Katharine Rust

Washington DC is a city of museums. Locals and visitors alike have a world of knowledge and beauty, all within a small footprint. The museums in DC house everything from Instagrammable modern art installations to mighty dinosaurs to iconic works of art and even the original Starship Enterprise.  With the wide variety of museums, there's something in DC to please every visitor. Most of the iconic museums are all within walking distance of the Smithsonian Metro exit – but some of the real beauties lie off the beaten path.  DC has dozens of museums and galleries nestled in neighborhoods across the city, so a museum crawl can feel more like a museum marathon. You'll find fabulous museums near Chinatown, Judiciary Square, Dupont Circle, and even up the scenic, hilly streets of Georgetown. Touring these far-flung exhibits can be the perfect way to explore different parts of the District. With so many options to explore, our list of the best museums in DC higlights some of the best educational and entertaining experiences and attractions that the nation's capital has to offer. After all that walking and learning, refuel at one of the best restaurants in Washington DC. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Washington DC

With so many bookish staffers pulling late nights on Capitol Hill and engineers pulling late nights in their start-up’s home office, you’d think DC would be rife with coffee shops. You’d be right. DC’s caffeine scene is not entirely 24/7—though some cafés, like Tryst in Adams Morgan, come close. With sprawling couches (and an occasional Washington Post), outdoor seating, and such elevated menu items as house-made fig scones, chocolate croissants and Virginia sausage sandwiches, these days coffee shops in the capital offer a lot more than a mere cup of joe. RECOMMENDED: See the best restaurants in DC

Despite the fact that just about half of DC’s transient population is conservative (give or take a few percentages depending on whoever’s in the White House), the LGBT community is not only thriving, it’s practically the majority leader. That is, if you live on 17th Street, H Street, in Adams Morgan, Shaw, Dupont Circle, NoMa, Navy Yards…Did we mention gay DC is on the rise? Until about 15 years ago, the most flavor you’d savor in the District came in the form of mumbo sauce. But, as with any city’s gentrification pattern, wherever gays and lesbians move, gay and lesbian bars are sure to follow.

The nation’s capital may have earned the nickname “Hollywood for Ugly People,” but when you need an escape from the ongoing political drama, DC movie theaters deliver, whether you want to catch the latest releases, or find art-house fare in screening rooms and auditoriums within some of the city’s best art museums.