City Guide
Washington, District of Columbia
Six places earn their spot in the capital, and we would start at Dupont Underground. It is a massive former transit hub that turned an industrial ruin into a canvas for sound and light.
At a glance: 7 place guides, vibes that skew historic and scenic.
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Our picks in Washington
Ranked. Start at the top and work down as far as your weekend allows.
- 1
Dupont Underground: The Secret Transit Tunnels of Washington D.C.
Walk through a 75,000-square-foot former trolley station that once served as a Cold War fallout shelter. It is now a raw, industrial space for art installations and sound experiments.
- 2
National Bonsai Museum: Ancient Trees and Hiroshima Survivors
A Japanese white pine here has been growing since 1625. It survived the atomic blast at Hiroshima and now sits in a quiet horticultural sanctuary.
- 3
Mansion on O Street: A Labyrinth of Secret Doors and Curiosities
Find your way through seventy secret doors hidden across a hundred themed rooms. This residence is part museum and part junk shop, where almost every object has a price tag.
- 4
National Capitol Columns: A Discarded Piece of History in the Meadow
Twenty-two Corinthian pillars stand in an open meadow instead of a government building. They supported the Capitol portico for over a century before being moved here.
- 5
International Spy Museum: The Trade's Real Tools, on Display
Real tools used by real agents, from concealment devices to tradecraft artifacts. It skips the movie tropes to show how espionage actually works as a profession.
- 6
Catacombs of Washington, D.C.: A Franciscan Replica of Ancient Rome
Underground passages built a century ago as a local pilgrimage site. They serve as a meticulously crafted stand-in for the Holy Land for those who cannot travel abroad.
Know before you go
The Rhode Island Avenue metro station is the closest stop for the Arboretum. For the underground art tunnels, use the 19th street entrance rather than following a mapping app. Guided tours for the catacombs are available from 10 a.m. on weekdays. Friday is the last day of the week they open to visitors. Most sites require you to book a time slot online before you arrive.
Common questions about Washington
What should we wear for the tunnels?
Put on closed-toe shoes. The terrain is industrial and you might encounter mud, rusted metal, or broken glass on the floor.
Can we see the Exorcist stairs by car?
You can drive east on M Street and use the lot at the base of the steps. The house from the film is at the top on the left side.
How long do we need for the spy museum?
Give yourself two hours to read the exhibits closely. It gets busy, so buying a timed ticket in advance is the best move.
When is the best time to visit the mansion?
Tours run daily starting at 11 a.m. and the last one of the day usually begins at 3 p.m.
