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Don’t let the weather rain on your parade and plan a fun-filled day of indoor activities instead.
This Dupont Circle bookstore and cafe, a DC staple since 1976, is a hub for local life, keeping its doors open until 10 p.m. (every day except Sunday). The buzzy spot attracts those on the hunt for paperback novels, travel guides, coffee and hearty breakfasts.
No visit to the nation's capital is complete without a visit to the museums that comprise the Smithsonian Institution, where eager learners of all ages can discover everything from the origins of man and the future of flight to the history of art across multiple continents. The museums contain nearly 140 million objects, works of art and specimens altogether. And the best part: you won’t have to pay a penny to experience it as admission is free at every location.
Read on for more rainy day favorites, or browse the full lineup of stellar museums in the nation's capital.
Smithsonian IMAX at Air & Space Museum - Washington, DC
You’ll be amazed at the jumbo screens that measure more than six stories high at the National Air and Space Museum. Daily movies (many in 3D) include major Hollywood releases, as well as educational, family friendly fare. There’s also a planetarium in the same complex that allows you to immerse yourself in the stars. The Smithsonian Institution is also home to the largest IMAX screen in Northern Virginia at the Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.
The National Gallery of Art's East and West Buildings house over 140,000 works and span four city blocks, ensuring there is always something new to discover. Visit the grand rotunda, lay eyes on the only Mona Lisa in the Americas and get lost in the galleries; it's the perfect way to stretch your legs when the weather is less than ideal.
The best part? The two buildings are connected by an underground concourse, meaning you won't have to brave the outside world between visits.
In and around NoMa & Union Market, you'll find a dense concentration of rainy-day activities.
- A haven for food-lovers, there are culinary options for any budget. Located in a restored 1930s food hall, the market itself shelters a range of local food vendors offering everything from eat-while-you’re-here Korean tacos and Chesapeake oysters to take-home African spices and French wines.
- The once-industrial zone is also home to excellent shopping. Peruse a slew of thrift shops and local boutiques, including those inside Latin market La Cosecha. You can even make your own candle at District Candle Lab.
- Looking for a different kind of challenge? End your day at the F1 Arcade, located in the northern-most street of Union Market. The space gives visitors a taste of the pros with top-tier racing simulators.
Pickleball players and rollerskaters rejoice! Kraken Kourts & Skates' facility in Brookland provides plenty of space to play, no matter the conditions outside. In addition to a full bar, ping pong, giant jenga, cornhole and darts are also available for use with your reservation – all of the necessary ingredients for full day of fun with friends, family or your fiercest rival.
The state-of-the-art International Spy Museum in L'Enfant Plaza offers enough spy-related intrigue and interactive fun to fill an entire day. With numerous activities and in-depth exhibits, this attraction will help the entire family discover the fascinating world of espionage. The museum is open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday.
This entirely indoor museum is an interactive playground where kids can learn on their own terms, designed to cultivate curiosity and fun. Kids under age 12 can explore through play-based exhibits with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
Theater lovers can take in comedies, tragedies and French farces most months of the year at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s two playhouses in the Penn Quarter neighborhood. The acclaimed, venerable company (founded in 1986) has received a regional Tony Award, and it’s known for its canny, contemporary takes on the classics by the Bard and other playwrights.
Check out the rest of DC's robust theater scene.
Great Big Game Show
Georgetown’s The Escape Game is essentially an on-site game of Clue. You show up, join a small group and get “locked” into a clue-filled, set-like room. Hilarity and lots of quick thinking ensue as you and your fellow investigators try to crack spy rings and solve cold cases in an hour or less. You can also try Great Big Game Show (pictured above), which puts you on-stage to compete in mini-games that test your speed, strategy and more.
Most hotels offer spa services, but a few DC properties up the appeal with on-site jacuzzis, pools and other escapist fare. The Spa at the Four Seasons in Georgetown features massage, facial and couples’ treatments, and also includes an indoor pool, a eucalyptus steam room and a sauna. Plus, couples can book private, ultra-romantic nighttime spa appointments there. The zen-like Salamander Spa fills 10,000 square feet with jetted jacuzzis, a serene relaxation area and treatment rooms for East-meets-West services like cherry blossom massages or customized facials.
Treat yourself at any of the District's spas.
A stormy day calls for a good book. Where better to read than the Library of Congress? After you've finished admiring the stunning architecture and browsing the exhibits, visit the Main Reading Room, where it is easy to feel like you've stepped into a novel yourself. The Library is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Swingers
Steps away from the Dupont Circle fountain is an underground, adult mini golf experience curated to be uniquely high-energy and social. Compete on undulating "crazy golf" courses outfitted with lush greenery, with the added bonuses of a 1920s English golf clubhouse, a slew of cocktail bars, gourmet street food vendors from local restaurateurs and live DJs on the weekends. The space is accessible and recognized for its sustainability initiatives.
If simulators are more your style, try X-Golf Nationals Park, where players can try their hand at famous courses from around the world. The Muni in Logan Circle promises "laid-back golf vibes without the country club rules." The cutting-edge bar touts game-based putting greens and simulators for any skill level. Downtown you'll find CitySwing, which touts two innovative, state-of-the-art hitting bays where guests can curate the vibe and order from the full bar and kitchen.
Did someone say ping pong? Check out other District spots with table tennis setups. Make an evening of it with a trip to SPIN DC, which touts 13 ping pong tables, a full bar, communal seating areas and the opportunity to try your luck against professional players.
Right near the Convention Center in Mount Vernon, Flight Club offers a unique, high-energy atmosphere with a range of state-of-the-art games and automatic scoring. Between its old-school pub vibes, leather couches, full bar and food options, everyone from rookies to self-proclaimed pros will feel at home.
Families, friend groups, couples and everyone in between flock to this upscale, 32,000-square-foot bowling alley and entertainment complex not far from Georgetown’s main drag. Fourteen moodily lit, retro bowling lanes and six faux-turfed bocce courts encourage lively competition. There’s also an on-site Italian bistro with great happy hour deals.
For fun both indoors and out, check out all the things to do in Washington, DC.
