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Your D.C. Weekend: New museum exhibits you don't want to miss

Go see Nick Cave at the Smithsonian and these other shows.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s a great weekend to explore D.C.&#x27;s newest museum exhibits — from powerhouse female artists to mammoth-scale installations and American masters.Three newcomers you won&#x27;t want to miss:

Union Station wants a lighting makeover for its facade

Officials say the looksmaxxing would also boost public safety.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Union Station" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/12/02/union-station-project-amtrak-moynihan-train-hall" data-vars-content-id="ca68d975-5a06-4223-9e8b-ff37d009fa46" data-vars-headline="Union Station wants a lighting makeover for its facade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/12/02/union-station-project-amtrak-moynihan-train-hall" target="_self">Union Station</a> wants a literal glow-up — nighttime lights outside, brighter bulbs inside.The big picture: The train station&#x27;s CEO has wanted to work with the Trump administration on realizing its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="longterm modernization project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/14/union-station-renovation-progress-update" data-vars-content-id="ca68d975-5a06-4223-9e8b-ff37d009fa46" data-vars-headline="Union Station wants a lighting makeover for its facade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/05/14/union-station-renovation-progress-update" target="_self">longterm modernization project</a>, and a flashier entrance for D.C.&#x27;s front door might appeal to the president&#x27;s sensibilities.

9,000 pages of comments slam Trump White House ballroom plan

A 30-year member of the capital's planning commission has never seen such an outcry over a project.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Capital Planning Commission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/11/trump-deputies-take-over-powerful-dc-planning-commission" data-vars-content-id="43c869a1-f9b7-4267-85ec-fc7b551089b7" data-vars-headline="9,000 pages of comments slam Trump White House ballroom plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/07/11/trump-deputies-take-over-powerful-dc-planning-commission" target="_self">National Capital Planning Commission</a> has released over 9,000 pages of public comments denouncing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s ballroom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/08/white-house-east-wing-expansion-ballroom-design-plans" data-vars-content-id="43c869a1-f9b7-4267-85ec-fc7b551089b7" data-vars-headline="9,000 pages of comments slam Trump White House ballroom plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/08/white-house-east-wing-expansion-ballroom-design-plans" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s ballroom</a> project, ahead of a meeting on Thursday when the public is expected to again sound off. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Wing&#x27;s demolition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/trump-white-house-east-wing-renovation-backlash" data-vars-content-id="43c869a1-f9b7-4267-85ec-fc7b551089b7" data-vars-headline="9,000 pages of comments slam Trump White House ballroom plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/trump-white-house-east-wing-renovation-backlash" target="_self">East Wing&#x27;s demolition</a> roiled D.C. and raised existential questions about the future of the White House, in the face of Trump&#x27;s relentless drive to leave his imprint on Washington.

Scoop: Waymo steps up lobbying after D.C. delays robotaxis

City Hall says not so fast, awaiting a delayed safety study.

D.C.&#x27;s robotaxi rollout has slowed to a crawl, so Waymo has been dropping big bucks on a D.C. lobbying blitz.The big picture: Waymo is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tapping $16 billion in fresh capital" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/24/waymo-robotaxis-now-available-in-10-cities" data-vars-content-id="10b7e4d2-fb75-4fc6-af28-ea3c63692e3b" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Waymo steps up lobbying after D.C. delays robotaxis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/24/waymo-robotaxis-now-available-in-10-cities" target="_self">tapping $16 billion in fresh capital</a> to accelerate its national expansion. But not so fast in D.C., where council members are deferring approval until a long-awaited study gets done.

The "Love Is Blind" effect gives D.C. businesses a boost

The local stars are seeing their stock rise, too.

Love is Blind

D.C. might have a love-hate relationship with our &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Love Is Blind" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/18/love-is-blind-dc-cast" data-vars-content-id="4a4c1052-ecda-478f-af7b-37b565fb2ee7" data-vars-headline="The &quot;Love Is Blind&quot; effect gives D.C. businesses a boost" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/18/love-is-blind-dc-cast" target="_self">Love Is Blind</a>&quot; stars, but local businesses are all in on the reality TV effect.The big picture: In the three weeks between the first episode dropping and the finale, out Wednesday, many local spots featured on the show say they&#x27;ve seen a boost in interest and business.

Where the D.C. "Love Is Blind" stars eat, drink and hang on the show

Some of your fave local spots might be on TV.

Culture

The latest &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Love Is Blind" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/18/love-is-blind-dc-cast" data-vars-content-id="9d7a166b-3089-4c81-a17f-8555f7b35aec" data-vars-headline="Where the D.C. &quot;Love Is Blind&quot; stars eat, drink and hang on the show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/18/love-is-blind-dc-cast" target="_self">Love Is Blind</a>&quot; episodes are now streaming on Netflix, and the cast has headed back to D.C. to see if their matches will survive the transition from the pods to the Beltway.Why it matters: The episodes show the reality stars living and hanging in town — meaning our local spots are now being streamed into living rooms around the world.

Where to watch the "Love Is Blind" premiere in D.C.

The first six episodes of the D.C. season of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Love Is Blind" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/18/love-is-blind-dc-cast" data-vars-content-id="405d4d3d-f4b4-445d-b6c0-850fc9f3617e" data-vars-headline="Where to watch the &quot;Love Is Blind&quot; premiere in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/18/love-is-blind-dc-cast" target="_self">Love Is Blind</a>&quot; premiere Wednesday on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Netflix" data-vars-click-url="https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/love-is-blind-season-7-release-date-news" data-vars-content-id="405d4d3d-f4b4-445d-b6c0-850fc9f3617e" data-vars-headline="Where to watch the &quot;Love Is Blind&quot; premiere in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/love-is-blind-season-7-release-date-news" target="_blank">Netflix</a>, and the city is ready to party.Why it matters: There&#x27;s only one right venue for watching someone you once matched with on Hinge make their reality TV debut — a crowded party at a bar.

D.C. "Love Is Blind" contestants dish on favorite local date spots

Where they hang out, and their real thoughts on D.C. dating.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DMV contestants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/18/love-is-blind-dc-cast" data-vars-content-id="1cb80862-fd36-41cf-aa4c-1ac26e2ae696" data-vars-headline="D.C. &quot;Love Is Blind&quot; contestants dish on favorite local date spots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/18/love-is-blind-dc-cast" target="_self">DMV contestants</a> from the upcoming season of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Love Is Blind" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/05/love-is-blind-dc-season-premiere" data-vars-content-id="1cb80862-fd36-41cf-aa4c-1ac26e2ae696" data-vars-headline="D.C. &quot;Love Is Blind&quot; contestants dish on favorite local date spots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/05/love-is-blind-dc-season-premiere" target="_self">Love Is Blind</a>&quot; have thoughts on the local dating scene, and they recently dished about it to Axios.Why it matters: If you head to 14th Street for a glass of wine, it&#x27;s possible you might rub elbows with our new crop of local celebs.

D.C. is in its reality TV era

The new seasons of "Love Is Blind" and the "Golden Bachelorette" feature locals.

Peace out, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brat summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/07/24/brat-summer-charli-xcx-tim-kaine" data-vars-content-id="766306be-81fc-4a0c-8de0-1023de7f293c" data-vars-headline="D.C. is in its reality TV era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/07/24/brat-summer-charli-xcx-tim-kaine" target="_self">brat summer</a>&quot;: DMV locals are gracing the screen in two major TV shows this season, meaning it&#x27;s obviously <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reality TV" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/10/the-kardashians-love-island-usa-perfect-match" data-vars-content-id="766306be-81fc-4a0c-8de0-1023de7f293c" data-vars-headline="D.C. is in its reality TV era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/10/the-kardashians-love-island-usa-perfect-match" target="_self">reality TV</a> fall here in D.C.Why it matters: It&#x27;s possible you&#x27;ve brushed shoulders with or Hinge-swiped some of the Washingtonians whose names will be popping up in group chats across the country.

Meet the DMV locals starring on "Love Is Blind"

In typical D.C. fashion, there's a lawyer, consultant and a journalist.

It&#x27;s the moment we&#x27;ve all been waiting for: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Netflix" data-vars-click-url="https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/love-is-blind-season-7-cast-instagrams" data-vars-content-id="41590c76-2838-4ae6-b7e8-462781aad2c5" data-vars-headline="Meet the DMV locals starring on &quot;Love Is Blind&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/love-is-blind-season-7-cast-instagrams" target="_blank">Netflix</a> has announced the upcoming cast of the D.C.-based &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Love Is Blind" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/05/love-is-blind-dc-season-premiere" data-vars-content-id="41590c76-2838-4ae6-b7e8-462781aad2c5" data-vars-headline="Meet the DMV locals starring on &quot;Love Is Blind&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/05/love-is-blind-dc-season-premiere" target="_self">Love Is Blind</a>&quot; season.Why it matters: It&#x27;s totally possible you&#x27;ve crossed paths with some of the soon-to-be reality TV celebs on the Metro or in line at Tatte.

D.C. "Love Is Blind" season to premiere in October

It's the seventh season of the dating show.

Grab your gold wine glasses, because the D.C. season of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Love Is Blind" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/love-is-blind" data-vars-content-id="fd4d6889-2f66-4950-af0d-1ead7ef8f672" data-vars-headline="D.C. &quot;Love Is Blind&quot; season to premiere in October" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/love-is-blind" target="_self">Love Is Blind</a>&quot; is officially dropping next month, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Netflix" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/netflix/status/1831739177366397095" data-vars-content-id="fd4d6889-2f66-4950-af0d-1ead7ef8f672" data-vars-headline="D.C. &quot;Love Is Blind&quot; season to premiere in October" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/netflix/status/1831739177366397095" target="_blank">Netflix</a> announced.