There are so many things to do in and around D.C. this week that it might be overwhelming to decide what to do. But this is exactly why Secret D.C. is trying to make your life easier by creating this list of the 10 best things to do in D.C. this week. There’s also something fun going on in the capital city whether it be a limited-time exhibit, a big show coming to town, or even the opening of a new place to eat or drink!
So, without further ado, here is our list of the best 11 things to do in D.C. this week that you won’t want to miss out on:
1. Reserve a spot at the Dining in the Dark event taking place this Sunday
This Sunday, here in Washington, D.C., the hit restaurant Paraíso is hosting a special “Dining in the Dark” experience that will make for a memorable meal! The blindfolded secret menu dinner has three choices for you to choose from, Red (meat), Blue (Seafood), and Green (Vegan), and your dietary preferences or restrictions are taken into account to ensure you have enjoyed yourself.
2. Take your friends, family, or partner to visit the Claude Monet Immersive Experience
The “Monet: The Immersive Experience” is now open to the public right here in D.C. and it is one of the most exciting developments for fans of fun and appreciators of art so far in 2024! The experience lets patrons dive right into and walk amongst some of Monet’s greatest works, making it not only incredibly impressive but also quite romantic. Fortunately, this exhibit will be in D.C. until April, so while there’s no time like the present to plan your trip, you’ll just make sure you check it out before it closes!
Location: 524 Rhode Island Ave NE
3. Attend the 21st annual Georgetown French Market
Every year for one weekend only, Georgetown transforms into Paris for its iconic annual French Market! In addition to incredible deals from local stores and small businesses, you can also enjoy live entertainment that is perfect for the whole family.
It kicks off this Friday and will continue over the weekend!
4. Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience
This immersive experience is a favorite of ours for a reason! This fun and picturesque experience is great for you to take anyone and is fit for all ages, making for a memorable experience that everyone can enjoy!
Location: 5333 Wisconsin Ave NW
5. Visit the “Future of Orchids” exhibit at the Kogod Courtyard of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
You don’t have to be a plant lover to enjoy the peacefulness and tranquility a room full of orchids offers! So even though this is an absolute must-visit for any plant lovers in D.C. this week, the fact remains that this is a great plan to keep in your back pocket to do with friends or even for a unique date idea!
The collaborative exhibit between the U.S. Botanical Garden and the Smithsonian Gardens closes at the end of this week on April, 28th. The exhibit features hundreds of live orchids and multi-media contemporary art pieces that convey the importance and necessity of environmental activism to ensure a sustainable future for these beautiful plants.
Location: 8th Street Northwest &, G St NW
6. Walk through history at the immersive experience, “Titanic The Exhibition“
If you’re looking for a unique experience and an excuse to get out of town for a little while, then a day trip to National Harbor, Maryland to experience the immersive “Titanic The Exhibition” is the perfect plan for you. The narrated experience takes you through the history of the tragedy and explores the personal stories of passengers who were on board the “unsinkable” ship the night it went down. This experience will only be in town for a few more weeks, so you’ll want to check it out before it’s too late!
Location: 254 Mariner Passage at National Harbor
7. Visit the “Going through Hell: The Divine Dante” exhibit at the National Gallery of Art
The “Going through Hell: The Divine Dante” exhibit at the National Gallery of Art examines the works of Florentine poet, writer and philosopher Dante Alighieri, who famously wrote the Divine Comedy, which famously tells the tale of “Dante’s inferno”. The exhibit dives into the cultural impact that this piece of literature has had, featuring both art and artists who were influenced by the publication.
Location: National Gallery of Art
8. The Spy Museum’s “Bond in Motion” exhibit
Celebrating the decades of cultural influence and impact that the James Bond saga has had on society, The International Spy Museum’s latest exhibition is centered around the various vehicles seen throughout the character’s legendary cinematic history. Having just opened at the start of March, the exhibit has 17 iconic Bond vehicles including his iconic Aston Martin, motorcycles, submarines, and a few of the creative inventions from the Q branch. Tickets to the Bond In Motion exhibit only are listed at $13 per person, if you want to fully experience the Spy Museum, a combo deal between General Admission to the museum as well as the Bond exhibit is available starting at $40 for adults and $29 for children.
9. Witness the beauty of D.C.’s Cherry Blossoms in Peak Bloom
D.C.’s Cherry Blossoms have had an unusually long bloom this spring and you can still see some of their pretty pink petals around the city!
10. Check out the temporary free art exhibit that took over an empty 300,000 sq-foot West End office building
Artomatic is a free art attraction in the city and it will be running until April 28th (this weekend)! The art attraction has converted the former Urban Institute headquarters in the West End into an eight-story tall ‘museum’, broken down into sections dedicated to various forms of art, including: “visual art, performance, dance, film, spoken word, workshops and more,” according to the exhibit’s organizers.
The empty office space is slated for residential conversion by the city, which means that this may be your only opportunity to experience this before it closes!
The hours of the exhibit are:
Wed-Thurs: 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sun: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Mon-Tues: Closed
Location: 2100 M Street NW
11. Attend Film Fest DC
With 62 separate films that represent artists from over 35 unique countries split across nearly two weeks, Film Fest DC is a can’t-miss for any cinema fans in the Washington, D.C. area!