What to do in Washington when it rains
Grey skies over Washington are a chance to go deep on its museums and galleries, poke around an indoor market, and find the cosiest café in town.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, USA
- Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum 650 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
- National Gallery of Art Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20565, USA
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History 1300 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, USA
- International Spy Museum 700 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
- National Museum of African American History and Culture 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, USA
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- National Gallery of Art Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20565, USA
- The Phillips Collection 1600 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
- National Museum of Asian Art 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
- Busboys and Poets 450 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
- ARTECHOUSE DC 1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
- Tryst 2459 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
- Lincoln Memorial 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20002, USA
- United States Capitol Washington, DC 20004, USA
- National Mall Washington, DC, USA
- Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, VA, USA
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial 16 E Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242, USA
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Union Market 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002, USA
- Eastern Market 225 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003, USA
- Whole Foods Market 1440 P St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
- Trader Joe's 1914 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
- Whole Foods Market 2201 I St NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Trader Joe's 1101 25th St NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Le Diplomate 1601 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
- Tatte Bakery & Cafe | City Center 1090 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
- YELLOW Georgetown 1524 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
- maman 750 9th St NW Ste 101, Washington, DC 20036, USA
- Baked & Wired 1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
- maman 1353 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Fashion Centre at Pentagon City 1100 S Hayes St, Arlington, VA 22202, USA
- L'Enfant Plaza 429 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
- CityCenterDC 825 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
- Gallery Place 616 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
- The Washington Harbour 3000-3050 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
- Union Station Shops 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002, USA
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.