Laken Brooks

Spring is exciting anywhere, but it’s possibly the most exciting in D.C. The city is finally waking up after a particularly brutal, gray winter with prolonged stretches of sub 20 degree weather; for the first time in months, the skies are consistently blue and the sun is bright. Rather than masses huddled inside, I’m seeing people strolling, having picnics, and lazing away weekend mornings on the city’s many patios. It’s the season of renewal, so that means it’s time to make plans for how to start these sunny days on the right foot. Get our steps? Check. Check out all the new museum exhibits, plays, and dance parties happening in March? Figuring out which of the restaurants in our top-tier culinary scene to patronize is part of this, too. To curate the list of the best restaurants in D.C. right now, I considered which places are a.) innovating and, b.) places I’d most like to be as the seasons shift from winter to spring. The answer? Tucking into a slab of pizza and a Hugo Spritz while my friends squeeze onto a picnic table’s long bench. Diving into a pile of injera and scrambled eggs while I gossip about the night before. In a dining room that consistently surprises with ingenious riffs on familiar dishes. Every restaurant on this list evokes the feelings of comfort, excitement, and renewal that the season calls for. Read on for the 19 best restaurants in Washington, D.C. this month. Updated March 2025: Time Out has instituted a sitewide policy change. For more on our new po

There's one thing nearly every visitor and resident of Washington, D.C. can agree on—we are a museum town. History buffs, art enthusiasts and people simply interested in America's past need to look no further than the nation's capital, which is chock-full of cultural institutions worth visiting whether you're here for a day or have been for years—many of which are free to enjoy, we might add.  The sheer number of worth-it museums in the District can feel overwhelming, but don't worry, because we're here to guide you through the spaces and galleries you simply can't miss. if you like learning—or at least looking at some seriously cool and beautiful objects—I promise there is a museum for you on this list, which encompasses art, history, interior design, pop culture, literature, and even old nuclear missiles. Read on for the 20 best museums in Washington, D.C. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Washington, D.C.🏛️ The best Washington, D.C. attractions🍴 The best restaurants in D.C. right now🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Washington, D.C.💰 The best cheap hotels in Washington, D.C. This guide was written by Washington, D.C. locals. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.