Washington, District of Columbia, better known as “DC”…the capital of the USA. A ‘must do’ in our opinion. Not only because of the historical significance of the city but it offers a lot of variety to appease anyone in your group.
How to Get Here
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. All are viable options for traveling to DC.
Air: For our visits, we flew direct from Seattle to DC. There are three primary airports: DCA, IAD, and BWI. DCA offers the easiest access with a short walk from the terminal to the Metro (subway system). This is a great option for those who plan to utilize public transportation/rideshares for their trip and do not need to rent a car. Options do exist to Metro from IAD and BWI as well but will require taking a shuttle or rideshare to get to the stations. DC is a very walkable city and rideshares are always available. Depending on your preferences, you may not need to utilize the Metro outside of your trip to/from the airport. Metro cards can be purchased in advance online or at one of the kiosks at any station. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Single-ride tickets are available as well as the option to preload your card with a set amount. Buying the SmarTrip card will get you the best fare rates and can be added to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for easy access on your phone.
Rail: For those on the East Coast, hopping on a train is an option. We have not had the opportunity but know many people that hop on the train from cities like New York, Boston, etc. Keep in mind that rail travel is not necessarily more cost effective than flying. Be sure to compare rates and timetables to see which option is right for you.
Road: If you live within a few hours of DC, it will likely be quicker and cheaper to drive to DC. One thing to consider is parking. Daily parking at hotels can be very expensive and you likely won’t use your vehicle while you are there unless you chose to venture outside of the city.
Trip Length
We spent a 3-day weekend in DC back in 2017. While we were able to pack a lot into the weekend, we were constantly on the go, and really didn’t get to see everything we would have liked to. We would recommend a 5-to-7-day trip to enjoy the city at a more leisurely pace. If you’re looking to hit only the major highlights as part of a larger trip, you could do so in 3-to-4 days.
Where to Stay
There are TONS of hotel options in DC as well as some Airbnb options. Most of the major hotel chains have a presence here so if you’re loyal to a hotel brand you should be able to find availability somewhere in the city. Hotels can be quite expensive so don’t be afraid to look a little outside of the city center along the Metro lines, just don’t forget to take a look at the timetables for the dates you’ll be staying to ensure that the times work with your plans.
Amanda traveled to DC frequently from 2016 – 2020 and stayed in many of the DC neighborhoods. Luckily, she had the benefit of corporate rates through her client and of course was not paying out of pocket for these. A few are listed below. One thing to keep in mind is that some of the smaller, independent hotels are older. Rooms will be smaller and could be outdated.
The Mayflower – the longest continuously operating hotel in the Washington, DC (opened in 1925) with gorgeous common areas and a delicious onsite restaurant/bar. A Marriott Autograph collection property which meets the high standards but also comes with a high price tag. Near the Farragut and Dupont Circle Metro stations.
AKA White House – one of the nicer properties that will be included on this list. Conveniently located near a Metro stop (direct from DCA to the Farragut West station) and good for longer stays as there is a full kitchen and laundry in most of the suites. Close to the White House and other ‘tourist’ spots but also in a more ‘commercial’ area so if you’re looking for a quaint neighborhood vibe this is not the spot for you.
Club Quarters Washington DC – a block away from AKA White House but more affordable. This hotel is practical and clean if you’re looking for a place to sleep and not looking to spend a lot of time relaxing in the room. Onsite restaurant serves good food and is convenient as well.
Hotel Hive (Foggy Bottom) – a micro hotel with very small rooms but a cute rooftop bar and decent location.
Courtyard Washington DC/Foggy Bottom – this is a great spot if you’re looking for something in the ‘middle of the pack’. Good for larger groups/families as there is a nice common area/bar in the lobby as well as outdoor seating and a pool for kids.
What to Do
DC has so many options. It’s great for solo travelers, couples, and families. As the nation’s capital, there are many museums and historical sites clustered within its 68 square miles. We spent most of our 3-day weekend around the National Mall & Memorial Parks which is a great starting point if you are visiting for the first time.
From west to east – here are a few popular/must see spots:
Lincoln Memorial and Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool – celebrating its 100th birthday in 2022, this monument is a well-known tribute to our nation’s 16th president. Thirty-six columns, representing the number of states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s presidency, surround the building. Within it a statue of Lincoln. Sitting at one end of the Reflecting Pool, this has been the site for many famous moments including Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Korean War Veterans Memorial – The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a long black granite wall that chronologically lists the names of 58,318 Americans who gave their lives in service to their country. The Korean War Veterans Memorial is comprised of sculptures of soldiers, a United Nations wall, a reflecting pool and a mural.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial – dedicated in 2011, this monument erected for one of the prominent leaders in the civil rights movement sits across the Tidal Basin from the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
The Tidal Basin – The National Cherry Blossom Festival spanning from mid-March to mid-April every year is held at this very popular spot. Japanese cherry trees were planted on the site in 1912 when the Mayor of Tokyo presented three thousand trees to the city. Important to note that the 2025 and 2026 festivals will be interrupted with construction to repair the sea wall. A total of 300 trees are being removed and 455 new ones will replace them.
World War II Memorial – This memorial combines a circle of granite columns (one for each U.S. state/territory at the time of WWII) around a water fountain. A wall with bronze stars sits nearby.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial – a circular open-air structure with a statue of Jefferson in the center. A prominent figure in most pictures of the Tidal Basin.
Washington Monument – dedicated to the first President of the United States. By far one of the most recognizable memorials, it has quite an interesting history. It took over 35 years for the initial structure to be completed and had some unusual neighbors during the Civil War. After a long closure to the public from 2016 – 2019, the monument is again open. An elevator takes visitors up the 500′ structure and provides an amazing view of the city and surrounding area. After you’re finished checking out the museum and the view, enjoy the 490 steps back to the ground. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. See additional information about closure dates and tickets on the NPS website link.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – opening in 1993, this memorial museum details the atrocities committed during the genocide of millions of Jews by the Nazi regime and its allies and collaborators. The museum is free to enter and, in our opinion, a stirring encounter that is important for everyone to experience.
Smithsonian Institue – as you head east on the National Mall, you’ll find the many buildings of the Smithsonian Institute. While we did not have time to visit on our 2017 trip, Amanda has been in the past. Some of her favorites include the National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Museum of American History. With so many exhibits you could spend an entire day visiting only the Smithsonian museums and still not have time to see them all. Many of these are great for kids so take a few minutes to research which are a good fit for your group.
United States Capitol – home of the Senate and House of Representatives, the U.S. Capitol is open to visitors for tours. Reservations are recommended and can be booked online in advance or in person. There are some exhibits in the main visitor center if you don’t have a reservation for a tour.
Supreme Court of the United States – this well-known federal courthouse is open to the public (check the website for hours/closings).
Library of Congress – The largest library in the world. Millions of books, newspapers, audio/video files, etc. are stored and available* to the public as well as researchers. *Restrictions apply. Entry is free but does require a timed-entry ticket. The architecture as well as the opportunity to see books on display from centuries ago makes this worth the visit.
Outside of the National Mall – there are so many unique neighborhoods within DC. We won’t even scratch the surface here, but we hope you take the time to explore and find some hidden gems for yourself. Here are a few from our trip and Amanda’s time in the city.
The White House – no visit to DC would be complete without at least seeing the building that houses the residence and working office of the President. The White House Visitor Center has exhibits about the history of the famous building. To tour the actual White House, you’ll need to schedule through a Member of Congress.
International Spy Museum – super fun, interactive museum all about spy craft.
Nationals Park – catch a baseball game and enjoy the surrounding neighborhood including The Yards.
Ford’s Theatre – See the famous spot where Lincoln was assassinated as well as Peterson House (where he died).
Arlington National Cemetery – the resting place of our nation’s heroes.
National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial – tribute to those lives lost during the 2001 attack on the Pentagon.
Captial One Arena – Check out a hockey game or a concert.
Washington National Cathedral – a great spot for architecture lovers.
Rock Creek Park – a favorite spot for locals. Take a break from the concrete and take a nice stroll.
U.S. National Arboretum – We have yet to check this out but it’s another free activity.
