Looking for the best things to do in Washington, DC this weekend? September 19–20 is a great time to explore the city. From one of DC’s biggest neighborhood festivals to museums, historic markets, Georgetown and live performances, there’s plenty happening around the city.
Whether it’s your first visit to Washington or you’re a local looking for something fun to do, here are some of our favorite picks for Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026.
1. Spend Saturday at the H Street Festival
If you want something lively and very DC, check out the H Street Festival on Saturday, September 19.
The annual festival takes over the H Street NE corridor with live music, dancing, local food, vendors, art, family activities and plenty of entertainment throughout the day.
It’s one of those events where you don’t really need a strict plan. Walk around, grab something to eat, listen to some live music and enjoy the neighborhood.
👉 H Street Festival – Official Website
Our recommendation: Visit earlier in the afternoon before the biggest crowds arrive, then spend your evening exploring another part of Washington.
2. Explore Washington, DC with Hello DC Tours
If you want to see Washington’s famous monuments without spending hours walking from place to place, an electric cart tour is one of the easiest ways to explore the city.
Hello DC Tours offers approximately 2-hour small-group sightseeing tours with a live guide, photo stops and views of many of Washington’s most famous landmarks.
Guests can choose between two different cart styles:
Vintage Cart: A classic white vintage-style cart that gives your DC sightseeing experience a fun and unique look. It’s especially popular with couples, families and smaller groups.
Spacious Electric Cart: If you prefer a little more room, Hello DC Tours also offers a larger and more spacious electric cart, making it a comfortable option for families and groups traveling together.
Tours may include sights such as the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, White House, Tidal Basin and other major DC landmarks depending on road conditions and closures.
Daytime tours are great for sightseeing and photos, but one of our favorite experiences is seeing Washington around sunset or after dark, when the monuments are beautifully illuminated.
👉 See Tour Options & Book at HelloDCTours.com
If you only have a couple of days in Washington, this can be an easy way to see many of the city’s highlights without exhausting yourself walking several miles around the National Mall.
3. Visit Eastern Market on Sunday Morning
For a relaxed Sunday morning, head over to Eastern Market in Capitol Hill.
This historic DC market has been part of the neighborhood for more than 150 years. On weekends, you’ll find fresh produce, local vendors, handmade arts and crafts, food and plenty of nearby places for coffee or breakfast.
👉 Eastern Market DC – Official Website
Give yourself an hour or two to explore the market and surrounding Capitol Hill neighborhood.
It’s a nice change of pace after a busy Saturday of sightseeing.
4. Spend a Few Hours at the Smithsonian Museums
You really can’t go wrong with a Smithsonian museum when visiting Washington.
One of the best parts about DC is that many of its world-class museums offer free admission.
Depending on your interests, consider visiting:
- National Museum of American History
- National Air and Space Museum
- National Museum of Natural History
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
You could easily spend an entire day inside the museums, but if you’re only visiting for the weekend, choose one or two that interest you most.
Our recommendation: Don’t try to visit five museums in one day. Pick one or two and actually give yourself enough time to enjoy them.
5. Walk Around the Georgetown Waterfront
If you need a break from monuments and museums, spend part of your afternoon in Georgetown.
Start around Georgetown Waterfront Park and enjoy a walk along the Potomac River. You’ll get views of the water, Theodore Roosevelt Island, Key Bridge and passing boats.
Then walk up toward M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, where you’ll find restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and some of DC’s most beautiful historic streets.
Our recommendation: Georgetown is especially nice in the late afternoon. Grab something to eat, walk along the waterfront and explore some of the quieter side streets away from M Street.
6. See Come From Away at Ford’s Theatre
If you’re looking for something to do indoors in the evening, consider seeing Come From Away at Ford’s Theatre.
The Tony Award-winning musical tells the true story of the residents of Gander, Newfoundland, who welcomed thousands of airline passengers whose planes were diverted following the September 11 attacks.
Seeing the show inside historic Ford’s Theatre makes the experience even more memorable.
👉 Come From Away at Ford’s Theatre
This is a great option for couples or anyone looking to add a theater night to their DC weekend.
7. See Step Afrika! at Arena Stage
Another unique option this weekend is Step Afrika! at Arena Stage.
Their production, The Fruits of Our Labor, combines stepping, percussion, movement and visual storytelling while exploring American history, identity and resilience.
👉 Arena Stage – The Fruits of Our Labor
If you’ve already done the traditional museums and monuments, this is a great way to experience a different side of Washington’s cultural scene.
Our Ideal DC Weekend
If friends were visiting Washington this weekend, we’d keep things simple.
Saturday: Spend the afternoon at the H Street Festival, grab dinner, then explore Washington’s monuments with Hello DC Tours. Choose the classic Vintage Cart for a unique sightseeing experience or the spacious electric cart if you prefer more room.
Sunday: Start your morning at Eastern Market, visit one or two Smithsonian museums and finish the afternoon walking around Georgetown and the waterfront.
If you still have energy in the evening, catch Come From Away at Ford’s Theatre or a performance at Arena Stage.
The biggest mistake many visitors make is trying to fit everything into one day. Washington is much more enjoyable when you leave some extra time for photos, food and simply enjoying the city.
Ready to Explore Washington, DC?
If you’re visiting Washington this weekend and want an easy and comfortable way to see the city’s most famous landmarks, check out Hello DC Tours.
Choose between our unique Vintage Cart or our larger, spacious electric cart and enjoy an approximately 2-hour guided sightseeing tour with photo stops along the way.
Daytime, sunset and after-dark options are available.
👉 Book your Washington DC sightseeing tour: HelloDCTours.com
Enjoy your weekend in Washington, DC!