historical places to visit in washington dc

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10 of the Best Historic Sites in Washington D.C.

A guide to 10 of the very best historic sites in america's capital city, including the capitol, lincoln memorial and the white house..

17 Jul 2023

Washington, D.C. is a captivating destination that stands testament to the rich tapestry of American history and democracy. Nestled along the east bank of the Potomac River, this iconic city is the capital of the USA, and a vibrant hub of politics, culture, and heritage.

Founded on 16 July 1790, the city was chosen by, and indeed named after President George Washington, a Founding Father and the first president of the United States. The district is named for Columbia, the female personification of the nation.

From the grandeur of the iconic monuments and memorials that line the National Mall, to the bustling corridors of Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. is a treasure trove of iconic historical landmarks waiting to be explored.

There are an absolute abundance of historical sites to see in Washington D.C. which would take any visitor multiple trips to see. Here we explore just 10 of some of the top historical sites America’s capital has to offer.

1. The White House

The White House has been the seat of the  United States government and home of US Presidents for over 200 years. The name ‘The White House’ was actually only coined in 1901 by Theodore Roosevelt. Today, tours of what is undoubtedly the most iconic residence in the US are a precious commodity. Nonetheless, the visitors centre and surrounding area give a sense of the White House’s role within US history.

Original construction of the White House began in October 1792 after President George Washington chose what is now 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as the location for the new home of the federal government, designed by architect James Hoban.

The White House was not yet completed when, in 1800, it housed its first ‘first family’ President  John Adams and First Lady, Abigail Adams. Since then, the White House has been the home of every President and first family, each of whom renovated it to different degrees to suit their tastes and lifestyles. Famous rooms in the White House include the Blue Room and the President’s Oval Office.

2. The US Capitol

The US Capitol is the seat of the United States Congress, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and, with its famous neoclassical façade and dramatic dome, is an iconic building in its own right.

Construction of the first incarnation of The US Capitol began in 1793 and the US Congress first met there in November 1800. Now, the House of Representatives uses the south wing, whilst the Senate uses the north wing. Since 1800, the US Capitol has been the setting for many important national events such as presidential inaugurations, which still happen there today.

Following the 1814 burning of Washington, the Capitol was restored, and underwent a series of renovations and additions – primarily in the 1850s – as well as reconstructions and restorations. The dome has similarities to that of Les Invalides in Paris, which inspired the architect of the Capitol dome: made of cast iron, it’s said to weigh over 4 million kgs. A visitor centre was added in the early 2000s, and today, The US Capitol is both the home of the US legislature and a museum of American history and art.

3. Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is a Greek temple style monument in Washington DC’s West Potomac Park honouring the 16th President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln, who served during the American Civil War and was assassinated on 14 April 1865.

Whilst a committee for the establishment of a memorial to Abraham Lincoln was first incorporated in 1867, authorisation for the monument was not given until 1911 and construction only began on 12 February 1914. The build was also a lengthy process and the memorial was finally dedicated on 30 May 1922. The Lincoln Memorial was designed by the architect, Henry Bacon, who also sculpted the statue of Lincoln which visitors can see within its walls.

As the site of many important political speeches and events, the Lincoln Memorial has a history of its own, independent from its original purpose. In particular, it was the site where Martin Luther King delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech on 28 August 1963 – the spot is marked with an engraving. Today, the words of the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural speech are carved into the wall behind the monument.

4. The Washington Monument

Standing at 555ft high, The Washington Monument is a staggeringly large monument which honours and memorialises George Washington , the first president of the USA and considered to be the ‘Father of the Country’. It was designed by architect Robert Mills, and is made out of marble, granite, and sandstone – completed on 6 December 1884, almost 30 years after Mills’ death.

The shape of the Washington Monument is that of an Egyptian obelisk to convey a sense of ancient civilisation and timeless awe which the nation felt towards its most essential Founding Father. At a height of 555 feet, 5 and 1/8 inches, it was once the tallest building in the world, and remains the tallest obelisk.

The cornerstone was laid in July 1848, with upwards of 20,000 people in attendance.

5. Ford’s Theatre

It was in Ford’s Theatre on the night of 14 April 1865 that well-known actor John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln. A Confederate sympathiser and spy, Booth had originally planned to kidnap  Lincoln , but instead shot the President in the back of the head as he watched Ford’s Theatre’s production of Our American Cousin from the state box (box seven). (Across the street is Petersen House , where Lincoln was taken after being shot, and was where he died).

Following Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, Ford briefly considered continuing to use the building as a theatre, but outcry from the American public forced him to abandon the idea. The still-unfinished building was seized in July of 1865 by order of the Secretary of War, and its interior torn-out in August of 1865.

The building was subsequently converted into a three-story office building, and rather than being recognised for its historical significance, the building was used for a variety of government purposes. Ford’s Theatre was transferred to the ownership of the National Park Service in 1931, and in 1967, the building was restored to its 1865 appearance. Currently, the building continues to stage plays and operate as a theatre, in addition to hosting a museum relating to Lincoln’s assassination.

6. Library of Congress

America’s oldest federal cultural institution, The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with over 164 million items on more than 500 miles of bookshelves, including around 37 million books, 69 million manuscripts, and an extensive collection of music, video and audio recordings, films, photographs, newspapers and maps in its collections. The Library is the main research facility for the US Congress and the home of the US Copyright Office.

Housed across three buildings on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (the Thomas Jefferson Building, the James Madison Memorial Building and the John Adams Building) as well as the Packard Campus in Culpepper, Virginia, the Library also serves as a museum, with numerous exhibits inside the Thomas Jefferson Building.

A bill transferring the seat of government from Philadelphia to the new capital of Washington mentioned the creation of a reference library for use by Congress. This became The Library of Congress, founded on 24 April 1800. After British troops burned the Capitol building (housing the original Library), retired President Thomas Jefferson offered his personal collection as a replacement. Congress paid $23,950 for the 6,487 books, forming the foundation of the Library today.

7. The Smithsonian Institution

Collectively called the Smithsonian Institution, this renowned museum and research complex (the world’s largest) consists of 17 museums and galleries in Washington D.C. including America’s National Zoo. Its aim is to preserve heritage, discover new knowledge, and share their resources with the world.

The Institution was founded in 1846 through a financial bequest by British Scientist James Smithson (1765–1829), and The Smithsonian Institution was officially created by an act of Congress in 1846. Its first building was the Smithsonian Castle, completed in 1855, which initially held the entire institution. Although initially focused on scientific research, the Smithsonian expanded to encompass a vast range of disciplines, including history, art, and anthropology.

Today the Smithsonian collections contain over 155 million objects, works of art and specimens – from the origins of man at The Natural History Museum, to the future of space travel at the Air and Space Museum. Which museums you visit clearly depends on your interests. Highlights include the American History Museum, America’s National Zoo, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, America’s National Portrait Gallery, and the American Indian Museum.

8. Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, and an architectural masterpiece. It is a listed monument on America’s National Register of Historic Places, and is also the designated House of Prayer of the USA, serving as the “spiritual home for the nation”, welcoming people of all faiths from around the world.

Throughout the years the cathedral has hosted many national memorial services, celebrations and funerals, including services such as those for the September 11 terrorist attacks, and the funerals of two presidents – Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan, as well as many historic moments, including the final Sunday sermon delivered by Martin Luther King.

Construction began on 29 September 1907, when President Theodore Roosevelt helped lay the foundation stone, and the cathedral was finally completed 83 years later when President George H.W. Bush oversaw the laying of the final stone (the ‘final finial’), in 1990. The cathedral features Neo-Gothic architecture, closely modelled on the English Gothic style of the late 14th century, complemented by ornate wooden carvings, gargoyles, mosaics and more than 200 stained glass windows.

9. Arlington National Cemetery

Whilst not technically located in Washington D.C., Arlington National Cemetery is just a short trip across the Potomac River in Virginia, and is America’s iconic burial site. The site began as a house built in memory of President George Washington , which later became a Union army base during the  American Civil War . In January 1864, the government purchased Arlington House and, later that year, desperately in need of space to bury the increasing number of war casualties, it was designated a national cemetery.

Over the years, Arlington National Cemetery has come to represent a memorial to all US soldiers who have died for their country and is still an active cemetery. There are approximately 400,000 graves at Arlington National Cemetery, neatly aligned and each with a white headstone, along with numerous monuments.

Arlington National Cemetery is also the home of The Tomb of the Unknowns, a burial place for one unidentified soldier from each of  World War One ,  World War Two  and the  Korean War . Many famous Americans are also buried at Arlington National Cemetery, from military heroes to astronauts such as John Glenn and leaders such as President John F. Kennedy .

10. Jefferson Memorial

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C.’s West Potomac Park was built in 1939 to honour President Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers of the USA and its third president. With its white facade, imposing columns and circular silhouette crowned by a dome, the Jefferson Memorial is reminiscent of the Roman  Pantheon , as intended by its architect John Russell Pope.

The concept of building a memorial to Thomas Jefferson was first encouraged by President  Franklin Roosevelt – an admirer of Jefferson – and construction of the memorial began on 15 December 1938. The Memorial was dedicated by President Roosevelt on 13 April 1943, the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s birth. The bronze sculpture of Jefferson inside the memorial, made by Rudulph Evans, was added in 1947 and stands next to inscribed excerpts from the Declaration of Independence , which Jefferson co-authored in 1776. The inscription even used Jefferson’s phrasing in his draft, saying ‘inalienable’ rather than ‘unalienable’.

Washington, D.C.   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Kevin Voelker Photography | Getty Images

31 Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Many of Washington, D.C.'s main attractions relate to its principal enterprise: politics. These include the  White House and the U.S. Capitol , of course, as well as monuments and historic sites dedicated to notable historical figures. The capital

• All Things To Do
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The Tidal Basin The Tidal Basin free

If you've never been to Washington, D.C. before, plan to spend some time along the Tidal Basin, an approximately 107-acre pond encircled by a 2.1-mile loop trail. Constructed to use the strong tides of the Potomac River to clear silt from the Washington Channel and to maintain steady water levels in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pools , it now also serves as the backdrop to some of D.C.'s best-loved sites. Every spring, the Tidal Basin bursts with color as cherry blossom trees (gifted to the city from Tokyo ) bloom into cotton candy-colored tufts, and they attract hordes of visitors. The cherry blossoms typically hit peak bloom (defined as when 70% of the cherry blossoms are open) in March or April. The National Park Service website makes "bloom watch" updates on its website , where you can check the progress of the trees and see when peak bloom is expected for the year. You can follow the path that leads around the basin, but recent visitors recommended testing the waters in a paddleboat. Paddleboats are available to rent from spring until fall for $28 to $40 per hour (depending on the day) for a four-passenger boat. You can pick up a paddle boat on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the boat dock near Maine Avenue.

Even if you don't make it to town for the cherry blossoms, you won't want to miss the three major memorials that can be found along the Tidal Basin's shores: the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial . A memorial to Virginia Declaration of Rights author George Mason, also stands nearby.

The White House and the Washington Monument The White House and the Washington Monument free

Even if you're only in town for a short trip, visiting the Washington Monument and the White House – two marble symbols of the U.S. – is a must for any first-time D.C. visitor.

Standing just shy of 555 ½ feet, the Washington Monument was the tallest structure in the world at its completion in 1884. Nowadays, you can ride one of the monument's glass-encased elevators to the top observation deck to enjoy 360-degree views of the city, which invariably impress visitors. You can explore the attraction's exterior for free 24 hours a day, but National Park Service rangers are only available from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. to answer questions. The monument itself is open to visitors every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free timed-entry tickets can be reserved up to 30 days in advance via Recreation.gov . (There is a $1 nonrefundable service charge for each ticket.) Some same-day tickets are distributed daily on a first-come, first served basis. The ticket window opens at 8:45 a.m.; be prepared for a line. The Smithsonian Metro stop is closest to the monument. Visit the National Park Service's Washington Monument page for more information.

Lincoln Memorial Lincoln Memorial free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  The best time to see this monument is after dark when it's illuminated. You'll still contend with crowds, but it will be worth it. – Marisa Méndez, Senior Editor

Although the Lincoln Memorial is just one of the District's many monuments, the larger-than-life Honest Abe is also among travelers' favorites. History buffs might enjoy reading Lincoln's  two famous speeches – the Second Inaugural Address and the Gettysburg Address – which are both etched into the memorial's north and south walls, respectively. Meanwhile, art history and architecture aficionados will enjoy admiring the building's striking design by Henry Bacon, complete with 38 Doric columns, 36 of which signify the states in the Union at the time Lincoln passed away.

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World War II Memorial World War II Memorial free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  While it's pretty during the day, the memorial is incomparable at night. Visit after sunset. – Marisa Méndez, Senior Editor

The World War II Memorial was dedicated in 2004 to the 16 million American military members who served during World War II, including the thousands of individuals who lost their lives during the fight. A circle of 56 columns (representing the U.S. states and territories from the era) looks over the Rainbow Pool. At night, with lights shining, this memorial can be quite ethereal. The structure also has a wall of more than 4,000 gold stars – one for every 100 Americans who died in the conflict.

National Mall (The Mall) National Mall (The Mall) free

Stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol Building , the National Mall is a tree- and museum-lined grassy expanse that becomes the focal point of many tourists' DC sightseeing. And although it might look like an easy jaunt from one end to the other, from tip to tip it's about a 2.5-mile venture, so make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring some water. There are several different walking paths along the mall to choose from and you can stop and admire various monuments and memorials along the way, including the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial. Many visitors find the National Mall a fantastic spot for kids to run around on the grass or for a picnic lunch (whether you bring supplies with you or grab a bite to eat from one of the food trucks that line up on Constitution Avenue, 17th Street and 14th Street).

Recent travelers say the National Mall – either toured by day and popping in museums and around memorials or toured by night and enjoying the sights by moonlight – is a quintessential DC experience. Many say the park rangers on-site to answer questions and direct visitors are very friendly and helpful as well.

Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials free

One of the most moving war memorials, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial – or "the Wall," as it's commonly referred to – is a long black granite wall with the names of more than 58,000 Americans who perished during the Vietnam War emblazoned on its surface. Recent travelers said their visits to the site were heartbreaking but thought-provoking and powerful, adding that even the toughest of individuals will find it hard to not become emotional while reading the wall's names. If you're looking for a specific person, keep in mind that the soldiers' names are ordered by the date they died, not alphabetically. Also, reviewers recommend using the attraction's name books and visiting during the day when there's ample sunlight.

When you're wandering along the eastern side of the Mall, venture to the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Paying tribute to the 1.5 million who served in "The Forgotten War," this privately funded site contains 19 stainless steel statues of soldiers in combat. In a triangular area known as the Field of Service, soldier statues march toward an American flag. Next to the soldiers is a 164-foot-long granite wall that pays homage to the unnamed troops that fought in the Korean War. Another highlight of the memorial is the Pool of Remembrance, a tranquil place for reflection. However, some past travelers cautioned that the memorial lacks signage, so younger visitors may not understand as much as those who lived through the war.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial free

Located on the northwest rim of the Tidal Basin , this 30-foot granite memorial pays homage to civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Everything from its address at 1964 Independence Ave. (a reference to the year the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed by Congress) to its design (which shows King emerging from a "mountain of despair," a reference to his "I Have a Dream" speech) are meant to reflect King's significant contribution to American history. What's more, this towering sculpture opened to the public in 2011, making it one of the newest memorials to open in the District. It is also the National Mall's first memorial dedicated to an African American.

Previous visitors raved about this memorial, adding that its powerful symbolism and beautiful design will give you chills. Plus, the sculpture's proximity to other memorials and monuments like the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the World War II Memorial make it convenient to reach. However, some reviewers wished there was more information on King's life, legacy and commitment to nonviolence around the statue.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum free

Note: Beginning in 2018, the museum embarked on an ambitious, multiyear, multimillion-dollar effort to renovate and reimagine all of its exhibits and put 1,400 new objects on display. It's reopening galleries in stages, but the IMAX theater is closed. Check the website to see what's on display before you go.

Attracting millions of people each year, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum contains a trove of celebrated aircraft, including Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega 5B, the Apollo 11 Command Module, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and Wilbur and Orville Wright's 1903 Wright Flyer, among others. Exhibits include flight simulators, an IMAX theater and the Einstein Planetarium. And parents beware: The gift shop is huge, so get ready for pleas from your kids. 

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Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture free

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Designed to replicate the three-tiered crowns found in Yoruban art from West Africa, with bronze-colored latticework accents that honor the ironwork of enslaved African Americans, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture opened on the National Mall in 2016. More than 40,000 artifacts are displayed inside, including photographs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists, boxing headgear and a robe used by Muhammad Ali, and a fedora once worn by Michael Jackson. Themed guided tours are offered on select dates. Additionally, museumgoers can download the attraction's free mobile app for audio stories about some of the museum's exhibits.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum United States Holocaust Memorial Museum free

You need to be in the right frame of mind to visit this sobering museum that focuses on the atrocities of the Holocaust. Through film footage, photographs and historical artifacts, it confronts subjects such as Hitler's rise to power, anti-Semitic propaganda and the horrors of the Final Solution. In addition to its permanent exhibition, "The Holocaust," the museum mounts several special exhibits. The facility also has a Hall of Witness, a three-story chamber beneath skylights; a Hall of Remembrance, a space with an eternal flame intended for individual reflection as well as public ceremonies; the Holocaust Survivors and Victims Resource Center; a library and a reading room.

Past travelers felt moved by this powerful museum but cautioned that its graphic collection is not ideal for younger children. (Indeed, the museum itself has age recommendations for its exhibits, signaling that some material may not be suitable for kids.) Many were especially impressed with its informative, thorough and respectful displays, adding that you can easily spend a few hours perusing its halls.

National Gallery of Art National Gallery of Art free

U.S. News Insider Tip: There are two things you won't want to miss here: the rooftop terrace, which affords panoramic views of the city and a photo op with a giant blue rooster, and the only Leonardo da Vinci oil painting on permanent exhibition in the U.S. – Catriona Kendall, Associate Editor

If you're any kind of art connoisseur, you should make a stop at the National Gallery of Art. Composed of the East Building, which houses the gallery's more modern works (think: Henri Matisse and Mark Rothko), and the West Building, which contains the collection's older works (from Sandro Botticelli to Claude Monet), this museum has enough to fill an entire afternoon. Visitors often remark on the museum's large size and expansive collection. Pace yourself and maybe order a coffee, gelato or lunch at one of the gallery's five bars and cafes.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

U.S. News Insider Tip:  Even if you don't have time to catch a performance, head to the rooftop of the Kennedy Center to grab a drink and see an incredible sunset from the terrace. The on-site REACH art gallery and sculpture garden (free) are also fun to wander around. – Erin Evans

Many travelers highly recommend a visit to The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, built and named for America's beloved Camelot president. The Kennedy Center houses the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera and hosts numerous other dance, theater and musical performances throughout the year. Although ticket prices can run a bit high, you can take in a performance for free on the Millennium Stage. The Kennedy Center debuted a new permanent exhibit in 2022: Visitors can explore the free "Art and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy" immersive exhibit to learn about the relationship between Kennedy's presidency and the arts. The facility also includes the REACH, an indoor/outdoor complex comprising an art gallery, sculpture garden, classrooms and studios, lecture halls, a video wall and more interactive spaces.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History free

With a collection of more than 147 million items, this robust Smithsonian museum on the National Mall attracts millions of visitors each year. Some of the museum's highlights include replicas of giant whales and other marine life in the Sant Ocean Hall. There's also a 2,000-pound, 52-foot model of a mega-tooth shark suspended above a dining area. In addition, you can venture to the Butterfly Pavilion for some fluttery fun with multicolored bugs. No stop at this museum would be complete without stopping by the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils – "Deep Time" exhibit features approximately 700 specimens, including Tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops dinosaurs. Other permanent exhibits explore human evolution, ancient Egypt and geology, among other topics.

Although this museum is especially appealing to families, past visitors said there's something for everyone here. However, the property can get quite crowded on weekends, holidays and during the busy summer season, so consider arriving on a weekday or in the offseason to avoid crowds. Recent museumgoers also suggested saving some time for the Hope Diamond, which is on display in the geology exhibit.

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Washington National Cathedral Washington National Cathedral

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Construction first began on this massive cathedral – the sixth largest in the world – in 1907, but it wasn't actually completed until 1990. (Though work on the building continues, including extensive and ongoing repairs after an earthquake damaged the structure in 2011.) Designed in the Gothic style, the Washington National Cathedral sits surrounded by gardens, creating a pleasant atmosphere for visitors. Take a stroll around the cathedral and peer at its high vaults and flying buttresses, keeping a close eye out for gargoyles (there's one of Darth Vader!). Step inside to admire the building's intricate stained-glass windows.

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery free

Arlington National Cemetery sits in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The cemetery spans about 1 square mile and serves as the final resting place for more than 400,000 service members, veterans and their families. Visitors should be sure to spend some time viewing the Memorial Amphitheater, the John F. Kennedy Gravesite and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Additionally, finding the grave of a notable veteran, family member or friend proves to be a powerful experience, according to visitors. The cemetery also has a downloadable app available to help you pinpoint the location of a grave.

Previous travelers appreciate the trolley tour from Arlington National Cemetery Tours, but they warn that the excursion is a bit pricey at $19.50 for adults, $10.75 for children ages 4 to 12 and $15 for seniors ages 65 and older. (There are discounted prices for service members, veterans and their families.)

Planet Word Planet Word

The world's first voice-activated museum, Planet Word strives to provide an immersive language experience through multiple exhibits and interactive galleries. Its word-centric exhibits span three floors and explore such topics as how people learn to speak, words’ origins, the world’s diversity of languages, famous speeches (which visitors can recreate using teleprompters), songs (which you can deliver karaoke style), jokes and how advertising uses language to persuade consumers. It also has a library, of course, as well as recording booths for listening to others reflect on the power of words and for preserving your story. Its Lexicon Lane contains multiple "puzzle cases" with themed word puzzles that can be solved using various clues deposited around the room. The museum, which opened in 2020, also has a restaurant and a gift shop.

Visitors frequently enthuse about this museum with adjectives like "clever," "creative," "fascinating" and "innovative." Many say its well-executed interactive activities make it an especially engaging place for families. Plan on spending at least a couple hours here.

U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress free

Arguably the most magnificent building in Washington, the U.S. Capitol is where visitors go to witness politics in action. Inside, members of both houses of Congress debate and create national policy and law, while visitors explore the building's north and south wings and circular centerpiece: the Rotunda. This iconic hall houses paintings, frescoes and sculptures depicting famous scenes from American history, not to mention an iconic cast-iron dome added to the structure in 1868. Though some travelers express mixed reviews on whether the U.S. Capitol warrants the time and effort spent (both making reservations and going on the actual tour), most agree the site is well worth a visit.

If you're not that stoked about exploring the building's innards, consider taking a stroll outside of the building. It's located on the National Mall nearby the U.S. Botanic Garden and the National Air and Space Museum . The easiest way to reach the Capitol is via the Metro to the Capitol South or Federal Center SW stops (both on the Blue, Silver and Orange lines) or the Union Station stop (on the Red Line). Additionally, there are bike racks outside the Capital Visitor Center and Capital Bikeshare stations nearby. For more information, check out the official U.S. Capitol Visitor Center website .

National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  For an exhilarating night out after a day at the museums, check out the nearby ax throwing bar Kraken Axes. Then, when you work up an appetite, one of the best places to eat in Chinatown is Reren Lamen & Bar. – Catriona Kendall, Associate Editor

The National Portrait Gallery most notably houses images of every previous president, allowing visitors to reminisce about each political figure as they progress through the hall of portraits. The presidential portraits aren't alone, though, as the National Portrait Gallery also houses artistic renderings of notable American citizens ranging from sports figures to civil rights leaders. Moreover, the National Portrait Gallery only takes up half of the building and shares the space with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This museum showcases rotating exhibits, which have previously exposed visitors to work created in response to the Vietnam War, glasswork, native women artists and more. The Smithsonian American Art Museum also operates a separate branch, the Renwick Gallery, devoted to contemporary craft and decorative arts.

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Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute free

More than 1,800 animals reside at the Smithsonian's 163-acre National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, from Asian elephants to cheetahs to sea lions. Look up every now and then as you stroll beneath the Orangutan Transport System (called the O Line): You may spot orangutans swinging along cables between steel towers. Or, if you're more intrigued by animals native to South America, head over to the Amazonia exhibit, home to creatures like titi monkeys and multiple frog species. The Great Cats exhibit features Sumatran tigers and African lions, among other feline predators. The zoo also has a playground and other attractions geared toward kids. If you time your visit for the holidays, swing by the zoo after dark for its ZooLights exhibition, when animal lanterns and lights bedazzle the park.

Recent visitors praised the zoo's pleasant surroundings and broad selection of species. Others warn future travelers to temper expectations: It's popular during the spring and summer seasons and there are long lines for (somewhat overpriced) food. Though some said the zoo could be more exciting and have a broader array of animals, keep in mind the more than 360 species are free to visit.

Union Market Union Market free

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're visiting with a group of people, buy a few different dishes from the various stalls and enjoy a little self-guided food tour of the market's best offerings. – Erin Evans

A massive food hall and gathering place for locals and tourists alike, Union Market is a fun place to spend a morning, afternoon or evening. Anchoring the Union Market District in Northeast D.C., the warehouse-style building features a plethora of food stalls, restaurants, bars and shops. The building originally opened to the public as the Union Terminal Market in 1931 and has transformed over the years to become the bustling hub of food, drink and socializing it is today. Dining options include coffee bars, Korean-Mexican fusion food stalls, specialty charcuterie and cheese shops, chocolatiers, pizzerias, doughnut spots and more. There are several upscale restaurants nearby as well, such as St. Anselm and Masseria.

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery free

The Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery combine to comprise the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art. Opened in 1923, the Freer Gallery showcases American paintings from the late 19th century aesthetic movement, plus art from China, Egypt, India, Japan, Korea and the Islamic world. The Sackler Gallery opened in 1987 in the adjacent building, and it displays Thai earthenware, a Tibetan Buddhist shrine, Iranian artifacts and a host of rotating exhibits.

Past visitors particularly appreciated the Peacock Room, a gilded blue and gold room filled with frescoes of peacocks and pottery. The Sackler Gallery's underground exhibits also serve as a boon for sweltering tourists during the District’s hot summer months, which delighted recent travelers. The general consensus is that there are some remarkable works of art here.

Rock Creek Park Rock Creek Park free

A large urban park extending from the Washington, D.C.-Maryland border to the Potomac River, Rock Creek Park is a destination for an expansive array of outdoor activities. It has more than 32 miles of hiking trails and 13 miles of horseback riding trails while bicyclists can use its paved trails and roads. It has a nine-hole golf course and tennis courts. Fishing and paddleboating on the Potomac River are additional options. The park also boasts plenty of built things to see, such as scenic bridges, fountains and statues.

In addition to its more than 1,750 acres of outdoor space, the park encompasses multiple noteworthy structures. The Nature Center features a book- and game-filled children's Discovery Room, displays of live turtles and snakes and an observation deck. It provides hiking information and serves as the starting point of the half-mile Woodland Trail. The Peirce Mill operated as a grist mill from 1829 to 1897, making the historical building the last one of its kind in the area. The Old Stone House, constructed around 1766, ranks as the oldest building on its original foundation in Washington D.C. Its former kitchen contains historical exhibits.

National Archives Museum National Archives Museum free

If you love history, you'll enjoy visiting this museum. A treasure trove of the United States' founding documents, the National Archives Museum is high on travelers' to-do lists and almost always has long entrance lines. But once you do get inside, you'll see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, along with one of the surviving copies of the Magna Carta. Other interactive and kid-friendly exhibits fill the museum, which is located off the Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter Metro station on the Green and Yellow lines. Conveniently, the museum is also a popular stop on many of the city's best bus tours .

Though the museum welcomes visitors every day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visitors are not permitted to enter after 5 p.m. A gift shop, cafe and restrooms are on-site. 

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9:30 Club 9:30 Club

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're attending a concert at this venue, plan to arrive early, as the line can stretch around the block for popular artists. And if possible, avoid using the coat check (unless you want to be stuck waiting in line for hours after the show).  – Alissa Grisler, Associate Editor

The 9:30 Club has often been heralded as one of the best live music venues in America. The iconic club began earning its accolades around the time it opened in 1980, though, and has hosted groups like Nirvana, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fugazi and Public Enemy, among others. While the 9:30 Club relocated and expanded over time, the club is still small enough to feel intimate. Its location near the bustling U Street corridor means that travelers will have no shortage of options for a pre-show dinner or a post-show drink (the staple Ben's Chili Bowl is just a few blocks away). Alternatively, the 9:30 Club offers a small menu of quesadillas, nachos and tacos if you want to eat there.

Nationals Park Nationals Park

Nationals Park is home to the Washington Nationals, the city's Major League Baseball team. The stadium opened in March 2008; it's located in the popular Navy Yard neighborhood and seats 40,000-plus fans. Nats Park welcomes visitors and locals to see the games typically from March through October, so check the schedule to see if they're in town when you're visiting the city and buy tickets for a fun-filled afternoon or evening of baseball. There's not a bad seat in the stadium and there are plenty of concession options, including barbecue, tacos, sandwiches, pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, beer, cocktails and an outpost of the DC-famous Ben's Chili Bowl.

If the team isn't in town when you are, you can still check out the stadium on a two-hour tour (for $25). Tours are available on non-game days at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1 and 2:30 p.m. and take travelers to see the media box, the dugout, the bullpen and the visiting team's locker room.

United States Botanic Garden United States Botanic Garden free

Billed as a "living plant museum," the United States Botanic Garden features dozens of intriguing plants and flowers across its indoor conservatory and outdoor gardens. Colorful orchids, roses, irises and lilies, and rare and exotic plants are just a few examples of what you can see on a visit here. The area includes a conservatory, outdoor gardens and the Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens; there are pathways to walk through each of the sections to enjoy a self-guided tour of the flora. A fun fact to note: The garden was established in 1820 and it is the oldest continually operating public garden in the U.S.

Travelers say this is a lovely spot to wander through and see beautiful flowers and plants. Many say the orchid room (with 5,000-some orchids) is a showstopper and must-visit part of the garden.

National Building Museum National Building Museum

U.S. News Insider Tip:  The permanent exhibits are a bit technical, but special exhibits are accessible (and often hands-on!) for everyone, regardless of their knowledge of architecture. – Marisa Méndez, Senior Editor

Washington boasts countless examples of iconic architecture, but the National Building Museum fittingly stands out from the rest. The gargantuan former Pension Building, which completed construction in 1887, once housed the United States Pension Bureau as well as a variety of political events like inaugural balls. In 1985, the building completed its transition into a museum, and it was officially renamed the National Building Museum in 1997. Currently, the museum showcases various interesting intersections of architecture and design throughout American history and culture via approximately 100,000 photos, 130,000 architectural drawing and prints, and more than 20,000 objects ranging from building materials to toys.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Frederick Douglass National Historic Site free

Like other parts of the South, the Washington metropolitan area – which includes Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. – was once home to numerous plantations that profited off the labor of enslaved African Americans. To learn more about one of the region's most famous former slaves, visit the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in the district's Anacostia neighborhood.

At this historical site, you'll learn all about Frederick Douglass, who had been born into slavery in 1818 who fled from Maryland to New York City in 1838. After becoming a free man, Douglass devoted his life to speaking against slavery, producing abolitionist newspapers and writing about his experience as a slave. In 1872, Douglass and his then wife, Anna, moved to Washington, D.C. The couple moved into the house known as Cedar Hill in 1878. After the death of his first wife in 1882, Douglass married Helen Pitts in 1884 and continued to live in the house until his death in 1895.

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Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden free

The Hirshhorn Museum is a contemporary art museum that features eye-catching exhibits and hosts stimulating events. The museum states its mission is "to share the transformative power of modern and contemporary art by creating meaningful, personal experiences in which art, artists, audiences and ideas converge." Exhibits at this museum often rotate in but examples of art you might encounter include abstract paintings, interactive multimedia and text- and image-based art. The Hirshhorn Museum also hosts many family-friendly events and activities to immerse kids in the art world. Meanwhile, several outdoor galleries make up the sculpture garden, which sits across the street from the museum. (Note: The sculpture garden is currently closed for an ongoing revitalization. It is expected to reopen later in 2024 or in 2025.)

Recent visitors recommend stopping by the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to explore its modern art exhibits. Since it's free, it's easy to spend as much (or as little) time as you want inside. Several said they appreciated how often the exhibitions on display change, so there's always something new when they visit. Some noted though that if you're short on time, this is not a museum to prioritize seeing in D.C. as some of the other options are more interesting or engaging.

U.S. National Arboretum and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum U.S. National Arboretum and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum free

Note: Due to the discovery of boxwood blight, the arboretum has closed its Boxwood Collection and adjacent Perennials Collection in order to prevent spread of the disease. It is closed until further notice.

Located northeast of downtown Washington, D.C., the United States National Arboretum rewards its visitors with beautiful outdoor spaces. The arboretum's outdoor collections range from dogwoods to azaleas to magnolias, but none of the plants are the area's primary attraction. Instead, most travelers make the trek here for the National Capitol Columns and the bonsai collection. The National Capitol Columns were built in 1828, decorated the Capitol building until 1958 and found their way to the arboretum in the 1980s. Now, the columns serve as an excellent place to snap photos or enjoy a picnic. The area's bonsai trees sit in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, which boasts an astounding 300 miniature trees that staff members rotate through the museum's three pavilions and special exhibits gallery.

Heurich House Museum Heurich House Museum

German-American immigrant and brewing entrepreneur Christian Heurich built the mansion that now bears his name in the late 19th century. Now, its stands as both an example of Richardsonian Romanesque residential architecture as well a testament to the business-owner's legacy. (It also, appropriately enough, serves as the headquarters of the District of Columbia Brewers Guild, a nonprofit trade organization serving the city's craft brewing industry.) The museum aims to preserve the building, its grounds and its collections while demonstrating the relevance of Heurich's version of the American dream to the modern day.

Visitors typically find the tour guides highly knowledgeable and enjoy seeing the fine period furniture and the well-preserved, intricately decorated structure.

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25 Historic Buildings in Washington, DC

The historic buildings of Washington, DC preserve the past and offer a fascinating glimpse into the changes in architecture and daily American life since the early settlement of the nation's capital. Here is a guide to the 25 oldest and most significant Washington, DC historic landmarks, in order of date of construction.

Mount Vernon Estate

1674 (land granted to John Washington, great-grandfather of George)

Mount Vernon, Virginia. The 500-acre estate of George Washington and his family includes a 14-room mansion that is beautifully restored and furnished with original objects dating back to the 1740's. Visitors can tour the outbuildings, including the kitchen, slave quarters, smokehouse, coach house, and stables. The historic site is located along the shores of the Potomac River and is the most scenic tourist attraction in the Washington, DC area.

Old Stone House

3051 M St. NW Washington, DC. Located in the heart of Georgetown, the oldest known private home in Washington, DC is preserved to demonstrate everyday life for the average citizen during this time. The historic house is maintained by the National Park Service and is open to the public.

U. S. Capitol

Taylor McIntyre / TripSavvy

E. Capitol St. and First St. NW Washington, DC. One of the most recognizable historic buildings in Washington, DC is the U. S. Capitol building. Since its original construction, the building has been built, burnt, rebuilt, expanded and restored. The Capitol Complex includes the Capitol Building itself, the House and Senate Office Buildings, the U.S. Botanic Garden , the Capitol Grounds, the Library of Congress buildings, the Supreme Court Building, the Capitol Power Plant, and various support facilities.

White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC. Although construction of the White House began while George Washington was president, he never lived in it. President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, were the first residents of the White House. The important Washington, DC landmark serves as the President’s home and office. There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels.

U.S. Treasury Building

15 St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC. The historic Gregorian-style building, located to the east of the White House, was burned and rebuilt several times during the 1800s. It is the third oldest federally occupied building in Washington DC, preceded only by the Capitol and the White House. At the time that it was built, it was one of the largest office buildings in the world. It is five stories tall and sits on 5 acres with a landscaped garden.

Dumbarton House

2715 Q St. NW Washington, DC. The historic house in Georgetown was originally the home to Joseph Nourse, first Register of the U.S. Treasury. Today it is owned by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America and serves as a museum displaying an outstanding collection of Federal period (1790-1830) furniture, paintings, textiles, silver, and ceramics.

Sewall-Belmont House

144 Constitution Ave. NE Washington, DC. The National Historic Landmark located on Capitol Hill is the headquarters of the National Woman's Party and was the home of its founder Alice Paul. The museum offers educational programming and is open for public tours.

The Octagon Museum

1799 New York Ave. NW Washington, DC. This building was designed by Dr. William Thornton, the first architect of the U.S. Capitol. It was part of the Pierre L'Enfant plan to establish a residential section of the federal city. During the War of 1812, the Octagon served as a temporary home for James and Dolley Madison after the White House was burned. Later, the building served as a girls school, the Navy Hydrographic Office, and headquarters for the American Institute of Architects. Today, the historic building serves as a museum of architecture, design, historic preservation, and the early history of Washington, DC.

Arlington House

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. The home of Robert E. Lee and his family serves as a memorial to this important historical figure that helped restore America after the Civil War. About 200 acres of the land that occupies Arlington National Cemetery was originally the property of the Lee family. Arlington House sits atop a hill, providing one of the best views of Washington, DC.

The Willard Hotel

1401 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, DC. The historic luxury hotel has been a central gathering place for elegant dinners, meetings and gala social events for more than 150 years. The Willard is a Washington institution that has hosted almost every U.S. president since Franklin Pierce in 1853.

Tudor Place

1644 31st St. NW Washington, DC. The federal era mansion was built by Martha Washington's granddaughter, Martha Custis Peter and was the home to six generations of the Peter family. Today, the historic home offers house tours, garden tours, and special events.

Decatur House

748 Jackson Pl. Washington, DC. Located just steps from the White House, one of the oldest homes in Washington, DC features Federalist and Victorian style furnishings and exhibits that explore 200 years of Washington, DC history.

Ford's Theater

517 10th St NW Washington, DC. The historic Ford's Theatre, where Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, is a national historic landmark and also functions as a live theater. The building was used for several different purposes until it was restored in 1968. The Peterson House, the rowhome where Lincoln died, sits across the street. It is open to the public and is furnished with period pieces of that time.

National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum

750 9th St. NW, Washington, DC. The U.S. Patent Building was restored as a vital part of the redevelopment of the Penn Quarter neighborhood of downtown Washington, DC. The building houses two museums in one building. The National Portrait Gallery presents six permanent exhibitions of nearly 20,000 works ranges from paintings and sculpture to photographs and drawings. The Smithsonian American Art Museum is the home of the largest collection of American art in the world including more than 41,000 artworks, spanning more than three centuries.

Smithsonian Castle

1000 Jefferson Dr. SW Washington, DC. The Victorian style, red sandstone building was originally the home of the first Secretary of the Smithsonian, Joseph Henry, and his family. The building is the oldest one on the National Mall and it served as the first Smithsonian exhibit hall from 1858 until the 1960s. Today, it houses the Smithsonian’s administrative offices and the Smithsonian Information Center.

Old Ebbitt Grill

675 15th St. NW Washington, DC. The oldest saloon in Washington, DC, features upscale American cuisine in a Victorian setting. It is a popular gathering spot for politicians, congressional interns, journalists, and tourists.

Renwick Gallery

Pennsylvania Ave. and 17th St. NW Washington, DC. The French Second Empire style building was designed by architect James Renwick Jr. to house the private art collection of Washington banker and philanthropist William Wilson Corcoran. By 1897, Corcoran's collection had outgrown the building and the gallery was moved to its current location across the street. The U.S. Court of Claims took over the Renwick Building in 1899. In 1972, the Smithsonian restored the building to be used as a gallery of American art, crafts, and design. It was refurbished again in 2000.

Eastern Market

7th St. & North Carolina Ave. SE Washington, DC. The historic market is one of the few public markets left in Washington, DC. A fire destroyed the market's original South Hall in 2007 and it is currently being restored. A temporary structure is being used across the street at the Hine Junior High School playground. The farmers market offers fresh produce and flowers, delicatessen, baked goods, meat, fish, poultry, cheese, and dairy products. On weekends, the Farmers Market moves outdoors. Arts & Crafts Fairs are held on Saturdays and The Flea Market attracts a crowd on Sundays.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

1411 W St. SE Washington, DC. Frederick Douglass, the famous abolitionist, and advisor to Lincoln, bought this house in SE Washington, DC in 1877. The year that it was built is unknown. The National Historic Site was recently restored and reopened in 2007. The home and the grounds are open to the public. Reservations are required.

Washington Monument

 Taylor McIntyre / TripSavvy

15th St. and Constitution Ave. NW Washington, DC. Construction of the Washington Monument began in 1848. However, the memorial was not completed until 1884, due to lack of funds during the Civil War. The monument honors the memory of President George Washington and is an important historic site and landmark on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

National Building Museum

401 F St., NW Washington, DC. Housed in the former Pension Bureau building, this historic structure is recognized as a marvel of architectural engineering. The Great Hall is impressive with its Corinthian columns and ​a four-story atrium. The museum in downtown Washington, DC examines America's architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning.

Eisenhower Executive Office Building

17th St and Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC. Located next to the West Wing, this building houses a majority of the offices for the White House staff. The impressive structure, a fine example of the French Second Empire style of architecture, was originally built for the State, War and Navy Departments.

Corcoran School of Art and Design

500 17th St. NW Washington, DC. The historic building was established as a private art gallery to house the extensive collection of Washington banker and philanthropist, William Wilson Corcoran (partner of the bank Corcoran & Riggs).

Union Station

TripSavvy / Victoria Chamberlain

50 Massachusetts Ave. NE Washington, DC. The city's train station is a beautiful historic building with exquisite features such as 50 foot Constantine arches and white marble flooring. Union Station is a transportation hub for the region as well as an upscale shopping destination.

Carnegie Library

801 K St. NW Washington, DC. The early 20th-century Beaux-Arts style building was the District of Columbia’s main library from the early 1900s until 1972. In 1980, it was partially renovated to serve as a part of the University of the District of Columbia. Beginning in 1999, the building was restored and in 2003 opened as the City Museum of Washington, DC. Sadly, the museum did not draw enough interest and closed. The building is currently used as the home of the Historical Society of Washington, DC and is available to rent for special events.

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Capitol Hill Photos

The National Archives Museum depicts our astounding national mosaic and tells the stories of the American journey.

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Plan your visit to the National Archives Museum, home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.

Open Daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

701 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20408

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Founding Documents

Visit these milestone documents in our Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom

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Records of Rights Permanent Exhibit Explore how generations of Americans sought to fulfill the promise of the founding documents.

Power & Light: Russell Lee's Coal Survey March 16, 2024 to July 6, 2025 Russell Lee’s 1946 coal survey photographs tell the story of laborers who helped build the nation, of a moment when the government took stock of their health and safety, and of a photographer who recognized their humanity.

Road to Revolution June 21, 2024 to July 31, 2026 Road to Revolution is a series of displays highlighting National Archives records that document the journey from colonial resistance to American independence and the diverse experiences of the nation’s founding generation.

Featured Document Display: The Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth June 18, 2024 to June 20, 2024 The freedom promised in the Emancipation Proclamation was finally delivered to 250,000 people who remained enslaved in Texas two and a half years after President Lincoln’s historic proclamation and two months after Union victory in the Civil War.

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• June 20, 2024 National Archives Comes Alive! Young Learners Program: Meet Sojourner Truth 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• June 26, 2024 Patriotic Trivia and Pizza at the National Archives 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Here for Research?

Researchers should use the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance

Visit D.C.’s Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Historic Homes and Gardens

History, nature and culture combine at these fascinating estates and gardens in our nation’s capital

Washington, D.C. is a hot spot for museums, with no shortage of indoor places to visit and explore. But it's summer, which means it's time to get outside. Luckily for those who enjoy a cultural fix along with their sunshine, there are plenty of interesting historic homes that include beautiful estates and gardens in our nation's capital, too.

For many of these locations, fighting crowds isn’t a problem. These houses and gardens aren’t the typical tourist haunts. And while museums have their own charms, visiting a home where someone once lived can provide a uniquely intimate experience.

Here are six of the best historic estates to visit this summer in Washington, D.C.:

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

In 1955,  Marjorie Merriweather Post,  the owner of General Foods and one of the richest women in the United States, bought  this Georgian-style mansion and estate in Northwest Washington, D.C . After extensive remodeling,  Hillwood became one of the beautiful homes and grounds in the area.  Today, the entire estate is open to the public.

The house itself is a museum highlighting Post’s admiration for French and Russian culture, especially Russian imperial art. (The prizes of her collection are  two stunning Fabergé Imperial eggs .) But Post also wanted visitors to enjoy a sampling of the world’s cultures while strolling the grounds. The 25-acre estate includes a Japanese-style garden, a French  parterre  (a type of formal garden with low plantings) and a Russian  dacha , or country house. There’s also a putting green, evidence of Post’s passion for golf, as well as a pet cemetery located down a wooded path, which shows her love for animals—especially her pet dogs.

Dumbarton Oaks

Hidden away in historic Georgetown,  Dumbarton Oaks  may have the most serene, beautiful and colorful gardens in all of Washington, D.C. Designed  by the accomplished landscape architect Beatrix Farrand , the gardens were crafted to  offer the “illusion of country life,”  complete with wildflowers, centuries-old trees and pools of deep blue water. However, they are only one piece of what makes this 53-acre property so special.

In 1920, Robert and Mildred Bliss acquired the property and immediately turned the estate into their own private museum for their impressive collection of Byzantine artifacts. In 1940, they donated both the estate and collection to Harvard University. Today , Dumbarton Oaks is a Harvard-run research institute and  widely considered one of the best institutions for Byzantine studies in the world.  

Heurich House

More famously known as the “Brewmaster’s Castle,” this mansion near Dupont Circle was the home of Christian Heurich, D.C.’s greatest beer brewer . The German immigrant arrived in the nation’s capital in the 1870s and put his impressive brewery skills to work. His brewery ( located where the Kennedy Center is  today) quickly grew to the point where  it was the second-largest employer in the District, behind only the federal government . Heurich was still working as a brewer when he died in 1945 at the age of 102.

The Brewmaster’s Castle and its gardens are also notable for being the best-preserved Gilded Age mansion left in the District. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and much of the house and furniture are still original. Tours and events, usually centered around beer , are held frequently.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

In the Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast D.C. sits  the home and estate of the famed 19th-century abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass . He bought the hilltop estate in 1878 after  being appointed the marshal of the District of Columbia by President Rutherford B. Hayes . After moving in, Douglass became known throughout the community as the  "Lion of Anacostia,"  because his hair, and his courage, were said to resemble that of a lion. He lived out his remaining years on "Cedar Hill," as the estate was known, until his death in 1895.

The National Parks Service took over the property in 1962 and have since worked to restore the estate to what it looked like when Douglass lived there.  Cedar trees still shade the house , and  the view of the city in front of the building is one of the best in all of D.C.

The Anderson House

In 1905, the Washington, D.C., mansion of Larz and Isabel Anderson was completed near  Dupont Circle . Larz was an American diplomat, but it was his wife who had the money. At a young age, Isabel had  inherited nearly $17 million from her grandfather’s shipping fortune , making her one of the wealthiest women in the country.

The Florentine villa built for her and her husband, known as the Anderson House, soon became one of the premiere destinations in the city for galas, society gatherings and concerts, with  guest lists that included presidents, generals and Vanderbilts.  

When Mr. Anderson died in 1937, Mrs. Anderson donated the house and estate to  the Society of Cincinnati ,  the country’s oldest patriotic organization . Lars Anderson was a devoted member of the society, which promotes public interest and appreciation for those who fought in the American Revolution. Today, the house is its headquarters, and the museum inside includes an extensive collection of historical manuscripts, documents and maps relating to the war. 

Tudor Place

When George Washington died in 1799, he left considerable sums of money to all of his step-grandchildren. Martha Parke Custis Peter (one of George Washington's step-granddaughters) and her husband, Thomas Peter, used her sizable inheritance to build what came to be called Tudor Place in today’s Georgetown.

They hired  the architect of the Capitol building, William Thornton , to design the house. Completed in 1816, the building remained in  the Peter family for six generations  until it  was deeded to a foundation in 1983 .  

The house is one of America's last intact urban estates from the Federal Era . Highlights include the  tennis lawn , the tea house and the newly-restored Box Knot Garden . The estate was deemed a  National Historic Landmark in 1960 .

Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House

In 1939, America’s foremost architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, turned 72. At an age when most are considering retirement, he was having perhaps his most prolific period, being regularly commissioned to design elaborate houses such as  Wingspread and Fallingwater for the rich and famous. So, when a middle-class newspaper reporter named Lauren Pope from Falls Church, Virginia, wrote Wright in 1939 asking him to design a new house and estate for Pope and his family, it wasn’t a typical request from a typical client. But Wright took the job, saying that he wanted to build houses for “people who deserved them.”

Located just outside D.C. in Alexandria, Virginia ,  the Pope-Leighey House  remains an example of one of Wright’s first Usonian houses . Built to accommodate the budget and space of urban middle-class American families, some have called it Wright’s “greatest legacy to the nation.” The National Trust for Historic Preservation now owns the estate, and offers regular  tours of the grounds .

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Matt Blitz | | READ MORE

Matt Blitz is a history and travel writer. His work has been featured on CNN, Atlas Obscura, Curbed, Nickelodeon, and Today I Found Out. He also runs the Obscura Society DC and is a big fan of diners.

25 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Washington, D.C.

Written by Lana Law , Becca Blond , and Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Jun 7, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Whether you are marveling at its white marble monuments and memorials, learning about history in one of its free Smithsonian museums, or getting a feel for how locals live in one of its vibrant neighborhoods, Washington, D.C. emits a pulsating energy not found anywhere else in the U.S. The District of Colombia is a city you can explore dozens of times and have a completely different experience with each visit.

Designed by Pierre-Charles L'Enfant at the request of George Washington, America's capital city sits on the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia. It is located on land specifically set aside after the Revolutionary War to keep the federal government from being in a single state.

L'Enfant planned for D.C. to feel larger than life with its wide avenues, inspirational marble buildings, public squares, and a magnificent "public walk," the National Mall. The city is split into four quadrants: NW, NE, SW, and SE and its layout is a street grid intersected by avenues.

First-time visitors flock to its list of must-see attractions like the White House, Capitol Building, and museums, monuments, and memorials, perfectly spaced along its park-style National Mall. But beyond these famed attractions, you will find another DC. One ruled by locals and influenced by the host of long-term international residents, and filled with eclectic neighborhoods including U Street, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, and Georgetown.

This is a city where you can eat your way across the world's food scene in the space of a few miles. It is also a city that boasts a world-class arts scene and outdoor experiences from paddleboarding on the Potomac River to walking or biking along the C&O Canal towpath.

If you can avoid visiting D.C. in the summer, do so. Besides being unpleasantly hot and humid, summers are when you'll see the biggest crowds. The best times to visit Washington are spring and autumn.

Plan your trip to the nation's capital with our list of the top attractions in Washington, D.C.

1. United States Capitol and Capitol Hill

2. the lincoln memorial, 3. the national mall and veterans memorials, 4. the white house, 5. the washington monument, 6. national air and space museum, 7. national museum of natural history, 8. national gallery of art, 9. library of congress, 10. national museum of african american history and culture, 11. united states holocaust memorial museum, 12. national museum of asian art (freer gallery of art and the arthur m. sackler gallery, 13. national museum of american history, 14. jefferson memorial and tidal basin, 15. the john f. kennedy center for the performing arts, 16. national zoological park, 17. national archives, 18. international spy museum, 19. arlington national cemetery, 20. washington national cathedral, 21. georgetown historic district, 22. smithsonian american art museum and national portrait gallery, 23. u.s. botanic garden, 24. u street corridor, 25. the wharf, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to washington, d.c., best time to visit washington, d.c..

Recognized around the world as a symbol of the United States, the Capitol is the seat of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The huge dome, based on the dome of St. Peter's in Rome, stands out above all other Washington buildings.

Like Washington itself, the building has grown over the years since the central portion was built between 1793 and 1812. The last addition, in 1958-62, enlarged the main façade where presidents take the oath. On the other side, a marble terrace offers beautiful views over the mall and the city.

The interior is resplendent with frescoes, reliefs, and paintings, especially the rotunda under the great cast-iron dome with a ceiling painting by Constantino Brumidi and huge paintings of scenes from American history on the walls. Beside it is the former Chamber of the House of Representatives , with statues of leading historical figures. The small Senate Rotunda leads into the beautifully restored Old Senate Chamber , where the Senate met until 1859, and the Supreme Court until 1935.

Tours can be reserved online and begin at the visitor center on the lower floor, where there is an interesting exhibition on the building's history. Free tours on weekday afternoons explore the ornate paintings on the walls and ceilings of the corridors in the Senate wing, designed by Brumidi between 1857 and 1859. To visit the Senate or House in session, you need to contact your Senator or Representative for a pass; foreign visitors can arrange visits through the visitor center.

East of the Capitol are the Supreme Court Building; the Library of Congress; and Folger Shakespeare Library, home of the world's largest collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare .

The Capitol Hill neighborhood extends southeast, with the lively Eastern Market, a farmers market with craft vendors, as well.

The Capitol is located at the east end of the National Mall. While on this side, you can combine it with a visit to the nearby United States Botanic Garden.

The best-loved of all Washington's memorials, the Lincoln Memorial stands at the far west end of the mall, separated from the Washington Monument by the Reflecting Pool. At its center is a 19-foot marble statue of a seated and pensive President Abraham Lincoln surrounded by 36 columns, one for each of the states that existed at the time of Lincoln's death.

This is the most famous work designed by noted sculptor Daniel Chester French. Jules Guerin painted the murals on the inside walls, showing important events in Lincoln's life.

Since its completion in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial has been the scene of several historic events . In 1939, when the all-white Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused to let celebrated African American singer Marian Anderson perform at a concert in nearby Constitution Hall, President Franklin Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt arranged for her to give an open-air concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, attended by 75,000 people and broadcast to millions of radio listeners.

Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I have a dream..." speech from the memorial steps in 1963, again making history here.

Visiting this and other Mall monuments is one of the favorite things to do in Washington, D.C. at night. The monuments are all lighted , and many, like the Lincoln Memorial, are open 24 hours. The statue of Lincoln is especially powerful lighted at night inside the darkened interior of the temple and framed by the floodlit white columns.

Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW, Washington, D.C.

The National Mall is a spacious swath of lawns and pools that form a wide greenbelt from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial , and it is the site of many of Washington's landmark buildings, monuments, memorials, and museums. Most prominent at its center point is the Washington Monument . This is the best place to get an overview of the entire area. It's a high point and allows you to see from one end of the Mall to the other.

War Memorials

On the north side of the Lincoln Memorial is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial . This poignant wall inscribed with the names of all American servicemen and women who lost their lives or are missing, is one of Washington's most visited memorials. Nearby are the Vietnam Women's Memorial , a bronze sculpture of three servicewomen helping a wounded soldier, and the Three Servicemen statue.

On the south side of the Lincoln Memorial is the Korean War Veterans Memorial , which contains 19 steel sculptures of soldiers.

At the east end of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is the World War II Memorial , a beautiful oval plaza with sculptures and water features.

The newest is the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial , dedicated in 2014, but this is located near the United States Botanic Garden, closer to the Capitol.

Not on the Mall, but also significant is the WWI Memorial , located in the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Ave NW.

Museums on the National Mall

At the center of the National Mall is the huge Washington Monument. Continuing east from the Washinton Monument, you'll find many of Washington's most important museums. This includes the National Museum of African American History and Culture, The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, The National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Asian Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and others. These museums are all free of charge but a couple require a reservation, which gives you a timed admission.

Events and Festivals

Along with providing a park for walking, running, and picnicking, the Mall is a place for celebrations and festivals. Best known of these is the annual Independence Day celebration with fireworks around the Washington Monument.

Also in July, the Smithsonian American Folk Life Festival fills the Mall with music, crafts, performances, storytelling, cultural programs, and food from various regions around the country. The Smithsonian Kite Festival is held here in late March or early April.

On summer evenings, you can often find military bands performing at venues along the Mall. The US Navy Band has concerts at the Capitol steps overlooking the Mall on Mondays and on Tuesdays at Navy Memorial. The US Air Force Band performs on the capitol steps on Tuesdays and at the Air Force Memorial on Fridays.

Location: Between Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue, Washington, D.C.

The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States . The home of every president except George Washington, it was originally built by James Hoban in 1792, and after being burned down by British forces in 1814 was rebuilt in 1818.

Although tours of the interior that include the East, Blue, Green, and Red Rooms; the Ballroom; and the State Dining Room must be reserved well in advance through your Congressional office or embassy, every tourist to Washington will want to see this iconic building, at least from the outside.

The free White House Visitor Center , a short distance away, off 15th St. NW on Pennsylvania Avenue, has excellent interactive exhibits related to the White House and the presidential families. It includes furniture of past presidents, a model of the residence, historical changes, and videos with insights from presidents about their time living there.

The Ellipse , a 54-acre stretch of lawn stretching to Constitution Avenue, hosts summer concerts by the US Army Band. Next door to the White House is the elaborate 1833 Greek Revival Treasury Building and the 1871 Executive Office Building , one of the most striking old government buildings in Washington.

From Lafayette Square , one of the city's best-known, statues of Lafayette and others look over the White House.

If you're looking to grab lunch or dinner near the White House, the Old Ebbitt Grill is a wonderful and historic option. Established in 1856, this is a bit of a Washington institution and the city's oldest saloon. It's been frequented by politicians and famous entertainers, contributing to its colorful history. Although it's an upscale restaurant, tourists will feel comfortable here in street clothes, and the menu features plenty of casual fare.

Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: http://www.nps.gov/whho/index.htm

The 555-foot white shaft of the Washington Monument is a familiar icon of the National Mall, and a beautiful sight, especially when mirrored in the long Reflecting Pool at its foot. Construction of the obelisk to honor the nation's first president did not proceed smoothly. The plan was approved by Congress in 1783, but ground wasn't broken until 1848.

When the tower reached 156 feet in height in 1854, political wrangling and lack of funds stopped the project for several years, and the Civil War caused further interruption so that the tower was not capped until 1885, when it was finally completed by the Army Corps of Engineers.

You can still see the separate stages of its building through three changes in the color of its facing stones; inside are engraved stones from states, cities, foreign countries, individuals, and civic groups, many of them donors who helped in its private funding stages. You can take an elevator to the very top for aerial views over the mall and much of Washington. The base of the monument is surrounded by a circle of 50 American Flags.

Address: 15th & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

The National Air and Space Museum is one of the world's most popular museums, with a collection of history-making air and spacecraft that includes the original 1903 Wright Brothers Flyer and Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis , the first plane to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

More recent flight history is represented here by the Apollo 11 command module , part of the first manned lunar landing mission. Permanent and changing exhibitions illustrate the science, history, and technology of aviation and space flight, covering topics like the use of air power in both world wars, the space race, flight pioneers, and up-to-the-minute flight and space technology.

Many of the exhibits are interactive, and all contain actual historical objects, such as a moon rock you can touch. Not only do permanent exhibits illustrate the history, they also show the how and why of flight and space science, explaining how things fly, how jet engines work, and what keeps the International Space Station in orbit.

In addition to the exhibits, there is the Albert Einstein Planetarium , an IMAX theater, and the Public Observatory on the east terrace, where you can examine lunar craters and see planets and other astronomical features through telescopes. Flight simulators (fee charged) allow kids and adults to fly combat missions with aerial maneuvers like 360-degree barrel rolls or experience naval aviation in an F-18 Super Hornet.

The museum is also the home of the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, adjacent to Dulles Airport, and has even more historic aircraft and space exploration artifacts, including a Concorde and the space shuttle Discovery . You can watch from observation walkways through the hangars where experts are restoring historic aircraft.

The Air and Space Museum is undergoing an extensive makeover that will transform not only the arrangement of 23 galleries but also the way it interprets the history and science of flight. Some areas of the museum are currently closed.

Address: 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: www.nasm.si.edu

One of the most popular things to do with children in Washington, the Museum of Natural History explores the natural world with permanent and changing exhibits to interest all ages. From the minute you walk in, you're greeted with enormous, eye-catching displays, beginning with the huge African elephant in the rotunda.

Favorite exhibits include the renowned Hope Diamond and the dazzling collection of gems and minerals around it, and Ocean Hall with its stunning underwater photography and replica of a 45-foot North Atlantic Right Whale.

Also popular is the National Fossil Hall with numerous skeletons, including a T. rex and other giants towering over you.

The Hall of Human Origins follows human evolution over six million years in response to a changing world. Children will especially like the interactive Discovery Room where they can touch and play with various artifacts.

Like most museums in Washington, the Museum of Natural History is free and does not require reservations . You can pop in at any time. This is a busy, fun, and loud museum, where families will feel right at home.

If you're hungry, you can grab a bite from one of the food trucks right outside.

Address: Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: http://www.si.edu/Museums/natural-history-museum

Housed in two separate buildings connected by a tunnel , the National Gallery of Art is one of the world's premier art museums and one of the most popular in the U.S. Based on the sizable collection of financier and later Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, its large and diverse collection includes masterpieces of European and American paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts.

Frequent temporary exhibitions add to this outstanding permanent collection to highlight arts from cultures around the world. Among the highlights is Ginevra de Benci, the only Da Vinci painting in any American museum. Others include works by major French Impressionists - Monet, Degas, and Renoir -- and other masterpieces by Rembrandt, El Greco, and Vermeer.

The newer East Wing features sculptures by Henry Moore, a mobile by Alexander Calder, and other modern works.

Between the East and West buildings is the Sculpture Garden , along with the lovely Pavilion Cafe. You can enjoy a meal while looking out over the garden, or wander through the artwork.

Free concerts are held at the National Gallery on Sunday evenings from fall through spring.

Address: 600 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: www.nga.gov

An underground passage with historical exhibits leads from the Capitol Building to one of Washington's little-known places to visit, the Library of Congress. It's the world's largest library , modeled on the Opera House in Paris. You can visit portions on your own, but free tours disclose even more of its beautiful interior.

Displayed here are one of the three surviving complete Gutenberg Bibles, an earlier hand-printed Bible, Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson's personal library, and galleries filled with exhibits focusing on topics as varied as the musical careers of the Gershwin brothers and the work of editorial cartoonists and graphic artists.

Address: Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

Official site: https://www.aoc.gov/

Focusing on themes of history, culture, and community, the newest of the Smithsonian museums explores changing definitions of American citizenship and equality, at the same time highlighting African American culture and that of the entire African diaspora.

Various themes are covered in changing exhibits, which center on themes such as African American food traditions and chefs, the influence of African American sports stars on the breakdown of segregation, and African craftsmanship.

Historic artifacts on display include a section of the original Woolworth lunch counter that was the scene of the Greensboro, N.C. sit-in in 1960, and the aircraft known as the "Spirit of Tuskegee." In World War II, it was used to train African American airmen in the Army Air Forces, men whose work helped trigger the desegregation of the military.

Address: National Mall at Constitution Avenue, N.W., between 12th and 14th Streets

Official site: https://nmaahc.si.edu/

Near the Smithsonian museums, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum documents, studies, and interprets the history of the Holocaust with the dual purpose of memorializing the victims and helping the world to confront hatred and prevent genocide.

Permanent exhibits examine the rise of the Nazis and the Aryan ideology, the ghettos, key events such as Kristallnacht, the concentration camps, and the Nazi atrocities. An exhibit on Americans and the Holocaust examines US reaction to Nazis, the war, and genocide, while another features personal accounts by US soldiers and citizens who witnessed the evidence of Nazi atrocities.

The presentations draw on the enormous collections of more than 12,750 artifacts, 85,000 historical photographs, 9,000 oral history testimonies, as well as archival footage and records of survivors and their families. A visit to the museum is a sobering experience.

Address: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: https://www.ushmm.org

Also part of the Smithsonian Institution and located on the mall are the two museums that comprise the National Museum of Asian Art. These are the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery .

The Freer collection includes nearly 30,000 pieces of Asian artworks, including Buddhist sculptures and Persian manuscripts, one of the most extensive collections in the world. The Cosmic Buddha Vairochana is one of the most important pieces of the collection. The Freer also features 19th-century and early 20th-century American art, most notably a large collection of work by James McNeill Whistler.

The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery , located adjacent to the National Museum of African Art, houses more than 1,000 pieces, including an extraordinary collection of Chinese jade and bronze, Chinese paintings and lacquerware, and ancient Near Eastern ceramics and metalware.

The design of the building means you enter the Sackler Gallery at ground level and descend to the lower floors to see the collections.

Right next door and definitely worth visiting, the National Museum of African Art displays thousands of objects representing diverse artistic styles throughout the African continent, including sculptures, masks, costumes, household objects, and ceramics. This museum is almost a mirror of the Sackler, with collections held in below-ground galleries.

These museums are free and do not require a timed admission reservation.

Official Site: https://asia.si.edu/

The National Museum of American History covers an extensive range of topics and is likely far more entertaining than you might expect. From treasured national historical artifacts like Thomas Jefferson's desk to rock icon Prince's guitar, you'll find a real mix of exhibits.

One of the most popular of the Smithsonian's many museums that line the mall, The National Museum of American History traces the political, cultural, scientific, and technological history of the U.S. since the Revolution. It displays important pieces of Americana, including, one of Edison's light bulbs, and the original flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to The Star Spangled Banner .

But beyond these treasured national artifacts, exhibits also examine how people lived, what they ate, where they worked, how they played, what they wore, how they traveled, how they worshiped, and how they governed themselves.

Illustrating these multiple themes are artifacts that include everything from gowns, work by First Ladies, and Julia Child's complete kitchen to the Muppets and the actual ruby slippers Judy Garland wore in the film Wizard of Oz . With all the historical things to do in Washington D.C., you might think your family has had enough history. But this engaging museum houses some fascinating exhibits and artifacts of our collective past that will appeal to all ages.

Address: 14th Street NW at Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: http://americanhistory.si.edu

The design for the domed white memorial to Thomas Jefferson, the third US president, is based on the Roman Pantheon, its low dome supported by 54 Ionic columns. Inside, appearing in a dramatic silhouette through the columns is a 19-foot statue of a standing Jefferson , and around are engraved excerpts of the Declaration of Independence and other writings.

The monument stands alone at the far end of the Tidal Pool, which reflects the monument on its surface, and all around the edge of the water are cherry trees, a gift from Japan. These are one of Washington's greatest attractions when they bloom each spring, surrounding the basin with a cloud of pink flowers and celebrated with the Cherry Blossom Festival .

Along the Cherry Tree Walk around the Tidal Basin, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial reflects twelve years of American History through four outdoor rooms. Each one is devoted to one of FDR's terms of office as he guided the country through the Great Depression and World War II. Unveiled in 2011, the 30-foot-high Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is the newest along the Tidal Basin.

In the summer, you can rent a paddle boat and head out on the Tidal Basin to enjoy the water and get fantastic views of the monument. The blue boats are located at a dock across from the monument, off Maine Ave SW, at Floral Park.

Address: 900 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, D.C.

Opened in 1971 and named in memory of President John F. Kennedy, the National Cultural Center overlooks the Potomac River in a state-of-the-art building designed by architect Edward Durell Stone. It is home to the National Symphony Orchestra, which hosts some of the world's greatest guest artists each year, and the Washington National Opera , one of the nation's leading opera companies.

Its three main stages and several smaller stages present over 2,200 performing arts shows and events each year, about 400 of which are free. These represent all types of music and theater, both classical and contemporary.

Joining the Los Angeles Music Center and Lincoln Center in New York as one of the three most important venues in the United States, the Kennedy Center is a major stop for visiting overseas opera, dance, and drama companies on tour.

Address: 2700 F Street NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: www.kennedy-center.org

The National Zoo is the most popular of the Smithsonian attractions. It is one of the world's best zoos, not only for the quality of the experience but for its leadership in areas of animal care and sustainability.

Nearly 2,000 different animals, birds, and reptiles live in habitats replicating their natural environments as closely as possible. Of the several hundred species represented here, about a quarter are endangered.

One of the zoo's star attractions, the giant pandas left the zoo in late 2023 but they are coming back in late 2024. Other highlights include red pandas, Sumatran tigers, western lowland gorillas, Asian elephants, cheetahs, white-naped cranes, and North Island brown kiwis. You can also watch otters play, or walk through the aviary to enjoy birds flying overhead.

In the Amazonia exhibit, you can glimpse the colorful underwater life of the Amazon, where one of the world's largest freshwater fish swims beneath a living tropical forest.

Along with the cheetahs at the Cheetah Conservation Station, you can see Grevy's zebras, dama gazelles, vultures, and red river hogs, and at the highly popular Elephant Trails, you can see the multigenerational herd and learn about the elephants' life at the zoo and in the wild.

Check the day's schedule for feeding times, demonstrations, educational games, and talks. As you might expect, this is one of Washington's favorite places to visit for children.

Although the zoo is free, you must book a timed entrance admission. You can book an entry time up to one hour before closing.

The zoo is north of downtown, quite a distance from the main attractions but you can easily take public transit. The closest metro stop is about a four-block walk from the entrance and a bus stop is right outside the zoo. Metro cards (SmarTrip) are good for trains and buses.

Address: 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: http://nationalzoo.si.edu

The National Archives holds permanent records of the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court, District of Columbia courts, and some federal agencies, as well as pre-World War I military service records for U.S. Army and Confederate veterans, and pre-1940 vessel and station logbooks for the U.S. Navy.

The records are open to researchers, and in the Rotunda, you can see the Declaration of Independence , Constitution , and Bill of Rights . Exhibition galleries feature a 1297 Magna Carta and a changing group of other historically significant documents. An exhibit, Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote, includes documents from the suffrage movement, and in other areas are interactive exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages.

In front of the building is a large pond and fountains with benches around the edges for relaxing.

Address: 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: https://museum.archives.gov

The place for 007 wannabes, the museum covers the techniques, technology, history, and contemporary role of espionage. Many of the exhibits are interactive, and throughout the building are actual examples of real espionage equipment (including a poison dart umbrella designed by the KGB), from declassified hardware and captured equipment to movie props used in the James Bond series.

Photographs, audio-visual programs, and special effects combine to give a picture of strategies and methods behind secret espionage missions. The collections include historic spy artifacts from the Revolution and Civil War, along with a wealth of ingeniously concealed and disguised cameras and weapons, even the famous Enigma cipher machine that broke the Nazi codes in World War II.

The top floor is dedicated to real-life spies Aldrich Ames, Robert Hanson, and John Walker, detailing the actual methods and tools they used to spy on the United States, with videos describing how spies were caught. The lower floor moves from fact to fiction, filled with information and actual props used in James Bond movies.

Highlighting these is the Aston Martin DB5 that first appeared in the 1964 film Goldfinger , equipped with machine guns, oil jets, a dashboard radar screen, an ejector seat, tire slashers, a bulletproof shield, and a rotating license plate. The car actually inspired intelligence agencies to add similar features to their own vehicles.

Upon arrival, you are given your own spy mission, complete with a fake identity, cover story, and a card. As you progress through the exhibits you can use your identity card at terminals set up throughout the museum to get updates on your mission. This is completely optional but can be fun if you are looking for an interactive experience.

Address: 700 L'Enfant Plaza, SW; Washington, D.C.

Official site: www.spymuseum.org

On a hillside overlooking the city from across the Potomac River, Arlington National Cemetery is filled with memorials to American history and the men and women who were part of it. Its best-known landmarks are the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier , President John F. Kennedy's gravesite, and the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial depicting the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima in World War II. The Welcome Center has maps, information (including the locations of specific graves), and exhibits telling the story of Arlington National Cemetery and its monuments.

Among these are memorials to nurses, Iran Rescue Mission casualties, and various battles and groups, including one at the graves of Lt. Cmdr. Roger B. Chaffee and Lt. Col. Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, who were killed in a fire aboard their Apollo spacecraft. Another commemorates the seven Challenger astronauts.

In a solemn and impressive ceremony, the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is changed every hour on the hour from October 1 to March 31, and every half hour from April 1 through September 30. Although the cemetery is not right in the city, both the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's Metrorail system and Metrobus have stops close to the gate.

Official site: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil

The English-style, Neo-Gothic National Cathedral, one of the world's largest cathedrals, took 83 years to build, from 1907 to 1990. It follows the Gothic building style and techniques, with flying buttresses and solid masonry construction of Indiana limestone. Throughout the cathedral are artistic details to see, from its stained-glass windows to the hand-embroidered kneelers that commemorate war heroes and historic events.

Special tours, reserved in advance, explore hidden parts of the building and its art; families should ask for the brochure Explore the Cathedral with Children for a scavenger hunt to find wrought-iron animals, tiny carvings, and gargoyles. Be sure to look for the gargoyle of Darth Vader high up on the northwest tower.

The cathedral is the burial place of President Woodrow Wilson and Helen Keller , and state funerals for Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, and Ford took place here. The top of the 300-foot central tower is the highest point in Washington.

The Bishop's Garden , on the south side of the cathedral, includes plants found in medieval gardens, plants mentioned in the Bible, and others native to the area, along with a fish pond. The 59-acre Cathedral Close, designed by the eminent landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr in the early 20th century, is an urban oasis modeled on the walled grounds of medieval cathedrals.

Carillon recitals are held each Saturday at 12:30pm, and the peal bells are rung on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9pm and after Sunday services. On Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:30pm, a cathedral organist discusses the Great Organ here, followed by a mini-recital.

Address: Massachusetts & Wisconsin Avenues NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: www.cathedral.org

The neighborhood from 27th to 37th Streets, between Rock Creek Park and K Street NW, is the city's oldest, with origins in the early 1700s, before Washington itself. Georgetown University , the nation's oldest Roman Catholic and Jesuit College, is located here.

Today, Georgetown's tidy streets of historic homes and its boutique shops, cafés, restaurants, and small museums make it a popular respite from lines at the mall attractions. The C&O Canal , the 184-mile waterway paralleling the Potomac River, begins here, and its towpath is a favorite place for walking and cycling.

Dumbarton Oaks is a 16-acre estate with formal gardens and a valuable Byzantine and Christian art collection. Federal period Dumbarton House features Federal-style furniture, paintings, textiles, silver, and ceramics, and is home to one of five original known copies of the Articles of Confederation.

Tudor Place is an early 19th-century mansion built by Martha Washington's granddaughter, Martha Custis Peter, and her husband. Items from George and Martha Washington's Mount Vernon home are shown here, and the Federal-period gardens contain plants and trees from the early 19th century. The Kreeger Museum displays a wide collection of art from the 1850s to the 1970s including paintings by Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Chagall, Gauguin, and Picasso.

If you're looking for places to eat in Washington or things to do at night, this is one of the places to visit. The neighborhood is filled with restaurants and cafes, along with live music venues.

The nearby Dupont Circle neighborhood is another great place to head for dining and nightlife. This area, east of Georgetown in the northwest corner of downtown Washington, is near several embassies and offers lovely outdoor spaces and a fantastic mix of restaurants.

You'll find excellent high-end dining, casual restaurants, and an assortment of different ethnic foods. Try Balos Estiatorio for something upper-end and Mediterranean, or head next door to Colada Shop for a laid-back atmosphere and tasty Cuban food. If you just want to relax, walk to Dupont Circle Fountain and kick back in a chair on the lawn.

Sharing the historic Old Patent Office Building with the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum holds one of the world's largest and most inclusive collections of American art, representing more than 7,000 artists from the colonial era to the present.

The collections record the wonder of artists capturing the beauty of American landscapes as the nation expanded westward, and the changing face of American cities and towns. Special collections represent works by more than 200 African American artists, collections of Latinex works, an outstanding array of contemporary American craft and folk arts.

The National Portrait Gallery focuses on famous Americans, from the time of the first colonies to present-day leaders and important public figures, including the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House.

Address: 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, D.C.

Official sites:

• https://americanart.si.edu/art
• https://npg.si.edu/

At the foot of Capitol Hill, the U.S. Botanic Garden is an oasis of tropical gardens in the center of the city. Surrounded by outdoor gardens, the huge glasshouse is the hub of a museum of living plants. Permanent interior exhibits create environments for plants at home everywhere from the desert to rainforests, while outside is a showcase of plants that thrive in the Middle Atlantic states.

The greenhouse contains two courtyard gardens and 10 garden rooms, and the outside displays include a pollinator garden, rose garden, kitchen garden, and water garden. There's always something in bloom, and benches in the vast conservatory invite a stop to enjoy the fragrances and the lush green surroundings.

Address: 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: https://www.usbg.gov/

D.C.'s U Street Corridor is one of the city's top historic neighborhoods and served as the epicenter of Black culture in America between 1862 and 1948. Designated a historic district in 1998, this neighborhood is filled with colorful buildings housing plenty of shops, restaurants, and theaters.

It is anchored by 14 th Street on its west side and the recently renovated Howard Theatre on its east end at the edge of the Shaw neighborhood. Constructed in 1910, this was the center of Black Broadway for the first half of the 20 th Century. It fell into decline but underwent a magnificent renovation and reopened a decade ago.

Duke Ellington was born in this neighborhood and a sculpture honoring the famed jazz musician can be seen at the intersection of Florida Ave and T Street. Also check out a concert at Lincoln Theatre , built in 1922, where Ellington and other jazz greats like Billie Holiday, Nat King, Cole, and Louis Armstrong all used to play.

U Street is known for its delicious food scene. Here you'll find the acclaimed Ben's Chili Bowl , which has served everyone from Anthony Bourdain to Barack Obama. Its restaurants span the globe, however. If you are craving authentic Ethiopian fare, head to "Little Ethiopia" on the east end of U Street.

With its second phase only completed in 2002, The Wharf is D.C.'s hottest new waterfront neighborhood, home to more than 80 restaurants and shops, an iconic fish market, four hotels, and a popular live music venue. Running along the Potomac River for one mile, the neighborhood was created as part of a larger development plan for what had been a neglected portion of the SW quadrant.

Just about a 10-minute walk from the National Mall, The Wharf's waterfront location provides a totally different vibe than the memorial and museum area. The Municipal Fish Market is the country's oldest continuously operating open-air fish market, originally opened in 1805. Until the redevelopment of The Wharf, it wasn't really on the tourist map anymore. Today it is buzzing with hungry travelers and locals alike, who come here to dine al fresco on fresh fish.

If you want to get out on the Potomac River yourself, you can rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore. There are also seasonal water taxis running from The Wharf to Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, across the river. Alexandria is known for its stately 18 th - and 19th-century buildings and brick streets. It's a great place to wander around for an afternoon. Water taxis also run to Georgetown.

Come evening, book a luxe riverboat dinner cruise on Potomac. These offer a wonderful way to relax after an action-packed day, and river sunsets can be phenomenal.

Official site: https://www.wharfdc.com/

Sightseeing by Day:

• Washington, D.C. has so many famous sites that it's difficult to keep track of all there is to see and do. One of the best ways to explore this city is on a classic Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour , seeing the sites from an open-top red bus and getting on and off wherever you choose.

Sightseeing by Public Transport

• The public transport system in Washington is excellent. You can buy a SmarTrip card at any metro stop, load it with money, and use it to ride the trains and buses and to pay for parking. If you aren't sure how to work the ticket machine, ask an attendant for help. Metro Central Station is the main hub for sightseeing.

Sightseeing by Night:

• At night, Washington is transformed as the floodlights are beamed up the monuments, giving them a completely different look from their daytime appearance. The Washington, D.C. Monuments by Moonlight Night Trolley Tour is a 2.5-hour guided tour that provides an easy way to see the city at night.

Sightseeing by Bicycle:

• Active travelers will enjoy the Washington D.C. Monuments Bike Tour to visit the Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial on a three-hour ride. Hybrid bikes and the relatively level terrain make this suitable even for those who are not avid cyclists. As many places to visit have security checkpoints and do not allow backpacks, it is wise to carry as little as possible while touring.

Weather wise, the best time of year to travel to Washington, D.C. is between the months of March and May and September to November . You'll hit cherry blossom season (usually from late March to early April), ogle spectacular fall foliage (especially in October through November), and enjoy a long stretch of great weather free from frigid and sweltering temps.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Places to Visit Close to Washington: If you have time to explore outside the city, there are many easy Day Trips from Washington, D.C ., and our page on Top-Rated Weekend Getaways from Washington D.C. can give you plenty of ideas for longer excursions.

Exploring Maryland : There are a number of tourist attractions in Maryland , including those in historic Annapolis and Baltimore with its lively harbor area. The state is also famous for its beaches and oceanfront resorts, many of which are within easy weekend reach from Washington. You can learn more about these on our page Top-Rated Resorts in Maryland.

Discovering Virginia : The District of Columbia lies between two states, and to its south, you can visit attractions in Virginia , including those in the capital city of Richmond . Or you could spend a weekend immersed in colonial history with the help of our page Top Tourist Attractions in Williamsburg & Easy Day Trips .

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16 Historical Places to See in Washington DC [on Tours]

Washington DC is full of historical places.

Thousands of tourists visit Washington DC to learn about the history of the United States.

The Capitol Building and the White House are the most popular tourist attractions, but there’s plenty more to see.

We’ll show you the world’s largest museum, war memorials, and presidential monuments.

With so many visitors, Washington landmarks can get really crowded.

So we’ll also reveal the best times to visit and some popular tours for priority access.

Check out these must-see historical places on your next trip to Washington DC.

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Table of Contents

1. U.S. Capitol

The U. S. Capitol is the geographic and political center of Washington DC.

Inside, are the branches of Congress, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.

The Capitol Visitor’s Center is open Monday thru Saturday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding holidays.

Areas beyond the Visitor’s Center are accessible by guided tour only.

Tour prices start at $11 but are crowded and must be booked months in advance.

The Best of DC Tour gives visitors priority entry to the Capitol and avoids the crowds.

Included is the Capitol Rotunda and National Statuary Hall.

You’ll also receive priority entrance to the National Archives and a cruise on the Potomac.

• Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 8:30am-4:30pm
• Admission: Free, Tours from $11
• Address:  First St SE, Washington, D.C., DC 20004, United States

Check Tours   Official site

2. The White House

The White House is where the President and the First Family live and work.

People from all over the world come to Washington DC to catch a glimpse of the White House.

Tours of the White House can only be booked through a Congressman 6 months in advance.

To get more information, you can visit The White House Visitor Center located a few blocks away at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave.

Here you’ll find White House exhibits, a house model, and recreations of the interior.

They’re open from 8am to 3pm, excluding holidays, and admission is free.

There are several bus, trolley, and walking tours that will give you an outside tour of the White House.

These tours range in price from $42 to $125.

• Opening Hours:  White House Visitor Center Daily 8am-3pm
• Admission:  Tours from $12
• Address:  1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20500, United States

3. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

The Martin Luther King Jr Memorial honors Dr. King’s struggle for freedom, equality, and justice.

It covers four acres inside West Potomac Park, part of the greater National Mall area.

The site includes a 30-foot statue of Dr. King and a 450-foot granite wall with quotes from his speeches.

lt overlooks the Tidal Basin, not far from the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.

Going on a self-guided audio tour is a great way to visit the King Memorial.

You’ll learn about the King Memorial and other memorials in the area.

You’ll hear an audio history of the cherry trees as well as the men memorialized on the tour.

The best time to visit is early spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

• Opening Hours:  Daily 24/7
• Admission:  Free, Tours from $37 USD
• Address:  1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C., DC 20003, United States

4. Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is the most visited National Park Service Site in Washington DC.

A 19-foot marble statue of President Abraham Lincoln dominates the memorial.

Inside are his most famous speeches, the Gettysburg Address, and the second inaugural.

The Lincoln Memorial on the west end of the National Mall and is open 24 hours.

Tours of the Lincoln Memorial start at $5.

One of the most popular tours of the Lincoln Memorial is the DC at Dusk guided night tour.

A luxury coach delivers visitors to all DCs memorials, floodlit for night viewing.

After taking this tour, you’ll understand why DC is one of the most beautiful cities at night.

• Admission:  Free, Tours from $5 USD
• Address:  2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20002, United States

5. Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is another one of Washington DCs most visited landmarks.  

The memorial comprises three parts, the Three Soldiers Statue, the Women’s Memorial, and the Wall.  

The Memorial Wall is the attraction with the names of 58,000 killed or missing soldiers.  

Visitors come to the wall to pay their respects and leave notes by the names of the fallen.  

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is open 24 hours, and admission is free.  

Or you can get a self-guided audio tour for $5 and learn more about its history.

There’s also a variety of day and night trolley and bus tours starting at $45.  

• Opening Hours: Daily 24/7
• Address:  5 Henry Bacon Dr. NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20245, United States

6. Korean War Veterans Memorial

The Korean War Veterans Memorial commemorates American soldiers who fought the Korean War.

It is next to the Lincoln Memorial at the south end of the National Mall.

The 19 stainless steel statues represent a patrol squad made up of every branch of the armed forces.

On the Wall of Remembrance, you’ll see the names of those wounded, killed, or missing in the Korean War.

Like many of the memorials on the National Mall, the Korean War Memorial is open 24 hours.

Admission is free, with guided and self-guided tours available starting at $5.

The floodlit images of the 19 statues are especially moving at night.

• Address:  900 Ohio Dr. SW, Washington, D.C., DC 20024, United States

7. National World War II Memorial

This memorial to Americans who served in World War II is on the National Mall, by the Lincoln Memorial.

The oval-shaped site contains 56 pillars, two arches, and a reflecting pool.

Each of the 56 pillars represents a different US state or territory.

The two arches represent American victories in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.

The 4000 gold stars are symbols of the ultimate sacrifice made by over 400,000 Americans in WWII.

This historical landmark is open 24 hours, and admission is free

Park rangers offer tours of the memorial every hour from 10am until 11pm.

Private guided and self-guided tours are also available starting at $36.

• Admission:  Free, Tours from $36 USD
• Address:  1750 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C., DC 20024, United States

8. Washington Monument

Built in honor of George Washington, the Washington Monument is DCs tallest building.  

From the  500-foot-high  observation deck, visitors get a bird’s eye view of the nation’s capital.  

It’s one of the most visited and most photographed landmarks in Washington.  

Admission is free, and the Washington Monument is open daily from 9am to 5pm.  

The Washington Monument is included on many sightseeing tours of Washington DC.  

Tours start at $21 and include water taxis, bikes, trolleys, and bus tours.  

The Washington Monument is also close to other attractions on the National Mall.  

Pick the ones you want to see, and choose a tour that visits them all.  

• Opening Hours:  Daily 9am-5pm
• Admission:  Free, Tours from 21 USD
• Address:  2 15th St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20024, United States

9. Thomas Jefferson Memorial

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a tribute to the third president of the United States.

Jefferson was a Founding Father and the author of The Declaration of Independence.

The 19-foot-tall statue of Jefferson overlooks the Tidal Basin and Washington Monument.

The Jefferson Memorial is part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks.

It’s one of DCs top landmarks and is included on most National Mall monument tours.

The walking tours start at $5 and include access to the interior of the memorial.

For more relaxing options, there are bus tours and Potomac River cruises that offer views of the memorial, the mall, and the cherry blossom trees.

The Jefferson Memorial is open 24 hours, and admission is free.

• Address:  16 E Basin Dr. SW, Washington, D.C., DC 20242, United States

10. Library of Congress

Washington DC’s Library of Congress is the world’s largest library.

This is where they keep the nation’s important historical documents.

It’s a working research library, and visitors can view books and documents in one of its 22 reading rooms.

On arrival, sculptures and stained-glass windows in the Thomas Jefferson Building welcome visitors.

The Library of Congress is open Monday to Saturday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, and admission is free.

The best way to see the Library of Congress is by guided tour.

It’ll be easier to navigate the large collections and view specific points of interest.

The library is included on many guided tours of DC, and prices start at $25.

• Opening Hours:  Monday to Saturday 8:30am-4:30pm
• Admission: Free, Tours from $25 USD
• Address:  101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, D.C., DC 20540, United States

11. National Museum of Natural History

The green-domed Museum of  Natural History was one of the first Smithsonian Museums.  

It’s one of the world’s leading resources for scientific and cultural research.  

Exhibits include  millions of insects, rocks, fossils, plants, tools, and artwork.  

If you bring kids along, they’ll love the Butterfly Pavilion  and the dinosaurs.  

In the Butterfly Pavillion, there is a climate-controlled room with tropical plants and live butterflies.  

Tickets for this section are $6.50 for kids and $7.50 for adults.  

The museum is open every day except Christmas, and admission to most exhibits is free.  

Private guided tours of the museum are also available, starting at $36.  

• Opening Hours:  Daily 10am-5:30pm
• Address:  10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20560, United States

12. National Archives Museum

The National Archives Museum displays America’s most valued founding documents.

It’s home to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

Tourists visit the National Archives to learn about US history.

The Public Vaults feature interactive exhibits where guests can get hands-on with history.

A $1 guided tour is available every day at 9:45 am by reservation only.

Another popular tour is the Best of DC Tour.

Guests receive priority entry to the National Archives and the US Capitol.

The museum is busy during the tourist season, so reservations are recommended.

• Address:  701 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20408, United States

13. Arlington National Cemetery

Soldiers from every American war are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Admission to Arlington is free, and visitors can start at the Welcome Center.

The cemetery is on the grounds of what was the estate of General Robert E. Lee.

There are two ways to tour Arlington: a self-guided walking tour and a tram tour.

A tram tour is $15 and departs every hour from 9am to 4pm daily.

Notable sites include President Kennedy’s grave, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Arlington House.

The changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a must-see when visiting Arlington.

This moving ceremony takes place daily, every hour, on the hour.

• Opening Hours:  Daily 8am-5pm
• Admission:  Tour from $15 USD
• Address:  Arlington, VA, United States

14. National Air and Space Museum

The National Air and Space Museum is one of the largest and most popular Smithsonian Museums.

It is devoted to all things aeronautic.

Inside, you’ll see three galleries displaying America’s historic flying machines.

There’s everything from the Wright Brothers’ first airplane to Apollo command modules.

There are digital displays that trace the history and science of flight in the United States.

A private two-hour tour of the Air & Space Museum is available, starting at $79.50.

The tour features a private guide and an in-depth history of the space race and moon landings.

Other group tours are available starting at $36.

• Address: 600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C., DC 20560, United States

15. Washington National Cathedral

The Washington National Cathedral is a Washington landmark.

It is set on 59 acres of manicured gardens and forests.

The gardens and grounds are best enjoyed during spring and fall.

More than 400,000 visitors and worshippers visit the Neo-Gothic Cathedral each year.

The cathedral is very popular with first-time visitors and gothic architecture fans.

Sunday services are free, and on weekdays, there is a $12 admission charge.

It’s also the chosen venue for state funerals, including 21 American presidents.

Private bus tours are available starting at $60.

• Opening Hours: Sunday services open to all; Monday to Thursday 5:30pm; Gardens & grounds open daily
• Admission:  Services free; outside service hours $12; Tours from $60 USD
• Address:  3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20016, United States

16. National Museum of American History

The National Museum of American History features the best of American memorabilia.

They collect and care for objects that represent the experience of the American people.

The most popular exhibit is the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired America’s national anthem.

Another popular exhibit is the dresses worn by America’s first ladies.

Other artifacts include Lincoln’s top hat and the ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz.

For visitors who want a closer look, there’s a private tour available for $79.50

Included are a personal private guide and a 2.5-hour in-depth tour of the museum.

Other bus and sightseeing tours are available starting at $36.

• Address:  1300 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20560, United States

Washington DC Historial Places Map

Find More Washington DC Sightseeing Tour Deals

The best places to see with kids are The Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum. For over 100 years the Natural History Museum has inspired curiosity and learning through its collections. Inside The Air and Space Museum, kids can see first hand the history of aviation and the space program. On display are the Wright Brothers’ first flying machine, the Friendship 7 space capsule, and the Apollo 11 command module. There’s also a model of Star Trek’s Enterprise from the original TV series.

There are one-day tours of Washington DC that stop at 10 historical places. The first stops are generally the White House and the Capitol. National Mall will definitely be another popular stop. You’re also likely to visit all the presidential memorials, war memorials, and the Washington Monument.

The best historical places to see at night are the Jefferson Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Both are open 24 hours and can get crowded during the day. Besides being less crowded at night, the night view of both is spectacular. The night lighting and the reflections in the Tidal Basin create an effect that daylight can’t match.

The best historical places to see during cherry blossom season are those located in the Tidal Basin. The Tidal Basin is where the cherry trees are. A $5 Tidal Basin Audio Walking tour takes you right through the blooming cherry trees. You’ll be guided to the Jefferson Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial.

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11 Must-Visit Monuments and Memorials in Washington D.C.

Updated : June 14, 2024

AAA Travel Editor, WA

Table of contents.

• Washington Monument
• Lincoln Memorial
• World War II Memorial
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
• Jefferson Memorial
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
• Japanese Stone Lantern
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Albert Einstein Memorial
• Titanic Memorial

Plan Your Trip to Washington, D.C. With AAA.

As America's capital, Washington, D.C. is home to a number of incredible monuments and memorials. Some monuments are grand and breathtaking in scale, while others are more reserved and subtle. However, all of them are sure to provide unforgettable experiences and they are an essential part of any vacation to D.C.

In this guide, we'll go over the top monuments to see in Washington D.C. so you can make the most of your next trip.

1. Washington Monument

2 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20024

As a memorial to one of America’s Founding Fathers and the nation's first president, the Washington Monument has become just as iconic as George Washington himself.

Towering next to the equally renowned Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument was designed in an Egyptian style to evoke the pyramids in grandiosity and beauty.

Completed in 1888, it remains the world’s tallest obelisk, which is a pyramid-like design. Due to its height and strategic placement in the city, it’s a monument that’s nearly impossible to miss while visiting D.C.

However, it’s worth visiting up close so you can read the historical transcriptions carved in marble and stone. Plus, you can get tickets to the top of the monument for incredible views of D.C.

Tickets to the top should be purchased online in advance, or early in the morning before they sell out.

2. Lincoln Memorial

2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, D.C. 20002

First opened in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial is a grand and must-see monument when traveling in D.C.

Celebrating Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th president and a key figure in the abolition of slavery within the U.S., the Lincoln Memorial is a powerful testament to both the man himself and the changes he oversaw throughout history.

The monument's exterior is strikingly beautiful with its classical design and appearance and inside the central chamber, you'll find the iconic marble sculpture of Lincoln which must be seen to be believed. Along with the statue, the walls also feature key speeches and historical facts about the president to help visitors understand his important role in American history.

The Lincoln Memorial is conveniently located along the Reflecting Pool, at the opposite end from the Washington Monument. Both are some of the top memorials in Washington D.C. and are highly recommended for visitors of all ages.

Entry is free and no reservations are needed.

3. World War II Memorial

1750 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C. 200024

D.C.’s World War II Memorial is a large outdoor presentation that features a large fountain surrounded by striking marble columns commemorating the vast losses and ultimate victory during WWII.

Around the fountain, you’ll find 56 granite pillars symbolizing the states and territories that fought in the war. Along with the pillars, there are memorial wreathes and inscriptions that detail those who fought and lost their lives.

While somber, this memorial is an essential visit during your trip to D.C. and its location within the National Mall makes it easy to get to as well.

4. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

1850 West Basin Dr SW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial opened in 1997, making it one of the newer monuments in Washington D.C., but it remains an essential visit for anyone exploring the city.

Situated in an outdoor garden with surrounding cherry trees, the FDR Memorial has four open-air rooms that visitors can walk through. Each room represents a different term of the president and features relevant quotes from his experiences during the Great Depression to World War II and beyond.

The rooms also have specific themes and emotions, such as harsh waterfalls representing the chaos of war, along with more calm waters to represent the successes during his tenure.

With an intricate and unique design, along with its historical teachings, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is well worth visiting.

5. Jefferson Memorial

16 E Basin Dr SW Washington, D.C. 20242

The Jefferson Memorial is a stunning attraction dedicated to the Founding Father and leading author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson.

Completed in 1943, this massive memorial is based after the Roman Pantheon, which gives it an air of beauty and power. The centerpiece statue of Jefferson within the rotunda is striking in its aesthetic, as are the white marble walls and pink marble flooring.

Along the walls, you can read parts of the Declaration of Independence and enjoy soaking in the history this monument represents.

6. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Completed in 2011, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial contains a beautifully sculpted granite statue of MLK along with a large outdoor park commemorating his fight for civil rights.

The waterfront location, along with its central garden and surrounding granite walls and cherry trees, allow you to reflect on the man’s work and overall message of equality and human rights. Along the stunning walls, you can find some of his more famous quotes along with other information about his life to help gain a greater appreciation of his mark on history.

7. Japanese Stone Lantern

Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C. 20006

The Japanese Stone Lantern monument has a very interesting history and is worth visiting when touring D.C.

Originally, this stone lantern statue was to be delivered by Japan to D.C. in 1921 along with the importation of cherry trees. Unfortunately, relations between the U.S. and Japan deteriorated and it wasn’t until 1954 that the statue was finally erected.

Today, cherry trees remain an iconic feature of Washington, D.C and this statue is beautifully placed among them to commemorate the free and open trade which allowed them to blossom.

8. Vietnam Veterans Memorial

5 Henry Bacon Dr NW, Washington, D.C. 20002

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a somber yet moving memorial to the men and women who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.

The memorial is situated on a sprawling outdoor lawn with statues, informative plaques, along with vast marble walls containing the names of the nearly 60,000 soldiers who lost their lives.

A newer section of the park also commemorates the women who lost their lives and served during the conflict as well.

9. Korean War Veterans Memorial

900 Ohio Dr SW, Washington, D.C. 20024

Commemorating what's often referred to as “The Forgotten War,” the Korean War Veterans Memorial offers a place for reflection as you walk among statues of soldiers towards a pool at the end of the garden.

Along with statues, there are also numerous photographs and quotations detailing the conflict and its role in history.

10. Albert Einstein Memorial

2101 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20418

The Albert Einstein Memorial is a large outdoor monument to one of history’s most noted scientists. Along with the statue, there are also a few selected quotations placed nearby to help commemorate his life's work. The space itself is beautifully surrounded by trees and an open park and the location is a great place for outdoor photos and relaxation.

A local tip: if you stand in front of Albert on the little marble circle and speak to him, you’ll hear your words echoed back to you from the acoustic shape of the sculpture.

11. Titanic Memorial

4th ST Waterfront, Washington D.C. 20050

The Titanic Memorial opened in 1931 and features a granite statue commemorating the lives lost during the sinking of the Titanic.

At the National Harbor nearby, there is also a museum containing artifacts and information about the ship for those interested in learning more about this tragic event which still impacts popular culture today.

Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your trip to Washington, D.C. today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels , rental cars and entertainment tickets.

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The Ultimate 4 to 5 Days in Washington, DC Itinerary

Last Updated on January 29, 2024

by Audrey Webster

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Planning out a Washington DC itinerary can be a challenge when you consider all there is to see and do in the US capital. History aficionados will fall in love with Washington DC. There are few other places in the world that house so many museums and monuments from a single country’s history.

During your 4 or 5 days in Washington DC, you’ll have access to the Smithsonian’s iconic network of museums, historical monuments, and slices of history that you won’t easily find anywhere else.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Washington, DC?

If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Washington DC, it can vary dramatically based on what you want to see. It’s a city that is loaded with activities that could keep you busy for several days.

You should plan to spend a minimum of 3 days in Washington DC. This will grant you ample time to catch the highlights at a leisurely pace. Even then, you’ll still have to prioritize what you see during your visit to the nation’s capital.

With 4 days in Washington DC, you have a little more time to see the museums and historical landmarks.

5 days in DC allows you to take a day trip to a nearby site like Arlington Cemetery, Mount Vernon, or somewhere even further. You can easily hop on the metro for a quick day trip out of the city itself.

You also could easily use this time to explore some of the other neighborhoods around DC, such as Dupont Circle or Georgetown.

Getting To & Around Washington, DC 

If you’re coming from far away, you’ll likely arrive in Washington DC by plane. There are three major airports: Dulles, Ronald Reagan, and Baltimore-Washington.

Visitors can use the metro to reach inner-city Washington DC from these airports. Alternatively, rideshare services and taxis are easily available and you can also book a transfer ahead of time.

DC is also well-connected via rail to a number of other cities on the East Coast, including New York, Boston , Philadelphia and even Providence. You can view train schedules here.

When getting around the city, take the metro. It’s clean, reliable, and reaches all the city’s main landmarks. That said, you should walk around the National Mall and Tidal Basin. You can easily reach most major monuments and museums just by walking around the National Mall.

The Tidal Basin offers its visitors a pleasant walk any time of day while getting to see iconic memorials and monuments. 

4 to 5-Day Washington DC Itinerary

For the days with two museums, we recommend visiting one in the morning and one in the afternoon after taking a lunch break. You can mix and match depending on your interest, but consider the highlights listed below to be the most highly recommended stops for your DC itinerary. 

Day 1 – White House, Tidal Basin, Memorials & More!

While the sites on the first day of this itinerary can be visited independently it is also possible to take several guided tours such as this bus tour , this bike tour or this evening tour if you want to see the monuments at night.

Washington Memorial and White House

We’ve added the White House and Washington Memorial to the top of your itinerary because they are can’t-miss sites in Washington DC. These two marble structures are iconic.

The Washington Monument stands at just over 555 ft tall. There is an observation deck at the top that grants visitors excellent views of the National Mall.

You can also book a tour of a portion of the White House to see some of the building’s most famous rooms. 

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is a favorite monument for many first-time visitors to Washington DC. It’s the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Where he stood at the top of the monument’s stairs is marked by an engraving.

The reflecting pools before the monument make for an iconic Washington DC photo op. Make sure to check out the Lincoln Memorial at night too. The monument lit up is a stunning sight to see. 

Walk the Tidal Basin

Walking the Tidal Basin is an absolute must no matter what time of year you’re visiting, but the spring and fall are the most stunning.

Every spring the cherry blossom trees bloom casting the basin into a beautiful pink floral park. Here you’ll find the Jefferson Memorial, Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, and MLK Jr. Memorial.

You can rent paddle boats to explore the basin from the water. It’s a highlight of your Washington DC itinerary. 

Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials

Continuing your walk of the National Mall, visit the Vietnam and Korean War Veterans Memorials. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, also known as “the Wall”, is a long black granite wall with the names of 58,000 Americans who died in the Vietnam War. It’s a solemn and thought-provoking memorial.

Next, the Korean War Veterans Memorial pays homage to the over 1.5 million of soldiers who served. These 19 stainless steel statues march in a triangle formation toward an American flag. 

World War II Memorial

The World War II Memorial is a stunning white memorial dedicated to the 16 million Americans who served in World War II. It’s a circle of 56 columns that represent all U.S. states and territories around the Rainbow Pool.

Here is another memorial you want to make sure you visit after dark. At night, lights shine on the columns and from the pool making it an eye-catching site. 

Day 2  – Museum of Natural History, National Archives Museum & the US Capitol

Smithsonian national museum of natural history.

Perhaps one of the most iconic museums in the United States is the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. It’s an absolute must for all visitors to Washington DC.

The museum, part of the Smithsonian museum network, is an especially great stop for a Washington DC itinerary that includes children and they are free to enter.

There are over 147 million items on display that range from marine life to geology to ancient Egypt. You can spend anywhere from two hours to about half a day exploring this museum and there is no doubt that it is one of the best things to do in Washington DC. It is also possible to take a guided tour if you want to learn more from a guide.

If you’re more interested in American History, then consider visiting the adjacent Smithsonian National Museum of American History during this time instead. Here you can find exhibits that are important to the history of the USA and it’s a wonderful place to visit.

National Archives Museum

Where can you find the true Declaration of Independence, the American Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the surviving copies of the Magna Carta all in one place? The National Archives Museum.

Make sure you reserve a timed slot in advance to avoid waiting in the long line at the entrance. Here is the only place where visitors can view the country’s founding documents. 

U.S. Capitol & the Library of Congress

The U.S. Capitol building is one of the most impressive working government buildings in Washington DC. With its towering white marble dome, it stands out in the National Mall. Inside, you can see where both houses of Congress reside.

Visitors can enter the capitol, but you must make a reservation in advance. You cannot visit the Capitol without a reserved tour – you can book a small group tour here.

Nearby you’ll find the Library of Congress. Here is where you’ll find hundreds of years’ worth of historical books and documents in a beautifully-designed building. 

Day 3 – Air and Space Museum & the Holocaust Memorial Museum

Smithsonian national air & space museum.

The Smithsonian’s Air & Space Museum is a treasure trove of the country’s most iconic advancements in air and space technology. Here you’ll find Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Vega 5B, the Apollo 11 Command Module, the Wright Brothers’ 1903 Wright Flyer, and much more.

There is also an IMAX theater, Einstein Planetarium, and flight simulators to enjoy. You can easily spend several hours wandering the massive hanger filled with excellently-preserved planes. You can organise a guided tour here.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Visiting the Holocaust Memorial Museum is a sobering experience. The stories of Holocaust survivors are told through film footage, photography, artefacts, and more. It tracks the rise of Hitler through propaganda and World War II.

There are several special exhibits–most advise a minimum age warning due to the graphic nature of the material on display. Portions of the museum have walls raised so young children cannot see over them.

It’s an informative and impressive museum that is well worth adding to your itinerary if you have 3 days in DC. 

Day 4 – Museum of African American History, National Gallery & the JFK Center

Smithsonian national museum of african american history.

If you’re seeing Washington DC in 4 days, you should mix and match your museums to make sure you see the ones you’re most interested in. However, ensure you visit the National Museum of African American History.

This museum is a relative newcomer to the National Mall, opening in 2016. It contains over 40,000 artefacts that trace the experiences and lives of African Americans from the country’s earliest years to present day.

The museum is expertly curated and you could easily spend half a day wandering its halls. If you want to learn more about African American history, you can take a half-day tour that includes some time in this museum.

National Gallery of Art

Art fans should prioritize a visit to the National Gallery of Art. There are two wings: the East Building which is home to modern art and the West Building home to classic art pieces. The collection is huge.

You could easily spend a couple hours or an entire day wandering between these two buildings. Don’t leave without visiting the rooftop where you’ll get great panoramic views of the city. You can organise a guided tour here.

Those traveling with children or who simply don’t want to visit more museums, then consider using this time to visit the Smithsonian National Zoological Park – also known as the National Zoo. Easily reached on public transport, this zoo is free to enter and you can see incredible animal exhibits – including Giant Pandas!

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

From dance performances to musicals, the shows at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is an excellent way to spend an evening.

You’ll want to look at the schedule and reserve your tickets in advance. However, if you don’t have time to see a performance, visiting the center is still worth it.

There is a rooftop garden and bars that boasts incredible views of the National Mall. There is an art gallery and sculpture garden to explore as well. It’s a great addition to any trip to Washington DC.

Day 5 – Arlington National Cemetery, Rock Creek Park or Mount Vernon

Arlington national cemetery.

Located just across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia is one of the nation’s most famous cemeteries.

Arlington National Cemetery is about one square mile and houses the graves of over 400,000 service members as well as former presidents. Highlights include John F. Kennedy’s grave and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

If time allows, you should watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This memorial is dedicated to all those who have lost their lives, but their bodies were never found or identified.

You can opt for a tour of Arlington Cemetery if you want to learn more about the memorials and gravesites. Arlington isn’t far from DC itself, so it’s easy to add on to a 4-day itinerary or if you’re seeing Washington DC in 5 days. 

Rock Creek Park

If you’ve had enough of being in the city, head to Rock Creek Park. Here you’ll find over 32 miles of hiking trails, tennis courts, biking paths, and a golf course. It’s a great way to spend a day or afternoon after spending a few days seeing as much of Washington DC as possible.

Should you want to explore the park further, pay a visit to the Nature Center, the Peirce Mill, and the Old Stone House. 

Mount Vernon

A visit to Mount Vernon is a step back in history. It’s the former home of the nation’s first president, George Washington.

Here you’ll find an immaculately preserved home, the tombs of George and Martha Washington, and a memorial dedicated to the enslaved people who worked on the property. Over 96 million people have visited Mount Vernon since it opened to the public in 1860. 

There are several options for getting to Mount Vernon. It’s located about 15 miles from Washington DC. You can take a guided tour bus , public bus, or Metrorail. If you have a rental car, parking is also available at Mount Vernon, but the lot fills up very quickly.

If you want the more scenic route, consider taking a boat along the Potomac River. Note that you will not be allowed on the property without a ticket – you can pre-book tickets here.

Where to Stay in Washington, DC

Phoenix Park Hotel – This hotel is an excellent choice for mid-range visitors looking. They have many great rooms to choose from, a central location for exploring the city and breakfast available in the mornings.

Hotel Washington – Those looking for a high-end stay in the US capital will love this swanky hotel. Located within easy reach of the National Mall, they have numerous delightful rooms to choose from along with plenty of great amenities – including a spa/wellness center and an on-site restaurant/bar.

Highroad Hostel Washington, DC – Budget and solo travelers will love this highly-rated hostel located in the center of DC. Situated close to all of the top attractions of the city, they have both dorms and private rooms available along with good common spaces.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Washington, DC hotels!

Whether this is your first time seeing Washington DC or you’re a return visitor, this itinerary will help guide your exploration of the US capital.

Are you visiting Washington, DC? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

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About Audrey Webster

Audrey Webster is a writer for The World Was Here First. She is an Oregon native who has visited countries across the globe and currently spends her weekends exploring the Pacific Northwest and surrounding states. Her approach to traveling combines exploring famous tourist sites and wandering off the beaten path to discover new destinations.

Thank you so much for the above iternary. This is a great help. After reading your above iternary, I’ve decided to spend more time in DC.

My only question, what do you think of the hop on, hop off buses while visiting DC. Thank you.

Thank you….

Happy you’ve found this helpful and that you’re spending a good amount of time in DC! A hop on, hop off bus can be a convenient if you’re overwhelmed by navigating public transport or aren’t able to walk too much 🙂

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Mount Vernon

Open 365 days a year, Mount Vernon is located just 15 miles south of Washington DC.

From the mansion to lush gardens and grounds, intriguing museum galleries, immersive programs, and the distillery and gristmill. Spend the day with us!

Discover what made Washington "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen".

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Freedom Before Emancipation: Family Day for Juneteenth

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20 African-American history destinations in Washington, D.C.

With the opening of the  National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), there may be some that believe that the Smithsonian museum is the be-all-end-all of where to go for black history and contemporary culture in the nation's capital, but that's not true.

From the African American Civil War Museum to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, there are plenty of sites worth the hike for discovering how significant African Americans have been not only in Washington, D.C., but in the nation.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

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Capital Chronicles: 10 Places to visit in Washington DC

Discovering dc.

Washington DC is not just the capital of the United States. It is a city that is drenched in history as everywhere you look, you can spot either a historical building, a government or educational institution. From the residential address to the most powerful person on earth, the President of the United States, to war memorials and the National Cathedral of the National Mall to the Washington Monument, the capital city has countless popular attractions.  We have shortlisted 10 of the best places in to visit in Washington DC that could be easily covered even a short stay in the nation’s capital.

10 must-see places to visit in Washington DC

U.s. capitol, white house, washington monument, lincoln memorial, international spy museum, library of congress.

• Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials

Arlington National Cemetery

• National Museum Of Natural History

National Air And Space Museum

Take a day bike tour with your loved ones in the U.S. The Capitol is a symbol of the American people and government. Take a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol buildings and visit the Crypt, the Rotunda, and the National Statuary Hall. The guided tour does not cover the Senate and House Galleries.

Your visit to the capital is incomplete without seeing the White House. Take a tour of the White House and explore the architecture, furnishings, and relations with the press and world leaders.

The executive residence houses the president’s dwelling, as well as rooms for ceremonies and official entertainment. The state floor of the residence building includes the East Room, Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room, State Dining Room, Family Dining Room, Cross Hall, Entrance Hall, and Grand Staircase. 

Visit the Washington Monument and watch nearly 25 miles into the horizon in every direction from the observation deck, including landmarks like the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Washington National Cathedral. Observe the beauty of nature and breathtaking views of the city with your family from the top of the observation deck.

The monument is built on an Egyptian Obelisk, evoking the timelessness of ancient civilizations. It embodies the nation’s gratitude and respect for its most essential Founding Father. The cornerstone of this monument has a container buried containing copies of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

Visit the most visited site on the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial and pay respect to Abraham Lincoln standing in front of the 19th-foot-tall statue of the 16th U.S. president in a solemn chamber. The building is surrounded by 36 columns, each representing a state in the union at the time of Lincoln’s death. This place symbolizes his belief in the freedom and dignity of all people. It is free to visit this beautiful memorial with your family.

For the first item on our places to visit in Washington DC, we recommend you to go the famous International Spy Museum which is home to thousands of espionage artifacts, including a coat fitted with a buttonhole camera from Russia, a 1922 silver dollar equipped with a suicide pin from the U.S., and a Steineck ABC Wristwatch featuring a tiny camera from Germany. It takes around two hours to walk around the Spy Museum and observe the artifacts.

The museum presents the ingenuity and imagination of real-life spies with the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display. Enjoy a day at this adventurous place and read about the lives of spies with your family on the weekends, during spring break, or during summer touring seasons.

The Library of Congress is regarded as a bibliophile’s dream as it houses more than 164 million displays, from books to photos, recordings, maps, etc. It also serves as a museum, with numerous exhibits inside the incredible Thomas Jefferson Building. The best thing is that all the libraries of Congress’ buildings can be visited without any charge.

The library preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire, and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors. You must visit the gallery that holds the Gutenberg Bible. You will find murals depicting the evolution of the written word, titled the Cairn, Oral tradition, Egyptian Hieroglyphics, picture writing, the manuscript book, and the Printing Press that will surely enrich your knowledge.

The library is closed on Sundays and Mondays. However, it is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. You must book your tickets in advance. They are free of charge. You can also book same-day tickets as well.

Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorial

Visit the rich heritage center of Washington D.C., Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorial and explore the Three Servicemen Statue, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, the In Memory plaque, and a flagpole with an etching of the symbol of the country’s ancient five military branches. 

You can honor the fallen soldiers by reading their names inscribed on the Memorial Wall in front of the Wall That Heals. There are many things to learn about the bravery of soldiers who lost their lives in the war.

Uncover the thrilling activities of Arlington National Cemetery, located across the Potomac River from Washington that extends from Memorial Bridge. Explore the rich history found within the hallowed grounds of the cemetery and take a guided tour of this cemetery with your family, which stops at John F. Kennedy’s gravesite, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and other notable sites. Pay respects at graveside services or visit a loved one’s final resting place. This cemetery is open to everyone all across the year.

National Museum of Natural History

Visit the National Museum of Natural History of DC and explore the 45.5-carat Hope Diamond, Ocean Hall, Mammals Hall, Hall of Human Origins, Insect Zoo, dinosaurs, and the magnificent African bush elephant in the museum’s rotunda. The Butterfly Pavilion features hundreds of live butterflies that are amazing to see. Have some food with your family at the Atrium Cafe. The plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human cultural artifacts tell about ancient histories and cultures.

The final item on our places to visit in Washington DC is the National Air and Space Museum. You can explore over 78,000 objects at the National Air and Space Museum of Washington, ranging from Saturn V rockets to jetliners, gliders, space helmets to microchips. The museum also houses more than 12,000 cubic feet of documents in its archive and, it is also a source of knowledge on the history, science, and technology of flight. 

Try to explore the challenging scavenger hunt with your kids. Students will look for space suits, representations of the Big Bang, high-speed flight, and a supersonic wind tunnel. You must try to visit early on the weekends or in the late afternoon to avoid crowds.

Free passes are required to visit the museum and, Same-day passes are released beginning at 8:30 am each morning. They need to be displayed at time of entry. It is highly recommended that you book tickets in advance.

To wrap it up…

The Capital city offers a tapestry ranging from historical landmarks and cultural hubs to renowned educational and government institutions. The city is a plethora for historical and governmental sights. We gave you 10 of the best places to visit in Washington DC and even if you do see them all, you would still feel you have just scratched the surface as these are just 10 places and there will always be more than meets the eye, especially when you talk about the heart and soul of not just American politics but world politics at large.  

Some FAQs about Washington DC

Founded in 1790, United States’ capital city Washington, D.C. is unique for its dynamic nature with plenty of highs and lows having multiple national monuments and museums around the National Mall.

The federal territory was named the District of Columbia to honor explorer Christopher Columbus, and the new federal city was named after George Washington.

You can prefer to visit Washington, D.C. in Autumn or Spring when the weather will neither be so cold nor too hot. During the months of September to November, you get to witness the fall season where the summer leaves turn to brown.

A Washington DC trip can be expensive but with proper planning you surely cut your expenses within budget though you have to be ready to spend around $1,085 for one person in a week.

The most common way to get around the city is public transit while other options include D.C. Circular bus, Hop on Trolley, and Express Bus Routes to Dallas and BWI, D.C. are also available for tourists. So it’s easy to get around Washington, D.C. without a car.

Joanna Wellick

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From Monuments to Museums: 14 Essential Stops in Washington, DC

A mong the destinations I love to travel to is Washington, DC. I adore the city's spirit and mindset. Every few years, I try to make it over there. I'll outline 14 things to do in Washington, DC, in this post.

1. Monuments

You can't go to Washington, DC, without seeing the numerous monuments that are there. Some of the monuments I saw were the Washington Monument, The Lincoln Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. The atmosphere near the memorial was very calm and peaceful. Everyone should check out the Dr. King Memorial if they get a chance. He did so much for many people and gave the ultimate sacrifice so that citizens could have equality.

2. The White House

You can't go to Washington, DC, and not see the White House. The White House is the residence and workplace of the President of the USA. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I've had the opportunity to see the White House from a distance a couple of times. I haven't been able to take a tour yet. It takes months for your tour request to be approved or denied.

3. Washington Nationals Game

If you're an MLB fan, you must check out a Washington Nationals game. Nationals Park is a beautiful stadium. They are a team that plays in the National League East. There are a lot of good seats in Nationals Park that provide excellent views. Every ballpark isn't like that. They also have an area outside the stadium called Fairgrounds, with a bar and food vendors. It's a must-see if you like baseball.

4. U Street

This one is one of my favorite things to do in Washington, DC. U Street is one of the best places to go in the city for nightlife. There are several bars and restaurants to go to. Ben's Chili Bowl is a must-visit if you're ever in DC. They have great chili dogs and half-smokes. I try to go there every time I'm in DC. You may even see the owner, Virginia Ali, still doing some work.

5. Howard University

Howard University is one of the best HBCUs out there. The school was established in 1867. It is commonly referred to as the "Mecca" because of its success and diverse group of students. Also, five of the "Divine Nine" fraternities and sororities were founded there. If you are a fan of HBCUs, this should be on your list of things to do in Washington, DC.

6. Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials

One of the most moving war memorials is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, or "The Wall."  It is one of the sites where it is hard not to feel emotional while reading the names on the wall of more than 58,000 soldiers who laid their lives in our nation's service during the Vietnam War. It is recommended to visit the site during the day with ample sunlight.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial is located in Washington, DC.'s West Potomac Park, southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and just south of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. It pays tribute to 1.5 million who served in the Korean War. It is a privately funded site displaying 19 stainless steel statues of soldiers in combat.

You can explore both memorials 24 hours a day; however, the site is only staffed by National Park Service rangers from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

7. The Tidal Basin

This is another one of my favorite Washington, DC, sights. If you visit Washington, DC, try to spend some time along the Tidal Basin. It is a 2-mile-long pond that was once attached to the Potomac River and regarded as the backdrop to some of DC's best-loved sites. Every spring, the Tidal Basin bursts with color as cherry blossom trees (gifted to DC from Tokyo) bloom into cotton candy-colored tufts and attract hordes of visitors. You can follow the path around the basin, but many recent visitors recommended testing the waters in a paddleboat.

8. Washington National Cathedral

The Washington National Cathedral is designed in a gothic style; it is the 6 th largest in the world. The construction of this massive structure started in 1907 and was completed in 1990. It is surrounded by gardens, creating a lovely atmosphere for visitors. Take a stroll around the cathedral, peer at its high vaults and flying buttresses, or step inside to admire its intricate glass-stained windows.

The cathedral's grand architecture and colorful stained-glass windows will leave you in awe. If you're religious, consider attending one of the free worship services offered every Sunday at 8, 9, and 11:15 a.m. Evening prayers led by the choir are available on Sundays at 4 p.m.

9. Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps, and manuscripts in its collections. The Library is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.

The Library preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse, and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire, and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors. Whether you are new to the Library of Congress or an experienced researcher, we have a world-class staff ready to assist you online and in person. The Library of Congress comprises of three buildings and is open to the public Monday through Saturday, though each building maintains different visiting hours. There are no entrance fees for this attraction.

10. Arlington National Cemetery

The Arlington National Cemetery is the country’s largest military cemetery. It serves as the final resting place for more than 400,000 military veterans and their immediate families from the fronts of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as World Wars I and II, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, the Cold War, and America’s Civil War.

The grounds honor those who have served our nation and provide our guests with a sense of beauty and peace. Rolling green hills are dotted with trees that are hundreds of years in age, complementing the gardens found throughout the cemetery's 639 acres. This impressive landscape is a tribute to the service and sacrifice of every individual laid to rest within these hallowed grounds. The cemetery conducts between 27 and 30 funerals every weekday. The site is open to the public 365 days a year, with free admission for those who wish to tour the site and pay their respects.

11. Visit the Smithsonian Museum Air & Space Museum

If you are a lover of arts, culture, science, and some of the greatest inventions of the human race, then visiting the Smithsonian Museum is one thing you'd want to do while in Washington. The museum contains national treasures and is visited by millions of people annually. The Smithsonian is a national air and space museum containing some of the oldest aircraft ever made. It has a huge catalog which includes the Wright flyer made in 1903. If you want to go there with your kids, there is also a gift shop with huge antiques you can get for them while visiting.

It’s always best to visit the museum in the morning when it's less crowded, as it can get a little busy in the evenings, especially in the summer. The museum is free to visit, but you might have to pay for some services like the IMAX theater and the planetarium, but it just costs 9 dollars for adults and 7 dollars for kids. 

12. Cherry Blossom Festival

Next on the list of things to do in Washington, DC, is to participate in the Cherry Blossom Festival. Trust me, this is something you’ll want to experience, and it takes place in spring, around March. The four-week-long festival typically starts on the 20 th of March and ends on the 28 th of April. It is held to commemorate the gifting of the Japanese Cherry tree to the city of Washington DC by the Mayor of Tokyo city in 1912, Mayor Ozaki.

The festival features a huge display of colorful balloons, music, marching bands, shows, parades, and Japanese arts and culture. The cherry tree also blooms this season, covering parts of the city with its precious pink flowers. If you visit Washington, DC, in March, you will have a great time at the Cherry Blossom Festival.

13. Visit Adams Morgan

Adams Morgan is a neighborhood in Washington, DC, well known for its multiculturalism and vibrant nightlife. If you want to find Adams Morgan, take a walk by 18 th street at night, and you’ll find this neighborhood of nightly wonders. It’s hard to miss. It's got colorful houses lined up on its streets alongside cafes, lounges, clubs, and even shops open all night long for your entertainment. There is so much you can do at Adams Morgan if you're a night owl. It would be a shame not to visit it.

14. See the United States Capitol

Visiting the U.S capitol should also be on your list while you are in Washington. It is not just a place where laws are made but is also a wonderful display of architectural genius. It was built in the 1800s and houses both the house of reps and the senate.  The building also holds a part of history as it was destroyed by the British and rebuilt later.

The U.S. capital allows visitors to its several exhibits and gift shop. You could also get a tour of the building every day of the week except Sundays. You book a visit online or a tour on the premises.

What are some of your favorite things to do in Washington, DC?

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National Museum of African American History & Culture

Top choice in Washington, DC

Located in Washington, DC, the sensational National Museum of African American History & Culture is devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history and culture. Since it opened in 2016, the museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts and almost 100,000 people have become members.

The museum details how the diverse African American experience helped to shape the nation, and it aims to help all Americans see how their stories, histories and cultures are informed by global influences. Artifacts, state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, site-specific artworks and fascinating interpretative panels abound in the cleverly designed and dramatically-lit exhibition spaces.

The National Museum of African American History & Culture was established by an Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans. It opened to the public in September 2016 as the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution.

What to see at the museum

Start downstairs in the sobering Slavery and Freedom exhibition, which covers the period from 1400 to 1877. From there, work your way through two more history exhibitions, Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968 and A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond.

As you go up to the upper floors of the building, you will enter the community and culture galleries on the 3rd and 4th floors, where African American achievements in sport, music, theater and visual arts are joyfully celebrated.

Highlights include Double Victory: The African American Military Experience, which is designed to convey a sense of appreciation and respect for the military service of African Americans from the American Revolution to the War on Terror.

Visitors can connect to the museum's free wifi network, "SI-Visitor" and download its mobile app to complement their museum visit and discover additional stories in the collection. The museum's Sweet Home Café is a popular lunch stop for visitors.

Tickets and other practicalities

The museum opens daily from 10am to 5.30pm and admission is free. All visitors, regardless of age, need a timed entry pass, which can be reserved online here or by phone at 1-800-514-3849.

Timed-entry passes are released up to 30 days in advance on a rolling basis. A limited number of same-day timed-entry passes are released online throughout each day, beginning at 8.15am EST. An individual can reserve up to six passes for their visit.

Print your timed-entry passes at home or present them on a mobile device for entry. You can enter the museum after your scheduled time (until 4pm and based upon capacity) and are permitted to stay until closing.

The entrance to the museum is at 15th Street and Madison Drive NW. The easiest way to visit is by using public transportation, and the closest Metro stations are Federal Triangle and Smithsonian (Mall exit). There are no Smithsonian Institution public parking facilities on the National Mall, and the nearest public parking garage is located at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

Check out the online portal

The museum opened a free-to-use web portal that helps people explore issues of race, racism and racial identity called Talking About Rac e in 2020. It examines how forces surrounding racial identity shape every aspect of society in the US, from the economy and politics to the broader culture. It has videos, online exercises, scholarly articles and over 100 multi-media resources tailored for educators, parents and caregivers and individuals committed to racial equality. The portal is free and does not require a registration or sign-up to use.

Accessibility at the museum

The museum is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and has accessible facilities and entrances. A limited number of free manual wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis but you can request one when reserving a timed-entry pass.

American Sign Language interpretation and access services are available for scheduled programming by contacting the museum with two weeks advance notice. T-Loops are available at the Welcome Desk and open captioning is included in all exhibition videos. There are National Park Service designated accessible parking spaces along Madison Drive NW adjacent to the museum.

1400 Constitution Ave NW

Get In Touch

844-750-3012

https://​www​.nmaahc​.si​.edu​/

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Capitol Hill

Some of the government’s most powerful edifices – the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court and the U.S. House and Senate – make their homes on this famed incline, where Instagram-ready views of the Capitol Dome come at almost every turn.

Powerful, Rowhouses, Government, Sophisticated

Welcome to Capitol Hill. This is where laws get passed, photos get taken and things move a little bit faster.

Capitol Hill is one of the city’s most popular places to live, with 19th-century rowhouses and a market plus a vibrant nightlife and  dining scene . Politicos, young staffers and tourists alike head to the neighborhood both for its government buildings like the U.S. Capitol and the  Supreme Court  and the surrounding historic, walkable, restaurant-filled blocks.

Tour the U.S. Capitol  via its impressive visitors center, where guides lead small groups under the intricately painted, 180-plus-foot dome and past the dimly lit Old Supreme Court Chamber. You’ll need a reservation for the tour or to visit Congress or the Senate (when they are in session); for the latter, just contact your senator or house representative.

Nearby, the  Library of Congress ' impressive 1897 Thomas Jefferson building is open for tours that reveal its Italian-Renaissance style architecture and gilt murals, plus the stunning, circular main reading room with its 160-foot-high ceiling.

Other attractions include the  Folger Shakespeare Library  (the world’s largest collection of the author's timeless works), and the glassed-in  U.S. Botanic Garden  at the base of Capitol Hill, which holds palms, ferns and orchids and provides a peaceful escape.

Nineteenth and early 20th-century rowhouses (think turrets, stained glass and ironwork) lead to throwback commercial zones.  Eastern Market , an 1873 brick building houses grocers, bakers and pasta makers inside every day except Monday, as well as a lively weekend bazaar with produce, crafts and antiques. The nearby micro-neighborhood of Barracks Row centers on 8th Street SE, where vintage storefronts hold oyster houses, pubby bars and foodie-focused restaurants. Closer to the Capitol, Massachusetts Avenue NE has multiple restaurants and longtime watering holes.

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