The colder months are coming...but that doesn't mean the fun is over. Explore our guide on Washington DC's top indoor attractions and activities. From museums to entertainment venues, make the most of your visit rain or shine.
1. Axe Throwing
Axe throwing is the latest and greatest in the category of unique and adventurous activities in Washington D.C. Curious about the lumberjack inspired challenge? Bad Axe Throwing offers safety first, guided axe throwing experiences. You can book in advance or walk-in when the mood strikes.
Address: 2419 Evarts St NE Unit C, Washington, DC 20018
Website: Bad Axe Throwing DC
2. Sketching at National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art offers Drawing Salons throughout the winter months. It is a small group setting with an instructor. No experience or is necessary. Perhaps you have a hidden talent - it's worth a try!
Address: West Building 6th St and Constitution Ave NW
3. Roller Derby
Roller derby is a roller skating contact sport that you never knew you were going to love! It's played on an oval track by two teams of five skaters. It became a professional sport in the 1940s! DC has their own team (there are about 1250 teams worldwide - mostly in the States) and you are welcome to enjoy the bout as a spectator or you can even join in the fun with the team's learn to skate program.
Mailing Address: DC Rollergirls, PO Box 75033, Washington, DC 20013
Website: DC Roller Girls
4. Natural History Museum
Do you love fossils? Even if you're not quite ready to admit it - the National Museum of Natural History has a fantastic new fossil hall! The Exhibit begins 4.6 billion years ago and travels through the evolution of life - both plant and animal - and into today, exploring how the past connects to our present - which then ultimately informs our future.
Address: 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560
Website: National Museum of Natural History
5. Echostage
Echostage is a massive dancehall that hosts rap, hip-hop, dance, electronica and other genres. It's been ranked as one of the best - most energetic - clubs in the United States. Enjoy a night out dancing, moving and shaking!
Address: 2135 Queens Chapel Rd NE, Washington, DC 20018
Website: Echostage
6. Karaoke
The first Karaoke machine was developed in Japan the early 1970s as an evolution to the traditional sing-a-long where people sang with a lead vocalist. Karaoke allows you to be the lead vocalist. It is still the most popular pastime in Japan - but is, of course, beloved across the globe. Washington DC has several Karaoke bars that allow you to tap into your inner star - in every musical genre.
District Karaoke encourages teams of singers to compete against one another in a fun, community based environment.
Address: 1544 9th Street NW Washington DC, 20001
Website: www.districtkaraoke.com
Zeppelin is for people looking for that more intimate karaoke experience set in a luxury lounge decor. Private rooms cater to groups of every size.
Address: 1544 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Website: www.zeppelindc.com
7. Escape Rooms
Ready to test your problem-solving, riddle-answering, lateral-thinking skills under a time constraint or competitively against another team? Then an escape room is for you.
Beat The Bomb Escape Room in DC allows guests to choose from several 1-hour missions where they "suit up in hazmat gear, dodge lasers, and crack codes to - literally - Beat The Bomb - an explosion of fluorescent paints. It has over 3,000 5 star reviews.
Address: 2005 Hecht Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Website: www.beatthebomb.com/dc
8. Trivia Night
Trivia Nights are everywhere? Washington DC boasts hundred of options. You can find niche trivia nights that focus on all sorts of specific subjects including music, literary, Star Wars, and Friends.
Here are just a few options:
Biergarten Haus on H Street NE is also on Tuesday Nights.
Jake’s Tavern also hosts Tuesday Night Trivia.
Kramer books offers Monday Night Literary based trivia.
Nanny O’Briens hosts Tuesday Trivia Nights out on by Trivia Kings.
Red Bear Brewing hosts trivia on Mondays and Wednesdays.
SmartAss Trivia hosts events on Wednesday nights at the Duplex Diner.
9. Pickle Ball
The fastest growing sport in the US is a cross between tennis and ping-pong. Pickleball is an accessible activity for every age and skillset. And now there is no need to fight that pickleball addiction over the winter! Kraken Kourts in DC has 14 indoor courts, private cabanas and food!
Address: 514 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
10. Author Readings
Kramers has been around since 1976 and is more than just a bookstore. It also has an award-winning restaurant and a bar ideal for happy-hours. They offer many events throughout the year including hosting bestselling authors to discuss their latest books.
Address: 1517 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036
Website: https://www.kramers.com/
Politics and Prose's mission is to "cultivate the community and strengthen the common good through books, programs, and a respectful exchange of ideas." They offer every night of the week author talks.
Address: 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Website: https://www.politics-prose.com/
11. Air & Space Museum Planetarium
The Air & Space Museum's Albert Einstein Planetarium offers educational and engaging programs to take visitors out into the universe and beyond. The planetarium was renovated in 2014 and is the only full-domed digital theatre in the DC area.
They offer shows that allow you to find your favorite constellation, recognize a planet, learn about data recovered through ground-breaking space missions, and/or examine the universe's invisible dark matter and dark energy.
Address: 600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560
Website Link: Planetarium
BARDEUM offers self-guided audio / visual tours via mobile app. These immersive experiences are written by award-winning & bestselling authors, journalists, and historians. We offer six tours for the monuments and memorials on the National Mall.
Available in the App Store and Google Play.