51 Washington D.C. Trivia Questions That Will Test Your Capital Knowledge

Washington D.C. is not just the political heart of the United States, but also a repository of the nation’s history and culture. This iconic city, brimming with monuments, museums, and historical landmarks, offers a treasure trove of anecdotes and facts that even the most seasoned tour guides might not know. From the secrets of the Capitol Building to the hidden stories behind the city’s memorials, the trivia of Washington D.C. is as diverse as the country it represents.

Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of Washington D.C. trivia.

Washington D.C. Trivia Questions – Round 1

1. What year was Washington D.C. established as the capital of the United States?

a) 1789
b) 1790
c) 1800
d) 1812

2. What river runs along the western border of Washington D.C.?

a) Potomac River
b) Anacostia River
c) Chesapeake Bay
d) Shenandoah River

3. Which building serves as the official residence of the President of the United States?

a) U.S. Capitol
b) Library of Congress
c) The White House
d) Supreme Court Building

4. The Washington Monument honors which founding father?

a) Thomas Jefferson
b) George Washington
c) Benjamin Franklin
d) Alexander Hamilton

5. What is the name of the annual event held on the National Mall celebrating the arrival of spring?

a) Cherry Blossom Festival
b) National Book Festival
c) Smithsonian Folklife Festival
d) National Independence Day Parade

6. Which museum in Washington D.C. is dedicated to African American?

a) National Gallery of Art
b) National Museum of African American History and Culture
c) Smithsonian American Art Museum
d) National Museum of American History

7. What is the name of the official residence of the Vice President of the United States?

a) The Capitol
b) Blair House
c) Vice President’s Mansion
d) Naval Observatory

8. Which president established the first national park in the United States within Washington D.C.?

a) Thomas Jefferson
b) Ulysses S. Grant
c) Abraham Lincoln
d) Franklin D. Roosevelt

9. What is the name of the large public park located in downtown Washington D.C.?

a) Rock Creek Park
b) Lafayette Square
c) National Mall
d) Meridian Hill Park

10. Which museum is known for its collection of aircraft and spacecraft?

a) National Museum of Natural History
b) National Air and Space Museum
c) National Museum of American History
d) National Museum of the American Indian

11. Which metro line in Washington D.C. is colored red on the map?

a) Green Line
b) Red Line
c) Blue Line
d) Yellow Line

Round 1 – Answers

1. What year was Washington D.C. established as the capital of the United States?

Answer: b) 1790

2. What river runs along the western border of Washington D.C.?

Answer: a) Potomac River

3. Which building serves as the official residence of the President of the United States?

Answer: c) The White House

4. The Washington Monument honors which founding father?

Answer: b) George Washington

5. What is the name of the annual event held on the National Mall celebrating the arrival of spring?

Answer: a) Cherry Blossom Festival

6. Which museum in Washington D.C. is dedicated to African American?

Answer: b) National Museum of African American History and Culture

7. What is the name of the official residence of the Vice President of the United States?

Answer: d) Naval Observatory

8. Which president established the first national park in the United States within Washington D.C.?

Answer: b) Ulysses S. Grant

9. What is the name of the large public park located in downtown Washington D.C.?

Answer: c) National Mall

10. Which museum is known for its collection of aircraft and spacecraft?

Answer: b) National Air and Space Museum

11. Which metro line in Washington D.C. is colored red on the map?

Answer: b) Red Line

Washington D.C. Trivia Questions – Round 2

What famous landmark serves as the meeting place of the United States Congress?
Which museum in Washington D.C. is known for its extensive collection of American art?
What is the name of the historic avenue in Washington D.C. where many national parades and protests take place?
Which iconic monument in Washington D.C. is dedicated to the third President of the United States?
What is the name of the annual event in Washington D.C. where people gather to watch the official lighting of the Christmas Tree?
Which river forms the eastern border of Washington D.C.?
Which institution in Washington D.C. serves as the primary library of the United States Congress?
What is the name of the historic theater in Washington D.C. where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated?
What is the name of the executive mansion located adjacent to the White House, which serves as the official guest house for the President of the United States?
Which neighborhood in Washington D.C. is known for its vibrant nightlife, diverse dining options, and colorful street art?
Which university in Washington D.C. is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit-affiliated institution of higher education in the United States?
What is the name of the historic building in Washington D.C. where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are displayed?
Which famous document is stored in the National Archives Building?
Who designed the layout of Washington, D.C.?

Round 2 – Answers

1. What famous landmark serves as the meeting place of the United States Congress?

Answer: The United States Capitol

2. Which museum in Washington D.C. is known for its extensive collection of American art?

Answer: Smithsonian American Art Museum

3. What is the name of the historic avenue in Washington D.C. where many national parades and protests take place?

Answer: Pennsylvania Avenue

4. Which iconic monument in Washington D.C. is dedicated to the third President of the United States?

Answer: Thomas Jefferson Memorial

5. What is the name of the annual event in Washington D.C. where people gather to watch the official lighting of the Christmas Tree?

Answer: National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

6. Which river forms the eastern border of Washington D.C.?

Answer: Anacostia River

7. Which institution in Washington D.C. serves as the primary library of the United States Congress?

Answer: Library of Congress

8. What is the name of the historic theater in Washington D.C. where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated?

Answer: Ford’s Theatre

9. What is the name of the executive mansion located adjacent to the White House, which serves as the official guest house for the President of the United States?

Answer: Blair House

10. Which neighborhood in Washington D.C. is known for its vibrant nightlife, diverse dining options, and colorful street art?

Answer: Adams Morgan

11. Which university in Washington D.C. is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit-affiliated institution of higher education in the United States?

Answer: Georgetown University

12. What is the name of the historic building in Washington D.C. where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are displayed?

Answer: National Archives Building

13. Which famous document is stored in the National Archives Building?

Answer: Declaration

14. Who designed the layout of Washington, D.C.?

Answer: Pierre Charles L’Enfant

Washington D.C. Trivia Questions – Round 3

1. Which neighborhood in Washington D.C. is famous for its historic row houses and cobblestone streets?

a) Dupont Circle
b) Georgetown
c) Adams Morgan
d) Foggy Bottom

2. Which memorial in Washington D.C. honors the 32nd President of the United States and features a waterfall?

a) Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
b) Thomas Jefferson Memorial
c) Theodore Roosevelt Island
d) Arlington Memorial Bridge

3. What is the tallest building in Washington D.C.?

a) Washington Monument
b) United States Capitol
c) Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
d) International Trade Center

4. Which president is depicted on the U.S. $50 bill?

a) Thomas Jefferson
b) Abraham Lincoln
c) Ulysses S. Grant
d) Franklin D. Roosevelt

5. The Smithsonian Institution is composed of how many museums and galleries in Washington D.C.?

a) 10
b) 15
c) 20
d) 25

6. Which former slave, abolitionist, and women’s rights activist is memorialized with a statue in the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall?

a) Sojourner Truth
b) Harriet Tubman
c) Frederick Douglass
d) Booker T. Washington

7. In which neighborhood of Washington D.C. would you find the National Zoo?

a) Columbia Heights
b) Foggy Bottom
c) Adams Morgan
d) Woodley Park

8. What is the name of the professional basketball team based in Washington D.C.?

a) Washington Wizards
b) Washington Nationals
c) Washington Capitals
d) Washington Redskins

Round 3 – Answers

1. Which neighborhood in Washington D.C. is famous for its historic row houses and cobblestone streets?

Answer: b) Georgetown

2. Which memorial in Washington D.C. honors the 32nd President of the United States and features a waterfall?

Answer: a) Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

3. What is the tallest building in Washington D.C.?

Answer: a) Washington Monument

4. Which president is depicted on the U.S. $50 bill?

Answer: c) Ulysses S. Grant

5. The Smithsonian Institution is composed of how many museums and galleries in Washington D.C.?

Answer: c) 20

6. Which former slave, abolitionist, and women’s rights activist is memorialized with a statue in the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall?

Answer: a) Sojourner Truth

7. In which neighborhood of Washington D.C. would you find the National Zoo?

Answer: d) Woodley Park

8. What is the name of the professional basketball team based in Washington D.C.?

Answer: a) Washington Wizards

Too easy? Our Washington D.C Clue Search Puzzle will make you think more than twice

Washington D.C. Trivia Questions – Round 4

What is the name of the historic military installation located in Washington D.C., which has served variously as a fort, a military headquarters, and a ceremonial ground?
Which federal agency headquartered in Washington D.C. is responsible for conducting investigations and safeguarding the nation’s borders?
What is the name of the iconic bridge in Washington D.C. that spans the Potomac River, connecting the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery?
What is the name of the historic theater in Washington D.C. that hosted the first public concert by Duke Ellington?
What is the name of the large public square located in front of the White House?
Which architectural style characterizes many of the government buildings in Washington D.C., including the White House and the Capitol?
What is the name of the famous cultural festival held annually in Washington D.C. to celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions of the United States?
What is the name of the historic neighborhood in Washington D.C. known for its LGBTQ+ community and vibrant nightlife?
What is the name of the historic market in Washington D.C.’s, known for its fresh produce, artisanal goods, and flea market?
Which agency in Washington D.C. is responsible for managing the city’s public transportation system, including the bus and metro services?
What is the name of the historic home and estate of George Washington, located near Washington, D.C.?
Which annual event in Washington, D.C. features the President’s address to Congress?
Name the national park located in Washington, D.C. that features a famous tidal basin.
Which monument is dedicated to the 16th President of the United States and features a large statue of him seated?
What is the name of the performing arts center in Washington, D.C. that hosts a variety of concerts, ballets, and operas?
Name the historic fort located on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., which is now a national park?
What is the name of the indoor arena in Washington, D.C. that hosts basketball games, concerts, and other events?
What is the name of the public square in Washington, D.C. that hosts protests, rallies, and other events?

Round 4 – Answers

1. What is the name of the historic military installation located in Washington D.C., which has served variously as a fort, a military headquarters, and a ceremonial ground?

Answer: Fort McNair

2. Which federal agency headquartered in Washington D.C. is responsible for conducting investigations and safeguarding the nation’s borders?

Answer: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

3. What is the name of the iconic bridge in Washington D.C. that spans the Potomac River, connecting the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery?

Answer: Arlington Memorial Bridge

4. What is the name of the historic theater in Washington D.C. that hosted the first public concert by Duke Ellington?

Answer: Howard Theatre

5. What is the name of the large public square located in front of the White House?

Answer: Lafayette Square

6. Which architectural style characterizes many of the government buildings in Washington D.C., including the White House and the Capitol?

Answer: Neoclassical architecture

7. What is the name of the famous cultural festival held annually in Washington D.C. to celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions of the United States?

Answer: Smithsonian Folklife Festival

8. What is the name of the historic neighborhood in Washington D.C. known for its LGBTQ+ community and vibrant nightlife?

Answer: Dupont Circle

9. What is the name of the historic market in Washington D.C.’s, known for its fresh produce, artisanal goods, and flea market?

Answer: Eastern Market

10. Which agency in Washington D.C. is responsible for managing the city’s public transportation system, including the bus and metro services?

Answer: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)

11. What is the name of the historic home and estate of George Washington, located near Washington, D.C.?

Answer: Mount Vernon

12. Which annual event in Washington, D.C. features the President’s address to Congress?

Answer: State of the Union Address

13. Name the national park located in Washington, D.C. that features a famous tidal basin.

Answer: West Potomac

14. Which monument is dedicated to the 16th President of the United States and features a large statue of him seated?

Answer: Lincoln Memorial

15. What is the name of the performing arts center in Washington, D.C. that hosts a variety of concerts, ballets, and operas?

Answer: Kennedy Center

16. Name the historic fort located on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., which is now a national park?

Answer: Fort Washington

17. What is the name of the indoor arena in Washington, D.C. that hosts basketball games, concerts, and other events?

Answer: Capital One Arena

18. What is the name of the public square in Washington, D.C. that hosts protests, rallies, and other events?

Answer: Freedom Plaza