This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2016. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
I’ve visited Washington DC twice, and both times I’ve left the US capital with unfinished business.
My first visit was on an organised day trip from New York City in 2011, when I had just five hours to see the major sights. Four years later, while living in NYC, I returned with my husband for an entire weekend. We spent hours exploring the National Mall, visiting museums and wandering historic neighbourhoods, clocking up 21,000 steps in one day and still running out of time.
What surprised me most about Washington DC was how much there is to see beyond the political landmarks. Between the world-class museums, impressive memorials and beautiful neighbourhoods, there’s plenty to keep visitors busy for days.
If you’re planning your first trip to the US capital, here are my favourite things to do in Washington DC, along with some practical tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Quick summary:
Planning your first visit to Washington DC? From iconic landmarks like the White House and Lincoln Memorial to fascinating Smithsonian museums and historic neighbourhoods, this guide covers the best things to do in the US capital, plus practical tips for making the most of your time.
Recommended tours & tickets:
🏛️ Best of Capitol Hill Walking Tour – Explore the Capitol, Library of Congress and Supreme Court with an expert guide.
🌃 DC Monuments Night Tour – See Washington DC’s famous memorials beautifully illuminated after dark.
🚌 DC in One Day Sightseeing Tour – Guided bus tour covering major landmarks with less walking between sights.
Explore the historic buildings of Capitol Hill
One of the most recognisable landmarks in Washington DC is the United States Capitol Building, with its enormous white dome overlooking the National Mall. It’s home to the US Congress, and the architecture is seriously impressive, even if you’re just admiring it from outside.
I’ve visited Capitol Hill on both of my trips to Washington DC, but I’ve never actually been inside the Capitol Building. It’s something I’d love to do if I return! Free guided tours are available through the Capitol Visitor Center, taking visitors through historic spaces such as the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall. It’s worth booking ahead, particularly during busy periods.
While you’re in the area, make sure you also check out the Library of Congress and Supreme Court of the United States. Both are impressive buildings in their own right, and they’re located just behind the Capitol.
The Library of Congress is particularly worth visiting for its spectacular interior, especially the ornate Thomas Jefferson Building and Main Reading Room. Admission is free, although you’ll need to reserve a timed-entry pass. The Supreme Court is also worth a stop to admire its grand neoclassical exterior.
🏛️ If you’d like to learn more about the history and politics of Capitol Hill, consider joining a Best of Capitol Hill Walking Tour, which can include visits to some of these famous landmarks.
Admire the Washington Monument up close
Standing right in the middle of the National Mall, the Washington Monument is one of the most recognisable landmarks in DC. At 169 metres tall, this enormous stone obelisk was actually the world’s tallest structure when it was completed in 1884, until the Eiffel Tower overtook it a few years later.
One interesting detail you might notice is that the marble changes colour about a third of the way up. Construction was halted in 1854 when funding ran out, and by the time work resumed in 1877, the original stone was no longer available. You can still see the difference today!
I’ve admired the monument from ground level on both of my visits, but you can also take an elevator to the observation deck near the top for panoramic views across Washington DC, including the Capitol Building, White House and Lincoln Memorial.
Admission is free, although timed-entry tickets are required and there’s a small booking fee for advance reservations. I’d recommend booking your tickets ahead if you’re keen to go up, as tickets can be difficult to get during busy periods.
See the White House in person
The White House is probably the most famous building in Washington DC, so of course you’ll want to see it on your first visit! I’ll admit that I found it a little underwhelming in person (it’s smaller than I expected), but it’s still pretty cool to see such an iconic landmark with your own eyes.
On my visits, I viewed the White House from the south side, near the National Mall. This is a popular spot for photos, but you can actually get a closer view of the building from the north side, looking through the fence from Pennsylvania Avenue and Lafayette Square.
If you’re hoping to see more than the exterior, public tours of the White House are available, although they’re limited and need to be requested well in advance. For most international visitors, admiring the building from outside is the easiest option.
Climb the steps of the Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial was one of my favourite sights in Washington DC. Sitting at the western end of the National Mall, this enormous monument is dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, and features a larger-than-life marble statue of him seated inside a grand temple surrounded by columns.
I visited around sunset, which turned out to be a great time to go. The daytime crowds had started to thin out, and I could really appreciate the impressive scale of the monument without quite so many people around. The view from the steps is fantastic, too, looking straight across the Reflecting Pool towards the Washington Monument.
The Lincoln Memorial is open 24 hours a day and is beautifully illuminated after dark, so it’s worth considering an evening visit if you’re exploring the National Mall.
🌃 Another option is to join a DC Monuments Night Tour, which takes you around Washington’s famous landmarks and memorials while they’re lit up after sunset.
Visit the war memorials on the National Mall
There are several war memorials scattered around the National Mall, and they’re well worth stopping at as you explore the area. Each one commemorates a different conflict, with some incredibly moving sculptures and monuments. All four of these memorials are free to visit and can be included in a walking route around the National Mall.
My personal favourite was the Korean War Veterans Memorial, which features 19 stainless-steel statues of soldiers making their way through a field. I remember walking among the figures and being struck by how realistic their faces looked. Their expressions are so lifelike that it’s almost eerie. The nearby granite wall bears the powerful inscription “Freedom Is Not Free”, which adds to the memorial’s emotional impact.
Nearby, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial takes a completely different approach. Its two black granite walls are inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 American service members who died or went missing during the Vietnam War.
Another major landmark is the World War II Memorial, located between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. It features a large central fountain surrounded by 56 pillars representing the US states and territories at the time of the war.
You can also stop by the smaller DC War Memorial, a circular, open-air structure dedicated to Washington DC residents who died during World War I. It’s tucked away among the trees near the Reflecting Pool and is easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there.
Take a walk around the Tidal Basin
The Tidal Basin is one of Washington DC’s prettiest places for a stroll, especially in spring when the cherry blossom trees lining the water burst into bloom (unfortunately I didn’t get to see this as my visits were during summer and late autumn, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful!).
The walking path around the basin is approximately 3.5 kilometres long and passes several important memorials, including the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, with its grand domed architecture, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, featuring an enormous sculpture of the civil rights leader.
You don’t have to walk the entire loop to enjoy the Tidal Basin, but I’d recommend allowing at least an hour if you want to explore some of the memorials along the way.
Visit one of the Smithsonian museums
Washington DC is home to some incredible museums, and many of the best are part of the Smithsonian Institution. Most offer free admission and are located around the National Mall, so they’re easy to incorporate into a sightseeing day.
My personal favourite is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, which I’ve visited on both of my trips to Washington DC. On my second visit, I spent more than two hours exploring the exhibits and still felt like I could have stayed longer! It’s packed with fascinating displays about aviation, space exploration and the history of flight.
Other popular options include the National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I’d recommend allowing at least two or three hours for whichever museum you choose, and checking whether you need to reserve a free timed-entry pass in advance.
🎟️ Short on time? A three-hour Smithsonian Big 3 Tour covers highlights of the Air and Space, Natural History and American History museums, with a guide and reserved Air and Space Museum entry included.
More things to do in Washington DC if you have time
If you’ve got more than a couple of days in Washington DC, there are plenty of other attractions worth adding to your itinerary. Even after two visits, I’ve still got a few places on my list for next time!
Explore more of Washington DC’s museums
Beyond the Smithsonian, Washington DC has plenty of other museums worth exploring. History enthusiasts might enjoy the National Archives Museum, where you can see the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution, or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Art lovers can visit the National Gallery of Art, while the International Spy Museum offers an interactive look at the world of espionage.
Wander through the historic streets of Georgetown
Georgetown is one of Washington DC’s prettiest neighbourhoods, and a lovely place to explore if you want a break from the monuments and museums around the National Mall.
My husband and I did a quick wander through the historic streets and along the waterfront. I found it to be very charming, with beautiful old buildings and cobblestone streets. I’d recommend exploring the shops and cafes along M Street, taking a walk beside the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and heading down to Georgetown Waterfront Park for views across the Potomac River.
Visit Arlington National Cemetery
One place I still haven’t managed to visit in Washington DC is Arlington National Cemetery. It’s been on my list for both trips, but I just couldn’t squeeze it into my sightseeing schedule.
Located across the Potomac River in Virginia, Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 400,000 military service members, veterans and their family members. The landscape is famous for its seemingly endless rows of white headstones stretching across the rolling hills.
👣 Visiting Arlington National Cemetery? Book a guided Arlington Cemetery Walking Tour to to witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and discover historic gravesites, including John F. Kennedy’s, with an expert guide.
Admire the architecture of Union Station
If you’re travelling to Washington DC by train or bus, take a moment to admire the architecture of Union Station. I first arrived here on my day trip from New York City in 2011 and remember being surprised by its enormous vaulted ceilings and grand interior, which reminded me of Grand Central Terminal in NYC. It’s worth a quick look if you’re passing through or exploring nearby Capitol Hill.
How to get around Washington DC
Washington DC is a fairly walkable city, particularly around the National Mall, where many of the major monuments and museums are located. Just be aware that the distances between attractions can be much greater than they appear on a map!
When my husband and I explored the National Mall independently, we spent around six hours sightseeing and clocked up a whopping 21,000 steps. And we still didn’t manage to see everything! I’d definitely recommend wearing comfortable shoes and allowing plenty of time to get between attractions.
For longer distances, the Washington Metro is an easy way to get around, with stations near many popular sightseeing areas. You can also use local buses or rideshare services to reach neighbourhoods like Georgetown, which isn’t directly served by the Metro.
🚌 If you’d prefer to leave the logistics to someone else, the DC in a Day Sightseeing Tour is a great option for first-time visitors. This guided sightseeing tour takes you around the city’s major landmarks, making it particularly handy if you’re short on time.
Where to stay in Washington DC
On my weekend trip to Washington DC, my husband and I stayed at the Hyatt Place Washington DC/US Capitol, which is located within walking distance of Union Station and Capitol Hill. I found it to be a handy base for exploring the eastern end of the National Mall, and the nearby NoMa–Gallaudet U Metro station made it easy to reach other parts of the city.
If you’re visiting Washington DC for the first time, I’d recommend prioritising location over facilities. Look for accommodation near the National Mall, Downtown DC or Capitol Hill. Staying somewhere central can save you a lot of travelling time, especially when you’re trying to squeeze the major attractions into a short visit.
🏨 Hyatt Place US Capitol – A convenient option near Capitol Hill, Union Station and the Metro, with comfortable rooms and easy access to sightseeing.
FAQs about visiting Washington DC
How many days do you need in Washington DC?
I’d recommend spending at least 3+ days in Washington DC. I’ve visited on both a day trip and a full weekend, and I still didn’t see everything! One or two days is enough for the highlights, but a longer stay gives you time to explore the museums and neighbourhoods.
What is the best time of year to visit Washington DC?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are generally the best times to visit, with pleasant weather for sightseeing. Spring is particularly popular for the famous cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin.
Are attractions in Washington DC free?
Many of Washington DC’s most famous attractions are completely free, including the National Mall monuments, Smithsonian museums, Library of Congress and US Capitol tours. Some require advance reservations, while privately operated museums and certain tours charge admission fees.
Is Washington DC worth visiting?
Definitely! Even if you’re not particularly interested in American politics, Washington DC has incredible museums, historic monuments, beautiful neighbourhoods and plenty of free attractions. I’ve visited twice and would be glad to return again to see the attractions I haven’t managed to tick off yet.
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