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Generations from now, when cultural historians search for the precise moment when H Street NE tipped from palatably alternative to vaguely douchey, they’ll point to the opening of H Street Country Club, whose second floor contains a nine-hole miniature golf course. Like light beer, ’90s sitcom themes, and LMFAO, minigolf is a perfect social lubricant: Everyone has experienced it but no one particularly loves it. Minigolf may not be hard on the brain, and it may make showing off easy, but the National Building Museum is betting it has cerebral appeal, too. The institution commissioned a bevy of architectural firms and landscape artists to cook up high-minded golf-hole designs—which the museum has assembled into a playable indoor course. One design features a tromp-l’eoil backdrop; another is structured like a labyrinth. Bonus: It may give you a flashback to the old Rockville Putt Putt.
The mini golf course is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays–Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays July 4 to Sept. 3 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. $5 per round; $3 with $5-$8 admission. nbm.com. (202) 272-2448.