Washington DC Official Visitors Guide - Washington DC Official Visitors Guide Fall/Winter 2026
There’s Only One Winter in DC
2026-09-15 16:23:02
SEASONAL Fun
http://washington.org/Winter?utm_medium=eguide&utm_source=bluetoad&utm_campaign=DC2026
CROSS OFF EVEN MORE ACTIVITIES ON YOUR LIST AT WASHINGTON.ORG/WINTER
No other city celebrates the season like the nation’s capital.
HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST
All the activities highlighted below are unique to the District.
• Popular holiday displays include the free-to-see Season’s Greenings at the United States Botanic Garden and the epic ZooLights at the National Zoo.
• Tend to seasonal shopping needs with visits to CityCenterDC, the DowntownDC Holiday Market and The Wharf.
• Only one place has the National Christmas Tree, the National Menorah and the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
• Head inside worlds of knowledge and expression at free museums like Planet Word, the Hirshhorn Museum and the Library of Congress.
• Many local restaurants offer fireplaces for cozy dining, including 1789 Restaurant and The Dabney.
MARVELOUS MUSEUMS
Step out of the cold and into adventure at these family-friendly attractions.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MUSEUM OF EXPLORATION – BRAND NEW
• Discover our planet’s incredible stories through vibrant interactive exhibits and iconic photography.
• Wander immersive spaces and engage with National Geographic Explorers.
• Uncover groundbreaking discoveries that shape our world today.
• Test your spy skills across eight special digital stations on an Undercover Mission.
• Camouflage: Designed to Deceive goes in-depth on one of espionage’s most important tactics.
• Browse the gift shop for gadgets, apparel, books and more, including a $15-and-under section.
• Interact with a 22-foot talking word wall composed of six combined projectors.
• Visit the Speaking Willow tree to hear murmurs in hundreds of languages.
• Present Perfect sells word games, kitchen decor, notebooks and toys.
• The Great Hall greets you with colossal Corinthian columns.
• Examine the world of architecture in an interactive environment.
• Rotating exhibits dive deeper into major building projects that have shaped modern design.
LACE UP THE SKATES
Choose from four wintertime options for ice skating.
What’s cool about it: An outdoor fire pit with s’mores after you skate
Where: The Wharf
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART SCULPTURE GARDEN
What’s cool about it: Ice skating with views of monuments
Where: National Mall
What’s cool about it: Unique figure-eight design
Where: Navy Yard
What’s cool about it: 11,800-square-foot rink sits next to the Potomac River
Where: Georgetown
Note: Most rinks are open from November through February (weather permitting). Visit washington.org for the latest details.
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