Washington, D.C. has the distinct honor of being the nation’s capital. There is evidence of power and politics all over the city. Look no further than the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court, all of which are located here. If you want to see government in action, you’ve come to the right place. Many government buildings offer tours. But it’s not all business. D.C has a really lively art, music, and food scene.
There are tons of museums and memorials for you to explore and many of them are free. You could spend days exploring the Smithsonian museums alone. As if that wasn’t enough, there are many different venues where you can see a live show. Below is a list of our favorite things to do in DC.
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Last Updated: July 1, 2019. First Published: December 26, 2017
101 THINGS TO DO IN WASHINGTON DC BUCKET LIST
Title of Subsection
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- The Capital Wheel at National Harbor
- Carousel at National Harbor
- Chinatown Arch
- Dumbarton Oaks, Georgetown
- Embassy Row
- “The Exorcist” Steps, Georgetown
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Tour, Penn Quarter
- Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, Brookland
- Library of Congress, Capitol Hill – has great views of DC
- Riverboat Tour or Dinner Cruise on the Potomac River
- Smithsonian Institution Building (aka the Castle) + Enid A. Haupt Garden
- The Pentagon Tour (must make reservations at least 14 days in advance)
- Tudor Place
- Union Station
- The Washington Harbour
- Washington National Cathedral / The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington – Woodrow Wilson’s Marble Tomb and Helen Keller’s Ashes
MONUMENTS + MEMORIALS + HISTORIC SITES
- Arlington Memorial Bridge
- Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington
- Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument (NPS)
- Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site (NPS)
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C & O Canal) NPS Unit
- Congressional Cemetery
- Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site (NPS)
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (NPS)
- Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (NPS)
- Korean War Veterans Memorial (NPS)
- Lincoln Memorial + Reflecting Pool (NPS)
- Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac (NPS)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (NPS)
- Mary McLeod Bethune Council House (NPS)
- National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
- National Mall (NPS)
- Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site (NPS)
- President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldier’s Home
- President Woodrow Wilson House
- Senate and House Office Buildings
- Supreme Court
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial (NPS)
- The U.S. Capitol Visitors Center / Capitol Tour
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial (NPS)
- Washington Monument (NPS)
- World War I Memorial (NPS)
- World War II Memorial (NPS)
- White House + President’s Park (NPS) / White House Visitors Center
MUSEUMS
- Arts and Industries Building – Smithsonian
- DEA Museum and Visitors Center, Arlington – go see their bong collection
- Folger Shakespeare Library, Capitol Hill
- Freer Gallery of Art / Freer and Sackler Galleries – part of the National Museum of Asian Art. Don’t forget to check out the Peacock Room.
- The Fridge DC – Art gallery specializing in street art – murals are in the alley behind the oyster shop on 8th St SE
- Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden – Smithsonian
- International Spy Museum
- The Mansion on O Street (book tickets online to save $5)
- The National Archives Building
- National Building Museum
- The National Gallery of Art + Sculpture Garden
- National Geographic Society-Grosvenor Auditorium / Museum
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture – Smithsonian Museum
- National Museum of African Art – Smithsonian
- The National Museum of American History
- National Museum of the American Indian
- The National Museum of Women in the Arts
- National Portrait Gallery
- The National Postal Museum
- Newseum
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Renwick Gallery (also part of American Art Museum but at a different location)
- NASM / Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum (2 locations) one in DC + Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center aka Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
- National Museum of Natural History – Smithsonian
- Smithsonian National Zoological Park
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
THE OUTDOORS + URBAN PARKS
- Anacostia River – Kayaking
- Constitution Gardens (NPS)
- Georgetown Waterfront Park
- Gravelly Point – great place to see planes take off
- Great Falls Park (NPS)
- Lafayette Square, Downtown
- Meridian Hill Park
- Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium (NPS)
- Tidal Basin – paddle boating
- Theodore Roosevelt Island (NPS)
- United States National Arboretum – more locals go here and bigger than the Botanic Garden – free for visitors
- United States Botanic Garden
- The Yards Park, Navy Yard
SHOWS + VENUES
- 9:30 Club
- Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater
- Capital One Arena (The Wizards and Capitals both play here)
- Madams Organ
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Foggy Bottom
- Warner Theatre
- Nationals Park – Washington Nationals Baseball Game
SHOPPING + FOOD
- Brewery Tours at Port City Brewery (tour is $12 and includes a flight of 6 6 oz tasting pours), DC Brau Brewing Company (free brewery tours on Sat), Atlas Brew Works (free brewery tours on Saturdays, 100% solar powered), Bluejacket Brewery (tasting tours $29 a person on Saturdays at 3pm, includes 5 tasting pours), Capital City Brewing / Cap City (give tours upon request, or you can do a brewery tours through a third party)
- The Bullpen at Half Street Fairgrounds
- Capitol Hill Books, Capitol Hill – used bookstore
- Eastern Market
- The Fish Market – oldest continuously operating open-air fish market in the US. Southeast Fish Market / Maine Avenue Fish Market
- Georgetown Flea Market
- M Street, Georgetown
- Union Market – one of the best food halls in America by Bon Appetit
Map of Washington DC
More Things to Do in DC (Seasonal)
- Capital Fringe Fest
- Filmfest DC
- H Street Festival
- Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art (Winter)
- Jazz in the Garden – Every Friday at the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art 5:30-8:30
- National Cherry Blossom Festival
- First Friday Dupont Galleries
Essential Tips for First Time Visitors
The Best Time to Visit DC
Visiting DC in the spring is great because the weather is really pleasant. Daytime temperatures range from the mid-fifties to the mid-seventies. I’ve always loved going there in the fall when the temperatures are milder as are the number of tourists. If you can’t get away then though and want to travel in the summer, be prepared for the heat – it ranges in the mid to high 80’s but has been known to creep even higher on occasion.
The city was once a swamp and though it looks a lot different than it used to, if you come in the summer, be prepared for the humidity! The winters can be unpredictable and brutal (ice, snow, sleet) but hotels tend to be a little cheaper in the winter because this is the off-season.
The Metro
In DC, the locals call the train the Metro. If you say Subway, people will think you’re looking for the fast-food restaurant. Oh, and when you’re on the Metro, stay to the right and let people pass on your left. Otherwise, you may be in for some aggravated locals.
Lines are referred to by color: Red, Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow, and Green. Look for tall brown columns with a large “M” identifying the station entrances. Colored stripes around the column show which lines serve the station. Train service is from 5 am on Weekdays to 12 am and 7 am on Weekends to 12 am. The city is in the midst of upgrading the system and we rode on several brand new railcars while we were in town.
To use the train, purchase a SmarTrip® card. It’s $2.00 to purchase a card and is rechargeable so don’t throw it away after you use it; keep on reloading it. You can use it for the bus (most of which are $1.75 per ride) and the Metro will help you plan the most efficient route and also tell you exactly how much it will cost.
Parking
What to Pack for Your Visit
Best Places to Stay in Washington DC
- Fairmont, Georgetown (luxury) – compare prices on booking and hotels.com. See reviews on tripadvisor.
- Hotel Hive, Foggy Bottom (mid-range) – compare prices on booking and hotels.com. See reviews on tripadvisor.
- HighRoad Hostel, Adams Morgan (budget) – compare prices on booking and agoda. See reviews on tripadvisor.
Are we missing anything? What would be at the top of your Washington DC Bucket List?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
CAROLINE + ERIN
They are freelance web designers and photographers who love finding adventure, both big and small. The two make a daily practice of sharing vulnerabilities, truth telling, and side splitting laughter. They’ve honed the art of traveling fast and doing all of the things that an adventurer can do in a day or two. The couple lives in Asheville and loves spending their time in the mountains.
Adree | The Keele Deal
25 Jul 2018Washington DC is such a fun city to explore. I love how many different things there are to do, and how many museums are free.
ShannOn
15 Apr 2018THANK YOU for mentioning the “stand on the left, walk on the right” rule of thumb. Not many blogs mention it and it’s very important in this area.
Local Adventurer
13 Aug 2018Thanks, Shannon! We agree!
Yolanda andraade
27 Dec 2017Very nice
Local Adventurer
13 Aug 2018Thanks, Yolanda!