19 Unique Indoor Activities In Washington D.C. To Try Next Time It Rains (2024)
- Date: April 21, 2024
- Topic: Events
- Contributors: Written by Peerspace Staff
Source: Peerspace
Washington, D.C. sees more rain than Seattle, so it pays to have a plan when the storm clouds roll in. America’s capital has some of the finest restaurants, museums, bars, and other establishments in the world, though. So finding an indoor activity in DC is never hard to do.
You can make the day extra-special by booking a space for your own dream gathering or birthday party to beat the rain! Peerspace has hundreds of DC event venues with amenities like screening rooms, lounge chairs, surround sound systems, and more. Whether you’re looking to host a game night, costume party, or family get-together, we’re here to make it happen, no matter the weather!
1. Catch a play at the Shakespearean Theatre Company
Washington, D.C. is a cultural capital as well as a political one. Performances here happen year-round and lovers of Shakespeare congregate at the Shakespearean Theatre Company. The Company hosts classic performances like Macbeth year-round and even offers acting classes for aspiring performers!
2. Have a board game night
Board and card games are a great way to bring friends and family together for some wholesome fun. Bring some snacks, put on some music, and you can have an instant good time playing Settlers of Catan, Scrabble, or Cards Against Humanity. Best of all, you can enjoy board games in a spacious venue without having to book an Airbnb for a night. Peerspace is the nation’s leading online marketplace for rental spaces and has venues available by the hour for game nights.
3. Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Fans of the natural sciences know that the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is a must-see during any visit to the National Mall. Even if you’ve been once there are new exhibits rotated in and out constantly, plus a permanent collection that never gets old. Like all Smithsonian museums the Natural History Museum is free despite being a world-class institution.
4. Head to Ford’s Theatre
Ford’s Theatre is a national landmark we all learn in school as the place where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. The Theatre has a museum dedicated to Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and the assassination with a solo or guided tour. However, it is also still in operation and a place where you can enjoy productions and plays year-round!
5. Read and eat at Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe
Independent bookstores like Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe have a lot to offer as an escape from the DC rain. This cafe is a bookstore, restaurant, and bar, all under one roof! You’ll find breakfast options on the menu offered all day and events like trivia night or happy hour happening at this Dupont Circle favorite each week.
Check out our creative happy hour ideas to plan a chic and stylish event for your friends and coworkers!
6. Visit the Library of Congress
Washington, D.C. is home to the largest library in the world: the Library of Congress. The building is home to over 164 million items, including books, photos, magazines, comics, and more. People often come here just to see the stunning Jefferson Building, a classic example of Gilded Age architecture and a wonderful photo opportunity.
7. Enjoy the United States Botanic Garden
The nation’s oldest botanic garden is one of the best ways to escape the rain and enjoy an indoor activity in DC! Established nearly 200 years ago, the grounds include multiple indoor displays. The Conservatory greenhouse has 10 garden rooms and two courtyards covered by a glass canopy. You’ll find desert gardens, an orchid house, and other indoor botanical displays here – all free of charge.
8. Take a tour of the Capitol Building
The U.S. Capitol is a must-see for lovers of legislation and national history. It is so popular that tours happen every 10 minutes, starting with an introduction film before a tour of the building’s iconic architecture. The Capitol is also a museum as well as a center for American democracy!
9. Enjoy indoor cherry blossoms at Artechouse
Artechouse is the fusion of art, technology, and culture, an immersive art display with a futuristic cocktail bar! The theme of the space changes, with cherry blossom art being the current installation. And given the history of Japanese cherry blossoms and their arrival to DC, Artechouse also has an anime bent to celebrate that trans-Pacific connection!
10. Visit the Smithsonian National Zoo
Woodley Park is home to the National Zoo, one of Washington, D.C.’s star attractions. The Zoo is home to nearly 1,500 animals, 25% of which are endangered species. Like all of the Smithsonian museums here the Zoo has free admission, making it an easy choice if the weather turns sour.
11. Take a cooking class
Cooking classes are a fun indoor activity in DC that you can do on a rainy day for a date night, friends outing, or simply because you want to get better in the kitchen! Whether you’re looking for healthier recipes, want to make homemade pasta, or love international cuisine, you’ll find a cooking class willing to teach you. DC Cooking School is a local favorite, with classes covering basic cooking skills, themed dinner nights, and more.
12. Host a movie night in a private screening room
Movie nights are fun for everyone – assuming you can all decide on a film to watch, that is! All that’s needed is the right venue and amenities for the night. Instead of bumping elbows with the public at a box office theater, why not book your own screening room? Peerspace offers hundreds of suitable venues in the DC area, like this private screening room in Bethesda. Any booking includes a 50-inch screen, surround sound system, and theater style seats!
13. Visit the National Geographic Museum
Re-visit the iconic magazine’s hottest discoveries over the 100+ years it’s been in circulation! See replicas of King Tut’s tomb, the peak of Mount Everest, and other locations you may have seen for the first time on a National Geographic Magazine cover! This is a great smaller museum for anyone who has been to the larger DC museums and think they’ve seen everything!
14. Try indoor rock climbing
A rainy forecast doesn’t mean you can’t get some fun and exercise in! Indoor rock climbing gyms were built to meet the needs of people looking to get a full body workout without getting soaked by East Coast storms. There are multiple gyms throughout the area, including several Sportrock Climbing Centers, the first and oldest indoor climbing gyms in the DC area!
Check out our favorite photoshoot ideas in DC to see the city from a new, creative angle!
15. Enjoy a new restaurant
Washington, D.C. has seen millions of tourists, immigrants, politicians, and foreign dignitaries visit. So it’s no surprise that it’s a world-class food city. You’ll find everything from West African to South American here, and crafted to perfection. You can live here your entire life and never get to the end of the restaurants to explore here. But to start things off, check out one of DC’s nearly two dozen Michelin star restaurants for some of the best eats in town!
16. Have afternoon tea in a tea house
Tea parlors are elegantly decorated cafes where the focus is on tea rather than coffee. Washington, D.C. has some of the oldest tea cafes in the nation where you can enjoy a cup and listen to the rain! One of our favorites is the Hillwood Estate, Museum, & Gardens‘ tea menu, with scones, salads, cookies, and other light pairings to their afternoon tea.
17. Check out DC’s unique coffee shops
With thousands of businesspeople, politicians, and locals moving through DC daily, it’s no surprise that the city has some of the East Coast’s best coffee shops. You’ll find South American beans and snacks at Lost Sock Roasters, cocktails alongside coffee at the all-day cafe Royal, and more. We fancy Harrar Coffee & Roastery for its collection of Ethiopian blends and daily roasted coffee.
18. Relax at a spa resort
Rainy days are the perfect time to unwind at a spa clinic or resort. Resort hotels offer additional benefits, like restaurants, movie theaters, and bars, while spa clinics are one-stop-shops for all things wellness. One of the top spas in the DC area is the Four Season Hotel’s spa, where many prominent locals look to escape the busy-ness and enjoy deep tissue massages, cherry blossom skin infusions, and wine treatments!
19. Break out of an escape room
If you’re looking for a creative indoor activity in DC check out escape rooms! These are a great way to spend a rainy afternoon solving a puzzle, picking up clues, and breaking free within the time limit. The Escape Game is one of DC’s top rooms, with 9 different games covering different themes and skill levels! You can join a game with a group of other strangers or bring your friends for a break out party.
Indoor activities in Washington, D.C.: conclusion
Washington, D.C. is one of the best cities to be in the nation when rain is in the forecast. You have world-class museums, climbing gyms, coffee shops, spa resorts…There’s no way you’ll be bored indoors in the nation’s capital!
Remember that you can also book a private venue through Peerspace instead of sharing space with tourists. You’ll find event spaces in Washington, D.C. to suit any aesthetic or party plan. All you need to do is search, decide, and then connect with the venue owner for an instant good time!
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