FAQs: Capital Region

What are the top five activities for teens near/in DC?

The Capital Region is filled with activities that cater to diverse teen interests, from escape rooms and interactive museums to outdoor adventures and world-class performances. Here are five standout options:

1. International Spy Museum If you want to learn how spying has shaped the world, don’t miss a visit to the International Spy Museum. Assume a spy identity and test your skills in surveillance, code-breaking, and other espionage activities.
2. Planet Word Museum Planet Word is a voice-activated interactive gallery dedicated to bringing language to life. This immersive experience invites visitors to fall in love with language through exhibits that show how words are used, manipulated, and celebrated.
3. The Escape Game DC (Georgetown) Right in the heart of historic Georgetown, this escape room features different escape rooms and themes — Titanic, The Heist, and Dr. Whack’s Elixir of Life, are a few — where teams collaborate to solve puzzles, find clues, and “escape” within an hour. 
4. Boating In DC Discover DC’s iconic landmarks and scenic waterfront via kayak, canoe, sailboating, or paddleboarding. Explore at your own pace, join a tour, or take a cruise. You can even take sailing lessons in the warmer months.
5. DC Monuments and Memorials Night tour See DC in a different light — at night — on a three-hour guided mini-bus tour that hits many of the city’s most famous memorials, including the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, MLK Jr. Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, White House, Capitol, and more.

What are the top cultural activities for teens in DC?

DC offers rich cultural experiences with sensory-friendly options. Whether you are enjoying Fiesta DC — an outdoor filled with music and food — or hanging out in the heart of historic Dupont Circle. 

1. National Museum of African American History and Culture The African American Museum is the only national museum comprehensively documenting African American life, history, and culture. Explore the richness and diversity of African American experiences through the museum’s powerful exhibits and artifacts. 
2. National Museum of the American Indian This museum showcases the diversity of Indigenous cultures in the Americas, from ancient civilizations to contemporary communities. The NMAI’s collections, exhibits, and programs will foster a deeper understanding of Native American culture, history, arts, and ongoing contributions to the world. 
3. The Phillips Collection This museum is renowned for its collection of modern and contemporary art, featuring masterpieces by Renoir, Cézanne, Rothko, and others. Founded by Duncan and Marie Phillips, learn about the power of art.
4. Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden Part of the Smithsonian Institution, this museum showcases modern and contemporary art from the 19th through 21st centuries. Its distinctive cylindrical building on the National Mall and outdoor sculpture garden offer a unique setting for experiencing thought-provoking art.
5. Ford’s Theatre During the Civil War, Ford’s Theatre offered an escape from the realities of the war. It’s also known as the site of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Today it’s a working theater and museum featuring exhibits about Lincoln’s life and death and live performances of plays like The Inheritance and Sister Act.
6. The Kennedy Center The Kennedy Center is a top destination for experiencing the performing arts that reflect the cultural diversity of the United States. Ignite your imagination with theater, dance, and music by catching a show featured in the center’s Performing for Young Audiences current season — perfect for families with younger and older children. 

What are the best outdoor activities for teens in DC?

DC has over 250 parks, scenic trails, and unique outdoor experiences blending nature with history. Whether adventuring on land or water, these spots make it easy to enjoy the capital region’s outdoors.

1. Rock Creek Park A sprawling urban oasis, Rock Creek Park offers many activities like hiking, biking, and horseback riding along more than 20 miles of trails, visiting the park’s nature center, or catching a show in the center’s planetarium.
2. The National Zoo Meet over 2,100 animals and 400 species at the National Zoo, including Bao Li and Qing Bao, the two giant Pandas from China. Learn about important conservation work and the animal care, research, and education the zoo promotes. 
3. C&O Canal Towpath Visitors can walk, run, or bike from Georgetown to Cumberland, MD, on this path, which runs 184.5 miles along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Explore a historic canal town, stay in a lockhouse, or ride the Charles F. Mercer canal boat. 
4. Roosevelt Island Formerly Mason’s Island, landscape architects transformed this neglected farmland and renamed it Roosevelt Island — a memorial for America’s 26th president. Take a guided tour or explore the island’s miles of trails through wooded uplands and swampy bottomlands on your own. 
5. Great Falls Park This park’s 800 acres along the Potomac River in Virginia showcase the river’s dramatic beauty and power as it cascades over rocks and forms waterfalls and rapids. Visit scenic overlooks, hike its trails, or plan a picnic along the riverbanks.
   

What are the best DC indoor activities for teens?

DC offers more than museums and monuments. Teens can dive into hands-on, mind-bending, and high-energy experiences across the city. From tech and creativity to puzzles and adventure, there’s something for everyone.

1. Maker Space and Machinery Fabrication Lab (MLK Library) Bring your creativity to life! Learn about 3-D Printing or reserve a Cricut, sewing machine or laser cutter to work on your own project.  
2. Museum of Illusions Challenge your perceptions and learn the science behind how our brains interpret reality at the Museum of Illusions. Over 50 visual and educational exhibits featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms tease the senses and trick the mind. 
3. VR Arcade This high-tech arcade offers immersive virtual reality experiences, transporting players to other worlds through cutting-edge headsets and interactive simulations. Battle zombies, explore fantastical landscapes, engage in competitive multiplayer games, and more.
4. Sport Rock Climbing Centers Challenge yourself with rock climbing at Sport Rock Climbing Center, which offers experiences for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Try bouldering or climbing taller walls. Take classes to improve your skills and overall fitness. 
5. The Mansion on O ST This quirky boutique hotel, museum, and event space invites visitors to uncover secret doors and hidden treasures. Known for its eccentric interior design, the mansion features 112 rooms and almost 90 secret doors, themed guest rooms, and a unique antique collection.

What are the best DC restaurants for teens?

DC has plenty of fun, teen-friendly restaurants perfect for hanging out with friends and trying new flavors. These spots combine great food with a fun, casual vibe perfect for teens looking to explore DC’s food scene. For even more options, explore DC’s Chinatown or the vibrant dining spots along U Street.

1. Comet Ping Pong Play a round of ping pong while enjoying pizza at Comet Ping Pong in DC’s Upper Northwest neighborhood. Enjoy music on certain days, too.
2. Cactus Cantina Dig into Tex-Mex favorites at the lively Cactus Cantina. This restaurant brings a fun and engaging vibe to accompany its Cuban, Spanish, and South American dishes.
3. Old Ebbitt Grill The historic Old Ebbitt Grill offers a classic DC experience with burgers, seafood, and gluten-free options. It’s a bustling spot that offers a taste of Victorian-era DC history along with its hearty meals and lively atmosphere.
4. Ben’s Chilli Bowl Ben’s Chilli Bowl is a DC institution famous for its half-smokes, chili, and celebrity clientele. This iconic restaurant has served comfort food and local flavor since 1958 — a must-visit for anyone looking for a taste of history.
5. Boogy and Peel This funky Dupon Circle pizza joint has a reputation for unconventional, creative pies. They take inspiration from all sorts of flavors. It’s a fun, casual spot to grab a slice and try a truly inventive twist on a classic.
   

What are the best DC museums for families?

DC has amazing museums with something for all ages, blending history, science, and hands-on fun. From the history of the planet to the marvels of air and space exploration, families can enjoy the rich history of America through interactive activities, lectures, and performances. 

1. National Museum of Natural History One of the world’s largest and most comprehensive natural history museums, its collections span billions of years and include everything from dinosaur skeletons and the Hope Diamond to exhibits on human origins and the diversity of life on Earth.  
2. National Air and Space Museum Learn about the history of flight at the National Air and Space Museum, which houses the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft, from the Wright brothers’ plane to Apollo 11’s command module — and everything in between.
3. National Museum of American History This museum contains more than 300 million historical objects, including the original Star-Spangled Banner and Dorothy’s ruby slippers. Explore the US’s rich and diverse history from its founding through today.
4. National Portrait Gallery Study the gallery’s diverse collection of portraits depicting Americans who have shaped the nation’s history, culture, and identity. Through paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other media, the gallery offers a unique perspective on American history through the faces and stories of its people. 
5. United States Botanic Garden Experience this living plant museum that teaches us about the importance and irreplaceable value of plants to people and ecosystems. Explore gardens and conservatories, including a tropical rainforest, desert biome, and rose garden.

For even more ideas and inspiration, check out the U.S. News Washington, D.C. Travel Guide.