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Top Cultural centers in Washington, United States

Top Rated Cultural centers in Washington

Top Reviewed Cultural centers in Washington

Reviews

A Cultural Gem in Washington DC

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is an absolute must-visit in Washington DC. From its striking architecture to the phenomenal array of performances, this cultural hub truly stands out.

The center's design is breathtaking, a modern masterpiece set against the Potomac River. Inside, the various theaters cater to diverse tastes, offering everything from classical music and ballet to contemporary theater and jazz concerts.

Attending a performance here is a treat for the senses. The acoustics are impeccable, ensuring an immersive experience no matter where you're seated. The artists and performers consistently deliver outstanding shows, leaving the audience in awe.

What's also impressive is the center's commitment to education and outreach. Their programs engage with the community, fostering a love for the arts among people of all ages.

The staff is courteous and knowledgeable, always ready to assist and make your visit seamless. Additionally, the location provides stunning views of the city and the nearby landmarks.

Whether you're a local or a visitor to DC, a visit to the Kennedy Center is an enriching and unforgettable experience. I highly recommend exploring this cultural gem and catching a show—you won't be disappointed!
Beautiful! It’s been 45 years since I visited The Kennedy Center. I attended a Christmas Celebration on Tuesday, December 05, 2023 at 8:00 pm in the “ Concert Hall”. The production was presented by Alfred Street Baptist Church and Worship Arts Ministry called,”Do You Hear What I Hear?” I had seat no. TR2, F, 23, Door 2 , BREG , Tier 2. I loved the performers, musicians, dancers, orchestra, singers and Al. Surprise guest(s) included, recording artist and Grammy winner, YOLANDA ADAMS and Sean Tillery and others! Awesome production! Great sound! Good seating! Nice parking $25. My ticket was just $45.
Saw the Nutcracker and Celtic Woman. Nutcracker was in the Opera House and Celtic Woman in the Concert Hall. Included photos of the Circles Lounge in the Concert Hall. A local group, the District Irish Academy, performed before the Celtic Woman. A great place to spend the day or evening. Please check a performance out, we think you will enjoy it.
Very nice place with some very interesting pictures and exhibits, nice atmosphere nice people.
This is a very cute place to visit. It’s not super big so it’s perfect if you only have an hour. I’d like to come see their garden in the spring. We all enjoyed getting a small dose of Spanish art and culture.
Great place, if you are around DC, totally worth it to visit the Kennedy Center, even if you don't go for a performance or concert, there are plenty of nice things to do.
There are several auditoriums there, each of them beautiful and greatly decorated, plus the sound system is very good.
The design and architecture of the building, the salons, the entrance, the concert halls, etc are great.
There is a good restaurant, a very nice ( but expensive) gift shop, and at least one art show.
The restrooms are clean, but,
Parking is not good, and mostly crowded, especially during the big events.
Free to visit the center which has interesting and beautiful indoor and outdoor areas. Even on a Sunday night we had no problem finding a performance to view. If using the metro, there are frequently shuttles waiting to bring you, and they run even if just a couple people get on. I want to go back for a musical performance next time.
The best performances are here!
I'm very glad to visit this one!
First time visiting the Kennedy Center and it was a great experience. Staff was helpful in directing the flow of attendees and providing general information. The current exhibit upon entering was a nice addition to the evening. Maxwell, with the orchestra, was beyond fantastic. As the opening night to his concert series, the performance was perfect. This was a no phone event and what a welcomed difference! No views obstructed from people recording all night. Looking forward to more performances at this venue.
Great ambiance but not a lot of exhibition space.
Beautiful institute with lovely Mexican art and visiting exhibits. It’s four floors, didn’t notice an elevator but it’s possible they have one.
Alina Karaman
at 2023 Sep 12
Alina Karaman
at 2023 Sep 12
Love this location, a piece of my country here in US!
Spencer Gardner
at 2023 Aug 31
Spencer Gardner
at 2023 Aug 31
Cool place to visit. I went to an open house event to celebrate Ukrainian independence day.
The events and art at this place are worth to visit. If you like art and culture, you would love this place
This museum has some nice exhibit and the interactive kids activities were top notch. My kids loved the Lego room and building with huge foam blocks. It was worth a visit for them. I enjoyed the exhibit in different items found in homes throughout history and animals found in architecture. However, I left wanting a lot more. For the next two days, I just keep thinking of exhibits I would have liked to see in the Building Museum… while I feel it did a high level introduction to some of these things, I would have liked deeper information on architectural styles, building materials, different architects and styles they introduced, buildings styles or techniques through history, unique building elements through history and the story behind it, and on and on.

The building itself was impressive! I wasn’t expecting the entire interior to be open.
My kids and I spent a great afternoon at the @nationalbuildingmuseum. I loved the architectural photography and dwellings exhibits and my kids and I all loved the blocks and Lego play area. We had limited parking time and it was so hard to leave when it was time. I will be back and next time I’ll plan my parking better! Thanks to @shirlingtonpediatricdentistry the tickets!
The Kennedy Center is an extraordinary venue! My experience there was truly exceptional. As soon as I walked in, I was mesmerized by its grandeur and sophistication.
I had the opportunity to witness The Lion King Broadway performance, and it was absolutely awe-inspiring.
The staff at the Kennedy Center are highly professional and courteous, going above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels welcomed. The seating is comfortable, and the sound quality is excellent.
G level floor is the opera house on the T level floor houses the restaurant and the KC Cafe, offering cafeteria-style options, though they might be a bit pricey. I recommend eating before you come. The arts and ideals exhibits are open to the public.
Stunning view of the Potomac River from the terrace, it’s truly is a cultural hub that leaves a lasting impression and makes any visit to Washington, D.C. unforgettable. Parking is 25$ and located conveniently underneath the building and easy accessible.
A nice place to visit (after all the major museums) in DC. The tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. They have a big room full of legos for kids to build something up
Sam Lee
at 2023 Jul 15
Sam Lee
at 2023 Jul 15
A massive structure with great architectural appeal and a LOT of space. Right now there are 2 great exhibits for kids to build stuff with other kids. I saw lots of parents just hanging back and socializing, while the kids had fun.
We took the family to see The Lion King. The venue was nice. The auditorium where the performance was held was the Opera House. There was a great view of the stage from the main floor and both tiers. The show was done well. My only 2 recommendations would be for the sound system to be enhanced and to add more consession / souvenir locations. Often, I had difficulty understanding what the performers were singing. I know the show, almost by memory, but my family, who were not as familiar with the lyrics, found the sound to be a bit challenging. This has not been the case for any of the other event spaces I have encountered there. The lines to get beverages and souvenirs were long for such a short intermission. A location on each floor would be ideal. All in all, we had a wonderful time and look forward to returning to our next event.
Amazing architecture with monumental columns. There is a very captivating exhibit with mirror like structures that are hanging from the ceiling, and huge kaleidoscopes. Kids love it.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this museum. It does cost $10 for an adult, but it is worth it. They have rotating displays about architecture, city design, house building, etc. The displays I saw on the border wall and architectural photography were particularly interesting. The museum has several interactive areas that seemed popular with children. The museum store was one of the best museum gift stores I've seen, with nice puzzles and toys for children and a wonderful selection of urbanism, architecture, and gardening books for adults. All in a beautiful historic building easily accessible from the judiciary square metro.
We were told about this place from some local people from DC. And this is hidden place of beauty. All people are welcome and it's self guided. Gorgeous murals everywhere
Emily B
at 2023 May 31
Emily B
at 2023 May 31
Visited for the third time in the last few years to see the Brick City Exhibit and really enjoyed it. It is adult big kid and regular kid friendly. The building itself is cool to look around and has an interesting history (they do a few tours a day and I recommend going or reading the Wikipedia article on the building if you can't make the tour). The exhibit about the US-Mexico border was very informative and thought provoking.
kanaatusa
at 2023 May 16
kanaatusa
at 2023 May 16
Wonderful place💙💛
The place of bravery!
A piece of peace!
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to USA!
The best ambassadors know that they way to influence hearts and minds in through their stomachs. Great food and sangria for embassy day.
We took a Spanish 2 class to visit the MCI and had the best time! Our guide gave us a step by step tour of the historical building and added plenty of age-appropriate trivia and information. The murals are incredible and the art exhibit upstairs was just amazing. My students loved the greenhouse room and music room the most.
Excellent stop on the DC Around the World Embassy Tour
Orest Schur
at 2023 Apr 22
Orest Schur
at 2023 Apr 22
This is a very nice and beautiful building on Kalorama. Ukrainian community of DMV area organizes various events and activities there including concerts and just meetings regularly. There’s also an exhibition inside. Definitely recommended visiting for an event 🇺🇦
One of the best Gallery's in the City! Hidden Gem.
Best small auditorium in DC ! Always great programming. Fabulously friendly security and carabinieri, other embassies' security services should take lessons from them!
This is a beautiful building, they have a great mural flowing all the way up the stairs. There are art exhibits, and a film about a part of Mexico. The event we attended was really fun, it celebrated the Day of the Dead
Nathan Lapin
at 2022 Oct 07
Nathan Lapin
at 2022 Oct 07
Wonderful spirit and great food and drink. It was great to see everyone uniting for a cause!
Caitlin Hughes
at 2022 Jul 29
Caitlin Hughes
at 2022 Jul 29
Great benefit concert on the lawn. Highly recommend. Food and beverages were available for purchase.
R C
at 2022 Jul 20
R C
at 2022 Jul 20
Great place to visit! If you like architecture and old/historical designs, this is the place to go! It has wonderful murals and a nice library with old books! The Mansion is Impressive! Loved the history there.

💯 recommended!

On the side note: if you stop by the little gift shop they have there, you might also get to meet one of the most rare and unique dog breeds in the world - a 𝙓𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙞𝙩𝙯𝙘𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙚. Also known as Xolo (“sho-lo”) for short. (There is an estimated population of fewer than 1,000 Xoloizcuintles the United States).

Overall, The Mexican Cultural Institute is a great Historic Site in the DC area!
It's nice that the events are free. However, they need to present better music and art.
Right next to the Mexican cultural embassy (maybe... a historical irony) and right on the corner about 4 or 5 blocks from U street -or- Columbia Heights (10 to 15 minutes "DC walking"). Also, about 7 minutes walking to Meridian Hill Park - where they used to play drums. For movies and exhibitions, you may not need an ID, but they'll verify your name. Programs are genuine and, therefore, may run a little long — but you can budget your time and leave when you are scheduled to leave for another appointment. I love visiting this cultural-embassy location.

PARKING: Ughh. Depends on the time of day. At night you might do better parking on 16th street and walking. Would not suggest the side streets. Parking garages in Columbia Heights and then you can walk from there.

METRO: I feel like Columbia Heights is closer, but you do have UStreet (then walk through the park) or take the 16th street bus (might be clean/might be possible piss 🤢)
Rich in culture and knowledge from authentic sources..and are very welcoming
They often have events and most of them are free. This place is definitely a DC gem. At the event I went to for Dia De Los Muertos I got to see a lot of great art from Mexican artists. There is also a really amazing mural at the institute.
The historic building is a great setting for an special affair. The building is located close the Verizon Center and has plenty of parking around the building as well as various restaurants and bars close to it. Many celebrities and politicians have been inside the building so we consider it an iconic part of DC. the National Building Museum hosts exhibitions, educational programs, and special events. They welcome visitors of all ages to experience stories about the building world and its power to shape our lives and communities. The Museum resides in the historic Pension Building, which contains one of the most awe-inspiring spaces in the nation’s capital
I had a wonderful first impression and can't wait to be a wonderful part of their tai chi program.
We have been coming every year for the past 3 years. lion dance private performance is really the best! Kids love it but also grown ups too 😜... Hoping for extra good luck this year.
Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center (CHACC) is one of the most active cultural centers in Washington, D.C. It's housed in a house in the heart of Congress Heights, a short walk to favorites like MLK Deli and Capital Creamery. The house itself is three stories with the main event space on the ground floor. To that end, they frequently host innovative events like the Youth Marketplace, bringing the city's youngest entrepreneurs to sell their goods and tell their stories. They also host classes around art, yoga, stamping, and more. The CHACC space can be rented for an affordable price (that goes a long way in an expensive city like Washington, D.C.). They also sell art to patrons. If you don't want to buy it, stop by to see the local art hanging on the walls and painted onto the doors. They are beautiful!
Great cultural events , generally free, bringing Italy closer to the US
This gallery is very eclectic and showcases the talents of local artists. My grandchildren and I loved it. It is a hidden gem in the Southeast community!
I really like it the ppl are so friendly and nice I will definitely bc back soon . Thank you for having us.
This is an amazing resource for the community. Art, Music, Food and Vendors all meet and collaborate at this Gem . Definitely a must when on the Southside.
Great music and good socializing afterwords...
Beautiful building.
It doesn't look like it's open from the outside. Not much fanfare and a small sign.
Inside is amazing murals and an exhibit on the bottom floor and on the top floor. There was a library too with amazing tapestries on the wall.
Excellent presentation-- display and discussion art works from 15th century, film tour of luxurious palace of Borromeo family, interludes of medieval music and singing
Fresh popcorn, traditional trinkets, private Chinese Dragon Dance, some of the activities and events on display inside the Chinatown Community Cultural Center, after the parade and firecracker celebration outside, its doors on H Street.
Big space and slot of activities such as Kung Fu and Tai chi
The most creative and safe space for artists and entrepreneurs in Washington D.C. and is the most activating space in Southeast Washington D.C. CHACC has yoga, sewing classes, paint and sips, workshops, pop up shops, weekly events for the community, has art for sale, rooftop mixers etc... this is my favorite place in D.C. to chill hang out and be creative, they even provide opportunity for entrepreneurs to sale their products at specific events they self produce. If you are an artists or entrepreneur this space is for you! The best part the age limit is 5-105!
Hubby and I had a great time stopping into the Tribe pop up shop at the Congress heights arts and culture center. Upon entering we were welcomed in by friendly staff members Jasmia and Andrea, warm music and delightful earthy and floral fragrances. Andrea gave us a quick tour of the hand made artwork, fashions and body products. We left with new connections and high quality, affordable purchased handmade items. We will definitely be back soon! #southeastdc
We went to see Mission Impossible at the Regal Cinema it was very nice, recliner chairs, surround sound.
They need to be more active in the community not just plan the Chinese new year parade and that's it. Some people, dc residents don't even have a clue this place exist.
Bella arquitectura y buenas actividades culturales.
Art All Night DC is a city wide art exhibit held annually featuring artist & artist communities; there's something for everyone ! Includes kid friendly & family friendly festivities 😊