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FOMO is real! Do you worry about overlooking something incredible when travel planning? If so, then you’re in luck because this curated list of 100 things to do in Washington DC will ensure you create an unforgettable and personalized vacation. Washington DC is the United States’s capital and is full of American history. This list includes monuments, memorials, attractions, museums, outdoor activities, where to eat and shop, and where to get the perfect photos for lasting memories. Don’t skip the Plan Your Trip section for when to go, how long to stay, what to pack, how much to budget, where to stay, and how to get around. It’s all here, keep reading for 100 Things to Do in Washington DC.
100 Unforgettable Things to Do in Washington DC
Top 5 Things to Do in Washington DC
- Visit the National Mall and Memorials
- Browse the Smithsonian Institution Museums
- Tour the White House
- Visit the US Capital
- Wander the charming streets of Georgetown
Must Do Attractions and Activities in Washington DC
- See the White House and take a photo from the Lafayette Square
- Visit Capitol Hill and take a tour of Congress
- Watch a Supreme Court Ruling
- Check out the Embassy Row Gilded Age Mansions on Massachusetts Avenue
- Check out the view from the top of the Washington Monument
- Take the FBI Experience tour, must request 4 weeks in advance
- See the Victorian homes around Dupont Circle
- Stop to pay respect at the Ford’s Theatre, the location of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination
- Check out the view from the Pilgrim Observation Gallery at the top of the Washington National Cathedral
- See the city monuments lit up at night
- Watch a show, play, or musical performance at the Kennedy Center, and don’t miss the view from the rooftop terrace
- Enjoy the view from the Old Post Office Tower (free!)
- Wander around the historical Georgetown University
- Take a stroll on the river walk and do some shopping in Georgetown
- Visit the Saturday Columbia Heights or Sunday Dupont Circle farmer’s market
- Say hello to the Giant Pandas at the National Zoo (free with online reservation)
Best Museums in Washington DC
There are more than 20 museums and galleries located on the Mall – 11 of which are world-class Smithsonian Museum and free to enter.
- See Niel Armstrong’s spacesuit at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (free!)
- Check out the Hall of Dinosaurs and Hope Diamond at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (free!)
- See an original painting by Leonardo da Vinci at the National Gallery of Art (free!)
- See Lincoln’s Top Hat, Julia Childs’s kitchen, and Dorothy’s shoes from The Wizard of Oz at the National Museum of American History (free!)
- Get your history fix (and a library card) from the Library of Congress (free!)
- Check out the portraits of the presidents and first ladies at the National Portrait Gallery (free!)
- Learn about the world of espionage at the International Spy Museum
- Visit the Hall of Remembrance in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (free!)
- Learn more about the African American experience in America at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) – reserve in advance (free!)
- See the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights at the National Archives (free!)
- Learn more about the history of news in the US at the Newseum
- Learn how money is printed at the Bureau of Printing & Engraving (free!)
- See the contemporary and immersive art exhibits at the Renwick Gallery (free!)
- Browse the Twentieth Century art at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Step into an immersive art experience at the Artechouse
- Visit the museum and gardens at Dumbarton Oaks
- Check out the Dupont Underground, a modern art gallery in an underground abandoned streetcar tunnel
- Visit The Phillips Collection, America’s first museum of modern art
Monuments and Memorials in Washington DC
Not to miss monuments and memorials include:
- The Washington Monument
- The Lincoln Memorial
- Jefferson Memorial
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
- World War II Memorial
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- Vietnam War Veterans Memorial
- United States Navy Memorial
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Outdoor Activities in Washington DC
- Bike along the Capital Crescent Trail
- See a corpse flower at the United States Botanic Garden (free!)
- Take a pedal boat for a spin around the Tidal Basin
- Check out the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at the US National Arboretum
- Have a picnic and people watch at the National Mall, “America’s Front Yard”
- Attend the Sunday afternoon drum circle at Meridian Hill Park
- Go for a hike in Rock Creek Park or on Theodore Roosevelt Island
- Take a walk along the beautiful C&O Canal Towpath
- Hike past waterfalls on the Billy Goat Trail at Great Falls Park
Top 5 Places to See the Cherry Blossom Bloom in Washington DC
- Steps of the Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin
- Martin Luther King Jr Memorial
- Dumbarton Oaks Garden and Oak Hill Cemetery
- Hains Point Loop Trail
- Stanton Park
- The Congressional Cemetery
Top 10 Things to Do in Washington DC at Christmas
- Explore the Georgetown Glow Light exhibit
- Watch A Christmas Carol at the Ford Theater
- Attend a Christmas concert at the National Cathedral
- Browse the Christmas Market at the Smithsonian Portrait Museum
- See the wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery
- View the lights at the Smithsonian Zoo
- See the National Christmas Tree
- Go ice skating in the Sculpture Garden Foutain
- Wander the Christmas displays at the US Botanical Garden
- Check out the window displays at CityCenterDc
Where to Eat in Washington DC
With over 175 embassies, ambassador’s residences, and international cultural centers, Washington DC offers a large range of food as well as 24 Michelin Star restaurants
- Grab a quick lunch from a Union Market or Eastern Market stall
- Eat a Chili Half-Smoke at Ben’s Chili Bowl
- Have lunch at the Old Ebbitt Grill, the oldest saloon in Washington DC
- Order award-winning fried chicken at the Founding Farmers
- Enjoy a dinner cruise down the Potomac River
- Splurge on a leisurely brunch at Le Diplomat
- Dine in one of 24 Michelin Star restaurants
Washington DC Nightlife: Pubs, Cocktails and Nightclubs
- Watch live music at the floating stage at the Wharf
- Have a cocktail with a view at Whiskey Charlie at The Wharf
- Spend a night out bar hopping in Adams Morgan
- Check out The Gibson speakeasy on the U Street Corridor
- Have a cocktail with a rooftop view at the POV bar, the Watergate Hotel rooftop bar, or the Embassy Row Hotel Rooftop
- Spend a night out on Black Broadway (U Street) and listen to some jazz
- Stop by the Copycat Co for crafted cocktails in the H Street Corridor
- Catch a live show at the Pearl Street Warehouse
- Play a game of mini golf while enjoying a cocktail at Swingers Crazy Golf
- Dance the night away at Flash, Ultrabar, Echostage, U Street Music Hall, Eighteenth Street Lounge
Shopping in Washington DC
- Check out the upscale boutiques in Georgetown, Dupont Circle, or Logan Circle
- Browse high-end brands CityCenterDC or The Shops at Wisconsin Place
- Wander the local produce, crafts, and antiques at Eastern Market’s farmers’ market
- Shop for souvenirs along The Wharf
Instagrammable Places in Washington DC: Lookouts, View Points and Selfies
A few of the best places to capture photos are: Capitol Hill, the National Mall and the National Monuments, Union Station, Logan Circle, Meridian Hill Park, Blind Whino, the row house in Shaw, the middle walkway of the CityCenter, Smithsonian Castle and Gardens and Constitution Gardens
Surrounding Area and Day Trips From Washington DC
- Visit King’s Street in Alexandria, George Washington’s hometown
- Tour Mount Vernon, the historic home of George Washington
- Watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery
- Tour of the Pentagon (free with reservation)
- Drive the Skyline Drive or go for a hike in Shenandoah National Park
- Visit the Gettysburg Battlefield for Civil War History
Washington DC Special Events
Note: Be Sure to check the Washington DC Board of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening this weekend.
Plan your Trip to Washington DC
Why Visit Washington DC
Washington DC had approximately 22 million international visitors last year. The United States Capital is full of history, museums, fun attractions, and great shopping.
How Many Days in Washington DC is Enough
3 days in Washington DC is enough to experience the city. Add another day if you plan to attend a special event or wish to take a day trip.
Is Washington DC Safe for Solo Travelers
According to Travel Safe Abroad, the overall risk of travel in Washington DC is medium. Washington DC is a large city with a high crime rate; the risk of being pickpocketed or mugged is high yet, the risk of being scammed is low. There is also a high risk for terrorism in Washington DC. Use the same safety precautions you would use in any large city and avoid being out at night alone if possible. Check their website for more information.
Best Time to Visit Washington DC
The best time to visit Washington DC is during the Cherry Blossom Festival, at the end of March or early April. The National Park Service (NPS) is able to predict the peak bloom about 10 days beforehand.
How to Get to Washington DC
Washington DC has three airports: Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), and Dulles International Airport (IAD). Reagan National Airport is located in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington DC. Dulles International Airport is located in Dulles, Virginia, about 26 miles west of the city. Baltimore-Washington International Airport is located in Maryland, about 40 miles northeast of Washington DC. DCA is a 20-minute metro ride to the city center on the yellow line. If you’re coming in from a nearby city, you can take a train or a bus to Union Station and ride the metro to the city center from there.
How to Get Around Washington DC
Washington DC has 6 major metro lines making it easy to get into the city center. Once there attractions are walkable. The DC Circulator bus makes stops at top attractions on the National Mall; rides are just $1 per trip and buses arrive about every 10 minutes.
Where to Stay in Washington DC
I stayed at the Kimpton George Hotel. I chose this location due to good online reviews and proximity to Union Station and the Metro line.
What Should I Budget for Washington DC
According to Budget My Trip, the daily cost of travel in Washington DC is $ 194 per person per day. Expect to pay $2,711 for a week trip for two. As always, the cost is based on your travel style. Check their website for more information.
What Should I Pack for Washington DC
Washington DC experiences all four seasons. Summers are hot and humid, pack lightweight breathable clothing. Winters are cold and a heavy coat, hat, scarf, and gloves are needed. Temperatures in the fall and spring vary, so layering clothing is best. Washington DC experiences occasional rain, be sure to bring an umbrella. You will be doing a lot of walking; comfortable shoes are a must.
Are There Any Romantic Things to Do in Washington DC
Washington DC is full of romantic restaurants, great rooftop bars, and places to watch the sunset. Enjoy a sunset picnic at the National Mall, kayaking on the Potomac River, take a romantic stroll through Georgetown’s streets, catch a Shakespeare in the Park performance, or head out of the city for wine tasting in Virginia Wine Country.
Things to Do in Washington DC with Young Children
The Smithsonian National Zoo, National Air and Space Museum, International Spy Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Children’s Museum, and the Discovery Theater are a few of the best things to do with young children in Washington DC.
Things to do in Washington DC with Young Adults
Young adults will enjoy exploring the National Mall, visiting the Smithsonian Museum’s contemporary exhibits at the Renwick or one of the immersive exhibits, taking a guided tour of the United States Capitol building, or shopping the H Street Corridor.
Things to do in Washington DC for free
Washington, DC is known for its free attractions and activities. Free things to do in the city include: exploring the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol, visiting the Smithsonian Museums, visiting the U.S. Capitol, wandering the National Gallery of Art, visiting the Library of Congress, visiting the United States Botanic Garden, or browsing neighborhood markets.
What are the Popular Neighborhoods in Washington DC
Georgetown: Known for its historic cobblestone streets, upscale boutiques, and vibrant restaurant scene, Georgetown is a must-visit neighborhood. Explore the charming waterfront area, visit Georgetown University’s campus, and enjoy the energetic atmosphere along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
Dupont Circle: Situated in the heart of DC, Dupont Circle is a lively neighborhood known for its trendy shops, diverse dining options, and vibrant nightlife. The area is home to numerous embassies and the beautiful Dupont Circle fountain, which serves as a central gathering spot.
Adams Morgan: With its eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and live music venues, Adams Morgan has a reputation for its vibrant nightlife scene. During the day, you can stop by the local shops, enjoy brunch at one of the many cafes, and soak up the area’s diverse culture and history.
U Street Corridor: If you’re a fan of music and history, the U Street Corridor is a must-visit neighborhood. Known as the “Black Broadway,” this area has a rich African-American cultural heritage and is lined with jazz clubs, historic theaters, and trendy bars and restaurants. Don’t miss the U Street Music Hall for live music performances.
Capitol Hill: As the neighborhood surrounding the iconic U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court, Capitol Hill offers a mix of historic buildings, stunning architecture, and a lively atmosphere. Take a stroll along Eastern Market, explore the beautiful residential streets lined with row houses, and visit the Library of Congress.
Chinatown: Located near the Verizon Center, DC’s Chinatown is a vibrant and bustling neighborhood. It’s a great place to enjoy delicious Asian cuisine, browse through unique shops, and catch a basketball or hockey game at the Capital One Arena.
The Wharf: This newly developed waterfront neighborhood offers a mix of shopping, dining, entertainment, and scenic views of the Potomac River. Take a walk along the lively promenade, enjoy a meal at one of the waterfront restaurants, or hop on a water taxi to explore the city from a different perspective.
H Street Corridor: Known for its burgeoning food and drink scene, the H Street Corridor has experienced a significant revitalization in recent years. Explore the neighborhood’s vibrant street art, try diverse cuisines, and enjoy the energetic atmosphere. These neighborhoods offer a glimpse into the diverse cultural fabric of Washington, DC, and provide a range of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Whether you’re interested in history, nightlife, or culinary experiences, exploring these popular neighborhoods will undoubtedly enhance your vacation experience.
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