What’s Happening in Washington, D.C. This Fall

If the political scene has left you feeling disillusioned, we understand. However, don’t let that shade your perception of our capital. Beyond the political drama, Washington, D.C., remains one of America's most vibrant, diverse, and culturally rich cities. This fall, there are numerous fresh reasons to visit, from new hotels and a standout restaurant by a Top Chef alum to star-studded theater performances and the revival of a significant literary institution—D.C. is thriving.

Newly Unveiled and Revamped Museums and Monuments in D.C.

This October marks the 50th anniversary of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, part of the Smithsonian that focuses on modern and contemporary art. Located in a striking cylindrical structure supported by four legs, with a central fountain, it sits at the southern edge of the National Mall. To celebrate this milestone, the Hirshhorn will showcase some of the most captivating exhibits in the capital this year, such as Basquiat x Banksy (running until October 26, 2025) and Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960 (available until April 20, 2025), featuring 208 works from 117 artists, including Georgia O’Keeffe, Francis Bacon, and Lee Krasner. The highlight will be OSGEMEOS: Endless Story (on view until August 3, 2025), marking the first U.S. museum exhibition dedicated to Brazilian twin artists Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo—known as os gemeos, meaning “the twins” in Portuguese. Even if you don't recognize their names, their whimsical, colorful figures are likely familiar from murals and street art across cities like New York, Berlin, and Vancouver.

On Capitol Hill, the Folger Shakespeare Library, which houses the world's largest collection of Shakespearean works, reopened in June following a four-year renovation and expansion costing $80.5 million. Previously, its 82 copies of the First Folio were kept in a vault, accessible only to scholars; now, they are permanently displayed in a glass case for the public. The renovation also features new gardens with plants from Shakespeare's texts, specially commissioned artworks, and a rotating exhibitions gallery in the Stuart and Mimi Rose Rare Book and Manuscript Exhibition Hall. The inaugural exhibit, Imprints in Time, includes 52 remarkable items, such as an Egyptian Book of the Dead from the first century BCE and a segment of the Apollo 11 flight plans used by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on their lunar journey.

Just a few blocks from the White House, the interactive exhibit The People’s House: A White House Experience debuted in late September. Spanning three floors and 33,000 square feet, it showcases a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, complete with matching furnishings and artworks; a 1:5 scale model of the South Facade; a gallery displaying framed digital portraits of White House staff; and more. There’s even a shop where you can purchase this year's official White House Christmas ornament, cookbooks, neckties, and plush toys of recent and historical presidential pets, including Bo Obama.

New monuments or memorials in the U.S. capital are a rarity, but in 2021, the National World War I Memorial was established, integrating existing public spaces dedicated to General of the Armies John J. Pershing along Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 14th and 15th Streets NW. This September, the memorial was enhanced with the unveiling of A Soldier’s Journey, a 58-foot-long, 25-ton bronze sculpture featuring 38 figures that narrate the journey of a single “doughboy” as he departs his family, experiences combat, aids the fallen, and returns home. Sculptor Sabin Howard described it as “a movie in bronze,” inviting viewers to experience a patriotic comic strip that unfolds like a classical frieze from left to right.

Trendy new and renovated hotels in D.C.

Owned by Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET and America's first Black female billionaire, Virginia-based Salamander Hotels and Resorts made its D.C. debut in 2022 by taking over the former Mandarin Oriental. They have since embarked on an extensive renovation of the Salamander DC, creating elegant new public spaces with neoclassical influences, redesigned guest rooms in soft pastel shades with curvy furniture, a soon-to-open two-story spa, and Dōgon, a new Afro-Caribbean restaurant by chef Kwame Onwuachi. At the front desk, a stunning bas-relief installation by Art Space NYC showcases nearby monuments, cherry blossoms, and horses, symbolizing the new U.S. Park Police Horse Stables that Johnson helped fund.

This fall will also mark the launch of the 445-room Arlo Washington DC, a boutique hotel that incorporates the District's oldest apartment building, The Harrison, built in the 1880s. The modern addition is sleek and LEED-certified, while the restored part features exposed brick and vaulted ceilings. The Arlo will also host Arrels, a Spanish farmhouse-inspired restaurant serving paella, grilled meats, and sangria.

If you’re attending a performance at the Kennedy Center, consider staying at the newly opened Hotel AKA Washington Circle, just a 15-minute walk from the venue. This hotel overlooks a park-like traffic circle in Foggy Bottom, featuring an 1860 equestrian statue of the first president. Rooms are furnished in neutral tones accented with yellow, and suites include kitchenettes or full kitchens, ideal for extended stays. The hotel also houses a branch of a.kitchen+bar by Ellen Yin, the 2023 James Beard Foundation award winner for outstanding restaurateur, making it the perfect spot for a pre-theater glass of wine and snacks like chickpea panisse or chicken liver tarts.

Washington, D.C.'s most thrilling multicultural dining experiences

Chef Kwame Onwuachi has emerged as one of America's leading culinary talents: he starred on Top Chef, authored a widely praised memoir, and received the James Beard Foundation Award for Rising Star Chef of the Year. His much-loved Tatiana recently earned a spot on the New York Times list of the best restaurants in New York City. Previously, he owned Kith and Kin in D.C., which he left in 2020 to pursue new ventures. This fall, he made a triumphant return to the nation’s capital with the launch of Dōgon at Salamander. The Afro-Caribbean menu is inspired by Onwuachi’s Nigerian, Trinidadian, Jamaican, and Creole roots, drawing on the legacy of Benjamin Banneker, who delineated the boundaries of Washington, D.C. The name Dogon refers to the West African tribe believed to be part of Banneker's ancestry. Diners can expect dishes such as crab with plantain hoe cakes, Ethiopian-spiced chicken and rice, and a crispy lamb dish honoring Ben’s Chili Bowl. This U Street landmark, founded in 1958 by a Trinidadian immigrant, is celebrated for its tamarind-glazed lamb and chickpea curry that reflect his heritage.

Another noteworthy addition is Chicatana, a Mexican eatery that has gained popularity in the city and recently expanded to a larger space on 14th Street this summer. Its seafood-centric menu pays homage to the owners' home state of Guerrero on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. For an adventurous experience, try the bugs—chicatanas, a type of edible flying ant, feature in tacos, gorditas, and buñuelos, and can even be found atop a signature cocktail, along with chapulines (grasshopper) tacos.

Located on the vibrant U Street Corridor, Yalla—which means “let’s go!” in Arabic—offers a lively Middle Eastern dining experience with a lush rooftop and a dynamic lineup of DJs and live performers. Chef Marcel Chehaieb showcases the rich flavors of Lebanon through shareable dishes, including dips like hummus with duck confit and pine nuts, appetizers such as seared sheep’s milk halloumi, and grilled skewers featuring swordfish and octopus. Don’t miss the inventive cocktails, infused with Middle Eastern ingredients like dates, za’atar, arak, and orange blossom water.

While there’s some discussion about whether D.C. qualifies as part of the South, there’s no denying that the recently opened Mallard draws deeply from the region’s culinary heritage. Inspired by chef Hamilton Johnson’s passion for carving wooden decoy ducks, this Logan Circle eatery presents a Southern journey through dishes like fried Chesapeake oysters with deviled egg aioli, Virginia ham tartine, and Gulf Coast mahi accompanied by crawfish and foie gras étouffée. Celebrate the restaurant's namesake by sampling any duck dish, such as wings made with RC Cola and concord grapes, or the Pennsylvania Peking duck, served in two styles—spiced breast and chicken-fried leg.

Washington, D.C.'s trendiest new bars

One of the most exciting cocktail bars to open in D.C. in recent years, Providencia is the latest venture from chef Erik Bruner-Yang, alongside bartenders Pedro Tobar and Daniel Gonzalez from his popular Taiwanese-Cambodian restaurant Maketto. This cozy lounge is located in a former flower shop nestled in a mural-adorned alleyway, and its drink menu is inspired by the Taiwanese and Salvadoran upbringings of its creators. Expect cocktails featuring lesser-known Latin spirits such as the sugarcane-distilled charanda from Mexico, Singani brandy from Bolivia, and Cihuatán rum from El Salvador, enhanced with flavors like taro, sesame horchata, plantains, and mazapán (a Mexican peanut candy).

Watch for the upcoming Press Club Cocktail Bar, set to open mid-October in Dupont Circle following a series of pop-up events. The name pays tribute to the National Press Club while also referencing the pressing of vinyl records and cocktail ingredients; the atmosphere will resemble a Japanese-style listening bar, complete with an album-inspired menu featuring both classic and innovative cocktails along with themed tasting experiences.

The season's most sought-after performances

New York theater legend Matthew Broderick is making his way down the Eastern Seaboard for a month-long engagement in Babbitt (running through November 3) at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Playwright Joe DiPietro has adapted Sinclair Lewis's 1922 satirical novel, with the two-time Tony winner taking on the role of the titular everyman alongside fellow Broadway stars such as Ann Harada and Ali Stroker. Following this, the theater will present Tom Stoppard’s acclaimed epic drama Leopoldstadt (from November 30 to December 29), which explores the Jewish community in early 20th-century Vienna.

Meanwhile, across town, The Kennedy Center is staging a revival of the quirky Broadway musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (available until October 20), featuring a cast that includes SNL alum Taran Killam, Glee’s Kevin McHale, Booksmart star Beanie Feldstein, and recent Tony winner Bonnie Milligan from Kimberly Akimbo. Other highlights this fall include André 3000's Kennedy Center debut on November 9, performing alongside Baltimore-based singer-songwriter serpentwithfeet.