One of the things you will quickly learn about D.C. is that it has a thriving happy hour culture. Literally everyone goes out for a beer after work, unless that is, you’re one of the lowly interns who still hasn’t turned 21. We under-21s have to be a little more creative when it comes to having fun, so I’ve compiled a list of some of the best things to do when you're not quite old enough to go out to a bar.

1. Late night dining. For some reason, there are few things more fun than eating a meal with friends at 1 AM. The Metro’s open late, so head over to U Street’s Ben’s Chili Bowl for chili cheese fries and a shake to satisfy your fourth meal cravings.
2. Spend your parents’ money by shopping. Meandering around Georgetown, Chinatown, or Tyson’s Corner will quickly alleviate you of that extremely heavy wallet weighing down your pocket, and will also reward you with a cute new wardrobe.
3. Enjoy the music scene. Two of D.C.’s most famous music venues, the 9:30 Club and Black Cat, both allow under 21s and attract huge names in music.
4. Take a nighttime tour of the monuments. The Washington Monument may soon blend in as part of the backdrop to your daily commute, but seeing it, along with the Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and war memorials at night completely changes what they look like.
5. Soak in the views. Climb your way to the top of the Newseum’s balcony, take the elevator up the Washington Monument, or traverse to the summit of the National Cathedral to witness breathtaking views of the city.
6. Try a cupcake from every cupcake store you see. You might never be able to look at a cupcake the same afterwards, but it will be well worth your stomachache. Especially make sure to hit up Baked and Wired, Red Velvet, Sprinkles, and Georgetown Cupcakes.
7. Throw dinner parties. The number of foreigners in D.C. also means a number of specialty foreign food shops. Buy some ingredients you can’t pronounce and cook something wonderful with them. All the TWC apartments have a full kitchen and utensils, so it shouldn’t be a problem to whip up something edible.
8. People watch. Sit at a corner cafe and watch the people who walk by. Dupont Circle has plenty of spaces, but also try out Eastern Market’s Montmartre for a true Parisian people-watching experience. (For a cheaper version of this, just ride the Metro for about five minutes at a weird hour. I promise you’ll be equally, if not more, entertained.)
9. Enjoy coffee shops? Besides the fact there is at least one Starbucks per block, Washington is home to a lot of locally owned shops, including Kramerbooks, Busboys and Poets, and Politics and Prose. Bring some homework, sip on a cup of coffee, and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.
10. Attempt to knock every Smithsonian off your list. They are all free, so there’s really no excuse to not at least briefly peruse their halls.
11. Hop on the Metro, pick a random stop, and hop off. Explore a new neighborhood, and discover a place you can call your own. It could be a restaurant, an art gallery, a thrift store, or a bakery.
12. Buy a ticket to a sporting event. A lot of the teams here aren’t exactly amazing, but that doesn’t mean they’re not fun to watch, plus it’s incredibly easy to come by tickets for $10-$20. With college and professional teams in every sport, there’s sure to be something for you to enjoy.
13. Make some art to take home. Everyone always seems to forget how fun painting pottery is, but it really is just as fun as it was when we were ten. It’s a great activity for a dreary day.
14. Explore Eastern Market. Go on Saturday morning to enjoy a stack of homemade pancakes or the best crab cake in D.C., and then browse around the market to find homemade cheeses, honey, and jams, buy organic produce, and purchase a piece of art to hang in your room.
15. Do a photo shoot around Capitol Hill. It’s pretty much an unstated fact that everyone wants that professional picture of them standing in front of the Capitol. Gather your friends, put on some nice clothes, and model away. New profile pictures for everyone? Yes please.
16. Take a tour of Embassy Row. Strolling through the buildings of vastly different architectural styles almost makes you feel like you’re in Epcot, but then you remember that these are actual government buildings. Plus, if you know the right people and get invited to embassy parties, you are subject to the rules of their countries. Trust me, I’m working on becoming friends with the French Embassy so I can enjoy a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley.
17. If you’re in the market of moving to D.C. after graduation, but still want to delay a real-life job, check out some of the local graduate schools. Washington is home to some of the best universities in the country, and sitting in on some classes, meeting students, and attending info sessions will really help you get a feel for the schools.
18. Take advantage of the programming that The Washington Center offers. Later this week, for example, they are hosting an International Fair to showcase the cultures of all the international students in the program. There have also been a long list of well-renowned speakers, fun events like a $5 Melting Pot dinner, and educational events such as documentary screenings.
19. Head over to the zoo. Yes, it is a Smithsonian, so yes, it is free. Who can complain about spending a day with lions, peacocks, zebras, elephants, sea lions, penguins, otters, bears, tigers, and giraffes? Exactly.
20. Use the Capital Bikeshare program. You can join for 24 hours, 30 days, or an entire year, and have access to the bikes 24/7. They’re a healthy and cheap alternative to the Metro and allow you to see the city instead of only traveling underground.
21. Have a picnic on the Mall during the Cherry Blossom Festival. You might not be able to find more than 2 square feet of space, but enjoying the weather and beautiful scenery with your friends really can’t get much better.