What attraction is open at night in DC?
 

I'll be in Washington DC for a job interview and have 2 night there. I'm planning on the nightime tour of the monuments one night, but am wondering what would be good for the other night. I'm not interested in bars, restaurants, shopping. I can do that at home. Just want to see the sights in the short time that I'll be there, but it seems that nearly everything closes around 5 or 6.

I'm sure locals will have ideas for you, but the first thing that occurs to me is the Kennedy Center. You could take in a show or concert (see washingtonpost.com for an events calendar), or just walk around and have a look, especially at the rooftop terrace.

The National Cathedral has evening concerts occasionally, esp. during the holidays, which would give you a chance to take a look even if you don't stay for the music.

I remembered this from another thread: recommended, the nighttime Old Town Trolley tour (Monuments by Moonlight).

I found the website:

http://www.trustedtours.com/store/Mo...ight-C211.aspx

And, of course, I just reread your original post and see that you already planned this and were looking for something for the other night....DUH! (Sorry)

The Smithsonian website has a Smithsonian after 5 link with events in the evenings.

Thanks. I checked out the Smithsonian. Am wondering if it'd be a nice evening to walk past the White House, Capitol, and then go to the Old Post Office, which I think is open until 8:30. I think that there's a Christmas tree display outside either the Capitol or White House.

There are free hour-long performances everyday at 6pm on the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center. You should be able to get a schedule of the performances while you are here from their website.

Also, the National Portrait Gallery/Museum of American Art is open until 7pm daily.

Thanks! Now if we just don't get the 6-12" of snow here that they're predicting, I'll be all set.

The National Christmas Tree, along with smaller trees from each of the 50 states, a burning yule log and nativity scene, are on the Elipse on the South side of the White House.

However, walking past the White House and the Capitol and then to the Old Post Office building doesn't really work very well. It's about a mile and half from the White House to the Capitol, and the Post Office is in between.

I like the Kennedy Center suggestions. Watch a free performance and then go up and see the view from the roof terrace.

If one of your evenings is a Thursday, you could go to the Phillips Collection

http://phillipscollection.org/

I am pretty sure the Spy Museum is open later than 5:00.

Spy Museum is open until 6 most evenings this month but last admission is two hours before closing.

info on the National Christmas tree and music events during the holiday season
http://www.nps.gov/whho/upload/2008_...rformances.pdf

Everything doesn't close in DC at 5 or 6 any more than it does in any other city. I have no idea what you are talking about or what things you want to be open at night that would all close at 5 or 6.

You don't mention when you're coming to DC - and that would definitely affect what is available. The nightime tour is amazing - I think you'll really like that, and then if you're here any time soon, going to see the tree would be kind of fun...

Christina, once you take away the memorials, which he is seeing by bus tour, and "bars, restaurants, shopping", as far as major tourist attractions go you're pretty much left with things that close at 5 or 6 in December, with the exception of the Kennedy Center and a few other things that have been mentioned. Everyone else in the thread seemed to understand that just fine.

There's always the TGHL Party. you know, the Thank God He's (Bush)is Leaving party going on at every bar in the area. :))