12 Things to Do in Washington DC at Night

You have many options of things to see and do in Washington DC, and the evening is the ideal time to relax a little and let yourself be surprised by its atmosphere. Every corner of the city invites you to get to know it a little better.

From quiet meetings in a bar to ghost-hunting excursions, what Washington DC has to offer to entertain your evening will blow your mind and surely leave you wanting to come back.

If you're a sports fan, one night out you can't miss when you're in Washington DC is a game of one of America's star sports, the NBA or baseball.

The Washington Wizards play their home games at the Capital One Arena, a stadium that holds over 20,000 spectators. However, don't be fooled by the capacity of the facility because if you want to attend an NBA game you should book your Washington Wizards tickets as far in advance as possible, as tickets fly out.

If baseball is your thing, the Washington Nationals play in the National League and tickets sell out months in advance. So, once you know what dates you are going to travel, don't think twice and book your tickets to see the Washington Nationals play!

Can you imagine relaxing and unwinding on board a cruise along the Potomac River after a hard day of sightseeing? And if you add to this plan a delicious three-course dinner with drinks and live music while enjoying the best panoramic views of Washington DC, it becomes absolutely irresistible, right?

During the tour you will be able to enjoy points of interest such as the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial, as well as the buildings and skyscrapers of the city completely illuminated under the night sky.

Book a dinner cruise on the Potomac River and enjoy Washington's nightlife as a couple or with family and friends.

Built in 1920, the Lincoln Memorial is one of the most beautiful attractions to see at any time of day, but especially at night. It's a great place to take your best night-time photographs and its impressive reflecting pool makes the sunset look multicoloured and crystal clear.

As well as being a beautiful place to enjoy with the whole family, friends or alone, it is one of the most important sites in the city and over the years has been the backdrop for many of the most important events that have taken place in the United States.

An excellent idea is to take a three-hour bike tour of Washington to see the city's most important monuments, including, of course, the Lincoln Memorial and its reflecting pool, from a different perspective than during the day.

Practical information

• Location: 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20024.
• Price: Free admission.
• Hours: Open all day.
• When: Every day at dusk.

The Tidal Basin is another of the most beautiful and breathtaking places in Washington DC. In fact, this is one of the must-visit places to do in Washington in spring. It is a great infrastructure that dates back to the 19th century and it is an ideal plan to go at night because you can see from another perspective all the beauty of the place.

No doubt, if you like photography you will enjoy this night walk because the picture becomes perfect to capture all the splendour of the Tidal Basin and its surroundings.

To get to the Tidal Basin you can use bus, metro or bicycle but my advice is to hire a night tour in an electric car around Washington DC. This way, you can comfortably get another view of Washington DC's best landmarks, from the Jefferson Memorial to the White House and Capitol, as well as the Martin Luther King Memorial, bathed in the indirect light of the Tidal Basin.

The Pentagon Memorial is the first memorial dedicated to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack. It is located just outside the Pentagon and admission is free.

Although it is open all day, it takes on a more special meaning at night because the reflective lights positioned beneath each memorial are impossible to admire during the day.

It is a truly impressive work of infrastructure and engineering comprised of 184 benches, each representing a 9/11 casualty. The layout of each bench determines whether it was on the plane or in the offices and each memorial unit details the date of birth and age of the victim.

Practical information

• Location: 1 N Rotary Rd, Arlington, VA 22202.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: Open all day.
• When: The lights are best seen after dark, after 8pm.

Traveller Tip

Photography is permitted, but I recommend you make your night-time visit quietly, remembering that it is a memorial dedicated to honouring people who died unjustly.

Chinatown is one of the most special places to visit at night in Washington DC, because virtually every house, every shop and every restaurant is illuminated with its own lights that come on at dusk. In addition, the Friendship Arch, located at the entrance to the neighbourhood, is also illuminated and colourful.

A perfect plan is to dine in Chinatown to enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine, followed by a stroll through the streets and shops. It looks good, doesn't it?

And, of course, if your trip coincides with the Chinese New Year in January and February, a visit to Chinatown at night is a must on your list of things to do in Washington in winter.

This is a bar, restaurant and meeting place for activists and intellectuals that was born in 2005 in the midst of the anti-Iraq War protests and is now one of the most popular nightlife options in the city.

For dinner you can choose from a wide variety of options, such as traditional sandwiches with meat or chicken, as well as vegetarian paninis or vegan burgers. You can also read a book, write something or simply enjoy a pleasant conversation with friends while you enjoy their gastronomic offer.

From 16:00 to 19:00 the Busboys and Poets restaurant offers discounts on drinks and wine, which is ideal for you to start the night on the right foot.

Practical information

• Location: 2021 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009.
• Price: Free admission.
• Hours: 8:00 to 22:00.

If you're drawn to the paranormal and ghosts, scary stories and spooky tales, you'll find the best night tours in Washington DC**.

On this tour designed only for adults brave enough to face their fears, you'll hear chilling and terrifying tales of unexplained suicides, grisly murders and other gory events that have scarred the city for life and now shroud it in mystery.

In addition, you will hear from your guides all about the dark history of Washington's past, as it seems the city has been shrouded in darkness for centuries and centuries. For this tour I recommend you wear comfortable shoes and make sure you don't suffer from a heart condition. You can find this tour for prices starting at €30.

More than a specific place, the Dupont Circle is an area that has been growing in popularity in recent times. It is one of the most special, dynamic and entertaining places to visit in downtown Washington.

If there's one thing that's interesting about Dupont Circle, it's the number of bars and galleries in the area, as well as clothing boutiques and even Michelin-starred restaurants. And the best part is that you can stay out late into the night enjoying whatever activities you want:

• Former U.S.President Woodrow Wilson's House Museum, where you can have a bit of fun playing some of the old-fashioned games they organise in the evenings.
• Kramerbooks & Afterwords Library where you can read a little and then have some dinner.
• Nightclubs and dance clubs where you can have a good time with Latin rhythms and even take some lessons.

To get to Dupont Circle, take the underground and get off at the station of the same name or, better yet, book an architecture tour of Dupont Circle and Embassy Row in the morning, spend the afternoon discovering its shops and galleries and finish off the day with dinner and a drink in one of its establishments.

At 1127 Connecticut Avenue you'll find an incredible magic and comedy show that's been running for over 30 years with the same success as it did on day one. The key? Its surprising and constantly changing routine.

It's Magic Duel, a show that mixes magic with comedy and is one of the events you can't miss if you want to experience the charm of Washington at night.

It's an ideal show to have fun with friends and family, although bear in mind that it's entirely in English, so you'll need to have some knowledge of the language to really enjoy it.

Practical information

• Location: The Mayflower Hotel.
• Price: From 50 euros.
• Time: Saturdays at 17:00 and 20:00.

Traveller Tip

Tickets sell out fast, so I recommend that before you go to the show, buy your tickets in advance through their website, where you can also find out about their schedule.

One thing you can't miss about Washington's nightlife is its live jazz evenings. It's common for many of the city's bars to offer jazz, but what makes Blues Alley special is that you feel like you're part of the atmosphere. No wonder it has been open since 1965.

It also has an excellent menu that combines flavours and traditions from various parts of the world and can be accompanied by a few drinks while you enjoy the musical show. What more could you ask for?

Its culinary offerings have earned it a place on Washington DC food tours and its musical offerings have always included talented artists and iconic jazz voices of all time such as Sarah Vaughan.

Practical information

• Location: 1073 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007.
• Price: Free admission.
• Hours: 18:00 to 00:30.

The Observation Deck is located in the CEB Tower and if you visit it you will be in the highest public place in Washington. No less than 32 floors from where you can observe the immensity of the American capital.

On your visit to the Observatory you will be able to see the esplanade in all its splendour, the most iconic places of the city and how they impose their illumination in the darkness of the night. In the building you will have a 360º view to look out over the city from any angle.

Practical information

• Location: 1201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209.
• Price: From 50 euros.
• Hours: 09:00 to 17:00.