’s Eastern Market has been hosting local farmers and vendors for over 140 years. And if you’re looking to find the city’s freshest produce and ingredients, then this market should be at the top of your list! Browse dozens of vendors and enjoy farm-fresh honeycrisp apples, peaches, strawberries, asparagus, and more.
12. DISCOVER THE ART OF TEA TASTING
Known as the world’s second most popular drink, tea comes in a variety of colors, and aromas. During this deliciously fascinating tasting experience, you’ll learn about all 6 types of tea! Enjoy the floral and delicate flavors of white tea, the earthy notes of green tea, and so much more.
13. TAKE A DELICIOUS FOOD TOUR
From handcrafted Italian dishes to fresh seafood and even one-of-a-kind desserts, Washington DC is a foodie paradise! What’s the best way to sample a variety of dishes? With a food tour, of course! Taste your way through Capitol Hill, Old Town Alexandria, or even DC’s Little Ethiopia neighborhood.
14. COOK UP THE FISH MARKET’S CATCH OF THE DAY
Enjoy a little slice of history and shop the city’s freshest seafood at the Municipal Fish Market! Completed in 1805, this iconic destination is the oldest continuously-operating open-air fish market in the United States. Browse shucked oysters, shrimp, clams, fish, and more. Hungry for lunch? Sample local flavors with a freshly cooked blue crab!
TOURISTY THINGS TO DO IN WASHINGTON DC
Don’t miss out on DC’s most famous landmarks. Step inside a fascinating museum, visit a memorial, or Segway through the National Mall!
15. SIGHTSEE IN ROLLERBLADES
Because rollerblading is SO much more fun than walking! With this all-day rollerblade rental, you can explore the sites of DC at your own pace. Choose to skate down the 2-mile-long National Mall and see the Lincoln Memorial or zip down to the gorgeous Tidal Basin. No matter where you head off to, you’ll navigate the city with ease using a color-coded map.
16. BIKE AT NIGHT
By day, DC’s memorials and monuments are gorgeous, architectural wonders. But after the sun goes down, they become even more magical! Illuminated by lights and free of crowds, the city’s sites are truly enchanting at night. On this evening bike tour, you will pedal past the White House, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, WWII Memorial, and more!
17. ROLL THROUGH TOWN ON A SEGWAY
For another kind of 2-wheeled adventure, don’t miss this National Mall Segway Tour! After a short orientation, you’ll be cruising down the National Mall like a pro. Roll past the Vietnam Memorial, the White House, the US Capitol Building, Smithsonian Castle, and so much more. Don’t forget to snap a selfie or two of you on your state-of-the-art Segway!
18. VISIT ALL OF DC’S FREE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS
You can’t visit Washington DC and not step inside at least one museum. Lucky for you, many of DC’s most famous museums are free! Explore the Hall of Fossils inside this Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, see if you have what it takes to become an astronaut at the National Air and Space Museum, or discover remarkable works of art at the National Museum of African Art.
19. WALK THROUGH THE ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Step inside the country’s most famous cemetery and pay your respects to over 400,000 service members and their families. Wander past rows of gleaming, white headstones before exploring the famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This historic monument is dedicated to unidentified deceased U.S. service members and is watched 24/7 by a uniformed guard.
20. CRUISE AROUND IN AN OPEN-TOP BUS
Add a fun twist to the traditional DC sightseeing tour with this open-top bus adventure! Feel the wind in your hair and enjoy unobstructed views of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Cruise past the White House, the U.S. Botanic Gardens, the US Capitol, and so much more. You’ll even get a chance to walk around the National Mall!
21. DISCOVER VIBRANT STREET ART
From watermelon houses to funky portraits of George Washington, DC’s streets are full of one-of-a-kind art. Our favorite spot? Don’t miss the Dupont Underground! This eccentric gallery is located in an underground tunnel and features street art, photography, paintings, and even psychedelic light shows.
22. EXPLORE THE ICONIC CAPITOL HILL
DC’s Capitol Hill is the epicenter of American history and politics. With this incredible walking tour, get an insider’s look at the US Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the House of Representatives. As an added bonus, you’ll also get to explore the Thomas Jefferson building of the Library of Congress and see an authentic Gutenberg Bible!
FUN AND CREATIVE THINGS TO DO IN WASHINGTON DC
Test your wits inside an escape room, learn how to create your own scented candle, or learn how to tango like a pro!
23. EMBARK ON A SCAVENGER HUNT
See the city’s best sights in an exciting and fun way! With this app-led scavenger hunt, you’ll take on the role of a fictional historian. As you wander through the National Mall, hunt for clues, solve puzzles, and decipher challenging riddles. The best part? All you need is your phone or smart device!
24. CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO AN ESCAPE ROOM
Only the bravest and brightest teams will be able to conquer these action-packed escape rooms! Do you think you have what it takes? Choose from a variety of immersive themes including a high-stakes prison break, underwater laboratory, or even a thrilling special ops mission!
25. UNCOVER DC’S SPOOKY SIDE WITH A GHOST TOUR
With centuries of history lurking beneath its sidewalks, it’s no wonder that Washington DC is often considered one of the most haunted cities in America! Uncover the city’s spooky past with a bone-chilling ghost tour! If you’re lucky, you may spot the infamous one-legged spirit or the ghost of Clover Adams.
26. CAPTURE AMAZING IMAGES ON A PHOTO TOUR
See DC through a camera lens! During this hands-on class, you’ll join a professional instructor and learn the basics of architectural photography, exposure, composition, lighting and more. For a truly memorable experience, consider booking your tour during spring or autumn. DC’s vibrant fall colors and pink cherry blossoms make the perfect photo backdrop!
27. LEARN HOW TO POUR YOUR OWN CANDLES
Light up your day with this DIY Custom Candle Pouring Workshop! In this 1-hour class, everything you need to create a one-of-a-kind candle will be provided. Choose from a variety of fragrances before learning how to carefully pour your own candle. For the finishing touch, select a unique and gorgeous candle vessel!
28. TAKE A PRIVATE DANCE LESSON
Tango into the perfect DC day with your own private dance lessons! With the help of a professional dance instructor, learn how to step, twirl, and spin like never before. After your hands-on classes, you’ll be ready to steal the show!
29. GOLF WITH A PGA PRO
Want to take your golf game to the next level? You’re in luck because Virginia and DC are home to some of the country’s most prestigious golf courses. And with these PGA pro packages, you’ll be whacking golf balls like never before!
SEASONAL THINGS TO DO IN WASHINGTON DC
From gorgeous cherry blossom walks to ice skating in the park, there’s spectacular things to do in DC all year long!
30. SIT UNDER A CHERRY BLOSSOM TREE
Every spring, something magical happens across the DC landscape. Trees that were barren just a few weeks ago suddenly burst open with thousands of pink cherry blossoms. This incredible event typically occurs at the end of March or beginning of April. For one of the best views in the city, head to the picturesque waters of the Tidal Basin!
31. SAIL ON CHESAPEAKE BAY
With an astounding length of approximately 200 miles, Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. In the late spring and summer, it’s the perfect place to soak up some sunshine, go fishing, or enjoy a day of sailing. Relax aboard a spectacular sailboat or see if you can reel in one of the bay’s famous blue crabs!
32. ICE SKATE IN A SCULPTURE GARDEN
Lace up your skates and twirl across the National Gallery of Art’s seasonal ice rink! Beginning at the end of November, this magical rink is inside the gallery’s sculpture garden and offers enchanting views of DC’s gleaming monuments. Skate past remarkable masterpieces created by Alexander Calder, Louise Bourgeois, Roy Lichtenstein, and more!
33. CRUISE THE POTOMAC RIVER TO MT. VERNON
This scenic cruise is the perfect summer activity! Enjoy waterfront views of Downtown DC and cruise to George Washington’s famous mansion. Featuring four incredible gardens, summer at Mt. Vernon is truly gorgeous. Colorful blooms paint the grounds, towering trees stand guard, and sweeping green lawns create a feeling of paradise.
34. ENJOY GORGEOUS BLOOMS IN THE US BOTANIC GARDENS
While the lush grounds of the US Botanic Gardens can be enjoyed year round, each season brings its own unique charm. In the winter, venture into the indoor gardens and admire colorful plants from the tropics. In the spring and summer, marvel at magnificent roses and wander through the pollinator garden. Finally, in autumn, take a seat near the Fountain of Light and Water and enjoy the surrounding fall colors.
Want to explore even more incredible things to do in Washington DC? Click here to discover your next grand adventure in America’s Capitol!
