We may be biased as a dispensary in Washington, D.C., but the nation’s capital is one of the best places to have an adventure. There’s something for everyone – historical sites, art museums, critically acclaimed restaurants, theaters. We could go on and on about how multifaceted D.C. is because they have infinite exciting experiences for people of all ages! Is your interest sufficiently piqued? Whether you’re visiting from out of town or acting like a tourist in your backyard, these are the one-of-a-kind experiences you can’t miss!
Dopamine Land D.C.
Dopamine Land is touted as a multi-sensory experience, and that’s precisely what you can expect from this interactive museum! One of the most unique experiences in D.C., Dopamine Land provides ten colorful, multi-media rooms designed to stimulate the senses and excite your inner child.
Start your experience in The Bubble Bar, complete with a ball pool and snacks you can jump into, and then prepare your senses for a day of adventure. Relax in their cozy Decompression Room, experience the visually-captivating Lucid Dreams room, express yourself in The Writer’s Loft, visit the Sensory Lab to ignite the senses beyond sight, get competitive in the Pillow Fight room, and tons more!
Which room will trigger your dopamine? You’ll have to get your tickets to Dopamine Land, D.C. to find out!
Location: 5333 Wisconsin Ave. NW (Friendship Center)
Catacombs of Washington, D.C.
There are famous catacombs worldwide, from Paris and Rome to Lima, Peru, and Alexandria, Egypt. But did you know that D.C. is home to its own underground catacombs? That’s right. The dimly lit passages of the catacombs are located at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America.
Though built in the late 1800s, the D.C. catacombs experiences in D.C. allows visitors to explore haunting, full-size replicas of the tombs and graves in Rome. They may be replicas, but that in no way detracts from your experience. The lives and stories of those interred are very much real and impactful. However, the not-so-ancient catacombs contain some actual remains, including the 7-year-old St. Innocent (unknown real name).
Roman architect Aristide Leonori produced the design based on measurements and photographs from actual catacombs in Italy and shrines in Bethlehem and Nazareth. However, these catacombs are much smaller in scale. These catacombs even feature a papal endorsement, but visitors of all backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to explore this unique experience in D.C.!
Location: 1400 Quincy St. NE
Culture House D.C.
If you’re a fan of the arts, immersive experiences, or just all things colorful, Culture House is a must-see venue. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Culture House offers an art gallery experience unlike any other in D.C. Enjoy exhibitions, live performances, events, artist workshops, and more in this art space and former church.
Culture House is one of the most unique experiences in D.C., with a building of equality as remarkable. Built in 1886, the building was home to the Friendship Baptist Church – one of D.C.’s oldest African-American congregations – for over 100 years. When they moved to a larger space, it was bought by a real estate developer who sought to build condos and offices. They never got the chance; a Historic Preservation Board designation blocked the proposal. But that decision changed everything. The developer commissioned renowned Atlanta-based muralist HENSE to transform the space. The Culture House (formerly named Blind Whino) building is the first art piece that greets each visitor.
In addition to its rotating exhibitions indoors, Culture House D.C. has its Avant Garden, which presents murals, sculptures, culinary events, and more. This is definitely one of the most unique experiences in D.C. for visitors who love learning about art, history, and local culture.
Location: 700 Delaware Ave. SW
Brewmaster’s Castle
Looking for more exciting spots like Dopamine D.C. or educational experiences like the D.C. catacombs? Then head over to Heurich House Museum, better known as Brewmaster’s Castle in Washington, D.C.!
This Gilded Age mansion was Christian Heurich’s family home. An immigrant and European brewer, Heurich built a brewing empire once he reached the United States. Just how significant was this empire? His brewery once distributed over 500,000 barrels yearly, making it the second-largest employer in the capital. Number one: the U.S. government!
This unique experience is your look at D.C.’s labor history. Tour guides transport you back to 1894 to see things through the eyes of Heurich, the craftsman who built his home, household staff, and brewery workers. When the tour is over, you can conclude your trip to Brewmaster’s Castle with the thing that started it all – good beer.
Location: 1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW
The Renwick Gallery
Just a stone’s throw away from the White House is the final spot on our list of unique experiences in D.C., the Renwick Gallery. It’s a National Historical Landmark and a gallery that features the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s permanent collection and exhibitions of American craft and decorative art from the 19th century to the present.
What makes Renwick different from the capital’s other galleries? The oldest gallery in D.C. was one of the first buildings in the U.S. built exclusively as an art gallery. Architect James Renwick designed it after the then-new additions to the Louvre. It was even once known as the American Louvre! Don’t let its historic architecture fool you, though – the Renwick D.C. is home to contemporary, often immersive, exhibitions, sculptures, costumes, and more.
Location: 1661 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #1
Try the Most Unique Experiences in D.C.
You have plenty to see if you’re looking to explore beyond the U.S. capital’s famed landmarks and sites. Awaken your inner child at Dopamine Land D.C., learn about rich local and global history at Culture House D.C. and the catacombs, and tons more! No matter which of these unique experiences in D.C. you choose, you can’t go wrong.
