Plenty of military families love PCS orders to Washington, DC, whether they’re headed to Fort Belvoir, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, the Pentagon, or other military bases in DC. There's a lot to see and do in the nation's capital, and while many attractions are free and family-friendly, when the elusive date night, or day, pops up, it's time to narrow down the options for the perfect couple's setting.
Food tours, movie tours, free art exhibits, sports events—the list of entertainment options can easily be tailored to personal interests. Local hotels also offer overnight packages that include city events, especially during peak tourist seasons, like Christmas and the Cherry Blossom Festival. From a weekend staycation while the in-laws watch the kids or a night on the town, here's a list of favorite date options to get the planning started.
Must-See City Sights in Washington, DC
While you search for homes for sale or houses for rent in Washington, DC, you may want to find a few date night options while you begin to settle in.
1. The National Museum of African American History and Culture
Still one of the hottest spots in the city, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture offers hours of strolling through the newest museum in the Smithsonian collection. Watch for unique events or lectures for a one-of-a-kind date night. If you love the site, visitors can also host a promotion or retirement ceremony at the museum.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture - Photo by Bruno Coelho via Canva.com
2. Eastern Market
The much-loved Eastern Market is a Capitol Hill neighborhood institution that continues to draw locals and tourists every day. The market has vendors both inside and outside, and it hosts various community activities.
Couples can take a stroll, eat, and shop on their date. Tuesday through Sunday, visitors will find plenty of food options, from prepared local dishes to fresh produce trucked in from nearby farms. Art, craftwork, and antiques are also displayed.
3. Gravelly Point Park
While living in or near DC, you’ve inevitably seen the heavy air traffic coming to and from Reagan International Airport. To marvel at it up close and personal, head to Gravelly Point Park, where the planes fly so low that you can see their number designations as they fly overhead. On a warm day, the setting is perfect for a picnic, hike, or bike date.
Right outside of DC, there are plenty of things to do in Arlington, Virginia, and Arlington restaurants too, for more date night ideas.
Washington, DC, Guided Tours
Guided tours ensure you get a pro’s picks of the best places to visit in the city. To make the most of your date, consider one of these tours to get the most out of your time together.
4. City Brew Tours
For fans of the suds, City Brew Tours has you covered in DC. The company offers public and private tours with transportation included, along with entertaining knowledge from your very own personal Beer Guide. The tour price includes multiple stops, an option for a food-pairing meal, brewery entrance fees, gratuity, and round-trip transportation.
5. DC Metro Food Tours
With more than a dozen food tours to pick from, one will strike your culinary fancy. Both walking and motor coach tours are offered through DC Metro Food Tours, as the company stretches the city limits, visiting nearby Arlington restaurants, or stops in Alexandria, Georgetown, and Leesburg. Historic pub crawls are also on their schedule.
6. DC by Foot
With so many sites to visit, it's nice to have a pre-planned DC tour mapped out for you. DC by Foot offers more than 20 self-guided walking tours at no cost, including GPS-enabled audio tours and neighborhood guides. You can also hire an in-person guide for an even more detailed experience.
If this sounds too good to be true, it isn’t. More than 2,500 TripAdvisor aficionados give DC by Foot guides either "Excellent" or "Very Good" ratings. Walking, bus, night, and boat tours thoroughly cover the city's best parts.
Still looking for the coolest things to do in DC? If you're researching more places to visit after a self-guided tour, visit some of the city’s perennial favorite date night outings: The International Spy Museum, a Library of Congress tour, or Dupont Underground (opens again on September 1, 2026).
Photo by Starcevic from Getty Images Signature via Canva.com
Washington, DC Historic Hotels and Romantic Restaurants
For the ultimate splurge, end the evening in one of the city’s historic hotels. Also looking for top romantic and date night restaurants? Make the evening special by starting with some of DC’s top restaurants before you check in. The Dabney, Tabard Inn, Bistro Cacao, Iron Gate Restaurant, and Lutece have great romantic settings.
7. The Hay-Adams Hotel
This hotel is just steps from the White House and four blocks from the National Mall. If not in use, see if you can sneak up to the rooftop, the Top of the Hay, for panoramic views of the White House and much of the city center. The hotel is also known for its luxury rooftop 4th of July Dinner and Firework Package.
8. The Willard Hotel
The Willard has a 200-year history for its guests to enjoy, also just steps from the White House. President Lincoln resided at the Willard before his inauguration. While not held at quite the level of esteem as the president, the Mint Julep made its public debut outside of Kentucky in 1851 in the hotel’s bar, later becoming the establishment’s signature cocktail. Historic in its own way, Afternoon Tea within Peacock Alley is a go-to Washington, DC, date.
9. The Morrison-Clark Historic Inn and Restaurants
History meets comfortable, contemporary design. Rich in American political history, including First Ladies who entertained and military members who stayed for camaraderie, the inn also has roots in Chinese culture because of its original proximity to the Chinese Community Church and Parsonage. Today, the inn still showcases elements of Chinese design.
The days before your PCS from DC will fly by, so celebrate your time in the city by choosing from some amazing date options. There's something tailored for every couple, from scheduled tours to picnics on the Capitol Lawn and paddleboats on the Potomac.
View these available properties near military bases in DC to help the PCS house hunt:
