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If you love arts and culture, be sure to spend a few days exploring Washington, D.C.'s many museums, galleries and theaters.
Day 1
Daytime
The National Gallery of Art is your first stop, home to an impressive collection of European and American paintings, including the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in North America. Enjoy a light bite in the Gallery’s café or picnic in the Gallery's outdoor sculpture garden amidst vibrant art works and an ice-skating rink (open November-April).
Modern works await visitors to the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, also located on the National Mall. For traditional artwork, visit the National Museum of the American Indian. The museum’s Chesapeake Museum Store features one-of-a-kind works by Native artisans. Admire treasures from around the world at the National Museum of African Art and the Freer & Sackler Galleries.
Leave the National Mall and take the Metro or the DC Circulator bus to Penn Quarter to visit the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art & Portraiture, home to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. Unlike the other museums in the Smithsonian system, these stay open until 7 pm to match the late-night vibe of the neighborhood.
Evening
Stop for tapas or a pre-theatre meal downtown then take in a performance at the world-renowned Shakespeare Theatre, where Artistic Director Michael Kahn brings celebrated classics to the Washington, DC stage. For something more avant-garde, catch a performance at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre or Studio Theatre.
Day 2
Daytime
Begin your day early at The Phillips Collection, the first modern art museum in the United States, featuring works by Cezanne, Renoir, Picasso and others. The museum just opened a new addition allowing for more display space and new public programs.
Browse Dupont Circle’s countless galleries or explore other house museums, including the Woodrow Wilson House Museum. Admire the glorious houses and embassies that line Massachusetts Avenue.
Stop in a few of the neighborhood bookshops and boutiques, then travel north on Connecticut Avenue to Hillwood Museum and Gardens, the former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, renowned for its collection of decorative and fine arts and its lavish gardens (reservations required).
Later, stop by Tudor Place, a Georgetown mansion that was once the home of Martha Custis Peter, granddaughter of Martha Washington. View the magnificent gardens of nearby Dumbarton Oaks.
Evening
Pause for dinner in one of Georgetown’s inviting restaurants then take in a world-class performance at the Kennedy Center, home to the Washington National Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra. Or, soak in Georgetown’s inviting scenery and take advantage of unique shopping opportunities with a walk along M Street or Wisconsin Avenue.
Day 3
Daytime
Begin your day with a visit to the National Museum of Women in the Arts, a little-known Washington, DC museum that features the works of more than 400 women artists from 28 countries. A few blocks away, the National Building Museum boasts one of the city’s most magnificent interiors, along with a fascinating selection of exhibitions.
In the afternoon, head to the Corcoran Gallery of Art and stop for lunch in its museum café, then explore DC’s oldest art gallery, featuring fine European masterworks and changing exhibitions from contemporary artists. Near the Corcoran, take time to discover the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the DAR Museum.
Evening
Spend an evening at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, a delightful open-air performance venue located in Northern Virginia. In winter, Wolf Trap holds intimate concerts in its Barns. Or, take advantage of extended hours at the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museums. Shop the nearby galleries and have dinner in one of downtown’s trendiest eateries.
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