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: May 20, 2020
101 Things to do in Washington DC Bucket List
Tourist Attractions
It’s the largest Christian church in the U.S. and in North America and the second-largest church in the world.
Learn about US currency and see how millions of dollars are printed.
See views of the Potomac River from 180 feet above.
Americana-themed carousel with a children’s playground & picnic tables, right by the Capital Wheel.
A traditional Chinese gate constructed in 1986.
(Georgetown) See pre-Colombian and Byzantine art and artifacts and the mansion gardens.
See ornate buildings for each foreign embassy.
(Georgetown) Cool to see if you’re in the area. Free to visit!
(Penn Quarter) Be sure to contact your congressional representative to be cleared first.
(Brookland) Take a stroll through the grotto and gardens.
(Capitol Hill) Has great views of DC.
Riverboat Tour on the Potomac River
You can do a dinner cruise too.
(aka the Castle) + Enid A. Haupt Garden
The Pentagon Tour
Must make reservations at least 14 days in advance.
Part of Martha Washington’s family’s estate.
Great architecture, several shops and restaurants. You can also take the free circle bus at the station to the Mall.
Grab a coffee and walk by the waterfront.
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
A bridge connecting the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery.
(Arlington) Be sure to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
(NPS) This house was once the headquarters of the National Women’s Party.
(NPS) Home to the first African American to document the history of African Americans.
Lots of events throughout the year within the park.
(NPS) Established in 1807. Walk through both local and national history.
(NPS) The actual gun used by Boothe is on display in the basement museum.
(NPS) Open air memorial of FDR, located between the Jefferson and Martin Luther King Memorials.
(NPS) Tours are available by reservations. We suggest you make the reservation before visiting.
(NPS) Memorial of those served in the Korean War. Don’t miss the lief size statues of soldiers.
(NPS) A must-see in D.C. Enjoy a break on the steps as you look out at the Reflecting Pool.
(NPS) Small memorial and green space.
(NPS) Take a night tour and learn about MLK Jr.
(NPS) House is open for tours from 10am – 2pm, Thursday through Saturday.
Located by section of the Pentagon where the plane hit.
(NPS) About 2 mi, stretch by most of the monuments and memorials.
(NPS) Six presidential funeral processions had traversed this area.
Where he lived and worked for over a quarter of his presidency.
Well preserved home, reservations are recommended for house tour.
You need your government STAR ID to enter.
Walk around the public areas and take in the sheer magnitude of the marble hallways.
(NPS) There is a museum below the memorial.
Be sure to book your tour time online before visiting.
(NPS) Located right by the Lincoln Memorial.
(NPS) Tickets are required to ride the elevator to the 500 foot observation deck.
(NPS) Located in Pershing Park.
(NPS) A grand monument steps away from the Washington Monument.
White House + President’s Park
Museums
(Smithsonian) Interior is closed, but you can appreciate the architecture and explore the area around the building.
(Arlington) Go see their bong collection.
(Capitol Hill) Catch a play at the small stage inside the library.
Part of the National Museum of Asian Art. Don’t forget to check out the Peacock Room.
Art gallery specializing in street art – murals are in the alley behind the oyster shop on 8th St SE.
Check out the world renowned collection of Russian and French decorative art, all curated by Post Cereal heiress, Marjorie Merriweather Post.
(Smithsonian) A short walk from the Capitol, eclectic statues and art exhibits.
Very informative and interactive museum. Great for both kids and adults alike.
Get tickets online to save $5.
See the original Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Constitution and the 1297 version of the Magna Carta.
Learn about architecture, design, engineering, and more.
See sculptures by Henry Moore, Rodin, Kusama, and more.
Tons of photographs on display, as well as rotating exhibits on scientific expeditions and explorations.
(Smithsonian) This museum is devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture.
(Smithsonian) Small, yet captivating, African art collection from various African countries.
Anything and everything American. We really liked seeing flag that flew over Fort McHenry that inspired the Star-Spangled Banner.
Exhibits are grouped by tribe.
See the contributions of women in the arts, through permanent and rotating exhibits. They also have several events throughout the year.
The presidential portraits are located on the second floor.
The volume of stamps on display is enormous! Cool to see, especially if you’re a collector.
Learn about the first amendment and importance and evolution of a free press.
Open until 7pm, which is later than most Smithsonian museums.
Also part of American Art Museum but at a different location.
(2 locations) One in DC + Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center aka Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
(Smithsonian) Awesome collection of very rare, real dinosaur fossils.
Free admission, don’t miss the giant pandas!
There’s also a room where you can listen to audio recordings of survivors telling their stories.
The Outdoors + Urban Parks
Anacostia River
Kayaking, SUP, and even hydro-biking.
(NPS) Several quiet walking paths and pleasant gardens.
Calmer and much more quieter part of the city.
Great place to see planes take off.
(NPS) The entrance fee is $20 per car.
(Downtown) Ideal spot for a good view of the White House.
Great to visit in the spring and summer when the fountains are on.
(NPS) Easy walk for kids to enjoy nature.
Paddle boating.
(NPS) Enjoy nature and the great statue of Theodore Roosevelt.
More locals go here and bigger than the Botanic Garden – free for visitors.
Very pretty, especially during Christmas time.
(Navy Yard) Lots of restaurants by the park and various kid-friendly activities throughout the year.
Shows + Venues
Standing room only!
Not a bad seat in the house! Great, high quality productions and performances.
The Wizards and Capitals both play here.
Come for a speciality drink at their quirky bar and see the interesting decor.
(Foggy Bottom) Catch a free concert.
See a perforamnce in this historic 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).
Live music, cheap drinks. Where most of National fans gather.
(Capital Hill) Used bookstore.
Local food, fresh product and meat.
Oldest continuously operating open-air fish market in the US. Southeast Fish Market / Maine Avenue Fish Market.
Fun place to browse for random trinkets and gifts.
M Street
(Georgetown) Several boutiques to peruse and restaurants to try.
One of the best food halls in America by Bon Appetit.
Map of Washington DC
Seasonal + Special Events
(July) Fringe theatre, music, art, dance.
(mid-May) See independentand international films.
(Fall) 11 blocks long and has 14 staging areas for musical performances, art, poetry, and more.
(Winter) Skate rentals are available for just $4.
Jazz in the Garden
Every Friday at the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art 5:30-8:30.
(Spring) One of the prettiest places to see cherry blossoms in the U.S.
Calling all art lovers! Stroll through these galleries for free on First Fridays.
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.
