Washington Business Daily

I'm going to be in Washington for two months on a business trip, what should I do during the evenings?

I'll be there during the weekdays only. A lot of things I'd like to do are closed during the evenings. So what should I do? Other than sit in my hotel room. Washington, DC

Public Comments

1. Where in Washington? Seattle? Grays Harbor? Spokane? Bring your hiking boots and enjoy the country.
2. google yourself
3. DC has many escort services. Are there any "interns" left in Washington or did Bill get to them all? SERIOUSLY NOW. Try the travel bureau in Washington, they can help. Whoever you are doing business with in Washington can make suggestions and in asking they will probably 'host' you to some spots. If you look there are a kazillion and one things to do. Pick up a comprehensive travel guide at Chapters as it will contain many options not on the official list. Kiss Laura for me.
4. There is actually a lot to do. While most Smithsonian museums are closed in the evenings, the American Art Museum/Portrait Gallery is open till 7. And the Smithsonian has a lot of evening programs. Non- Smithsonian museums have late hours. The Corcoran is open till 9 on Thursday, and the Phillips Collection till 8:30 also on Thursday. The International Spy Museum is open until 8 PM on many nights (exactly when depends on a lot, see the schedule below.) with the last entry at 6 PM. The many monuments and memorials are open, generally until at least 11 or 12 at night, but some all night. Indeed the evening is a great time to visit some of them. That includes not only the memorials on the mall (Washington Monument, World War II memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial) and on the Tidal Basin (FDR Memorial, Jefferson memorial) but many of the other memorials, like Iwo Jima in Arlington, the Navy Memorial, the new Air Force Memorial near the Pentagon. If you are here in the spring, then the Carillon near Iwo Jima will begin to have concerts. There are many concerts, free and otherwise, in Washington. The Kennedy Center has a free concert every day at 6:00 PM. What a great idea after a day of work. It's called the Millennium stage. The various service bands (army, navy, air force, marine) have free concerts throughout the year - especially in the summer. If you're willing to pay for entertainment, DC has plenty, at all levels. Lots of theatres (Arena, Folger, Shakespeare Theatre, Wolly Mammoth, Synetic, Studio, Theatre J are local companies, and the Kennedy Center, Warner Theatre and National theatre host touring groups, and broadway musicals) musical groups (Washington Opera, Washington Ballet, National Symphony, Master Chorus, Choral Arst Society, among others). Local universities host local and touring performers (Lisner Auditorium at GW, the Center for the ARts at George Mason in Fairfax, and others) Clubs and other performance venues abound, check out the Washington Post's weekend section on Friday or the City Paper for details. But stopping by Adams Morgan, U-Street/Shaw or some areas of the Penn Quarter/Chinatown, as well as Georgetown can result in lots to do. And I haven't even touched on the suburbs!
5. Plenty to do... I live here and don't spend hardly any nights sitting around. Restaurants are excellent around town... you could eat at a different one every night for two months. Bars abound for all tastes. Check out the various neighborhoods and find what suits you. Georgetown (touristy), Capitol Hill, Downtown around Verizon Center, U St. & 14th area; DuPont Circle etc. Check out historic bars like at the Willard Hotel, Old Ebbitt Grill, etc. See the monuments at night. Its a breathtaking sight. It still amazes me, even after 14 years here. Many embassies host evening receptions that are free and generally easy to get into. This would be fun, especially if you're younger. The Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center) is in the heart of downtown. Wizards and Capitals play there. DC's theater scene isn't NYC, but it'll suffice. Half price, same day tickets are available at "The Ticket Place." They're online. And the Kennedy Center of course. Local universities have theater. Free every night at 6pm at the Kennedy Center: Millenium Stage. Check out the lineup online. Lisner Auditorium at Geo. Washington Univ. has a whole cast of shows. Ira Glass from NPR is there in April. Other concert venues: 9:30 Club, Iota (Arlington), Birchmere (Alexandria), State Theater (Falls Church), etc. Media to check for all sorts of "going out activities": Wash Post Weekend section on Friday; City Paper every Thursday; The Onion's AV Club section; local blogs (DCist, Metblogs, Wash Post's Going Out Gurus; etc.).... The city's a great place, night and day. Get out & enjoy it.
6. Get a hold of me! I'll show you around! I am tons of fun! And I've lived here for 20 freaking years! I was five...sigh. The good old days. But seriously there are tons of things you can do. Check out the monuments...go to a club or two. If you posted your age I could give you a better idea. I'll check back. Cheers!
7. One of my favorite places to go is the Capital Grill-a great place for dinner, drinks, and conversation.