Let’s talk travel! Specifically, travel to Washington, DC.
We are loud-mouthed advocates that everyone visit DC at least once.
Granted, we are definitely biased. Adam and I lived in Washington DC for two years, from 2019-2021. (Yep, we just moved.) Even before that, Adam did two years of internships in the city when we were fresh out of college, and I would come out to visit him a few times per year.
And even after all that time in DC, we never got bored. There’s truly SO much to do, and nearly all of it is world-class. There are some activities we could return to again and again – and some amazing ones we still haven’t done yet!
(This is a good place for a quick caveat: this list is going to cover our favorite activities in DC. We’ve tried everything on this list and personally vouch for it!)
In this post, I’m sharing my tip-top recommendations for what to do in our favorite Washington DC neighborhoods and allllll of my best tips to make the visit a little easier. Buckle up, this post is going to be a LONG one.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- Travel Tips: the best time to visit, which airport to fly into, and tips for getting around town
- The National Mall: tips for seeing the monuments, the Smithsonians, and everything else!
- Dupont Circle: the best bookstores and restaurants to visit
- Georgetown: the best activities and restaurants
- Off the Beaten Path in DC: activities further away from downtown
Let’s go!
Washington DC Travel Tips
The Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall are, no question, the best seasons in DC. The weather begins to warm up from early March to mid-June and stays very comfortable from September until mid-November. If you can time it right, try to make it for cherry blossom season, which typically begins in late March. You’ll spot blooming cherry trees around the entire city, and it’s absolutely magical. Keep an eye on the National Park Service’s bloom forecast to help you plan.
If it’s possible, I would avoid visiting DC during the summer. From mid-June to August, temps are frequently in the 90s, and it’s viciously humid. Doing anything outside is going to be a sweat-fest.
Flying In
DC has multiple airport options. If you’re not going to be renting a car (and you really don’t need to, especially for a short trip), flying into Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is easiest. It lands right in the city, and you can take the Metro straight from the airport to wherever you’re staying. Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) are a 30-40 minute drive from downtown, but you will need to catch a bus (for Dulles), take a train (BWI), rent a car, or pay for an Uber to get into the city.
How to Get Around DC
The Metro, DC’s public transportation system, is going to be your best friend. It’s the easiest and fastest way to travel around the city, and it will save you from hunting for parking. Plus, by public transportation standards, it’s relatively clean and well-kept!
Buy yourself a Metro card and update your balance at any Metro stop. Trip cost will vary depending on how far you’re traveling, but it averages $3-6. You’ll need to scan your Metro card to get in and out of the turnstiles, so make sure you have enough money on your card for each trip! Otherwise you’ll have to pay cash to reload your card and get out of the turnstile. It’s not a disaster, but it is annoying if you don’t have small bills on hand.
The BEST Things to Do in Washington DC
These recommendations are organized by neighborhood. We’ll spend the most time on the National Mall, but don’t miss the other neighborhoods at the bottom of the post, either!
the National Mall
This is the number one thing to do on like all the tourist guides, but there’s a reason for that. The National Mall is the heart of the city. It’s beautiful and expansive, and you most definitely need to see it.
First, a quick primer on the orientation of the National Mall. The mall is one long rectangle that stretches from the Lincoln Memorial on the west to the Capitol Building on the east. Most of the monuments and more prominent Smithsonian buildings lie somewhere in between. The White House lawn juts off the northern side, while the Potomac River and the Tidal Basin flank the southern side. Check out this Google Maps screenshot. The National Mall is the green area.
Make sense?
Getting To the National Mall
The Smithsonian Metro stop is the closest to most things on the National Mall. If you’re already on the Red Line, though, the Archives stop may be closest to the National Gallery of Art, and Federal Triangle may be slightly faster for the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History. Use Google Maps, and you’ll figure it out.
If you must drive, you might get lucky and find metered street parking, particularly on a side street. You may be able to find a garage spot using SpotHero.
Regardless of what type of transportation you use, you’ll need to walk a bit to your destination, so be prepared for that.
What to See at the National Mall
Walk the Monuments
Any trip to Washington DC is not complete without seeing the monuments. They’re beautiful and grand and moving…and also A LOT of walking. To walk from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial is about 2.3 miles. If you add additional monuments, you’re going to be getting a lot of steps. It’s so worth it, but plan accordingly.
If you want to see the entire National Mall including the Capitol in one go, I’d start at the Capitol building, then walk toward the Washington Monument from there. It’s a long walk without much to break it up, and it’s nice to get it over with while your feet are fresh.
However, if you’ll be visiting any of the Smithsonian museums at any point, I’d just start at the Washington Monument. You’ll be able to see the Capitol when you visit the museums, and you’ll save yourself more than a mile of walking.
What order should you see the monuments?
If you’d like a plan for touring the monuments, this is my recommendation:
- Start from the Washington Monument and walk to the World War II Memorial.
- From there, walk along the reflecting pool toward the Lincoln Memorial. (If you want a detour and are okay not completing the entire walk along the reflecting pool, you can swing by the Constitution Gardens/Revolutionary War Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial instead. The sunsets from this spot are lovely, but at any other time of day I prefer the reflecting pool.)
- When you get to the Lincoln Memorial, be sure to go all the way up the steps – you get great views from the top. See if you can spot the words “I have a dream” from Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech inscribed in the center, about halfway up the steps.
- From the Lincoln Memorial, stop by the Korean War Memorial, then head toward the Tidal Basin. Be sure to follow the signs for the MLK Memorial – it’s a great place to enter the Tidal Basin and a powerful monument.
- From the MLK Memorial, proceed around the Tidal Basin, through the FDR Memorial, then on to the Jefferson Memorial.
- Finish circling around the Tidal Basin and head back toward the Washington Monument.
Tips for Touring the National Mall
There are bathrooms available near most of the major monuments. Just be careful if you’re visiting at night – I have found some of them to be closed during late-night hours, especially in the off-season. Also be aware that when you leave the monuments and head toward the Smithsonians, there will not be easily accessible public restrooms.
For food and water, I would recommend not starting the monument tour hungry. If you’re starting or ending your tour around a meal time, you should be able to find lots of food trucks parked near the Washington Monument. Those are one of the better options for food in that part of town. As you get further into the monuments and away from major streets, food options dry up pretty quickly. During the day there are some concession-style kiosks, but that’s it! And please, please, please bring a water bottle. Vendors may be walking around with water for sale on hot days, but don’t bank on that.
The best time to see the National Mall
One of the best parts of seeing the National Mall and the monuments is the flexibility. You can see the monuments pretty much whenever – no need to account for opening times or ticket availability!
My personal favorite time to visit is at night, arriving just before sunset if you can. This is ideal for a few reasons. Practically speaking, the National Mall is one of the few DC attractions that you can visit after 5pm. Night viewings are also much less crowded and more peaceful, and the lighting makes the monuments appear extra beautiful. If you’re with another person, it is also relatively safe after dark (though obviously be street smart!).
Should you rent scooters at the National Mall?
The last time I visited the mall with a friend, we also rented scooters and rode those around the monuments. You’ll see lots of people doing this, and for good reason. Scooting saved tons of time – especially on the loooong walk to the Tidal Basin – and was really fun!
However, if you go this route, a few things to keep in mind. First, don’t scoot after dark. The paths around the monuments don’t have tons of lighting, and the scooter headlights are not adequate!
Second, once you book the scooters, you’re going to have to stick with them for the whole tour. You will not be able to drop your scooters off anywhere in the National Mall without getting fined (that we could find) except near the Washington Monument. This also means that your scooting minutes are going to add up. I think it took us between 1.5-2 hours to scooter around the whole thing, so if you have multiple people in your group, scooting will get expensive pretty quickly.
You should also be aware that the scooters will lock up if you get too close to a monument. At the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial, one person had to sit with the scooters while the other went up to check out the monument. It worked, but if you have anyone in your party who wants to take his or her time, get good photos, or be really soak in the scenery, it’s not going to be ideal.
Visit the Capitol Building
As of this summer, you couldn’t get very close to the Capitol building in the wake of the pandemic and the events of January 6. Depending on when you’re visiting, you may be able to relax on the lawns or get a tour with your congressman, but those aren’t current options in the Covid era. It’s still an impressive building to see from a distance, though.
Visit the Library of Congress
This spot is a little-known TREASURE. If you’re a book enthusiast, the Library of Congress is such a fun destination. The Reading Room is absolutely gorgeous and an actual functioning library. Access is limited to researchers, but guess what? You can get a library card and get access for yourself! Here’s how.
When you first arrive, ask for directions to register for a library card. You’ll walk through a maze of administrative offices to get to the room where you’ll register for a researcher card. You’ll need a valid ID and will have to fill out some paperwork. Once your card is printed, you’ll be able to enter the Reading Room and hang out there. Do keep in mind that there are actual researchers at work, so you’ll have to be very quiet, and photos aren’t allowed. In other words, don’t act like an obvious tourist! When we’ve visited, we’ve brought books along and read for a while – it’s a nice break from all the walking that DC trips entail.
When you’re done enjoying the Reading Room, be sure to see the rest of the Jefferson building as well. It’s beautiful!
Covid caveat: be sure to call ahead and see what’s available when you visit! The archives have been very slow to open to the public. Even if you can’t get into the Reading Room, the building is still worth visiting.
See the White House
If you feel like this is something you kinda have to do on your trip (understandably!), here are few tips. First, the White House looks close to the National Mall, but it’s deceptively far. Walking from the Washington Monument to the White House will take 20 minutes – which is a lot to tack on if you’ve just walked around the entire National Mall! (If you do this, the walk from the National Mall to the White House would be a great time for scooters.) Second, don’t allow tons of time in your schedule for this. The stop will maybe take you maybe 5 minutes. There’s currently a lot of fencing around the building, so you’ll be able to snap a quick picture, and that’s about it.
Tour the Smithsonians
The Smithsonian museums are also an absolute must-see. The Smithsonians are a collection of multiple museums spread across DC and a few other cities. These museums are amazing because they’re FREE, many of the most popular museums are right on the National Mall, and the exhibits hold countless spectacular artifacts. They’re also sort of overwhelming. Honestly, you could spend weeks seeing all that the Smithsonian museums have to offer!
Tips for Visiting the Smithsonians
If you can, I’d pick two museums that seem most interesting to you, and then try to spread them out over two partial days. For example, do the Air and Space Museum one afternoon, and the National Museum of American History the next morning. Museum fatigue is real, especially in the Smithsonians – they’re huge!
To prevent museum fatigue, I’d also do your research ahead of time. Find out your must-see exhibits, hit those first, and then fit in whatever else you can. You’re not going to be able to see everything in each museum, so prioritizing is absolutely necessary.
During the Covid era, free timed entry tickets are also required for some, if not all, of the museums. You will need to order these ahead of time, and they disappear very fast. Check each website for when they release tickets and set an alarm or reminder! We were able to get into the National Gallery of Art by ordering tickets a week ahead of time.
Also be aware that you can’t consume food or drink in the museum exhibits, and that you can’t carry a backpack on your actual back in the art museums.
Our Favorite Smithsonian Museums
Air and Space Museum
Air and Space is the world’s second most popular museum, and it’s great if you don’t have a ton of time. You can wander in, look at the amazing things hanging from the ceilings, check out one or two exhibits, and hit the road. I think this would probably be one of the easiest museums to visit if you had children to consider (though I don’t have kids myself, so take that with a grain of salt).
National Gallery of Art
This is my very favorite Smithsonian. The Impressionists collection will always have all of my heart, though the other collections are obviously fantastic as well. This summer, we also discovered the National Gallery app, which is a great way to do a self-guided tour. As you enter each room, you can choose the pieces that interest you and read more about them. It’s basically a fantastic self-guided tour on your iPhone. The gift shop is a delight (art museum gift shops always are!), and the cafeteria has a great gelato shop.
Bonus: If you’re a fan of art museums, the National Portrait Gallery is a short walk from the National Gallery and is excellent. Don’t miss the America’s Presidents exhibit for portraits of all previous presidents, the 20th Century Americans exhibit for portraits and artifacts from celebrities, athletes, and other famous people, and the stunning Great Hall. This could be a great introduction to art for anyone who isn’t already into art museums.
National Museum of American History
This museum is a very close second favorite of mine. I’m partial to the First Ladies exhibit and Julia Child’s kitchen, but there are tons of other pieces from all eras of American history and pop culture. This one would be great if you had a group with wildly varying interests – there’s something for history buffs, Star Wars fans, budding feminists, and everyone in between.
I haven’t spent as much time in the Natural History Museum, the African American Museum, the American Indian Museum, or any of the many other Smithsonian outposts, so I can’t give too many personal recommendations there. Check out the museum websites if you’re curious what they have to offer!
Visit Other Washington DC Museums
Not only does DC have the Smithsonians, there are countless other museums in the city as well! Here are some other museums we think are worth your time:
Museum of the Bible
I was so pleasantly surprised by this museum. Whether you’re Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish, this museum covers the creation of the Bible we know today, ancient history, faith throughout American history, and a whole lot more. It’s not cheesy in the least, and there are some fascinating uses of art and storytelling throughout. Don’t miss the Hebrew Bible Experience – I found the combination of sculpture, light, video, and audio very immersive. (Also, a heads up that unlike the Smithsonians, the Museum of the Bible is not free.)
The Holocaust Museum
I have to be honest here. I only went to the Holocaust Museum once as a senior in high school. I dreaded it for weeks leading up to the trip because, you know, it’s an entire museum dedicated to the Holocaust. If you, too, are a sensitive sort of person, please know that the visit was worth it. This museum walks through the story of the Holocaust, starting with Kristallnacht and Hitler’s rise to power. Its immersive storytelling is visceral without being too graphic, heartbreaking, and incredibly done. My husband says that it’s one of the most powerful museums he’s ever visited. It’s the kind of place you probably should see at least once in your life. (But no, I haven’t been back.)
The US Botanic Garden
Maybe this isn’t technically a museum, but it is lovely! Check the website carefully before you go – as of today, it’s still closed to the public.
Where to Eat Near the National Mall
If you’re looking to stay within the mall, the two most popular options are food trucks and museum cafeterias. Food trucks are likely to be less expensive and have more variety. Plus, you can picnic on the grass if the weather is nice.
I’ve also been told that the USDA building just south of the mall has a great cafeteria that non-employees can eat at, so that might be worth a look as well!
If you’re willing to walk a little further, you have a few more options.
Union Station
This station is about 10 minutes’ walk northeast of the Capitol building. In addition to being a beautiful functioning train station, it also has a number of fast-casual and sit-down restaurants.
Old Ebbitt Grill
Across from the White House, Old Ebbitt Grill is a DC institution. If you want to feel a bit posh and traditional, this is the restaurant for you. (Though do know that Old Ebbitt, and any of the other restaurants under the Clyde’s umbrella, aren’t foodie restaurants. The food is standard-to-expensive burgers, fish, steak, chicken, etc.) If you can, hit Old Ebbitt around happy hour for the half-off oysters.
Off the Record
This bar is in the basement of the Hay-Adams Hotel, right across the street from the White House. If you’d like to imagine that you’ve just come from a day working the political scene, this is your kind of bar. The walls and coasters are decorated in political caricatures, and the drink names are chock full of political references. The food is good if expensive, but the drinks are solid, and we’ve had great service when we’ve been there. Also, heads up that if you come dressed like a tourist, you might feel a bit out of place. Go business casual if you can.
The Wharf
The Wharf is within a 10-15 minute walk south of the National Mall. It’s home to the nation’s longest-running fish market, and it also has tons of bars and restaurants. On weekend evenings, it’s hopping.
If you have access to a kitchen, we highly recommend choosing a fresh fish, having the market clean and gut the fish for you, and roasting it yourself. YUM.
If that’s not an option, there are restaurants to suit just about every taste. If you’re on a budget, the Cuban restaurant Colada Shop has amazing empanadas (the chicken are the best!) and brownies. If you want to splurge on a drink and get incredible views of the city, stop by 12 Stories Bar. You can also check out allllll the other food options here.
If you can get food or dessert to go, bring it out to the end of the District Pier. There are Adirondack chairs and benches at the very end of the pier for great boat-watching.
Exploring Dupont Circle
(Finally) on to our next neighborhood: Dupont Circle! Adam used to live in this neighborhood before we were married, so we have many fond memories of this area! If you’re looking for great bookstores or food, you’ll absolutely find both here.
Getting to Dupont Circle
Dupont Circle is very easy to access via Metro. Hop off at the Dupont Circle or Farragut North stations.
What to See in Dupont Circle
Kramer Books & Afterwords
This is one of my very favorite bookstores ever, full stop. One half of this store is a bookstore, while the other half is a restaurant. It’s amazing. The book selection at Kramer’s is incredible, a great mix of current best-sellers and worthwhile backlist picks. The restaurant is also great for either brunch or dinner. Ugh, I want to go back right now!
Second Story Books
If you enjoy a good used bookstore, Second Story books has a wide-ranging selection. You never know what you’ll find! We’ve scored some cool antique books on the sidewalk in their bargain section.
The White House
Dupont Circle is also just a bit north of the White House, so it’s easy to tack on a quick stop if you’re in the neighborhood.
Where to Eat in Dupont Circle
Le Diplomate
This is a legendary French restaurant that will come up on most lists of top DC restaurants. I’ve only been there for brunch, but it was delicious. Get the croissant, just trust me.
The Tabard Inn
This is a funky old-fashioned inn in the middle of the city with a great restaurant for weekend brunch or dinner. Sit on the patio if you can! If you go there for brunch, get the biscuit with spiced honey or the Tabard donut.
Tatte
This coffee shop and bakery is currently the trendy place to be on a weekend morning. The roasted strawberries pastry is our favorite bakery treat, and if you need a quick lunch, get the prosciutto and fig panini. SO GOOD.
Mari Vanna
Apparently Alexander Ovechkin has been rumored to hit up this Russian restaurant. I didn’t make it there, but Adam and other friends say it’s great.
Sushi Taro
This sushi restaurant is where folks from the Japanese embassy go for sushi, according to my husband. Dinner will be pricey, but their lunches on weekdays are somewhat more affordable.
St. Arnold’s
Head to this Belgian restaurant for a beer and happy hour mussels. (The restaurant is currently closed for Covid, so check before you go.)
Exploring Georgetown
Getting to Georgetown
I’ll be honest, we went to Georgetown less than I would have liked because getting there is kind of a pain. There’s no easy Metro access, and street parking isn’t great. We’ve gotten around that in the past by using SpotHero to park at a garage nearby. This parking guide may also help. If you’re taking public transportation, we typically get off the Metro at either Foggy Bottom or Dupont Circle, then walk or take an Uber from there.
What to Do in Georgetown
Window Shop on M Street
This is one of the most legendary shopping areas in the city. There are all kinds of shops on M Street, from Outdoor Voices to Barbour to TJ Maxx.
See the Waterfront
There are tons of restaurants along the Potomac in Georgetown, and it’s a great spot for people-watching. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent kayaks or paddleboards from the Key Bridge Boathouse to get out on the river. There are also a number of restaurants with waterfront dining, if that’s your vibe.
Stroll the C&O Canal
The canal, which stretches from the Chesapeake Bay to the Ohio River, runs through Georgetown. If you’re up for a few miles of walking, the path eventually runs along the river’s edge and has great views!
Where to Eat in Georgetown
Baked & Wired
While Georgetown Cupcake is perhaps the most famous cupcake place in the neighborhood, Baked & Wired is tastier. Plus, the lines shouldn’t be *quite* as long. There’s not much seating inside, so plan to eat your cupcake along the canal or on the waterfront!
Martin’s Tavern
This restaurant has tons of history and connection to local politics. It’s maybe most legendary for being the restaurant where JFK proposed to Jackie! You can still sit in the “proposal booth” if you’re lucky.
The Tombs
This basement restaurant on the edge of Georgetown’s campus slowly turns into a hopping college bar on weekend evenings. If you’d like to pretend you’re a Georgetown student, it’s the place to be.
Exploring Off the Beaten Path in DC
If you’ve already had your fill of monuments and museums, check out these other options! These stops are all a short drive outside the city. They won’t be so chock-full of tourists BUT you will need access to transportation other than the Metro!
Visit Mount Vernon
This was George Washington’s legendary estate. When you visit, you can tour Washington’s house, the extensive gardens, and his tomb. If you can, be sure to take a tour; it’s well worth it.
As you plan your visit, be aware that Mount Vernon is about 30 minutes out of DC. If you don’t have access to a car, you can also take a boat tour that departs from the Wharf.
Hike the Billy Goat Trail and Great Falls
If your feet aren’t completely worn out, the Billy Goat Trail is one of our favorite hiking destinations within a 30 minute drive of downtown. All Billy Goat Trail options begin from the C&O Canal trail. If you’re not up for anything rigorous, you can park at the Great Falls parking lot (it will cost $$, FYI, or you can use a National Parks pass), walk the C&O Canal trail, and stop by the Great Falls waterfall.
If you’d like a bit more adventure, try Billy Goat Trail A. Park at either the Great Falls parking lot or Angler’s Bridge (free, but you won’t see the falls), then walk the C&O Canal to the trailhead. This is a surprisingly strenuous hike – you’ll be scrambling over rocks for much of it – but the views along the river are great.
If you want something in between, try Billy Goat Trail C. It’s still follows the river, but there are far fewer rocks to scramble over. For Trail C, you’ll also need to park at the free Carderock parking lot, so you won’t be able to view Great Falls, if that matters to you.
Find more info from the National Parks Service here.
Tour the National Arboretum
The National Arboretum is a giant park about 15 minutes’ drive from downtown with absolutely lovely gardens. It’s also the home of some columns that were removed from the Capitol building during a renovation.
If you visit in the spring, the National Arboretum is a great place to view cherry blossoms and azaleas, but there are plenty of other gardens to see no matter what time of year you visit! To make the most of your stop, bring a picnic and be sure to plan out what areas you want to see – you won’t have time for all of them!
See the Washington National Cathedral
The National Cathedral is a beautiful, elaborate cathedral. If you’re short on time, it’s worth just seeing the exterior and the Bishop’s Garden. If you have more time, take a tour (definitely worth it!), go to an Evensong service, or try to catch a Tour and Tea on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
(As of now, tours and and tea are not available. Check back depending on Covid.)
Tour Hillwood Estates
If you’re into beautiful houses and gardens, the Hillwood Estates is a worthy stop. About a 20 minute drive from downtown, this mansion was originally Marjorie Post’s home. Now, it’s been turned into a museum that houses her expansive collections of art, china, and furniture. (See a sneak peak here.) We’ve admittedly only visited the gardens and greenhouse (darn Covid), but they are gorgeous. If you bring a picnic, seeing the gardens alone could take a few hours.
Whew. We made it! Those are our top recommendations for what to do in Washington, DC. Pack our bags – we’ll meet you there?