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Washington, DC Attractions & Things to Do

Here's everything you need to know about attractions and things to do in Washington, DC. Find information on the Smithsonian, the National Mall, museums, monuments, government buildings, sightseeing tours, national landmarks, special events, and much more. Find information for things to do in the Washington, DC area including the suburbs of Maryland and Virginia.
  1. Day Trips (14)
  2. Festivals & Special Events (22)
  3. Government Buildings (14)
  4. Monuments (28)
  5. Museums (186)
  6. Sightseeing (60)
  7. What's New? (23)

Top 10 Things to Do in the Washington DC/Capital Region
Explore the top attractions in the Washington DC area from museums to theatre to exploring the C & O Canal. Fun for the whole family in the capital region.

Washington DC – Frequently Asked Questions About Washington, DC
Find the answers to everything you want to know about Washington, DC. How did Washington, DC get its name? What attractions should I see? Is Washington, DC safe? How do I tour the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court? and much more.

25 Free Things to Do in Washington DC
There are plenty of free things to do in Washington DC all year-round. Whether you are looking for some family fun, an excursion out with some friends or even a quiet day to yourself, the nation's capital is a great place to experience a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities. You will find free attractions, festivals and events,...

50 Free Washington, DC Attractions
Washington, DC is a fascinating city with dozens of free attractions. There is so much to see and do in the nation’s capital that you can easily save money by spending your leisure time exploring free museums, parks, memorials, and historic sites.

Top 10 Northern Virginia Attractions
Northern Virginia offers a variety of attractions including monuments, museums, parks and more. Here's a guide to the top things to do in Northern Virginia.

Top 15 Maryland Attractions
Maryland offers a wide variety of attractions and things to do with its landscape extending from the seashore to the mountains to urban areas. In one day you can enjoy wonderful scenery and outdoor activities as well as visit museums, historic sites and cultural events.

25 Historic Buildings in Washington, DC
See a guide (with pictures!) to the historic buildings of Washington, DC. Learn about the 25 oldest and most significant Washington, DC historic landmarks.

Top 10 Places to Visit with Out-of-Town Guests in Washington, DC
When family and friends come to visit from out-of-town, here are some suggestions of interesting places to visit in Washington, DC. Get beyond the National Mall and show them the best pick of Washington, DC sights.

15 Best Places To Go With Kids in the Washington DC Area
15 Best Places To Go With Kids in the Washington DC Area, top family-friendly fun activities for children in the capital region, including Maryland and Virginia

Top 10 Things to Do in Alexandria, VA
Alexandria, VA is a quaint historic town in Northern Virginia with a wide variety of attractions and things to do. The following guide provides tips on activities for the whole family highlighting the top historic sites, restaurants, outdoor recreation ideas, special events and more.

Outdoor Recreation in Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia

The Washington DC area offers endless outdoor recreational opportunities for all ages. Discover beautiful parks and find the best outdoor activities of the DC/Capital region.

Exploring the National Mall
Highlights of the National Mall in Washington DC.

Things to Do in Bethesda, MD
See a guide Bethesda attractions, parks, recreational facilities, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

The Tidal Basin in Washington, DC
The man-made inlet adjacent to the Potomac River is most known for its beauty during cherry blossom season.

Future of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Future of the National Mall Revitalization Project, The National Park Service is initiating a nationwide planning effort to improve ways that visitors experience the National Mall.

Washington, DC Parks - A Guide to All of the Parks
See a comprehensive guide to the parks located in Washington, DC, find the best parks for walking, picnicking, relaxing and participating in sports activities. An alphabetical guide to the parks in Washington, DC including National Parks and small city parks.

George Washington Memorial Parkway
George Washington Memorial Parkway, locally known as the GW Parkway, runs along the Potomac River providing a gateway to the nation’s capital. Find Washington DC attractions along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Washington, DC Attractions That Require Advance Planning
Which Washington, DC’s attractions require reservations, tickets and advance planning? Find out how to visit these popular Washington, DC attractions.

National Cathedral – Washington, DC
See a visitor's guide to the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and find out about tours, concerts, special events.

National Zoo
Visit one of the best family activities in the Capital Region, the National Zoo, the Smithsonian Institute's 163-acre zoological park located in the heart of Washington DC.

Eastern Market - Washington, DC’s Favorite Farmers Market
Eastern Market on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC is a farmers market and flea market with everything from local produce and flowers, to fresh fish to arts and crafts.

IMAX Movie Theaters in Washington, DC
Find information about IMAX Movie Theaters in Washington, DC at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Washington Navy Yard
Washington Navy Yard, the former shipyard for the United States Navy, serves as the home to the Chief of Naval Operations and headquarters for the Naval Historical Center in Washington, DC. Visitors can explore the Navy Museum and the Navy Art Gallery

The U.S. National Arboretum - A Visitor's Guide
The U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC contains 446 acres of trees, shrubs, and plants that are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes.

Union Station – Washington, DC
Union Station is the most visited destination in Washington, DC with over 25 million visitors a year. Union Station, Washington’s train station and premier shopping mall, also serves as a venue for world-class exhibitions and international cultural events.

East Potomac Park- Hains Point
East Potomac Park is a 300+ acre peninsula located between the Washington Channel and the Potomac River on the south side of the Tidal Basin. Public facilities at East Potomac Park include a golf course, a mini-golf course, a playground, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, picnic facilities, and a recreation center.

Brookside Gardens at Wheaton Regional Park
Brookside Gardens, a Montgomery County park, is a 50 acre garden located within Wheaton Regional Park in Wheaton, Maryland.

Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
The Torpedo Factory Art Center, one of the largest visual arts centers in the U.S., 84 working art studios, 5 galleries, 2 workshops, the Art League School and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum.

Parks & Recreation
Explore parks in Washington, DC, and its surrounding suburbs in Maryland and Virginia. These beautiful sites offer a wide range of recreational opportunities and ranger led programs.

Arlington National Cemetery
America honors American heroes at the Arlington National Cemetery, a national cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, just across the river from Washington, DC

Washington DC Churches
See pictures and learn about the historic churches in Washington DC, famous cathedrals in the District of Columbia

Lighthouses in Maryland and Virginia
Several lighthouses mark the coastlines of Maryland and Virginia. Lighthouses are used to illuminate dangerous shorelines and to assist in aerial navigation. As technology has advanced, the number of operational lighthouses has declined and modern lighthouses are more functional and less picturesque. Some lighthouses in Maryland and Virginia...

National Aquarium in Washington, DC
The National Aquarium in Washington, DC, the nation’s oldest aquarium, is home to more than 200 species including shark, eel, gators, the dreaded invasive snakehead fish and a baby loggerhead turtle. See a visitors guide to the National Aquarium in Washington, DC.

Washington DC Home & Garden Shows
See the schedule of upcoming home and garden shows in the Washington DC area. See hundreds of displays of products for kitchens, baths, remodeling, flooring, granite & marble, professional grade appliances, and architectural antiques all in one convenient location.

Pandas at Washington DC's National Zoo
Learn about the pandas at Washington DC's National Zoo, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang

Maryland Live! Casino - Arundel Mills, Maryland
Maryland Live! Casino is a new casino in Arundel Mills Maryland that will offer gambling and live entertainment in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Learn about the new gaming facility.

The Washington Mall – 10 Things to Know About the Mall in Washington DC
Find everything that you need to know about the the Washington Mall. What are the main attractions? Where can you park near the Mall? What are the best things to do with kids? When are the most crowded times to visit? and much more.

Top 10 Things to Do in Georgetown - Washington DC
There are a variety of things to see and do in Washington's Georgetown neighborhood, learn about the city's most historic neighborhood and plan your visit.

Casino at National Harbor, Maryland
Learn about plans to build a resort casino at National Harbor in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC.

6 Things to Do in the U Street Corridor of Washington DC
Learn about restaurants, nightlife and historic attractions along U Street in Washington DC.

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