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. aims to make your life easier by creating this list of the best things to do in D.C. this week.
There’s also something fun in the district, whether it be a limited-time exhibit, a big show coming to town, or even opening a new place to eat or drink!
So, without further ado, here is our list of the most exciting activities to enjoy in D.C. this week:
This new immersive museum will unleash your inner child
Bubble Planet is headed to D.C., so if you love museums that double as photo ops, you’re going to love it!
This interactive exhibit has 10 different rooms, all with different themes, colors, and sights. Bubbles ranging from soapy baths to smoke-filled orbs to balloons will allow you to float through a magical story that you likely haven’t experienced before.
Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is a D.C. gem. Visitors are invited to explore an extravagant mansion, grab a bite to eat at Merriweather Café, and soak up the lush beauty of the outdoor gardens.
Tickets for adults are $15, with various discounts available for seniors, students, and children. Plan your visit here!
There’s no better place to pay respects on Memorial Day than here in D.C., where the city hosts some of the best events of the year, from the National Parade, National Concert, and events at the nation’s biggest cemetery for military veterans.
You don’t have to be a plant lover to appreciate the peacefulness and tranquility that a room full of orchids has to offer!
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 for any Washingtonian to do with friends or even for a unique date idea!
This year’s exhibit is called ‘More than a Flower: the Connective Power of Orchids’ and is in collaboration with the National Museum of African American History.
Feeling crafty this week?
Featuring paintings, jewelry, candles, and beyond, these hands-on creative classes will unleash your inner maker (and reduce your screen time).
Take a look at some of our favorite DIY classes and workshops here.
Check out the five new galleries at the National Air and Space Museum
Just the other week, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum unveiled five galleries at its Washington, D.C. location along the National Mall!
The location has been under renovation since 2018, and while other galleries will open throughout 2026, the following five galleries are now open to the public:
- Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall
- Futures in Space
- Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight
- World War 1: The Birth of Military Aviation
- Allan and Shelley Holt Innovations Gallery
This incredibly immersive VR experience will transport you across time and space in an instant, taking you to ancient Egypt, where you can explore the pyramids, decipher hieroglyphs, and more!
The most interesting part of the exhibit? It was developed in collaboration with one of Harvard University’s top Egyptologists, Peter der Manuelian, making it an accurate and educational experience.
Check out the incredible new VR-based immersive Machu Picchu experience
At this new immersive experience, you’ll travel back in time 250 years and be transported to the peaks of the Andes at the height of the Incan Empire in seconds!
The experience, which took years to develop, features the world’s top 3D modelling technology to let you explore the seventh wonder of the world as no one has ever been able to before.
Attend March’s National Gallery Night event
This week, on Thursday, March 12th, at 6 pm, the National Gallery of Art is hosting its second ‘National Gallery Night’ event of the season.
The theme of this month’s event is ‘Garden Party’, channeling the deep desire of all Washingtonians for the cold weather to finally end.
Enjoy a unique happy hour at the Library of Congress
There are so many fun free activities in D.C., and Thursday evenings at the Library of Congress are no exception. Taking place every Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm, Live! At The Library includes access to the library’s exhibits, snacks and drinks, and special weekly events including music, performances, films, and more.
While you do have to pay for the food and drinks if you want something to sip or snack on, the experience is otherwise completely free!