The nation’s capital and backdrop to significant events in American history, Washington, DC, has served as the hub of politics and decision-making in the United States and has contributed to shaping the country’s culture, since its independence. While it may not be the city that never sleeps, it takes on another form at night. Famous and luxurious hotels are abundant should you be tempted to book a trip to this beautiful city. Walk among the shadows cast by the giant monuments erected to the people and ideals for which the city stands, while traversing the city’s active nightlife, seen in its top sights and entertainment clubs.
If you’ve known good ol’ DC during the daytime before, wait till it reaches nighttime. Are you looking for unique and out-of-the-ordinary experiences? Check out these top things to do in Washington, DC, at night.
1. Ford’s Theatre
Ford’s Theatre played a major role in US history, having laid witness to the tragic assassination of President Abraham Lincoln one night in 1865. Today, it’s open for tourists who’d like to dive deeper into that fateful night, as well as what happened both before and after.
The theater now serves as a historical museum, showcasing a wide range of immersive exhibitions, most of which are related to Lincoln and the infamous event. That aside, it also oversees several stage productions, for which you can buy tickets! If you’re looking for an informative place to visit in DC at night, Ford’s Theatre is a must-add to your bucket list.
Ford's Theatre
Address: 511 Tenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
Website: Ford’s Theatre
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily, General information)
Price: Free
2. The Escape Game - Washington, DC
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you’re looking to do something different in the evening in DC apart from night tours, why not give an escape room-type game a try? The Escape Game can help you through its diverse portfolio of escape rooms and a diverse range of skill levels to pick from.
Get your thinking gear rolling in The Depths, relive the thrilling action experience of a movie with The Heist, or spook the night away with The Cabin. No matter the concept, there’s a lot to enjoy when you partake in these activities. The Escape Game has two branches here in DC; one in Georgetown and the other in Penn Quarter.
The Escape Game
Address: Georgetown - 3345 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007; Penn Quarter - 950 F Street NW, Suite 106, Washington, DC 20004
Website:
Opening hours: 9am - 12am (daily)
3. Lincoln Memorial (from USD 104.0)
The Lincoln Memorial, located at the west end of the National Mall is a 12-foot (3.66-meter) monument, commemorating the 16th President of the United States and has a been a staple of the city since its completion, in 1922.
At night, lights illuminate the historical giant in a display much different than seen during the day. Visitors will likely run into smaller crowds in the evening, and, if visiting on a weekday you will likely be one of the few, if not the only visitor to the memorial. Visiting away from the distraction of the crowds will allow visitors to have a deeper reflection on the man, and the words spoken by him, inscribed on the walls.
Lincoln Memorial
Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
Website: Lincoln Memorial
Have a local guide tell you about the illustrious history of the monument by booking a tour!
Washington DC National Mall and Capitol Hill Small-Group Tour
Duration: 5 to 5.5 hours
Price: 135 USD
DC National Mall and Memorials Private Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
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4. The Tidal Basin (from USD 65.0)
Take a stroll along the reservoir to be immersed in the city sights. Along the route, visitors will be treated to stunning sights of many of the city monuments, including the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the George Mason Memorial. For an even greater experience, plan to visit when the cherry blossoms are in season.
Tidal Basin
Address: Washington, DC, USA
Should it be your first time visiting DC, consider booking a tour to help you get oriented to the city before you explore it on your own later! The Tidal Basin, with its abundance of historical and cultural landmarks, is a good place to start.
Half-Day Grand Tour of Washington DC
Duration: 3 hours
Price: 58 USD
Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Guided Bike Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Washington Tour Guide
Annie Leguennec
My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the city's rich heritage and its continuing legacy as the birthplace of the United States of America. Book my tour. Explore and learn about this unique city where you will walk on the footsteps of our America's founding Fathers. My tours are conducted in English, French and Italian.
Tours by Annie
Washington Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of the US: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona! Let's GO!! stepheley@gmail.com
Tours by Stephanie
5. Dupont Circle for the bar scene (from USD 70.0)
No nightlife would be complete without partaking in the wonderful bar scene, in Dupont Circle. This neighborhood, filled with 19th-century row houses, is rooted in history and credited as being one of the first communities to help establish LGBT identity in American culture. Whether your scene is a pub, sports bar, club, or anything in between, Dupont has something that will fit anyone’s taste.
Dupont Circle
Address: Dupont Circle, Washington, DC
Architecture buffs can also consider booking this tour to learn more about the Washington élite that built the impressive structures.
Dupont Circle and Embassy Row Architecture Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Price: 35 USD
Washington DC Food Tour: Italian Cuisine in Dupont Circle
Duration: 180 to 240 minutes
6. Bartholdi Park
Bartholdi Park is located on the corner of Independence and Washington Avenue and is situated across from the United States Botanic Garden. The garden features a large fountain as its centerpiece, designed by the artist Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who would later go on to design the Statue of Liberty.
Bartholdi Park
Address: 100 First St SW, Washington, DC 20534, USA
Website: Bartholdi Park
7. Sports games: The Wizards, Nationals, Capitals, Redskins and DC United
Whatever the season, Washington, DC has a team for any sports fan and they are guaranteed to enjoy the liveliness of the event. If you’re looking for interesting things to do in DC after 5pm, choose to check out a game from the NBA Wizards, MLB Nationals, NHL Capitals, NFL Redskins, or NASL D.C. United in one of the sports arenas located around DC. Games will often sell discount tickets for special events, so keep an eye out for cheaper seats.
Verizon Center (Capitals & Wizards)
Address: 601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
Website: Verizon Center
FedExField (Redskins)
Address: 1600 Fedex Way, Hyattsville, MD 20785, USA
Website: FedExField
RFK Stadium (D.C. United)
Address: 2400 E Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003, USA
Website: RFK Stadium
Nationals Park (Nationals)
Address: 1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003, USA
Website: Nationals Park
8. Blues Alley
Blues Alley is modeled after the jazz clubs of the 20’s and 30’s and was founded in 1965. It is known as the oldest jazz supper club in the country. The venue hosts jazz performances from both local and national musicians and specializes in Creole cuisine, as well as steak and seafood dishes.
Blues Alley
Address: 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007
Website: Blues Alley
9. Pentagon Memorial
The Pentagon Memorial was designed by the architecture firm Beckman and Kaseman, based out of Pennsylvania. The design was chosen from many submitted in a national contest to honor the 184 people on American Airlines Flight 77, who died during the 9/11 attacks. Otherwise difficult to visualize, the 184 illuminated benches that represent each of the victims, contrasted against the night, is a somber scene.
Pentagon Memorial
Address: 1 N Rotary Rd, Arlington, VA 22202, USA
Website: Pentagon Memorial
10. ZooLights
If you happen to be in the city between November 25th and January 1st, the national zoo is host to the annual ZooLights event. Take a tour on the trackless train, where you can see the animal enclosures and surrounding areas, decorated in an array of colorful lights in the shape of animals.
Afterward, take a ride on one of the world’s only solar-powered carousels, with its 58 animal figurines. With a wonderful arrangement of lights to discover, you’ll find some of the best views at night in this highly popular DC joint.
ZooLights at the National Zoo
Address: 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Website: ZooLights
11. Jefferson Memorial
Take a seat on the steps and watch the calm scenery of the Potomac River, with the Washington Monument in the backdrop, as you pay tribute to one of the main writers of the Declaration of Independence at this memorial, located along the Tidal Basin. The interior walls of the memorial are adorned with quotes from the founding father and feature a museum beneath the memorial where visitors can learn how Jefferson influenced the nation he helped build.
Jefferson Memorial
Address: 701 E Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242, USA
Website: Jefferson Memorial
12. Georgetown Waterfront
Part of the 225 miles (362.1 kilometers) of connected parkland along the Potomac river, Georgetown Waterfront is very scenic, at any time of day. At night, catch glimpses of the Kennedy Center, the Washington Monument, and boats passing along the Potomac River.
Washington Harbour
Address: 3050 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Website: Washington Harbour
Hop aboard a riverboat and cruise along the Potomac River to get an entirely new perspective of the city’s monuments and landmarks that we’ve mentioned earlier.
Water Taxi from Wharf or National Harbor
Duration: 2 hours
13. Ghost tours (from USD 20.0)
A great way to tour the city, while taking in a spooky history lesson, is to participate in a ghost tour of D.C. and its surrounding area. The area’s history dates back to the Indian tribes that inhabited the land that later became the nation’s capital, so it goes without saying that the city has a deep, and at times dark, history. On the ghost tour, visitors will be taken around to various points in the city where they will learn about the history of supposedly haunted locations.
Haunted DC Walking Tour on Capitol Hill
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: 20 USD
Washington DC Haunted Houses Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours
14. Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight Night Cruise (from USD 28.0)
The Potomac River stretches throughout Washington D.C. and passes closely to many prominent city attractions. Logically, seeing the city by boat is one of the best ways to see it. There are many companies in the area that sell tickets for cruises on the Potomac, with options to ride by day or night.
Treat yourself to a once-in-a-lifetime, classy dining experience on a sightseeing lunch or dinner cruise along the Potomac River!
Washington DC Odyssey Dinner Cruise
Duration: Varies.
Price: 79.67 USD
Spirit of Washington DC Sunset Dinner Cruise with Buffet
Duration: 3 hours
Price: 122.23 USD
Spirit of Washington DC Scenic Lunch Cruise
Duration: 2 hours
Price: 69.03 USD
Washington DC by Moonlight Night Cruise
Duration: 1 hour
15. 9:30 Club
This nationally recognized nightclub and concert venue first opened in D.C. in 1980 and since opening has sold over 200,000 tickets. The venue has hosted top performing artists such as Radiohead, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Eat World, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more.
9:30 Club
Address: 815 V St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Website: 9:30 Club
Tip from Trip101 local expert
If you are looking for a great concert venue, the 9:30 Club will not let you down! With a second level that surrounds the stage, you can feel up close and personal to your favorite performer in this small venue. I highly recommend grabbing tickets to a show at the 9:30 Club!
Why sleep in Washington DC?
Washington DC is a bustling city, be it day or night. And with so many different night activities to choose from, from ghost tours to sightseeing, why would any tourist choose to sleep when they can stay up all night in D.C.?
Are you covered?
Have a worry-free holiday and purchase an affordable travel insurance to cover your needs during your trip. Atlas Travel Insurance provides two plans you can choose from, depending on the type of trip you’re going on, so that you get the extensive coverage you need if something goes wrong.
Frequently asked questions about the top things to do in Washington, DC, at night
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