Adventures in DC

Exploring Washington, DC & Making Every Day an Adventure

Itineraries

Federal Government Shutdown-Proof Adventures

DC Adventures that remain open during the December 2018 federal government shutdown

US Capitol Building from West Lawn

Adventurers take heart, the federal government shutdown doesn’t have to put a cramp on your exploration! There are many great museums and sights around DC that are not funded or operated by the federal government. The following adventures remain open regardless of what happens on Capitol Hill.

10,000 Buddhas Mural

Three story tall mural of Buddhas that is part of a larger art project to paint 10,000 Buddhas around the world

10,000 Buddhas Mural with the sky in the background

 

American Red Cross National Headquarters

A collection of historic Red Cross artifacts inside an office building

American Red Cross Headquarters - Stained glass window

 

Anderson House

Beaux-Arts style mansion of a former American diplomat and his wife; now the national headquarters for the Society of the Cincinnati

Anderson House - English Drawing Room

 

Art Museum of the Americas

Art museum run by the Organization of American States that exhibits modern and contemporary art from Latin America and the Caribbean

Art Museum of the Americas - mosaic tile

 

Barbie Pond on Avenue Q

A collection of Barbie dolls posed in a pond outside a private residence

Barbie Pond Valentine's Day Display

 

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the national Catholic church of the United States

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception - Redemption and Incarnation domes inside the cathedral

 

Brookside Gardens

Public display gardens and conservatories

Water feature in the Rose Garden at Brookside Gardens

 

Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office

The Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office was the headquarters for the search for missing soldiers after the Civil War

Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office - Metal Sign

 

DC Brau

DC Brau was the first brewery to operate in DC since the 1950s

DC Brau - Brewery sign

 

Decatur House

Decatur House was the first home built in the White House neighborhood and is one of the oldest surviving houses in DC

Decatur House - View of the slave quarters

 

Don Ciccio & Figli

Don Ciccio & Figli is a small batch distillery that produces Italian-style liqueurs

Don Ciccio & Figli - Entrance sign

Dupont Underground

Former trolley station converted into an art space

Dupont Underground - spray-painted man

 

Einstein Memorial

Memorial and statue of theoretical physicist and Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein

Einstein Memorial - Side view of the memorial

 

Folger Shakespeare Library

Research library with the world’s largest collection of works by Shakespeare

Folger Shakespeare Library - Reading Room

 

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America

Catholic monastery with gardens and catacombs

Franciscan Monastery - exterior of church

 

Freedom House Museum

The Freedom House Museum examines the slave trade and the lives of enslaved people in the Washington, DC area

Freedom House Museum - Franklin and Armfield display

 

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

The Gadsby’s Tavern Museum provides a glimpse at a historic establishment frequented by George Washington and other founders of the United States

Gadsby's Tavern - Tavern sign

 

Harper Macaw Chocolate Factory

The Harper Macaw Chocolate Factory offers tours and tastings in Northeast DC

Harper Macaw Chocolate Factory - Chocolate bars

 

National Building Museum

Museum showcasing architecture, engineering, design, and construction. They are offering free admission to federal employees with your government ID.

National Building Museum - Corinthian columns

 

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Art museum dedicated to showcasing women artists

National Museum of Women in the Arts - Jackie (India) by Andrea Higgins

 

New Columbia Distillers

The first distillery to legally open in DC after Prohibition and best known for Green Hat Gin

New Columbia Distillers - Green Hat Gin bottles

 

Octagon House

Designed by the first architect of the United States Capitol and temporary residence of President James Madison after the burning of the White House by the British

Octagon House servants' staircase

 

One Eight Distilling

One Eight Distilling makes locally sourced, grain-to-glass spirits in Northeast, DC

One Eight Distilling - Distillery Entrance

 

Republic Restoratives

Republic Restoratives is a distillery in the Ivy City neighborhood that is owned and operated entirely by women

Republic Restoratives - Tasting glass on top of barrel

 

Rock Creek Cemetery

Rock Creek Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Washington, DC and is known for its many unique sculptures and monuments

Rock Creek Cemetery - Interesting gravestones

 

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum is a historic apothecary shop offering a glimpse at medicine in the 19th century

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum - unicorn root

 

Surratt Boarding House

Former boarding house where John Wilkes Booth met with co-conspirators to plan the assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Surratt Boarding House - side view

 

Titanic Memorial

Statue honoring the men who died in the sinking of the Titanic

Titanic Memorial - silhouette of memorial with sun in the background

 

Like this list? Subscribe to the newsletter to get updates with the latest adventures on the blog, ideas for things to do in DC, and tips for exploring the District.

Comment on This Adventure