193 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Washington, D.C. - Atlas Obscura
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The Atlas Obscura Guide To

Washington, D.C.

193 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Washington, D.C.

Unusual Attractions in Washington, D.C.

Unique Food & Drink in Washington, D.C.

Explore Washington, D.C.

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Union Station in the early 20th century.
Sep 30
Washington, D.C., District of Columbia

Hidden Union Station

With trains rumbling nearby, explore parts of D.C.'s iconic Union Station that the public rarely sees.
The Fitzgerald's final resting place in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.
Sep 30
Rockville, Maryland

Remembering Literary Legend F. Scott Fitzgerald

Celebrate the famed American author's birthday by visiting his former final resting place and his current one in Rockville.
Join Atlas Obscura's co-founder and creative director for a night of wonder.
Oct 3
Takoma Park, Maryland

An Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid

Don't miss this rare chance to meet Atlas Obscura's co-founder Dylan Thuras.
In the 50s and 60s, reporters – and spies – smoked cigars, drank whiskey and played poker at the National Press Club.
Oct 9
Washington, D.C., District of Columbia

Spies Among Us

Follow in the footsteps of secret agents who hid in plain sight.
A still from the 2001 horror film "Donnie Darko."
Oct 13
Washington, D.C., District of Columbia

D.C. Legends and Lore: Fairfax County's Bunnyman

Learn the truth behind the legend that terrified generations of area high schoolers and watch the 2001 cult classic "Donnie Darko" in an old underground trolley station.
A ghost ship peaceful on the water.
Oct 20
Nanjemoy, Maryland

In Search of the Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay

Maryland’s “Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay” is the largest concentration of shipwrecks in the Western Hemisphere. Join us by kayak as we venture through the nearly 200 vessels that lie there.
Selected experiences curated by Chase Sapphire®
Goats Rose, Ash, and Heather.
Oct 21
Poolesville, Maryland

If You Could Talk to the Animals

Walk and talk with the critters of Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary.

Washington, D.C. Leaderboard

Recent Washington, D.C. Activity

sarahboles515 wants to go to The Unabomber's Cabin
davidrcarlson wants to go to National Bonsai Museum
emmetre48 emmetre48 has been to The K-9 of the Korean War Veterans Memorial
baileylovesart wants to go to International Spy Museum
electricjwalk electricjwalk wants to go to Titanic Memorial

Stories About Washington, D.C.

Beware the Demon Cat!

Why the U.S. Capitol's 'Demon Cat' Legend Is So Persistent

A lot of it has to do with paw prints.
by Eric Grundhauser
March 13, 2018
Selma Burke won a competition to create a relief sculpture of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1943.

Who Really Designed the American Dime?

The controversy that has long roiled the coin world.
by Christina Ayele Djossa
January 17, 2018
The Route 66 record holder was bested by a bigger rocking chair in Illinois.

How the U.S. Lost the Title for the World's Largest Chair

After a century of states battling it out for the honor, the current record holder is in... Austria.
by Kavya Ram Mohan
June 22, 2017

Lists Featuring Washington, D.C.

Novus Ordo Seclorum: 14 Places to Unearth Masonic Secrets
View from inside the cave
The House of the Temple.
Statue of George Washington

Novus Ordo Seclorum: 14 Places to Unearth Masonic Secrets

Your best bets for gaining insight into the real history of Freemasonry.

14

Including Zedekiah’s Cave, Masonic Lodge of the Andaz Hotel, and House of the Temple

6 Secrets of the Washington Monument
You'll never unsee it now.
Washington Monument Access Hatch
Alternate view of the pyramidion
Detail of the Mini Monument

6 Secrets of the Washington Monument

Lightning rods, hidden hatches, and more.

6

Including Washington Monument Marble Stripe, Washington Monument Access Hatch, and Washington Monument Lightning Rod