10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Washington DC

The National Mall is where you can explore Washington DC’s most iconic buildings, including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian museums. While you can easily explore the pedestrian-friendly park on foot, a joint bike ride offers plenty of romantic moments with your significant other. Springtime in the city brings blooming cherry trees around the Tidal Basin, while autumn (mid- to late-October) is when the monuments and memorials stand out against a backdrop of red and gold foliage.

The Tidal Basin is a manmade pond overlooked by many Washington landmarks, including the Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials. The 2-mile-long pond is a popular spot for cycling and jogging all year round, but it draws a big crowd in spring as hundreds of cherry trees are in full bloom during this season. Paddleboat rides are available between March and October and cost about $18 an hour for a 2-person boat or $30 for a 4-person boat.

The United States Botanic Garden was founded in 1820, making it one of the oldest gardens in the country. The conservatory is home to a variety of medicinal plants, succulents, orchids, and rare flowers, and even a reconstructed landscape of ancient plant groups dating back to prehistoric times. Free talks, demonstrations, and exhibitions are available for those who want to learn more about the garden. Located in Maryland Avenue, the United States Botanic Garden is next to the US Capitol and the Library of Congress.

The Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is an opulent mansion located 1.5 miles north of Rock Creek Park. It belonged to heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post back in the 19th century, who furnished this estate with Russian porcelain and religious items as well as French decorative art dating back to the 18th century. You can join a guided tour of the entire mansion, with its library, breakfast room, and pavilion being some of its most elaborately decorated rooms. Outside are 13 acres of grounds with several themed gardens, including a French Parterre and Japanese-inspired garden.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company hosts classic plays at Lansburgh Theatre and Sidney Harman Hall, both located in downtown Washington DC. Fans of William Shakespeare’s creations can enjoy classics such as Romeo & Juliet, and Twelfth Night, as well as plays by prominent playwrights such as Tennessee Williams, Oscar Wilde, and Friedrich Schiller. For 2 weeks during summertime, the Shakespeare Theatre Company offers free performances to 200 people at the Sidney Harman Hall.

U Street, known as the birthplace of jazz legend Duke Ellington, houses some of the busiest nightclubs, jazz clubs, and theatres in Washington DC. From the internationally-acclaimed 9:30 Club to underground U Street Music Hall, there’s always a live gig happening on U Street. Even if you’re not there for drinks and music, you can find many art galleries, vintage shops, and wall murals while exploring this colourful neighbourhood.

Rock Creek Park is one of the largest green expanse in Washington DC. Hiking is a popular activity as the park has more than 30 trails to suit any fitness level. The Rock Creek Park Horse Center offers daily horseback riding lessons and guided trail rides for those looking to explore the park at a leisurely pace. It’s also a popular spot for picnics, jogging, tennis, and cycling, so expect huge crowds if you’re visiting on weekends or national holidays.

Dupont Circle is a trendy neighbourhood about a mile northwest of Lafayatte Square, in the city centre. Known as the LGBT-friendly district of Washington DC, it has a rather youthful vibe thanks to its many trendy cafés, art galleries, and boutiques. Crowds often gather at the marble fountain in Dupont Circle for a variety of events, such as chess matches and street performances. Art lovers can visit The Phillips Collection, which displays over 4,000 modern artworks by renowned French and American artists.

The National Gallery of Art displays more 140,000 artwork from Europe and America from different time periods. Its West and East Buildings are connected by an underground concourse that’s fitted with Leo Villareal’s Multiverse installation, where you can see over 41,000 LED nodes creating hypnotic trailing lights and abstract sculptures. A highlight here is the Sculpture Garden, which has a large fountain that functions as an ice rink during winter. Admission to the National Gallery of Art is free all year round.

Washington DC is teeming with Michelin-starred restaurants, which are great places to end the day on a romantic note. One of the city’s top fine-dining spot is the Michelin-starred Plume at The Jefferson hotel. Choose a cosy spot by the fireplace and enjoy its prix-fixe menu of European fare. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list of 1,300 labels, including 50 vintages and the largest collection of Maideira wines in the USA.