Thanksgiving Weekend in DC

There is no need to rush Thanksgiving morning.
Begin the day at The Jefferson, DC before heading outside for a walk through downtown Washington. With many offices quiet for the holiday, the morning offers an opportunity to see familiar streets at a different pace.

Walk toward the White House and National Mall, taking in the monuments and memorials before the day’s celebrations begin.

Thanksgiving does not mean the entirety of Washington closes its doors. Smithsonian museums traditionally remain open on Thanksgiving Day, offering an opportunity to spend part of the holiday exploring art, history, science, and culture.

Choose a museum that speaks to your interests and allow the afternoon to unfold without an overly ambitious itinerary.

Thanksgiving ultimately returns to one thing: gathering.
Whether it is a traditional family celebration or an intimate dinner for two, make the table the centerpiece of the evening. A long weekend away offers the opportunity to create traditions of your own. Good food, familiar faces, and memories to hold.

The Greenhouse’s special Thanksgiving menu brings a seasonal, contemporary take to the holiday table beneath its signature skylight. For a more private celebration, The Wine Cellar offers an intimate setting for smaller gatherings, while The Book Room provides a private dining room suited to larger families and groups.

Return afterward to The Jefferson, DC for the perfect wind down in the city.

Skip the early alarm. Spend the morning exploring Dupont Circle and the streets surrounding The Jefferson, DC, stopping for coffee before browsing neighborhood shops and galleries.

Or head toward Georgetown, where historic streets, boutiques, restaurants, and the waterfront make it easy to turn a morning of shopping into an afternoon of exploration.

By Thanksgiving weekend, Washington’s holiday season has begun.

Make your way downtown to browse the DowntownDC Holiday Market, where local makers, artists, seasonal food, and holiday gifts transform the city center into a festive gathering place.

Take your time. Thanksgiving weekend is less about checking off attractions and more about watching Washington transition into the season ahead.

As daylight fades earlier, the capital takes on another character.

Return to the National Mall to see the monuments illuminated after dark, catch a performance at one of Washington’s theaters or concert venues, or settle into a cocktail bar for a quieter evening. Back at The Jefferson, DC, Quill Bar & Lounge offers an intimate place to bring the day to a close.

Some of Washington’s most compelling cultural experiences are only moments away. You can enjoy some exclusive experiences all at the Jefferson. We even have an in-house historian, Dr. Susan Sullivan Lagon.

Near The Jefferson, DC, the National Geographic Museum of Exploration offers a different perspective on the museum-going experience, bringing stories of science, exploration, nature, history, and cultures from around the world together under one roof.

Its proximity to the hotel makes it an easy addition to the morning without requiring a journey across the city, leaving more of the day open to explore.

Continue toward the National Mall and its Smithsonian museums, spend a few hours surrounded by art at the National Gallery of Art, or visit The Phillips Collection in nearby Dupont Circle.

The pleasure is in choosing rather than attempting to see it all.

After the museum, turn toward the neighborhoods. Explore Georgetown and its waterfront, wander through Logan Circle and 14th Street, or head to Capitol Hill and Eastern Market for a more residential view of Washington.

Each offers its own interpretation of the city, particularly over a long weekend when there is time to explore without an agenda.

Make Saturday evening an occasion. Reserve a table, see what is playing at one of Washington’s theaters, attend a concert, or check the schedules at the city’s major sporting venues. Late November brings an evolving calendar of performances, basketball, hockey, and seasonal events.

The final morning calls for something leisurely. Settle in for breakfast or brunch before taking one last walk through the city. Revisit a favorite neighborhood, return to a museum you missed, or use the morning simply to enjoy Washington without a schedule.

Before departing, take one final walk toward the White House or National Mall.

Thanksgiving weekend sits between two seasons: the last notes of fall and the anticipation of the holidays. It is a fleeting version of Washington—and part of what makes the weekend feel distinctive.