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Ways to Make the Most of Fall 2024 in Washington, DC

Ways to Make the Most of Winter in Washington, DC

What's Open & Reopening in Washington, DC

Washington, DC is open for business The nation's capital is ready to welcome you. Proof of vaccination and masks are generally not required in Washington, DC, but visitors are encouraged to check with individual establishments about COVID-19 protocols. Find the latest information from the DC government at coronavirus.dc.gov. DC Travel & Testing Requirements Fully Vaccinated Visitors (or visitors who tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 90 days) may: Travel to DC from domestic locations without quarantining unless showing symptoms of COVID-19. If traveling from an international location, visitors must show a negative test before boarding a flight to the U.S. and get tested 3-5 days following travel. Unvaccinated Visitors Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers must follow COVID-19 testing and quarantining requirements for non-essential travel. General travel requirements for unvaccinated visitors include getting a COVID-19 test 1-3 days before visiting DC, getting a COVID-19 test 3-5 days after returning home from their trip and self-quarantining for 7 days after returning home. You do not need a COVID-19 test if traveling from Maryland and Virginia or in DC in less than 24 hours. Private institutions and local government officials may ask for proof of a negative test. If a traveler tests positive while in DC, they must complete their isolation before traveling home, and susceptible close contacts must complete a 10-day quarantine. Where you can get vaccinated: The DC Government has resources on where to get vaccinated, including pediatric vaccination pre-registration, lists of health centers offering the vaccine and transportation options. Add your zip code to the official vaccines.gov site to find a list of pharmacies, health clinics and hospitals offering vaccines near you. International Travel Starting Nov. 8, vaccinated international travelers were welcomed back to the U.S. Learn more about international travel guidance. You can also find the latest events and festivals on weekdays, weekends and this month. What's Open Museums/Attractions The DC government has allowed for unlimited capacity at museums and attractions, however individual entities may impose their own capacity limits. Visit the Smithsonian Institution’s website for all hours of operation, a full schedule and admission information. Most Smithsonian museums no longer require timed-entry passes. Free timed passes are still required at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and Smithsonian's National Zoo. Visitors to the Smithsonian museums do not have to wear masks. Please note that to accommodate staff shortages, some Smithsonian museums in DC are operating on a modified schedule. Some museums have temporarily closed one day out of the week. On Mondays, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of the American Indian are closed. On Tuesdays, the National Museum of Asian Art, National Museum of African Art and Arts and Industries Building are closed. The Anacostia Community Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday. Note: The National Air and Space Museum is closed for renovation until fall 2022, but its Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, remains open daily. What's Open Right Now The U.S. Botanic Garden will fully reopen (including the Conservatory) on April 1 with free entrance and no timed pass requirement. For more information, including hours and safety protocols, visit the Garden's website. The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center will resume tours on Monday, March 28. All tours will be staff led and all requests must be submitted through a congressional office. Each office is allowed one tour per week during the hours of Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please note that the Capitol Visitor Center main entrance will remain closed. For more information, visit the Center's website. The Hirshhorn Museum has reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and health protocols, visit the museum’s website. The Smithsonian Institution Building (“The Castle”) has reopened. For more information regarding hours and health protocols, visit the museum’s website. The Washington Monument has reopened to the public. The monument is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Masks are required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, inside the Washington Monument. Tickets will be available online only from recreation.gov; there will be no tickets distributed on site. Tickets become available daily at 10 a.m. for the next day’s visits (for example, if you are planning to visit on July 21, you can reserve tickets at recreation.gov beginning at 10 a.m. on July 20). Each ticket is good for up to four individuals in a group traveling together. There is a non-refundable reservation fee of $1 per ticket. The Library of Congress has reopened its Jefferson Building. Free, timed entry tickets are available Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, visit the Library's website. The Rotunda of the National Archives Building has reopened for viewing the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights, (with limited capacity of 25 percent), by timed reservations Friday through Monday only, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Beginning Friday, July 2, the Museum will resume normal hours of 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m, and expand to be open every day, but with the same reduced capacity. As of July 2, visitors will also be able to view the Magna Carta in the David M. Rubenstein Gallery. The National Museum of Natural History has reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and health protocols, visit the museum’s website. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum's website. The National Museum of the Marine Corps has reopened. For more information on safety protocols, visit the museum's website. The National Gallery of Art has reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum's website. Please note that the East Building is closed for renovations. The National Museum of African American History and Culture has reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum's website. The National Museum of American History has reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum's website. The National Museum of the American Indian has reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum's website. The Smithsonian's National Zoo has reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the Smithsonian unit's website. The National Portrait Gallery has reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum's website. The Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery have both reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum's website. The National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center has reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum's website. The Hirshhorn's Sculpture Garden is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Hirshhorn's website. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' indoor campus and THE REACH is open for visiting Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to midnight. Masking is required indoors, and proof of vaccination is required for all guests attending performances. Learn more. Glenstone is open Thursday-Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Visit the museum's website for more information. George Washington's Mount Vernon is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ARTECHOUSE is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Make sure to read its safety protocols before planning a trip. O Museum in The Mansion is open for tours, lodging, outdoor dining and shopping; the garden is open for reservations as well. Lincoln's Cottage has reopened for self-guided tours from Wednesday through Monday. Advance tickets are required. International Spy Museum is now open daily. Limited tickets are available and advanced purchase is recommended. Visit spymusuem.org. Kreeger Museum is open. You must get advance reservation tickets. Museum of the Bible is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are required. To learn more about the museum, visit its website. Big Bus Tours is offering tours every day of the week. For more information, visit its website. The Phillips Collection is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., timed tickets needed and guests must follow safety requirements. The museum requires proof of vaccination for all visitors ages 12-years-old and up, and requires visitors 16-year-old and up to have a photo ID. Planet Word is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last entry at 3:30 p.m. All visitors aged 2 and older are required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. For more information about the museum's COVID-19 guidelines and to reserve passes, visit Planet Word's website. The National Building Museum is now open Friday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All visitors aged 2 and older are required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. For more information, visit the museum's website. Tudor Place has reopened for guided house tours and self-guided garden tours, Thursday through Sunday. Proof of vaccination is required for visitors aged 12 and older and masks are required indoors. For more information, visit the estate's website. Dream Aero is open from 12-7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Visit its website for more information. Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens has reopened with proof of full vaccination required for entry. For more information regarding hours and safety protocols, visit the estate's website. Old Town Trolley Tours is now open, with tours departing hourly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. You can also read about the company's safety policies. Ford's Theatre has reopened. The Petersen House and Aftermath Exhibits will remain closed. For more information regarding tickets and safety protocols, visit the Ford's Theatre website. The theater requires proof of vaccination and masks are required. The DC History Center is open on Fridays from 2-7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 12-5 p.m. Free, timed entry tickets are required. Visit the Center's website for more information. The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum has reopened. For more information, visit the museum's website. DC Design Tours is open and offering eight architectural walking tours around the District. Visit its website for a full calendar and to book your tour. Blue Fern Travel offers its Fork Tours from Thursday through Sunday on U Street and in Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria. A portion of all ticket sales is donated to Bread for the City. The National Law Enforcement Museum has reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and health protocols, visit the museum’s website. DAR Museum (And DAR Library and DAR Constitution Hall) have reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and health protocols, visit the website. The National Children's Museum has reopened. Advanced tickets are required and available for morning or afternoon sessions. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and health protocols, visit the museum's website. Anderson House - has reopened with proof of full vaccination required for entry. For more information regarding hours and safety protocols, visit the museum's website. The Washington National Cathedral is open for sightseeing, programs, and worship services. Theaters/Cinemas/Concert Venues/Entertainment Centers Most venues require proof of full vaccination from COVID-19. Check venue websites for more information. Theaters & Playhouses 20+ theaters now require proof of vaccination for entry. The Kennedy Center and Ford's Theatre requires proof of vaccination. Music & Concert Venues The Anthem - Upcoming shows 9:30 Club - Upcoming shows Merriweather Post Pavilion - Upcoming shows Lincoln Theatre - Upcoming shows Songbyrd Cafe - Upcoming shows Black Cat - Upcoming shows The Pocket - Upcoming shows Echostage - Upcoming shows Union Stage - Upcoming shows Pearl Street Warehouse - Upcoming shows DC9 Nightclub - Upcoming shows Blues Alley - Upcoming shows Hamilton Live - Upcoming shows Capital One Arena - Upcoming events The Howard Theatre - Upcoming events Restaurants Dining establishments are open to the public. Due to the popularity of DC's dining scene, it's always recommended to reserve your table in advance online. Guests may wear a mask if they would like, but there's no requirement to do so. For diners who prefer to eat outdoors during the pandemic, check out these al fresco options: beer gardens, patios and rooftop restaurants. Parks/Gardens/Recreation Dog parks, golf courses, parks, tennis courts, tracks and fields are open. Recreation centers, bowling alleys, climbing gyms, squash or racquetball clubs, skating rinks and skateboard parks also no longer have any capacity restrictions. Outdoor attractions like the National Park Service Sites, Monuments and Memorials at the National Mall and around the city are open. Learn more about DC's parks and gardens and read details about the status of recently reopened sights below. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' outdoor campus at THE REACH is accessible, including pop-up wine garden and cafe Victura Park. Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with limited number of visitors. Onsite buildings and bathroom are closed. Learn more. The Smithsonian's Enid A. Haupt Garden is open with safety protocols in place. Learn more. U.S. National Arboretum has reopened from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more. George Washington's Mount Vernon is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Fields & Festival Grounds at RFK Campus are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. The weekly farmers' market is open. Learn more. The Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens and the Terrace Gardens at the U.S. Botanic Garden, but the indoor Conservatory and gated outdoor gardens are temporarily closed. Learn more. Retail Capacity restrictions have been lifted at nonessential retail businesses, hair and nail salons, massage and spas. Note that individual businesses may enforce their own health precautions. Many Made in DC shops offer online shopping with the option for curbside pickup. Check out ways that you can support some of these local businesses in the District. Hotels If you find yourself in Washington, DC during this time and in need of a hotel, many DC-area hotels are open and ready to welcome guests. You can also take advantage of special deals and peruse locations that are ideal for sports fans, history buffs, families with kids and more. Transportation WMATA's enhanced cleaning measures include daily disinfecting of trains, buses and stations with mopping, wiping down high-touch surfaces or using electrostatic foggers. Metro has upped its deep cleaning of stations to four times that of the pre-Covid era. In addition, Metro launched new touch-free SmarTrip service for iPhone and Apple Watch devices, becoming the first rail system in the U.S. to offer a full service, touch-free payment option at every single stop. Metro has restored most rail and bus service to pre-covid levels across the region in the largest – and likely most complex – service change in the system's 44-year history. Metro is expanding late-night service and restoring more routes to support the DC region’s reopening and recovery. Face masks are no longer required. For more information, visit wmata.com. What's Closed Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument - Closed to the public until further notice. Madame Tussauds - Closed to the public until further notice. Old Post Office Tower - Closed to the public until further notice. Pentagon Tours - Closed to the public until further notice. National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum - Closed to the public until further notice. National Guard Memorial Museum - Closed to the public until further notice.

Where to Find Water Parks & Outdoor Pools In & Around Washington, DC

When planning your best summer ever in Washington, DC, you may want to include a relaxing trip to an outdoor pool or a day-long adventure at a water park near DC. No worries – we have you covered with some of the best options at your disposal, including outdoor public pools, splash parks and hotel pools. Hotel Pools The gorgeous rooftop pool at the Ven at Embassy Row, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel offers day passes that vary from $15 to $50. The YOTEL Washington DC, Capitol Hill features a rooftop lounge, one of the largest in the District, with a full-service bar with light bites, an expansive pool and generously sized cabanas fitted with charging stations. The Washington Plaza Hotel’s pool is beautifully landscaped and offers a poolside bar. Day passes are available for $50 on weekdays and for $60 on Saturday or Sunday. While the pools above are accessible to the public, other DC hotels offer poolside pleasure as long as you’re receiving a spa treatment at the hotel. You can make it a day of relaxation at the posh Four Seasons Hotel, Washington D.C., the Omni Shoreham Hotel and The Watergate Hotel. Water Parks Six Flags America (located in Maryland, roughly 15 minutes outside of DC) features Hurricane Harbor, the largest water park in Maryland, filled with an array of rides and plenty of room to roam. While it’s a bit of a longer drive, Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA are well worth it. Splash and slide at Virginia’s largest water park, which also features resort-style amenities and more than 40 water rides in total. Public Splash Parks Splash park, spray park – whatever you call it, sometimes you want to scamper through some water without swimming in it. DC has the family covered in that regard, as there is a multitude of these fun-filled areas throughout the city. River views come with the territory at splash parks featured in Georgetown Waterfront Park, Canal Park and Yards Park (the latter two are both in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood). Petworth Spray Park is also a popular spot for families. DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation offers a full list of these parks so that you can plan accordingly. Outdoor Public Pools DC residents can swim at pools managed by the Department of Parks of Recreation for free. Resident passes are administered on-site. For non-DC residents, a day pass costs just $7 for an adult. Passes for children under 6 are just $3, while ages 6-17 can get in for just $4 (seniors 55 years old and over pay that same price). Many of DC’s coolest neighborhoods feature public pools that are perfect for enjoying a pretty summer day. Banneker Pool in Shaw is a favorite among locals. Francis Pool in Foggy Bottom is accessible by Metro and offers two 25-yard lap lanes. Just one block from Wisconsin Avenue, Volta Park Pool in Georgetown is another convenient option. For a full list of outdoor public pools in the city, visit the DC Department of Parks and Recreation’s website. Looking for more water-based activities? Explore the vibrant waterfronts in and around Washington, DC for a variety of exciting experiences.

Where to Get the Best Views of the Washington, DC Skyline

Which Attractions & Museums in Washington, DC Require Tickets?

Many of Washington, DC's major attractions are open to the public and do not require tickets, including the Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art, and the monuments and memorials on the National Mall. Entry to the Smithsonian Zoo is free but requires an entry pass. You can buy tickets for some of Washington, DC's most popular ticketed attractions including Ford's Theatre at the venue or on their website. Some attractions offer discounts to those who buy tickets online ahead of their visit and you can also purchase 24 or 48-hour, hop-on, hop-off bus tour tickets with Big Bus Tours, which will allow you to view the wonders of the National Mall at your own convenience. While some attractions are free, they require timed passes to save visitors from waiting in long lines. Timed passes are available to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and a limited amount of same-day passes are available online the day of your visit. The passes are printed featuring a one-hour time range, within which you may enter the museum. Free timed-entry passes are required to visit the National Air and Space Museum. Entry times are hourly from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The museum releases individual passes for six-week periods at a time and is open every day except December 25 from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum also requires timed passes to enter the permanent exhibition from March through August. These are distributed daily beginning at 10 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis at the museum or online at ushmm.org several months in advance. There are a limited number of same-day passes available online each day beginning at 6 a.m. A small service charge of $1 per ticket is charged for online bookings. You don’t need passes to visit the non-permanent museum exhibitions year-round or for the permanent exhibitions from September through February. Admission is free for the Washington Monument but a timed ticket is required for entry. Timed tickets are on a first-come, first-serve basis. One person may obtain up to six tickets as well as request their preferred ticket time. All visitors (including children ages 2+) must have a ticket to enter the Washington Monument. Admission is free for the Bureau of Printing and Engraving though tickets are required from March through August. These are distributed on the day of your visit, beginning at 8 a.m. until all tours for the day are full. Lines form early and, during peak season, tickets are often distributed by 9 a.m. Tours of the White House are only available by advance arrangement through your member of Congress. Find your member of Congress and contact information here and submit your request up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days prior to your visit. International visitors who want to visit the White House should contact their embassy in Washington, DC for assistance submitting a tour request. More information is available at whitehouse.gov. Tickets are also required to tour the U.S. Capitol. You can obtain tickets through your member of Congress or via visitthecapitol.gov. Some limited same-day tour passes may be available at the public walk-up line in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. While the Library of Congress, Supreme Court, National Gallery of Art and Smithsonian museums do not require tickets, you may want to check schedules in advance to take advantage of guided interpretive tours, lectures, IMAX movies and other programs. Looking for discounted fun? You can save big on popular things to do with Washington, DC’s best attraction passes. Discover discounted sightseeing tours, museum passes and so much more for one price. You can also get an exclusive discount and save big on your next Big Bus Tour. Just enter the promotional code VISITDC for the best available deal and start exploring the nation's capital. Continue exploring endless activities and things to do in our nation's capital.