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30 Things To Do in Washington DC, At Night! ⭐️

30 items

The Lifestyle Travelers

As someone who went to school in DC for two years, my free time was usually during the evenings. I had to learn the hard way what to do at night so you don't have to! Here are thirty ideas on ways to spend your evenings in the DMV.

Sections

Visit Monuments & Memorials 🏛️

Hit The Town for Some Nightlife! 🍸

Attend a Sporting Event ⚾️

Attend a Museum After Dark 🌚

Take a Night Tour 🌙

Enjoy Lively Entertainment 🤩

Visit Monuments & Memorials 🏛️

Unpopular opinion: the National Mall monuments are better at night! You'll beat the crowds, see beautiful lights, and enjoy cooler temps.

Not many people have ventured to the Lincoln Memorial at night, but it's one of mine and Dylan's best memories!

See The Lights at the Lincoln Memorial

The tidal basin can be crowded during the day, but at sunset it is absolutely breathtaking!

Walk Around the Tidal Basin

Hit The Town for Some Nightlife! 🍸

DC is one city, though the different neighborhoods in DC make it feel like multiple states combined! Head to one of these places in the city for great nightlife:

Georgetown is truly remarkable after dark with all the lights on the Potomac. Perfect for gabbing a drink or appetizer!

Georgetown Waterfront Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Adams Morgan is a great place for some nightlife! This neighborhood has great restaurants, bars, and shops.

Adams Morgan

If you're looking for fantastic Chinese food in the DMV, head to Chinatown for some delicious Pho!

Chinatown

DuPont Circle is great for nightlife and has yummy restaurants and Embassy Row!

Dupont Circle

U-Street is a super fun place to go during the evening hours. There are plenty of DJ lounges, rooftop bars, and vibrant murals.

U Street

Dylan used to work on H-Street, a fun and lively place to spend your evening. There are a ton of great restaurants and festivals happening year round.

H Street

Attend a Sporting Event ⚾️

Usually, sporting events happen in the early evenings and are a great way to enjoy your night. Find baseball, basketball or hockey games during their on-seasons.

Sporting events are great ways to spend your evening hours in DC!

Nationals Park

Capital One Arena shows nightly hockey and basketball games!

Capital One Arena

Attend a Museum After Dark 🌚

The Phillips Collection and International Spy Museum have later hours than most museums and are a great place to explore after work or a day in DC.

The Phillips Collection hosts events after 5PM called Phillips After 5! Check their website to see what they're showing in the near future.

Phillips After 5

The International Spy Museum is open daily until 7pm or 8pm, depending on the day!

International Spy Museum

Take a Night Tour 🌙

DC night tours are truly underrated. They're such a fantastic way to experience DC and learn about history you otherwise would never learn!

My mom and I did this ghost tour around the capital and surrounding area and were so impressed with the tour and stories they told!

DC Ghosts: Haunts, Spirits, and Poltergeists Walking Tour

Dylan and his mom took this Ghost Tour in Georgetown and visited the Exorcist steps and more!

Ghosts of Georgetown Night-Time Walking Tour

This dinner cruise is a luxurious and exciting way to experience DC on the Potomac river.

Washington DC Signature Dinner Cruise

Enjoy Lively Entertainment 🤩

There are so many venues in DC worth checking out for live shows and entertainment! If you like theatre, magic, or comedy shows, you're in the right place.

The Kennedy Center is always hosting nightly shows, theatre, and events worth checking out!

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

You can pay for The Ford After 5 private tour after the theatre closes for an exclusive peak inside!

Ford's Theatre

If you're looking for a mix between a comedy show and a magic show, the Magic Duo is a show you can't miss!

The Magic Duel

DC Improv is one of the top-rated comedy show locations in the DMV area!

DC Improv Comedy Club

Capital laughs is another great DMV comedy club!

Capital Laughs

Last but certainly not least, we have Underground Comedy for a comedy club.

Underground Comedy

Fun Nighttime Activities 🎡

Movies in the park, escape rooms, and Ferris wheel rides are only a few fun nighttime activities you can enjoy in the capital!

The Capital Wheel was one of my and Dylan's favorite date nights in the DMV! We rode the Ferris wheel and looked around the surrounding restaurants and shops.

The Capital Wheel

An immersive museum that feels like stepping into a different planet with each room!

ARTECHOUSE DC Immersive Art Experience

Every friday in the summer, the Marine Barracks host a sunset parade! Tickets are required, but reservations are!

Marine Barracks Washington Sunset Parade

An escape room is always a nice switch-up to an evening! Solve a puzzle with family or friends after work.

Escape The Room™ Washington DC

Escape Artist DC is another escape room, though you can also have them set up puzzles at your venue of choice!

Escape Artist DC

Dylan and I loved going to outdoor movies in the park in the summertime! They play them at the Wharf, Adams Morgan, Georgetown and Union Market.

Outdoor and Drive-In Movie in DC

Listen To Live Music 🎼

The DMV has a ton of great music venues and no matter the genre you're looking for, you'll be able toe to find a show near you!

If you're looking for some fantastic jazz music, head to Blues Alley in Georgetown!

Blues Alley Club

The 9:30 Club is such a fun venue for seeing shows! It's one of my favorite DMV venues.

9:30 Club

Echostage is another great music venue for well-known artists and electronic music!

Echostage