Washington, D.C., United States: travel guide
Monuments, memorials and free Smithsonian museums along the National Mall
The federal district on the Potomac, where the National Mall lines up the Capitol, the White House and the Lincoln Memorial — the Smithsonian museums along it are free, and the Tidal Basin's cherry trees bloom each spring.
About Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is a planned capital on the Potomac, and its centre is arranged around the long green sweep of the National Mall. The Capitol stands at one end and the Lincoln Memorial at the other, with the Washington Monument and the White House close by.
The city is unusually good for sightseeing on foot. You can pass the Jefferson Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial around the Tidal Basin, then spend hours inside the Smithsonian museums, which are free to enter. In spring the cherry trees around the basin come into bloom and draw big crowds.
It suits history and politics fans, families and first-time visitors to the US. Spring and autumn are comfortable for walking, while summers are hot and humid.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.
- Country
- United States
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/New_York
- Nearest airport
- IAD
Last updated
Top places to visit in Washington, D.C.
National Museum of Natural History
natural-history · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · free entry
Smithsonian natural-history museum famous for the Hope Diamond, dinosaur hall and an enormous African elephant in the rotunda. Free entry, no timed pass needed.
Lincoln Memorial
memorial · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry
Greek-temple-style monument housing the colossal seated statue of Abraham Lincoln, overlooking the Reflecting Pool. Open 24 hours, especially striking at night.
National Air and Space Museum
science-museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · free entry
Smithsonian museum of aviation and spaceflight, home to the Wright Flyer, Apollo 11 command module and Spirit of St. Louis. Free entry; free timed-entry passes required.
National Museum of American History
history-museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · free entry
Smithsonian museum of US history holding the original Star-Spangled Banner, Julia Child's kitchen and the First Ladies' gowns. Free entry.
White House
government-landmark · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry
Official residence and workplace of the US President at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Public tours are free but must be requested well in advance through a member of Congress; most visitors view it from the fences on Pennsylvania Ave or the…
Washington Monument
memorial · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · free entry
555-foot marble obelisk honouring George Washington; the tallest structure in DC. Free timed tickets required to ride the elevator to the observation deck.
National Gallery of Art
art-museum · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h · free entry
World-class art museum (not part of the Smithsonian) with works by da Vinci, Vermeer and Monet across two buildings, plus a sculpture garden. Free entry.
Smithsonian National Zoo
zoo · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · free entry
Smithsonian's zoo in Rock Creek Park, famous for its giant pandas, great cats and Asia Trail. Free admission; entry passes required.
United States Capitol
government-landmark · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry
Seat of the US Congress, crowned by its iconic cast-iron dome. Free guided tours run through the Capitol Visitor Center; passes are recommended in advance.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
history-museum · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · free entry
Smithsonian museum tracing African American history and culture across slavery, segregation, the civil rights movement and the arts. Free entry; free timed passes required.
Arlington National Cemetery
cemetery · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h · free entry
Military cemetery in Virginia across the Potomac, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (changing of the guard), JFK's eternal flame and rows of headstones. Free entry.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
memorial · 4.7 rating · about 0.7 h · free entry
Neoclassical domed memorial to Thomas Jefferson on the Tidal Basin, famous for cherry-blossom views in spring. Open 24 hours.
Things to do
- Monuments by Moonlight Night Tour Sightseeing · 3 h · from USD 49 per person
- National Mall Guided Bike Tour Cycling · 3 h · from USD 55 per person
- US Capitol Guided Tour Sightseeing · 1.5 h · from USD 39 per person
- Mount Vernon Half-Day Trip Day Trip · 5 h · from USD 85 per person
- Washington DC Segway Tour Sightseeing · 2 h · from USD 70 per person
- Hop-On Hop-Off DC Sightseeing Bus Sightseeing · 24 h · from USD 55 per person
- Tidal Basin Cherry Blossom Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from USD 35 per person
- Potomac River Sightseeing Cruise Cruise · 1.5 h · from USD 45 per person
Day trips and tours
- Mount Vernon Estate Half-Day Tour 4.5 h · from USD 85
- Old Town Alexandria Day Trip 5 h · from USD 65
- Annapolis & US Naval Academy Day Trip 8 h · from USD 110
- Arlington National Cemetery & Memorials Tour 4 h · from USD 49
Where to stay in Washington, D.C.
- Downtown / Penn Quarter about USD 260 per night
Central, walkable area with Metro access, hotels of every tier, restaurants and theatres; minutes from the National Mall museums.
- Foggy Bottom about USD 240 per night
Quiet residential-academic neighbourhood by George Washington University; close to the White House, Kennedy Center and Georgetown, on the Blue/Orange/Silver Metro lines.
- Dupont Circle about USD 230 per night
Lively, leafy neighbourhood known for embassies, brownstones, cafes and a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene; good restaurants and easy Red Line Metro.
- Capitol Hill about USD 200 per night
Historic rowhouse district around the US Capitol; near Eastern Market, Union Station and the Mall's east end, generally calmer in the evenings.
- Georgetown about USD 300 per night
Upscale historic waterfront neighbourhood with cobblestone streets, boutiques and dining; charming but NOT on the Metro (bus/Circulator or walk).
Hotels
- Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC 5-star · USD 700 to USD 1,400 per night
- The Hay-Adams 5-star · USD 650 to USD 1,200 per night
- The Jefferson, Washington DC 5-star · USD 550 to USD 1,100 per night
- Willard InterContinental 5-star · USD 500 to USD 1,000 per night
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC 4-star · USD 250 to USD 450 per night
- The Watergate Hotel 5-star · USD 400 to USD 800 per night
Where to eat
- Founding Farmers American, Farm-to-table · about USD 40 per person
- Old Ebbitt Grill American, Seafood · about USD 45 per person
- Ben's Chili Bowl American, Diner · about USD 15 per person
- Le Diplomate French, Brasserie · about USD 70 per person
- Rasika Indian, Contemporary · about USD 75 per person
- Zaytinya Mediterranean, Greek, Turkish · about USD 55 per person
- Sweetgreen Healthy, Salads, Fast Casual · about USD 14 per person
- Oyamel Cocina Mexicana Mexican · about USD 45 per person
Getting to Washington, D.C.
Airport: Washington, National (DCA), Washington, Dulles International (IAD)
How visitors arrive in Washington, D.C.
- Fly into Reagan National (DCA) By air from Reagan National · common
Closest airport, linked by Metrorail, mainly for domestic flights. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Fly into Dulles (IAD) or BWI By air from Dulles / BWI · common
Dulles is the main international airport; BWI connects by MARC and Amtrak trains. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Amtrak or MARC to Union Station By train from Northeast Corridor · common
Union Station is the main rail hub, served by Acela and Northeast Regional. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Drive via I-95 and the Beltway By road · possible
I-95 bypasses the city; the Capital Beltway and I-66 are key routes. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Intercity bus By road · possible
Most intercity buses stop at or near Union Station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Metrorail from Reagan National
DCA is the closest airport, in Arlington. Metrorail's Blue and Yellow lines serve it; taxis and ride-hail are also available. Source: wmata.com
- Metrorail Silver Line from Dulles
Dulles, the main international airport, is west of the city. The Silver Line serves it, and a dedicated taxi service and ride-hail are available. Source: wmata.com
Getting around
- Bus useful for some trips
Metrobus, run by WMATA, serves the District and the inner suburban counties alongside Metrorail.
- Metro useful for some trips
Metrorail, run by WMATA, serves Washington and its suburbs and both Reagan National and Dulles airports.
- Ride Hail useful for some trips
Uber and Lyft are used for transfers between the city and Reagan National and Dulles airports.
- Walking useful for some trips
Safety and scams to avoid
Fake "free" monument or museum tour touts
National Mall, near the Lincoln Memorial and Smithsonian museums
Individuals offer a "free" guided tour or "skip-the-line" tickets, then demand a large tip or sell tickets for sites that are actually free to enter.
How to avoid it: Smithsonian museums and the Mall memorials are free. Book tours only from reputable operators and ignore street ticket sellers.
Aggressive costumed-character photo tips
Near the Lincoln Memorial and along the Mall
Costumed performers pose for photos, then aggressively demand $10-20 per person.
How to avoid it: Agree on a price or decline before any photo; a dollar or two is plenty if you choose to tip.
Unlicensed taxi / "gypsy cab" overcharging
Union Station, the airports and tourist areas
Unmarked cars offer rides and then charge inflated flat fares with no meter.
How to avoid it: Use only licensed DC taxis (with a medallion/meter) or a ride-hail app like Uber/Lyft. Never accept a ride from someone approaching you.
Friendship-bracelet / petition distraction
Near busy Mall entrances and Metro exits
A stranger ties a bracelet on you or asks you to sign a petition, then demands money while an accomplice may pickpocket.
How to avoid it: Keep walking and decline politely; do not let strangers put anything on your wrist or crowd you.
Counterfeit event or attraction tickets
Around Capital One Arena and the Wharf
Scalpers sell fake tickets to games, tours or shows at face or premium price.
How to avoid it: Buy from official box offices or authorised resale platforms only; verify mobile tickets transfer through the official app.
Best time to visit Washington, D.C.
- Jan 4°C
- Feb 6°C
- Mar 11°C
- Apr 17°C
- May 22°C
- Jun 28°C
- Jul 31°C
- Aug 30°C
- Sep 26°C
- Oct 20°C
- Nov 13°C
- Dec 7°C
More in United States
Frequently asked questions about Washington, D.C.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Washington, D.C.?
- The highest-rated places in our Washington, D.C. guide are Lincoln Memorial, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Arlington National Cemetery, National Museum of Natural History.
- Where should I stay in Washington, D.C.?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Washington, D.C.: Downtown / Penn Quarter, Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill.
- How do I get around Washington, D.C.?
- Ways to get around Washington, D.C. covered in our guide: City bus, Metro, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Washington, D.C.?
- Scams reported to us for Washington, D.C. include Fake "free" monument or museum tour touts; Aggressive costumed-character photo tips; Unlicensed taxi / "gypsy cab" overcharging. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Washington, D.C.?
- Average daytime highs in Washington, D.C. run from 4°C in Jan to 31°C in Jul.
- Which airport is nearest to Washington, D.C.?
- The nearest airport to Washington, D.C. has the code IAD.