After you’ve spent the day touring museums and national monuments in DC, it’s probably time to call it a night, right? Guess again! Though most have their daytime itinerary in DC covered, you’d be surprised how much there is to do in DC at night. From seeing the spookiest spots in Washington, DC, with a ghost tour to walking through a festival of dazzling lights and lanterns, get the most out of your time in DC by adding one (or all!) of these spots to your do-to list!
Monuments by Moonlight Tour
Already seen Washington, DC’s most iconic landmarks and memorials? Don’t discount this tour – it’s one of the most fun things to see at night in DC! Led by a licensed professional guide, the monuments tour takes you by trolley through the city’s most famous sights as they’re dripping in moonlight, giving you the rare opportunity to see DC in a new light.
If you love hearing about history, this is your tour. Not just a camera-worthy experience, the Monuments by Moonlight Tour will also give you interesting historical tidbits and colorful anecdotes (and maybe a ghost story or two!) thanks to the live narration from tour guides. Trust us, you haven’t really seen DC’s monuments until you’ve seen them by moonlight!
During the tour, you’ll get to see the magic and undeniable power of:
- Lincoln Memorial
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
- Vietnam & Korean War Veterans Memorials
- Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial
Winter Lantern Festival
Wintry weather doesn’t stop DC from having a good time outdoors! One of the most fun things to see at night in DC is the Winter Lantern Festival, an annual experience celebrating Chinese lantern festivals. Never heard of the Winter Lantern Festival? Every year, this festival takes a tour through the US, making stops in DC, New York, and Atlanta to showcase 1,000+ artisan-made Chinese lanterns and celebrate the storied history and craftsmanship of the tradition. Whimsical tunnels are filled with LED lights illuminating majestic dragons and other folklore creatures. Chinese silk cloth and hand-painted designs greet you with detail that needs to be seen to be believed. It’s truly a sight to see, which is why it’s one of the most fun things to see at night in DC!
This DC Winter Lantern Festival also has kid-friendly interactive experiences like a bounce house, sugar paintings, and food trucks to replenish your energy after a long night of lights and lanterns. And if you need a last-minute holiday gift, the festival’s got tons of artisan gifts and souvenirs for keepsakes!
Washington, DC Ghost Tours
Love all things spooky? Uncover those that go bump in the night with a DC ghost tour! These tours are chilling, no matter the season. But if you’re one for chills and thrills, this is one the most fun things to see at night in DC.
Dive into the creepy past of Georgetown – DC’s oldest neighborhood – as you traverse its alleys, cemeteries, and churches. Visit Lafayette Park, also known by locals as “Tragedy Square,” to hear stories about crimes of passion, assassination attempts, conspiracies, and claims of ghost sightings. Learn fascinating anecdotes and stories surrounding the capital’s most famous landmarks and monuments. Or, if you’ll be in DC come Halloween, stroll through the Congressional Cemetery for haunting secrets revealed about its ghostly residents. It’s the perfect spooky complement to the stunning Monuments Moonlight tour – happy ghost hunting!
The Escape Game in Downtown DC
If you’re looking for fun things to see at night in DC but aren’t up for the scares of a Washington, DC, ghost tour, you’re in luck – you can still get your heart pumping with The Escape Game. No, it’s not some new game circulating on social media; it’s an adventurous escape room that pits you and your team against the clock to solve puzzles and complete your mission before time runs out. They’ve got realistic, sometimes even a little eerie, escape rooms for all skill levels. Break out of an escape room prison, navigate out of the depths of an abandoned submarine lab, pull off the greatest art heist yet, and more!
Think you have what it takes? Put your skills up to the test and head to the Escape Game in downtown DC or in historic Georgetown!
The Capital Wheel at the National Harbor
Take things to new heights by hopping on the Capital Wheel at National Harbor. One of the most fun things to see at night in DC, riding this Ferris wheel will have you soaring 180 feet above the Potomac River for amazing, unobstructed views of the Washington Monument, the National Cathedral, and the nation’s capital. Each of its forty-two colorful gondolas is climate-controlled, features glass exteriors, and accommodates up to eight people, so bring the whole family!
After you’ve enjoyed aerial views, head down to the Flight Deck, located right under the Capital Wheel. This outdoor, open-air waterfront lounge is the perfect spot to cozy up with cocktails and relax on the Potomac.
Fun Things to See at Night in DC for All Ages
Move over New York City because you’re not the only city that never sleeps! Delve into history and stunning sights with the Monuments Moonlight Tour. Illuminate your senses at the DC Winter Lantern Festival. Take a Washington, DC, ghost tour. Challenge yourself with an escape room. There are tons of fun things to see at night in DC for locals and visitors of all ages and interests. No matter which things you choose, you’re sure to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll be raving about for years to come.
To learn more about everything DC has to offer, dive into our blog at Dispensary Near Me!
