Hello, D.C.! Our nation’s capital is an amazing place to visit.History, cool art, and things to have fun. It is perhaps your first visit here, so you may not know where to begin. Do not worry! This is a guide to some of the most vacationally appropriate things to do, see and learn in D.C.
Take a free DC walking tour
One of the best ways to learn about the city is by walking. There are numerous free walking tours in D.C. You will have a friendly guide who will walk with you and he will tell you some amusing stories about the buildings and the lives of the people who lived here long ago. The best place to begin your trip is there!
Your Perfect Washington D.C. Trip Starts Here – Reserve Now
Visit the new People’s House
The Peoples house a white house experience is a brand new place to visit right near the White House. It is a fantastic museum in which you can get acquainted with everything about the home of the President. You may even enter a full-size replica of the Oval Office! It is free to visit and employs cool technology to make history fun.
Take a Monuments by Night cycle tour
Night biking is incredibly cool and in D.C. it is even more enjoyable. The large monuments illuminated when the sun sets, and they are beautiful. A cycle tour will allow you to ride securely with a group. Besides, it is a lot colder outside and there are fewer people!
Top 3 Hotels in Washington D.C.
The key to a great trip is to find a good place to sleep. These three hotels are great options whether you are seeking high-end luxury, prime location to sightsee or a family-friendly and budget-friendly choice:
The Dupont Circle Hotel (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating 8)
Located in one of the most adventurous and entertaining neighbourhoods within the city, this hotel is recommended to the traveller who loves to be in luxurious and dynamic environment. It boasts of great restaurants, bookstores and trendy stores. The rooms are classy and provide a luxurious escape following a lengthy day of sightseeing the local museums and galleries.
Club Quarters Hotel White House, Washington DC (⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating 8)
This is the hotel to be in, when you wish to be as near to the action as possible. It is just a few steps off to the white house and national mall, thereby making it an ideal place to sight see. It is effective and comfortable and has a low profile and professional environment that is best suited to visitors who want to spend as much time as possible in the historic sites of the city.
Wyndham Garden Washington DC North (⭐⭐⭐ Rating 7)
The hotel is a wonderful option when families want to be comfortable and have a good price. It is only a few minutes drive or shuttle ride off the city center and has a calmer atmosphere and in many cases offer more space at the same price. It is also friendly and readily available hence making it a hustle-free experience among the people travelling with children or groups.
Visit the beautiful Monuments
You cannot miss the huge statues and memorials! You can walk to the high Washington Monument, sit in the large chair of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial and stroll through the serene Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. All of them are near to one another, on a large park named the National Mall.
Visit the White House
The following is the office and house of the President of the United States. It is easy to take pictures outside. You should make some plans in case you wish to enter. You must ask your member of Congress to send you tickets numerous months before you go!
My Favorite Smithsonian Museums
Smithsonian Institution is a huge conglomeration of museums and galleries, most of which are situated along the National Mall. They both provide a very special window into the past, science and art. The following are the most suitable ones that you may want to visit first:
National Museum of Natural History
Enter to explore the marvels of the natural world, the great dinosaur bones in the Hall of Fossils to the spectacular glitter of the Hope Diamond. This museum is popular with both adults and children as it has life-size animal dioramas and a hands-on insect zoo. It provides an amazing perspective of the history of our earth and the variety of animals that have lived there.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
It is a highly emotional museum, which examines the American experience through the prism of the African American experience. The displays go back to the times of slavery up to the Civil Rights Movement even today with music, sports and art success. It is an essential place of learning the cultural and social life of the United States.
National Gallery of Art
Although it is technically a separate gallery, this gallery is an inseparable part of the Mall experience, where you can stroll through beautiful galleries to observe the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in the Americas, Monet, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt paintings. It is an ideal destination to art lovers because of the beautiful architecture and serene sculpture garden.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
It is an extremely somber and required museum that gives a resounding account of the holocaust. Using personal artifacts, photographs and oral history, it educates visitors about the perils of hatred and the need to constantly remember the past to stop the repeating atrocities in the future. It is a walk of emotions that they do not forget after visiting it.
Air and Space Museum
The largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world, this museum gives you the opportunity to be within inches of the flyer of the Wright brothers and the command module of Apollo 11. Immersive exhibits and flight simulators can teach you about the physics of flight and the history of space exploration. It also provides the rare opportunity to feel an actual piece of moon rock that was returned to the moon.
National Portrait Gallery
This gallery is housed in the historic Old Patent Office Building and it narrates the history of America in the people who created it. You may visit the America Presidents exhibit, where all the Presidents of the U.S. are represented by portraits, and the exhibits of activists, scientists and entertainers. Kogod Courtyard with its beautiful enclosed section is also a perfect place to sit and have some rest in the hectic day of sightseeing.
How do the Smithsonian museums remain free?
You may ask yourself how these very big museums are free of charge. Teamwork is the answer! The U.S. government is funding a large portion of it to allow the learning of everyone. Individuals who appreciate the museums contribute money (donations) to enable the doors to be open to free access.
But wait, there’s lots more to see!
Washington D.C. has many entertainment and historical attractions in addition to the National Mall that you can explore, depending on how much time you have on your itinerary. These are just some of the more fun things to do to complete your trip:
Catch a Game
Washington D.C. is a huge sports city that boasts of a team in all the major leagues. During the various seasons you have an opportunity to purchase a ticket to watch the Nationals (baseball), the Capitals (hockey), or the Wizards (basketball). Nothing is so similar to taking a hot dog at a stadium and being among the local crowd and screaming in support of a home team in an atmosphere full of excitement.
Kennedy Center
John F. Kennedy Center of the performing arts is a beautiful structure that stands directly on the Potomac River. It features a huge diversity of shows each night such as Broadway shows, orchestra concerts, and captivating ballets. You can go to the roof terrace even without tickets to a show, and enjoy one of the most stunning panoramic views of the D.C. skyline.
International Spy Museum
In need of an alternative to conventional history, the International Spy Museum is an interactive time bomb to all visitors of any age. You will view actual spy gadgets in real life, learn to decode secret messages, and even get to know your abilities by crawling through ducts. It is a three-dimensional experience that allows you to get into the world of spying and understand how intelligence collection influenced the world events.
Arlington National Cemetery
This is a beautiful and peaceful landscape that is the last resting point of thousands of gallant soldiers, just across the river, in Virginia. It is a tribute to great reverence and you can visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and observe the well known and perfectly synchronized ceremony of Changing of the Guard. It is also the location of the Eternal Flame at the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy.
The Tidal Basin
A spring visit is an experience to look forward to because thousands of cherry blossom trees will be in blossom your visit, with their soft pink flowers. When the Tidal Basin is in full blossom, you can literally get lost in the fairy tale as you walk around the Basin with the Jefferson Memorial being flawlessly framed by these blossoms. It is considered to be one of the most photographed events in the world and a real highlight of the D.C. calendar.
How to get around Washington DC
The most convenient way of transport is the Metro. The Metro is a fast, secure and low priced underground train. You can also do a lot of walking, or rent an electric scooter or bike to scuttle around. Driving is difficult as it is costly to park and there is traffic.
If you are planning an unforgettable trip through the Northeast, my comprehensive guides cover the very best things to do in New York City, from the bright lights of Times Square to the peaceful paths of Central Park. For those who love deep historical roots and a vibrant academic atmosphere, our latest update on things to do in Boston explores everything from the Freedom Trail to the scenic Charles River. You can also dive into our guide for things to do in Philadelphia, where you can balance iconic American history with a world-class culinary scene. Finally, don’t miss our recommendations for things to do in Baltimore, featuring the beautiful Inner Harbor and the historic streets of Fell’s Point. These four cities offer a perfect blend of culture, history, and modern entertainment for every traveler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2 days enough time in Washington, DC?
There is not much time (2 days) yet you can have fun! You will be able to see the large monuments and go to two or three museums. But you had better take four or five days to see it all.
What’s the #1 site visited in Washington, DC?
The most popular place in the city is the Lincoln Memorial! Every year, around 8 million people come to stand on the steps and look at the giant marble statue of Abraham Lincoln.