212 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Washington, D.C. - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

National Capitol Columns

The United States Capitol's former columns still stand.

Washington, D.C.

The Exorcist Stairs

Site of the climactic scene from the classic horror film.

Washington, D.C.

The Mansion on O Street

With over 100 jam-packed rooms to explore plus elaborate tea services and events, the Mansion on O Street is a hidden treasure.

Washington, D.C.

International Spy Museum

“They say you're judged by the strength of your enemies”—James Bond, Quantum of Solace.

Washington, D.C.

The Dupont Underground

Long-abandoned trolley tunnels just a mile away from the White House are turning into an art space.

Washington, D.C.

National Bonsai Museum

One of the dwarven trees dates back to 1625 and survived the Hiroshima bombing.

Washington, D.C.

The Brewmaster's Castle

This grand gothic brewery has been pumping out suds for over a hundred years.

Washington, D.C.

Space Window at the Washington National Cathedral

A tiny piece of the Moon is embedded in this stained glass masterpiece.

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Unique
Food & Drink
in Washington, D.C.

Clarified Milk Punch

Just so we’re clear, there is actually milk in this old English punch.

Shrub

Before refrigeration, mixing fruit with sugar and vinegar extended its shelf life and made for a tasty drink.

Senate Bean Soup

Bean soup is always on the menu in the U.S. Senate.

Sugar Toad

Chefs carefully detoxify this East Coast pufferfish to create sweet, fried “chicken wings of the sea.”

See all 6 things to eat in Washington, D.C. See all 6 things to eat in Washington, D.C.

Upcoming Washington, D.C. Experiences

Exploring the Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay

Nanjemoy, Maryland

Cemetery Spirits & Stories: Iconography

Washington, D.C.

Exclusive Animal Sanctuary Tour

Poolesville, Maryland

Exploring a Secret Fort

Washington, D.C.

On the Trail of DC's First Brewmaster

Alexandria, Virginia

The Raptors of the Nation's Capital

Laurel, Maryland

Cemetery Spirits & Stories: Uppity Women

Washington, D.C.

Atlas Obscura Trivia for the World’s Most Adventurous Explorers

Washington, D.C.

Explore the Ruins of Seneca Quarry

Poolesville, Maryland

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Stories
About Washington, D.C.

The artist Rodney Winfield went back and forth on 11 versions of the window with officials at NASA and the National Cathedral. Finally he came up with this geometric design that pleased all parties.

The Story Behind the 'Space Window' at D.C.'s National Cathedral

Embedded inside it is a 3 billion year-old moon rock.

by Matthew Blitz

Lisa Carr checks out “Rupee Laguna,” a plum-headed parakeet, who is having difficulty breathing.

What It’s Like to Care for Parrots in Washington, D.C.

Caring for these birds is a big responsibility.

by Matthew Blitz

A CIA-Issued Rectal Tool Kit for Spies

This imaginative gadget was designed to get operatives out of difficult situations.

by Lizzie Philip

January 24, 2019

A sandstone gatepost siting in the shadow of the Washington Monument is one stop on the walking tour.

Explore the Geologic History of D.C. Through This Walking Tour

“These sites are reminders of American history, but they’re also part of the Earth's history."

December 7, 2018

The Johnsons hired their longtime cook, Zephyr Wright, as presidential chef after feuding with her French predecessor.

When the President and His Chef Feuded Over Cold Beans

It was part of an “enduring rivalry” between African-American and French cooking in the White House.

by Ryleigh Nucilli

November 29, 2018

Union Soldiers Buried Their Dead in Robert E. Lee’s Garden

Before Arlington was a national cemetery, it was the Lee homestead, and then a tent city for occupying troops.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

October 26, 2018

Beware the Demon Cat!

Why the U.S. Capitol's 'Demon Cat' Legend Is So Persistent

A lot of it has to do with paw prints.

by Eric Grundhauser

Selma Burke won a competition to create a relief sculpture of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1943.

Who Really Designed the American Dime?

The controversy that has long roiled the coin world.

by Christina Ayele Djossa

January 17, 2018

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Washington, D.C.