Thinking of visiting Washington, DC?
One of the most visited cities in the nation, Washington, DC, offers various interesting experiences, from learning about American history and government to seeing iconic sights in the country.
If this is the first time you’re traveling to the nation’s capital, here’s your quick guide to the 10 best things to do in Washington, DC.
1. The National Mall
Stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol Building, this 2.5-mile expanse is the focal point of many tourists sightseeing DC.
The National Mall offers several different walking paths. You can stop and admire various monuments and memorials along the way, such as the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial.
If you’re looking for free things to do in Washington DC, the National Mall a fantastic spot to bring your kids to run around on the grass or for a picnic lunch.
While the National Mall offers day trips from Washington DC, it can also be toured by night, enjoying the sights by moonlight for a quintessential experience.
2. The Smithsonian Museums
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with around 155 million objects, works of art, and specimens throughout all its facilities.
There are 19 museums and the National Zoological Park that make up the Smithsonian Institution. Most of the museums in Washington, DC are located around the National Mall. Two museums are in New York City and one is in Virginia.
Below is the list of Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC:
- Anacostia Community Museum
- Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
- Arts and Industries Building
- Freer Gallery of Art
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- National Air and Space Museum
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- National Museum of African Art
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of the American Indian
- National Museum of Natural History
- National Portrait Gallery
- National Postal Museum
- Renwick Gallery
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Smithsonian Institution Building (“Castle”)
Looking for things to do in DC with kids? The National Museum of Natural History offers an outstanding family destination where you can be surrounded by live butterflies in the Butterfly Pavilion, participate in tarantula feeding, and join the Fossil Basecamp.
3. The U.S. Capitol Building
One of the most recognizable buildings in the world, the United States Capitol is a symbol of the American people and its government.
The world-famous domed institution is home to the United States House of Representatives and Senate, where America’s congressmen and congresswomen conduct business, debate laws, and pass bills on behalf of the nation.
Guided tours of the U.S. Capitol Building include a 13-minute intro film, stops in the Capitol Rotunda, the Crypt, National Statuary Hall, and connecting corridors of the U.S. Capitol, where you’ll see statues representing every state.
4. The White House
Home to every United States president since John Adams in 1800, the White House is America’s most famous homestead.
When you go on a tour of the White House, you will be able to view the public rooms in the East Wing, including the Blue Room, Red Room, and Green Room, as well as the State Dining Room, the China Room, and a view of the White House Rose Garden.
Secret Service members are stationed in every room and are available to answer questions about the history and architecture of these rooms.
5. Lincoln Memorial
The grand Lincoln Memorial, built to honor the 16th U.S. president is a must-see for every visitor to the nation’s capital.
Approaching the memorial from the east, by the Washington Monument and the National World War II Memorial, will put you at the edge of the Reflecting Pool and give you the best view of the grand structures honoring our most storied leaders.
The 36 columns represent all the states in the country by the time of President Lincoln’s death. The memorial is 190 feet long and 119 feet wide, reaching a height of almost 100 feet.
A memorable quote can be seen etched into the wall above the 19-foot tall, 175-ton statue of President Lincoln: “In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.”
6. National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art preserves, collects, and exhibits works of art from different countries and historical eras.
The collection features approximately 141,000 paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and forms of new media created by Renaissance masters to modern-day marvels.
The gallery’s Sculpture Garden is a 6.1-acre space that features majestic trees, walking and seating areas, and 17 sculptures from the Gallery’s collection.
The garden also showcases a fountain that serves as an ice rink from the months of November through March, as well as The Pavilion Café, which offers year-round service and indoor seating.
7. Tidal Basin and Cherry Blossoms
In spring, the Tidal Basin is a wonderful place to gaze at the blushing cherry blossom trees and, if you’re looking for things to do in Washington, DC with kids, take scenic photos with them.
The Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial are some of the best spots for this activity, as most cherry blossom trees are located in these areas.
8. Arlington National Cemetery
The 639-acre Arlington National Cemetery is full of history, with graves of veterans from the Revolutionary War to the Iraq War.
Founded during the Civil War, Arlington is the final resting place for war heroes, veterans, freed slaves, and luminaries in science, engineering, medicine, and government. It is home to several well-known historic sites, including The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and other monuments and memorials.
9. Georgetown Historic District
Created in 1950, the Georgetown Historic District was the first historic district in Washington and the sixth in the United States. It is renowned for federalist architecture, historic brick-and-frame row houses, cobblestone streets, and grand estates dating back to the mid-1700s.
Some of the district’s historic landmarks include Dumbarton House, Tudor Place, Dumbarton Oaks Research Library & Gardens, The Old Stone House, The Peabody Room of the Georgetown Public Library, and Halcyon House.
10. The National Archives Museum
If you’re looking for free museums in Washington, DC, the National Archives Museum is an amazing place to visit.
The museum is home to over three billion records, including the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, which are the three most important documents in American history.
The Public Vaults presents more than 1,000 documents at any given time. Each vault is themed based on words from the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.
The National Archives Museum also features the 290-seat William G. McGowan Theater, where you can watch documentary films and participate in forum discussions.
Conclusion
Washington, DC offers such an exhilarating experience and visiting the nation’s capital should be in everyone’s bucket list.
If you are considering buying a home in Washington, DC, and would like to know more about what it has to offer, please call me at 202-577-8428 or email me at James@theGrantGroup.com with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Washington, D.C.?
The best time to visit Washington, D.C., is spring, from March through May, which is also the cherry blossom season. Fall, between September and November, is also an excellent time to enjoy the Capitol’s landmarks, as the weather is pleasant, crowds are smaller, and the fall foliage is beautiful.
Are the Smithsonian museums free to enter?
Yes, all of the Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC, are free to enter.
How can I tour the White House?
Public tour requests of the White House must be made through your member of Congress and submitted up to three months in advance. Tours are free and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
