Washington, DC, has always been the cradle of American museums. The city is home to world-renowned institutions, neighborhood gems, and architectural landmarks that tell the stories of our nation and world. With more than 70 museums scattered across the city, museums have long been places of learning, connection, and civic pride.

In 2025, these beloved institutions are navigating a moment of uncertainty, yet also one of renewed purpose. Like many organizations across the country, DC’s museums face increasing financial pressures, shifting public expectations, and the growing complexity of telling inclusive, multifaceted stories. Museum professionals are working hard to adapt—to remain open and accessible, to stay relevant in a digital age, and to ensure that diverse perspectives are reflected and celebrated.

Through all of this, one thing remains clear: our museums are essential. Exploring a museum in our city isn’t just about viewing what’s on display. It’s about experiencing the design, character, and civic spirit of DC itself. They are places of wonder, learning, and civic pride. They help us understand the world and each other—and in a time when meaningful connection can feel harder to come by, museums provide precisely that. Supporting them—by visiting, donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word—is an investment in our collective future.

This summer, I set out to explore DC’s museums with fresh eyes. I was drawn to institutions that foster dialogue, celebrate design, and anchor their communities in meaningful ways. Some are tucked into historic houses, others inhabit new contemporary spaces, but all offer something unexpected or inspiring. Below are a few of my favorite discoveries, not just because of what’s on display, but how they anchor and uplift the communities around them. I hope they’ll inspire you to visit yourself or to set out and find your own hidden gems across the city.

Heurich House Museum

Located southwest of Dupont Circle, the Heurich House Museum offers a fresh take on the traditional historic house museum model by connecting the legacy of German-American brewer Christian Heurich with the people of modern DC. Built in the 1890s, the mansion is one of the city’s best-preserved examples of Richardsonian Romanesque residential architecture. While the building itself is worth a visit, it is the way the museum connects to today’s local small businesses, artisans, and craft beer makers that sets it apart.

Rather than focusing solely on the building’s past, the Heurich House serves as a vibrant gathering place that celebrates local makers and entrepreneurs. This summer, the Castle Garden has become a lively beer garden featuring rotating local brews and live music. The museum frequently hosts maker markets on weekends, and inside the conservatory, visitors can take part in monthly hands-on workshops led by emerging artisans. In May, I attended a workshop where Patrice from Patreats Boutique taught us to make shower steamers. The Heurich House offers the type of vibrant, authentic setting that more museums should foster: one that is experiential, inclusive, and entrepreneurial.

*Photo courtesy of the Heurich House Museum.*

2. The Phillips Collection

Just a ten-minute walk northwest from the Heurich House, you’ll find The Phillips Collection. Housed in the elegant 19th-century home of collector and philanthropist Duncan Phillips, this is America’s first museum of modern art. While the museum has expanded over the years (including major additions in 1960 and 2006), it remains an intimate setting for viewing works by artists like Rothko, O’Keeffe, and Bonnard.

But the Phillips is more than a traditional art museum. The popular Phillips After 5 events, which take place on the first Thursday of every month, transform the galleries into lively evening experiences that combine art, pop-up music performances, food, exhibition-inspired cocktails, and conversation. The museum hosts dynamic artist talks and public programs that bring contemporary voices into conversation with the collection. As part of the May Phillips After 5, I attended a lecture by contemporary American artist Shepard Fairey, who you may remember from his famous Barack Obama “Hope” poster during the 2008 election. Fairey discussed the role of activism in his work and the power of art to shape public discourse. By pairing its historic setting with vibrant, forward-thinking programming, The Phillips Collection creates a space where art feels more relevant than ever.

*Pierre August Renoir, Luncheon of the Boating Party, 1880-81. Photo courtesy of The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC.*

3. Folger Shakespeare Library

Located just east of the U.S. Capitol, the Folger Shakespeare Library is home to the world’s most extensive collection of Shakespeare’s printed works. Designed by architect Paul Philippe Cret and completed in 1932, the architecture includes a simple Neoclassical exterior and a Tudor Revival interior. The building reopened in 2024 after a major renovation led by KieranTimberlake, which carefully preserved its historic character while introducing refreshed public spaces, expanded exhibition galleries designed by Studio Joseph, and accessible entrances.

The Folger offers a wide range of public programs, including poetry readings in the garden, sonnet-writing workshops, and engaging talks with writers, scholars, and artists. I visited the "Out of the Vault" exhibition, which is a rotating selection of rare books and manuscripts. I was fortunate enough to view a first edition of Galileo’s Dialogo, a banned book that defends the heliocentric model of the universe. Dialogo has already gone back into the vault, but you’ll be sure to find other treasures on your visit. And if you're looking for a cozy coffee spot in Capitol Hill, the Folger is worth visiting for the on-site cafe alone. Quill & Crumb is a beautiful space for visitors to reflect, read, or connect over a snack. It’s a place where the power of language and storytelling feels immediate, accessible, and alive.

*Quill & Crumb cafe. Photo courtesy of the Folger Shakespeare Library. DOLA Photo*

4. The People’s House: A White House Experience

While 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is one of the most recognizable addresses in the world, it can often feel distant—even for those of us who live just blocks away. In 2024, the White House Historical Association opened The People’s House: A White House Experience, a new museum just one block from the White House, to bridge that gap.

The People’s House is a technology-rich educational experience that brings the history of the White House to life. Through immersive exhibits, original artifacts, and interactive displays, visitors gain a behind-the-scenes perspective on this iconic building. Highlights include a full-scale replica of the Oval Office and a 360-degree projection that re-creates a State Dinner. The experience also honors the many individuals—chefs, gardeners, preservationists, and more—whose work has shaped and sustained the legacy of the White House over time.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States next year, The People’s House feels especially timely—a reminder that understanding our history helps us shape our future. It also reminds us that museums are not passive places, but active spaces where stories are preserved, questioned, and reimagined. Now more than ever, they need our presence, our curiosity, and our support. Step inside a museum this summer—you might be surprised by how much it has to say to you.

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