The National Building Museum is one of the under-appreciated gems of DC and one of our favorite places in the city. Built in 1887, it originally served as the Pension Office. The Great Hall, with 75-foot-tall Corinthian columns, always hosts one of the Presidential Inaugural Balls – and is a great place for kids to run around on a gloomy day. Outside, the building is circled with a 1,200-foot terra cotta frieze depicting the Civil War. The building itself is worth a visit, but the exhibits are also excellent. Ongoing exhibits include Washington: Symbol and City and, for kids, the Building Zone. We’re not sure how to feel about the exhibit opening the month of our wedding: Designing for Disaster. Where’s the love, NBM? (photo: National Building Museum)