Located in historic Georgetown, DC's first neighborhood, the Old Stone House is the oldest structure on its original foundation in the city.

The story of the land goes all the way back to the creation of Georgetown itself in 1751, when it was marked as “Lot #3” on early maps. Construction on the house was completed in 1766 and today, the gorgeous exterior grounds are open from sunrise to sunset, while the front room of the house is a store and the kitchen serves as an exhibit space.

Founded in 1981 and opened in 1987, NMWA is the only major museum in the world solely dedicated to celebrating the diverse achievements of women artists.

Your journey will feature still-life paintings from the 1600s and cutting-edge photography from the 2000s. You’ll be able to observe the stunning detail of a portrait by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, the intimacy of a print made by Mary Cassatt, the abstract beauty of a sculpture by Judy Chicago and Frida Kahlo's Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky, with the social, cultural and political revolutions that women forged to make their voices heard serving as vital context throughout.

An immersive look into American stories and how the American Dream has been defined across time through holograms, OLED images and interactive technology.

The ideal at the heart of the American Dream speaks to the aspirations of people everywhere: No matter who you are or where you come from, you should have an equal opportunity to succeed. The Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream focuses on four pillars: Health and Medical Research, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Education and the Educator and Access to Capital and Financial Empowerment.

Learn about the White House's history, residents and the people who have served there through interactive exhibits, full-scale room replicas and multimedia displays.

Spanning 32,000 square feet in the Mills Building at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, this interactive exhibit allows visitors to experience the life and history of the executive mansion like never before. Highlights include a detailed replica of the Oval Office, a view of the Rose Garden and hands-on simulations where visitors can make decisions in the Situation Room and plan a state dinner.

Step into America’s past with historic decorative arts and period rooms.

As part of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the DAR Museum focuses on the material culture of American homes, including furniture, ceramics, quilts, toys, tools and much more. Learn about the diverse experiences of Americans from many walks of life through our 31 period rooms. Each room is decorated to evoke a particular time and place in American history. Although the focus is on the early years of the United States, the rooms range in date from 1690 to 1930.

Arena Stage is an incubator for American artists and plays, having nurtured 22 productions that have made it to Broadway. Across its three theaters, Arena Stage produces original works and updates of classic plays, all with an eye toward exploring what it means to be an American.

If you’re curious about the history of espionage, then check out the high-tech, interactive exhibits at the International Spy Museum in L’Enfant Plaza. It’s a modern, gadget-filled museum where you can see real-life spy planes, satellites and code-breaking devices – plus test your own spy skills. Fun fact: the nation’s first documented spy is memorialized in a recruiting letter from George Washington. 

Step inside the iconic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Home to the DC History Center, the space chronicles the story of Washington through maps, photographs and unique exhibits. Free to visit, the DC History Center plays a vital role in ensuring Washington, DC’s story is told not just as the nation’s capital, but as a living, breathing community with deep cultural roots and evolving local narratives.

One of the nation's most historic theaters and the site of the 1865 Lincoln assassination, you can see historically themed and engaging productions throughout the year. A popular annual showcase is the theater’s staging of Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol, with local and acclaimed actor Craig Wallace as the lead (opening Nov. 20).

Feel the beat and immerse yourself in the history of DC's signature sound.

Founded in the 1970s and kept alive through generations, go-go remains the heartbeat of DC. Here, visitors can experience the unique genre firsthand. With free admission, live performances, interactive exhibits and historic artifacts, the Anacostia museum is a must-visit for music lovers and history buffs alike.

Washington, DC’s Union Station welcomes approximately 40 million visitors each year, blending hustle and bustle with grandeur. Recognized by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful train stations in the U.S., Union Station's awe-inspiring architecture, array of retail options and century of history (dating back to 1907) make it a destination in its own right. 

Try DC's signature half-smoke at the civil rights landmark and community icon. Note: Ben's Chili Bowl location on U Street is currently closed for renovations. You can still enjoy Ben's favorites at the restaurant's pop-up at 1208 U Street NW.

Continuously serving the community since opening in 1958, locals, presidents and celebrities have chowed down on the signature dish: the traditional DC half-smoke smothered in chili.

The world’s first voice-activated museum showcases the immense power of language through interactive exhibits.

Planet Word aims to bring language to life through engaging, interactive exhibits and immersive displays that dazzle visitors of all ages. Inside, you will discover the true power of words and how they bring joy, foster empathy and connect people from all over the world.

This historic landmark has been a fixture in DC since 1816, serving as a home to descendants of Martha Washington for six generations.

Inside the elegant house, discover furnishings, household items and fascinating Washington-related artifacts. The five-plus acres worth of gardens on the estate make for a wondrous and scenic outdoor experience.

Honor the Americans who served during the war and look out for two “Kilroy was here” inscriptions, a lighthearted symbol left by U.S. soldiers across the globe.

Symbols of America’s triumph in the Second World War are artfully displayed all over the World War II Memorial, which has a splendid fountain at its center. 56 granite columns symbolize unity among the 48 states, seven federal territories and the District of Columbia. The columns form a semi-circle around the memorial’s plaza, with two 43-foot tall arches on opposite sides. The northern arch represents victory in the Atlantic, while the southern arch symbolizes victory in the Pacific.

See the lesser-known memorial of the two for the President, as wished for by FDR himself: he wanted his memorial to be "a block about the size of [this desk]...in the center of that green plot in front of the Archives Building."

Obliging this request, Congress placed the stone and a plaque in honor of FDR in that exact location. However, years later, Congress decided that this was not enough of a tribute and added the much larger Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial along the Tidal Basin.

The 250-acre campus features a historic site and museum in commemoration of the locale, where Lincoln drafted the Emancipation Proclamation.

Located near the Petworth neighborhood, Lincoln took his family to this site only three miles north of the White House to escape the downtown marshland during the summers of 1861-1863. It was at the place where he wrote the principal portions of the Emancipation Proclamation, which transformed the war into a cause and fight to set other men free. Today, this land is also home to the Old Soldier’s Retirement Home.

Honor the civil rights icon at the four-acre site that features a 30-foot statue of Dr. King and words from his famous “I Have A Dream” speech.

The centerpiece of the memorial is a 30-foot statue of Dr. King, featuring his likeness carved into the Stone of Hope, which emerges powerfully from two large boulders, known as the Mountain of Despair. The official address is 1964 Independence Avenue SW, in honor of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark legislation in which King played an important role.

The epicenter of the fight for women's rights and one of DC's oldest residential properties serves as the headquarters for the National Woman's Party.

Built in 1800, the brick federal-period house is among the oldest residential properties in Washington, DC. The house also functioned as a hotel and second home for some party members until the 1990s. The house is named after the party’s founder, Alice Paul, as well as Alva Belmont, the largest benefactor of the party at the time the headquarters was constructed.

DC's iconic 555-foot obelisk honors the first president.

Built to honor George Washington, the Continental Army's commander-in-chief and the first United States president, the Washington Monument was once the tallest building in the world and still holds the title of the world’s tallest stone structure and obelisk.

The historic theater saw the likes of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong in its 20th-century heyday.

Before Harlem’s Apollo there was the Howard Theatre, situated just off what was once known as "Black Broadway." Nowadays, you’ll find a full spectrum of artists across a variety of genres. Don't miss the statue of DC-born Duke Ellington outside the theater.

Discover secret doors, historic artefacts, quirky antiques and pop culture memorabilia in the Dupont Circle mansion where Rosa Parks once stayed.

Dig deeper with the museum's 51 Steps to Freedom® interactive app, transforming Washington, DC into the largest outdoor museum in the world — a living trail of stories that reveal why this city is the epicenter of American history and culture.

The Potomac River-side home of the first U.S. president welcomes visitors with tours, historic reenactors and a working farm.

Tour the first president’s riverside estate, walk through his mansion and gardens and see rare artifacts (the key to the Bastille!) that bring his legacy to life. If that’s not enough, the beautiful views of the Potomac are also stunning.