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Sunset

Golden Light on the Mall

Start with a snack near the Mall, catch the last light on the water, and end the night with a drink in the Quarter.

Best time: 17:10About 210 min

Timeline

  1. 15:10

    Oyamel Cocina Mexicana

    Grab a bite at Oyamel Cocina Mexicana. The mole is outstanding and the atmosphere is lively. It is just a short walk from the Mall, putting you in the perfect spot for the evening.

  2. 16:10

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

    Walk to the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden. The brutalist architecture frames the sky beautifully. Spend the hour wandering the Sculpture Garden or checking the contemporary exhibits. The building faces SSE, offering a clear view of the WSW sunset.

  3. 17:10

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

    Stay in the Sculpture Garden or on the steps of the Hirshhorn to watch the sun dip below the horizon. The light turns golden around 16:29, casting long shadows across the Mall before the sun sets at 17:10.

  4. 18:40

    ChurchKey

    Head to ChurchKey for a post-sunset drink. The walk from the Mall is short, and the crowd here is dense, so be prepared to stand. The 50 craft brews on tap and the stylish bar make it a great place to decompress after the cold evening air.

Local tip

The Hirshhorn is open late, but check the specific exhibition hours. ChurchKey is extremely popular and often has a queue; arriving early helps secure a spot at the bar.

Check before you go

  • Oyamel Cocina Mexicana is open until 22:00 on Sundays and Mondays, and later on other days. Verify your visit day.
  • ChurchKey is open until 01:30 on weekdays and 02:30 on weekends.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Washington, D.C. (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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