THE 10 BEST Indoor Things to Do in Washington DC on a Rainy Day

230 places sorted by traveller favourites

1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

12,205

Natural History Museums

National Mall

•

Temporarily closed

by 974changg

Spectacular, comprehensive, and informative displays - among our favorites are the Ocean Hall and the Gems, Minerals...

2. National Museum of African American History and Culture

3,478

History Museums

Temporarily closed

by IdaIllinois

... for a varied menu offering; -Shop at the wonderful gift shop for unique items; -Do observe the fantastic architec...

3. U.S. Capitol

6,955

Government Buildings

by InspireMI

This is a great free tour to see the rich history of american politics, tons of artwork and references to the greates...

4. National Gallery of Art

9,190

Art Museums

Upper Northwest

by 922kayp

The National Gallery of Art is a wonderful collection with art from medieval times through to modern art in the East...

5. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

11,152

History Museums

Upper Northwest

by stuarts813

The US Holocaust Memorial Museum is a must visit attraction when in DC.It is a powerful remembrance of the atrocities...

6. Library of Congress

9,005

Libraries • Government Buildings

Upper Northwest

by Catherinejulia

Beautiful building, amazing collection and the free and regular tours are so informative.

7. National Air and Space Museum

23,304

Speciality Museums

Upper Northwest

•

Temporarily closed

by Satyabrata

This museum is free and offers an amazing insight into space, flying, moon, astronomy, stars and galaxies.

8. National Portrait Gallery

3,500

Art Museums • History Museums

Downtown / Chinatown

by GRW720

... figures, through the nineteenth century (do see the Civil War period portraits, including a wonderful portrait of...

9. Museum of the Bible

1,041

Speciality Museums

by 278karrieh

My favorite exhibit was The Old Testament which is a very creative visual walk through of the Biblical stories on flo...

10. Ford's Theatre

4,278

Historic Sites • Theatres

Downtown / Chinatown

•

Temporarily closed

by 788pamh

Many thanks to the folks of Ford Theatre for doing a great job of this! Tickets are family affordable and all is pres...

11. The National Archives Museum

3,488

Speciality Museums

Federal Triangle

12. Washington National Cathedral

3,069

Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

Upper Northwest

by SMGleb

We visited the cathedral in late afternoon and attended a fantastic concert with the cathedral choir and orchestra.

13. Capitol Hill

3,435

Neighbourhoods • Historic Walking Areas

Capitol Hill

by blakelockb

An excellent free tour of the Capitol Building with a very informative guide who was very knowledgeable - gave us ple...

14. United States Botanic Garden

2,777

Gardens

Upper Northwest

by BfromMD

Visited 12/19 so very busy but enjoyed seasonal displays as well as the orchid room, dessert room with amazing cactus.

15. Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

1,251

Historic Sites • Gardens

Upper Northwest

by Lovetotravel1954

... to visit - azaleas round the lawn, fabulous Japanese garden, lovely rose garden, woodland walk, and cutting garden.

16. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

1,890

Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

by Disneybus

... sides of the Great Upper Church and the Crypt Church; there was a pilgrimage that day which restricted our journey.

17. Smithsonian American Art Museum

1,543

Art Museums • History Museums

Downtown / Chinatown

by Capfamily

combined with the national portrait gallery, this was my favorite museum to visit.

18. National Museum of American History

4,954

History Museums

Upper Northwest

by jennetth

My favorite parts were the exhibits on Americans in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, WWII and other wars.

19. International Spy Museum

5,382

Speciality Museums

Downtown / Chinatown

by Stephysue76

We also enjoyed the Exquisitely Evil exhibit (James Bond Villains) Lots of stuff in the gift shop.

20. Renwick Gallery

1,118

Art Museums

Upper Northwest

by clairemC5031KQ

Located across the street from the White House, this wonderful museum is a National Historic Landmark and part of the...

21. Supreme Court

1,479

Government Buildings

Upper Northwest

by asnow815

A docent spoke in the courtroom about the history of the building and what it’s like when Cory is in session.

22. U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

1,011

Visitor Centres

Upper Northwest

by jeaniel2

Our tour guide from the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Megan Soe, gave a great tour and incorporated humor, also.

23. Union Station

2,282

Architectural Buildings • Public Transportation Systems

by BossRino

Also a spot to jump on a sightseeing bus (double-deckers for warm weather) for a tour around Capitol Hill

24. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

1,738

Theatres

Upper Northwest

by lkeavney

They have free concerts on the Millenium Stage and we saw the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington which was incredible!!

25. National Geographic Museum

859

Natural History Museums

Upper Northwest

by lpMaggi713

... the fascinating history of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in an immersive 3-D experience unlike anything you’ve...

26. Smithsonian Institution Building

3,538

Castles • Government Buildings

Upper Northwest

by TeamWard

... outside but also inside to see some of the ground floor items especially the gift shop, good pit-stop from the heat.

27. National Postal Museum

1,115

Speciality Museums

Upper Northwest

by Y3630MNkellyf

It's a bit off the beaten path of DC museums, but right across the street from the Union Station metro.

28. The Phillips Collection

1,390

Art Museums

Upper Northwest

by DrWindsor

From Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party to O'Keefe, Rothko and the Migration series, this is another very special...

29. Union Market

384

Flea & Street Markets

by rgstrip

... so many choices, and my best suggestion is to go with a friend and share multiple dishes from multiple food stands.

30. The Pentagon

1,215

Government Buildings

by 183DavidK

... fascinating and great to get into such an iconic building The trip was free and we booked it months in advance.

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Showing results 1-30 of 230

What to Do in Washington DC When it Rains

Best Activities for a Rainy Day in Washington DC

1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

2. National Museum of African American History and Culture

3. U.S. Capitol

4. National Gallery of Art

5. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

6. Library of Congress

7. National Air and Space Museum

8. National Portrait Gallery

9. Museum of the Bible

10. Ford's Theatre

11. The National Archives Museum

12. Washington National Cathedral

13. Capitol Hill

14. United States Botanic Garden

15. Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

16. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

17. Smithsonian American Art Museum

18. National Museum of American History

19. International Spy Museum

20. Renwick Gallery

21. Supreme Court

22. U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

23. Union Station

24. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

25. National Geographic Museum

26. Smithsonian Institution Building

27. National Postal Museum

28. The Phillips Collection

29. Union Market

30. The Pentagon