What to do on a rainy day
Washington, D.C. skyline

D.C.

What to do on a rainy day in Washington

The Smithsonians are free and enormous — a rainy DC day can easily fill a week of museum visits.

Washington, D.C. is one of the most-visited destinations in the United States, and a wet forecast doesn't have to ruin a trip. This guide collects 20 hand-picked, fully indoor things to do in Washington when it rains — everything from world-class museums to neighborhood food halls, working theaters, and quiet bookstores where you can wait out the weather over a cup of coffee.

Every recommendation below is something you can do entirely under a roof — no walking tours, no open-air piers, no rooftops. We've grouped them by 15 museums and cultural institutions, 2 theaters and performance venues, and 1 indoor food and drink spots, with direct links to each venue's official website so you can check hours, ticket prices, and current exhibitions before you head out.

20 indoor things to do in Washington when it rains

Grouped by what kind of afternoon you're after.

Museums & galleries

Big, ticketed collections you can lose half a day in — perfect when the forecast says all-day showers.

  1. Visit the National Gallery of Art
  2. Tour the National Air and Space Museum
  3. Explore the National Museum of African American History and Culture
  4. Visit the National Museum of Natural History
  5. Tour the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
  6. Visit the National Portrait Gallery
  7. Tour the Library of Congress
  8. Explore the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden interior
  9. Visit the International Spy Museum
  10. Tour the National Building Museum
  11. Visit the Renwick Gallery
  12. Tour the Newseum's successor exhibits at the Spy Museum
  13. Visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum
  14. Tour the National Museum of the American Indian
  15. Tour the Folger Shakespeare Library

Theaters, music & film

Matinees, jazz sets, and indie cinemas — the most reliable rainy-day plans in any city.

  1. Catch a show at the Kennedy Center
  2. Catch a film at the AFI Silver in Silver Spring

Food halls, markets & tasting rooms

Indoor markets, distilleries, tea rooms and dim sum — eat slowly while the storm passes.

  1. Eat your way through Union Market

Shops, bookstores & workshops

Independent bookstores, indoor boutiques, and hands-on classes that turn a wet afternoon into a souvenir.

  1. Browse Politics and Prose bookstore

More indoor ideas

Workshops, classes, and one-of-a-kind interiors that don't fit a tidy category.

  1. Tour the Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle

Frequently asked questions about rainy days in Washington

What can you do in Washington when it rains?
Plenty. Washington's strongest rainy-day options are its museums, theaters, and indoor markets — this guide lists 20 curated spots, all fully indoor. A reliable starting point is to the national gallery of art.
Are these activities good for families with kids?
Most are. Aquariums, science museums, food halls, and bookstores work well for all ages. For families, prioritize ticketed museums with hands-on exhibits and indoor markets where kids can move around freely between bites.
What's the best rainy-day plan in Washington if I only have a few hours?
Pick one anchor — usually a museum or a covered market near your hotel — and pair it with a nearby café or bookstore. Most venues on this list are clustered in walkable, transit-friendly neighborhoods, so you can string two or three together without spending much time outside.
Do I need tickets in advance?
For major museums, popular Broadway-style shows, and ticketed tours, yes — rainy days are when locals and tourists alike crowd indoor attractions, and walk-up availability can disappear by lunchtime. Use the official links in each listing to book before you go.

More rainy-day guides

Heading somewhere else next? These city guides pair well with Washington.