Things to Do in DC After the Museums Close
- Laura Bruckmann
- 5 days ago
- 9 min read
Most visitors to Washington DC have a busy slate of tours and tickets for the daytime. We can certainly keep you busy from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. just at the Capitol and the Smithsonian. But what happens after the museums close? What can visitors still see after hours? What do locals do when the work day ends? Unscripted has compiled a list of things to do in DC at night!
Night Tours
First, there’s no reason for your tour day to end. While many of the major historic sites close at 5 or 5:30, that’s when the local city comes alive. You can join us for a Dark Tour and see what Washington looks like in the shadows. Our Capital Scandals tour kicked off our Dark Series and covers some of the most notorious stories since Congress took over Jenkins Hill in 1800.
The Dark Dupont tour showcases a very different side of Washington DC. While politics is what DC is most famous for, there was a Gilded Age era here in DC and the mansions of the rich and powerful were gathered into the Dupont neighborhood. While few of the homes are still privately owned, many live on as embassies, clubs and high end apartment living. Our guides will share the stories of the parties, the scandals and the downfall of some of DC’s wealthiest residents.
Speaking of wealthy residents, our final Dark Tour meanders through the tiny neighborhood of Georgetown. This tour combines the politics of the Capital Hill tour with the scandals of Dupont and adds a dash of spies to the mix. The oldest part of Washington DC today, Georgetown hides its secrets behind the brick walls and shuttered windows of old money. Your guide will bring you to some of the most expensive real estate in town and tell you about what happens behind those doors. And don’t worry, we will finish with the true story of the Exorcist and its famous staircase because it wouldn’t be a Dark Tour without it.
While we love Dark Tours, the most well known way to tour DC at night is a night tour of the monuments. The National Mall is breathtaking with its dramatic lighting of the monuments against the dark sky. Unscripted does not walk the monuments, it’s just too far, so we heartily recommend the USA Guided Tour DC at Dusk tour which takes you by the major sites for the best photo ops in town.
Museum Nights
While we prefaced the article with suggesting that the museums are closed, the reality is there are a couple evening spots that you might like to take advantage of after the heat of the day. The National Portrait Gallery is the night owl of museums, open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The best part is that this museum is a two for one as it shares its historic building with the Smithsonian American Art Museum so you can enjoy both collections into the evening. To enjoy these museums with a guide, our Founders tour and our gallery tours run each day at 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. and both touch on these fantastic collections.
Another evening option is the Spy Museum which is open until 8 p.m. daily. This is a self guided experience with lots of interactives and an impressive collection of historical objects that were actually developed and used in spy craft. While there isn’t anything specifically special about evening at the museum, it certainly sets a clandestine mood and allows you to spread out your activities throughout the day.
While most other museums regularly close in the evenings, there are several that offer limited evening programming. You will need to plan ahead and grab tickets to these special events, but they are typically free and it's fun to feel like you are part of “Night at the Museum” when you attend one of these after dark events.
Live! at the Library is the Thursday evening program at the Library of Congress. Every Thursday night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. you can obtain a special ticket to enter the Jefferson Building and enjoy the exhibits after the typical closing time. There is also food and drink on offer and an opportunity to stroll on the Main Reading Room floor. While the schedule is only revealed a couple of weeks ahead, there are often special events, exhibits, lectures or concerts on these evenings as well. If you are on our afternoon tour of Capitol Hill, you are welcome to stay after the tour and see what Live! at the Library has to offer!
The National Gallery of Art offers special evening programming as well. You can check out National Gallery Nights typically held on Thursday nights in the spring. These programs are so popular that there is a lottery for tickets held virtually the week before the event. If you are just arriving in the city, a limited number of walkup tickets are made available at the East building entrance at 5:30 p.m. If you miss the Gallery’s night programs, you can try for Jazz in the Garden which is typically held in the early part of the summer and uses the same lottery system for tickets.
The Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle offers the Phillips after 5 on select Thursday evenings. These programs require a ticket purchase, but offer music, an art talk, a craft and food and drinks for purchase. If you aren’t able to get a ticket for these events, you can always try visiting during their extended hours on Third Thursday where the museum remains open until 8 p.m. There is no additional charge for Third Thursday.
For Wednesday night fun, you can try the National Museum of Women in the Arts which has evening hours on the third Wednesday of every month. Tickets are required, but come with two drink tickets. Each month there are different special events or opportunities plus you can explore the current collections.
Planet Word also leans into the Wednesday night option with their Wordplay Wednesday program. This is a pay what you can admission price where you can explore the museum and take advantage of happy hour specials. These evenings become a mix of bar trivia and happy hours which is a perfect way to end a day in DC.
There are many other evening programs available at the cultural institutions here in DC on a limited or one-off basis. Be sure to ask your guide about concerts, author talks, or other special offerings at the places you visit or perhaps what their favorite choices are throughout the city. One of the best part of using a tour guide is the local knowledge they can share.
Theatre
The DC theater scene has been developing since 1800 and has found a loyal audience in Washingtonians. Today’s theater offerings are better than ever and we would run out of space to share the full season of all of our favorite haunts in DC. We have included a few gems that our local guides love, but please feel free to explore on your own.
The Shakespeare Theatre Company is bringing amazing talent to Washington and their two venues right near our 7th St Welcome Center make them our current favorite venue. This season will of course have Shakespeare, but also musicals and other experiences that allow locals and visitors alike to experience the thrill of live theater. Check out their calendar and book your tickets as soon as possible as these special shows often sell out.
If you have booked our Lincoln Assassination tour, you know that Ford’s Theatre once again offers modern shows on its historic stage. Typically there is a historical play in the fall, the annual rendition of A Christmas Carol in the holiday season and a spring musical offering. The venue does have limited seating which can make tickets tight, but makes everyone surprisingly close to the action. Seeing a performance in this particular theater is a truly special memory from your visit to Washington.
Back after several years of renovation, Folger Shakespeare Library and the attached theater are another intimate setting for amazing performances in DC. The physical space evokes Elizabethan theater at its best, but the show selections range from traditional Shakespeare to contemporary performances. Your ticket comes with the opportunity to explore the impressive collection on display and grab a bite at the cafe which has become a local favorite. If you are finishing out the afternoon Capital Hill tour, this is the perfect place to wrap up your day.
Sports
Sometimes after a full day of exploring, you need to do something different. Washingtonians have become loyal sports fans particularly of the Capitals and the Nationals although the Mystics and Wizards certainly draw a crowd as well. With new facilities and more in the process of being upgraded, DC’s sports venues can hold their own against any city in the U.S. The most recent addition is Audi Field, the home of the DC United and Washington Spirit soccer teams. Beyond the professional teams, Washington is a college town with competitive college athletics available almost every day of the week. While you may have traveled to DC for the history and culture, the sports atmosphere will be a memorable addition to your experience.
Pub Trivia & Recreational Competition
With a highly educated workforce in Washington DC pub trivia has become an evening ritual. While everyone has their own local, our recommendations is the Queen Vic British Pub on H St. Come for the food and stay for the trivia. On Sunday nights, Unscripted’s guide, Dash, is your trivia host. If you were paying attention on your tours, perhaps your team can score a victory!
When you finish a tour from our Welcome Center in Penn Quarter, you can easily grab dinner and sample the evening’s entertainments. If you completed the Lincoln Assassination tour, you probably spotted the Escape Game located right at the top of the alley that John Wilkes Booth used for his escape. Perfect. Click here to book your escape.
Perhaps after a day of looking at museums, you just need to stretch your legs and let your aggression out. Kraken has two locations: Penn Quarter near our office has both axe throwing and rage rooms and Bryant St which in addition to the aggressive activities offers pickle ball and indoor roller skating. Whichever option you choose, this is a fun way to take a break from the tour day and enjoy your traveling group.
Finally, if you just haven’t had quite enough history in your day, we’ve saved a crossover experience that offers a little friendly competition mixed with a historic site. East Potomac Park boasts the oldest continuously operating mini golf course in the nation; it is even on the National Register of Historic Places! The course is newly refurbished and open until 9pm every evening. It is the perfect way to cap off the day in the nation’s capital.
Restaurants
Washington DC has become a power player in the foodie scene. Everything from late night bites to Michelin stars is available with the District. So much so that we have developed a whole other post about the best places to eat during your stay. Check out our post Best Restaurants in DC to see our suggestions by the type of dining and neighborhood.
Book things to do in DC with Unscripted Tours
Whether you want to extend your tour day or live the nightlife like a local, there are plenty of options to keep you busy after dark here in DC. While this guide is an excellent start, there is no resource like your tour guide for helping you choose the best option for your party. When you take a tour with Unscripted, our small groups allow our guides to get to know the guests and make the tailored recommendations that make your trip special.
Comments