If you’re new to the blog: you might know that I lived in the Washington D.C. area for twelve years on-and-off throughout my life – spending all of high school and college there.

The White House in Washington D.C.; June 2010

The Cherry Blossoms outside my street in April 2019. — The Cherry Blossoms outside my street in Potomac, Maryland; April 2019

I also spent three weeks here in the summer of 2010 and sight saw every last historical museum and place that there is to see.

Many of my friends and family like to take advantage of the fact that we live in the capital of the country and visit those museums.

The thing is…

… I get so bored, so easily, when I’m in museums.

nationa mall sunny day with capitol building in the far back and us flags — The National Mall; November 2024

Is It Worth Visiting D.C. If You Don’t Like Museums?

Yes, D.C. is definitely still worth visiting – even if you don’t like museums. I myself lived there for over ten years and have a low tolerance for museums, but still have lots of great memories from my time there.

It’s true that Washington D.C. is famous for its Smithsonian museums, but I don’t think those are the best parts of D.C. – as some of my favorite experiences involve walking Georgetown, exploring The Wharf, visiting the National Zoo, and seeing the monuments illuminated at night.

Local Tip: Just remember, if you're planning on visiting D.C. in July or August – be sure to plan your outdoor activities for early morning or after sunset. D.C. humidity is no joke, and even us locals dread this time of year where being outside is like a perpetual sauna.

🏛️ What to Do in D.C. If You Hate Museums

If You Like...	Do This
🌳 Nature	Tidal Basin
🍔 Food	Georgetown Waterfront
🎵 Music	The Wharf
🦁 Animals	National Zoo
🌇 Views	Scootering the National Mall
🌙 Nightlife	U Streett

old brick building smithsonian museum dc — The Smithsonian in Washington D.C.; June 2010

It’s only in the past couple of years that D.C. has started to make a name for itself outside of the museum realm.

As someone who has spent over a decade living in the D.C. area, here’s a list of fun things to do in the city that I recommend you do when you need a break from strolling the Smithsonian:

10 Things to Do in D.C. That Aren’t Museums

1. Visit The Tidal Basin

This is the thing that I tell everyone I meet abroad that they must come see in Washington D.C.

jefferson memorial cloudy sky cherry blossoms and paddle boats — The Tidal Basin in Washington D.C., April 2018

Not only is spring one of the best times of the year to visit the city weather wise (I warn you here & now to never visit D.C. in the middle of summer unless you like your clothes to be soaked in puddles of humidity-induced sweat), but I think it’s the prettiest time of year here in the DMV.

I’ve haven’t been to Japan, but our cherry blossoms come pretty damn close.

creek and cherry blossoms — The cherry blossoms in Chevy Chase in Maryland; April 2019

2. Have a Fun Night Out at the Georgetown Waterfront

If you’re looking for a fun girl’s night out, this has been the place lately that locals are hitting up.

teen girls smiling at waterfront — My friends and I at the Waterfront in Washington D.C.; July 2017

waterfront with colorful lights at night — The Waterfront in D.C.; July 2017

Not only are there tons of restaurants to eat at, but the waterfront lights up at night and is quite the aesthetic reflection to capture a picture of…

sunset on waterfront with modern buildings — The Waterfront in D.C. as the sun sets; July 2017

3. Discover U & V street

I’m a huge music lover and concert goer, and many of the artists I like aren’t big household names – meaning they’re never playing Capital One Arena, but the general admission venues are down these streets.

colorful buildings close together — Near U Street in Washington D.C. headed to the 9:30 club; March 2019

The areas near Lincoln Theater and the 9:30 Club are now up & coming.

4. Check Out Cool Plants at The Botanical Gardens

I had to come here one time for a summer biology class, but left surprisingly impressed.

outside botanical gardens dc — Outside the United States Botanical Gardens; June 2018

Unlike many botanical gardens that I’ve been to abroad, this one is completely indoors.

interesting leaves and small pond inside botanical gardens — Inside the Botanical Gardens; June 2018

It’s a nice break from learning about presidents and politics at the Smithsonian.

5. Spot Animals at the National Zoo

I’ve only been once, but I do remember being it a fantastic zoo… while I haven’t been in years, my friends from high school went every once in a while – meaning it must at least still be somewhat amusing into your teenage hood.

cheetah at national zoo — Spotting a cheetah at the National Zoo in D.C.; June 2010

If you have kids, this is a great break from the cliché tourist attractions in D.C.

6. Marvel in The Memorials at Night

D.C. is very beautiful at night. The memorials on the water light up, and the sleek, sophisticated vibe you get of the city during the day suddenly becomes a little less polished and a little bit more sparkly.

It is just the memorials; a lot of buildings in D.C. look prettier in the dark – such as the United States Capitol Building.

United States Capitol Building at night; November 2024

7. Scooter Across the National Mall

In the midst of all of D.C.’s monuments and museums, people forget that the city has its own kind of button-up charm – but it often goes unnoticed if you’re too busy being bogged down by a tourist list of museums to see.

My much more fun and alternative suggestion is to rent scooters across the National Mall. This will let you see the capital building and Lincoln Memorial in a fun, care-free way – and it’s something that locals do too!

My brother who lives in Northeast D.C. even rides them to work sometimes, as it helps take the monotony out of D.C.’s daily life.

8. Explore Local life along The Wharf

Honestly probably one of my favorite places in D.C. (which many locals would agree) is the Wharf.

Hugging the water and lined with over 80 shops and restaurants, this is one of the most alive places in the city to go – and serves as a complete escape from the political side of D.C.

Plus, one of my favorite concert venues in D.C. is here – be sure to try and check out a show at The Anthem if you can!

the 1975 playing at the anthem in dc may 2019 — Outside the Anthem in Washington D.C. near the Wharf; May 2019

9. Go Shopping in Georgetown

As a kid, my mom and I would go on mother daughter days to Georgetown all of the time. Not only is the beautiful University nearby, but it’s probably the cutest place in all of Washington D.C.

There’s endless boutique style shopping, and plus – it’s home to the amazing Georgetown cupcakes. Trust me, the long line for these cupcakes and the hefty price tag are worth it – and there are always vegan and gluten-free flavors available!

cute buildings on a main street during holiday season — Georgetown in Washington D.C.; November 2024

10. Catch a show at the Kennedy Center

If you’re a fan of Broadway in New York City or shows on West End in London, you’ll probably want to try and catch a show at the Kennedy Center. Not only is the venue itself beautiful, but it’s a chance to see people in Washington D.C. off the clock and get a glimpse of local life outside of the politics and never-ending work weeks.

🏛️🌸🇺🇸 Washington D.C. FAQs 🇺🇸🌸🏛️

🤔 Is Washington D.C. Worth Visiting If You Don't Like Museums?

Yes, you should still visit D.C. even if you don't like museums! It's true that D.C. is famous for its Smithsonian museums, but some of the city's best experiences involve exploring neighborhoods like Georgetown and U Street, scootering along the National Mall, and enjoying the city's waterfront areas.

🗓️ How Many Days Do You Need in Washington D.C. If You're Skipping Museums?

When you strip away all of the museums, you can easily see and get the vibe of Washington D.C. within a couple of days, but I recommend at least 3 days. This gives you enough time to explore D.C.'s neighborhoods, monuments, food scene, parks, and waterfront areas without feeling rushed.

🛴 Is Scootering Around Washington D.C. Worth It?

Yes! One of my favorite ways as a local to explore D.C. is by scooter. The National Mall is much larger than most visitors expect, and scootering lets you easily visit multiple monuments and memorials in a single afternoon.

🌸 What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Washington D.C.?

There's no questioning that spring is the best time to visit D.C. — and any other local will tell you the same thing. The cherry blossoms are blooming, the weather is beautiful, and you'll be able to see stunning scenery around the Tidal Basin. That being said, fall is also beautiful, with comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds than summer. Overall, shoulder seasons are really the best time to visit D.C.

🚶 Is Washington D.C. Walkable?

For the most part, D.C. is pretty walkable, as many of the city's major attractions are connected by wide sidewalks, parks, and pedestrian-friendly streets. The city also has a great, clean, user-friendly metro system if you can't walk everywhere. However, just keep in mind that some places are farther out or not as easily accessible on foot or public transportation — like Georgetown.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Is Washington D.C. Good for Families?

Yes, Washington D.C. is extremely good for families. I traveled there for 6 weeks one summer when I was 12, my brother was 10, and the other was only 8. There are lots of family-friendly things to do like the Air and Space Museum, National Wax Museum, National Zoo, paddle boats on the Tidal Basin, and lots of big open green spaces for flying kites or having a picnic.

🌙 What Should I Do in Washington D.C. at Night?

If you only have one full night in D.C., there's no questioning it — you should spend your time seeing the monuments illuminated after dark, as it's one of the most memorable experiences in the city. D.C. becomes an entirely different place after the workday, and beautiful in a different way. The Wharf, Georgetown Waterfront, and U Street are also great places to spend an evening if you're looking for something more lively with friends or a younger crowd.

I hope this gave you some ideas on what to do in Washington D.C. when you’re sick and tired of museums.

If you’re looking for other things to do in the U.S., click here.

Additional articles you might find useful include:

About the Author

Hi, I'm Stephanie Safdie, a travel writer and content creator based in Paris. Since living here, I've spent years exploring the city and regularly update my Paris travel guides with firsthand experience while also exploring destinations across Europe and beyond as a solo female traveler. I've been solo traveling for the past decade, having visited more than 70 cities and nearly 30 countries before turning 30.

Before moving abroad, I grew up moving all around the United States, having lived in New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Tampa – which sparked my desire to discover and experience new places and cultures from a young age.

As a true writer at heart passionate about being open-minded, adventurous, and diaristic – it's my goal to share honest, practical travel advice, local insights, detailed itineraries, and real-life experiences that go beyond typical tourist recommendations. With over 200 guides published on Destination Dreamer Diaries, I’m here help you plan the most memorable trip of a lifetime with confidence.

When I'm not traveling or working professionally in content creation, you'll find me doing just about anything creative: writing, practicing my photography skills (the large majority of photos featured on this blog were taken during my own travels), playing my music at open mic nights, editing videos for my YouTube channel, cooking, or creating travel content.

Last updated: June 4, 2026