This post about the best things to do in Washington, DC is for my fellow nerds. If you love history and landmarks, this city will have plenty for you to see.
How do you pack in all the sightseeing in 72 hours? Wear comfortable shoes, bring a water bottle, and get ready to hustle.
We used a few different modes of transportation, and we found renting bikes was the best way to see the National Mall sights. Some of the sights are a walking distance away, but bikes helped us see sites like the Jefferson Memorial and Martin Luther King Jr Memorial in efficient time.
The great thing about DC is sights are very accessible – most are free to visit. Some require an advance reservation, so be sure to look into requirements months ahead of time. During the high tourist season, those reservations can be hard to get.
National Mall
Seeing all of the below, with some biking, took about two and a half hours. All of these sites are free and open to the public.
- Lincoln Memorial
- Vietnam War Memorial
- Korean War Memorial
- WW2 Memorial
- Jefferson Memorial
- Martin Luther King Jr Memorial
- Franklin D Roosevelt Memorial
- Washington Monument
The White House is a bit out of the way from the above sights but is still connected by the lawn. You can see it from the Washington Monument.
National Museum of Natural History
My favorite museum that we visited, the National Museum of Natural History, is enormous (and a bit crowded). From ancient artifacts like dinosaur bones, rocks, and crystals to exciting exhibits like the evolution of light pollution, there is lots to explore at the museum. If you enjoy natural history, you’ll spend a few hours here.
Details: Free admission, open daily, no advance tickets needed
Hirshhorn Museum
We had initially wanted to visit this art museum because there was a Kusama exhibit there. I didn’t get to secure tickets but we still stopped by. It has some very interesting modern and contemporary art.
Details: free admission, open daily, no advance tickets needed unless there’s a special exhibit
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is a research library and the oldest federal cultural building. It’s a very pretty building and has a few exhibits, like Thomas Jefferson’s library. You can’t go into the main reading room, but you can see it from the balcony.
Details: closed Sundays and Mondays, free advance reservation needed
National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art has more than 150,000 pieces in their collection, from paintings to sculptures. I enjoyed this museum more than the Hirshhorn Museum. There is an East Building, a West Building, and a Sculpture Garden.
Details: free admission, open daily, no advance tickets needed
United States Botanical Garden
If you’re a plant lover, you definitely need to visit the U.S. Botanical Garden. This living plant museum includes a conservatory and multiple gardens.
Details: free admission, open daily, no advance tickets needed
Smithsonian Museums
In addition to the National Museum of Natural History, there are more than a dozen Smithsonian Museums you could visit. Pick your favorite subject and add it to your schedule. Remember all of these museums are free to visit, though some require advance reservations because they are extra busy.
- National African American Museum
- National African Art Museum
- National Air and Space Museum
- National American Art Museum
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of the American Indian
- Anacostia Community Museum
- Archives of American Art
- Arts and Industries Building
- National Museum of Asian Art
- National Zoo
- National Portrait Gallery
- National Postal Museum
International Spy Museum
Another popular museum is the International Spy Museum. There are different ticket prices depending on the day of the week.
Details: around $27 per person, advance ticket available online
Dupont Farmers Market
We happened upon the Dupont Farmers Market on Sunday and loved seeing all the local produce. If you want to try unique eats, this would be a great place to visit.
Georgetown
If you want to explore a neighborhood and do some shopping, visit the Georgetown neighborhood. It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in DC. I tried a great cupcake shop when I visited.
The Wharf
This waterfront neighborhood has restaurants, shopping, and events.
I hope you have a fun time taking in the history and culture of DC! It’s a fun city to explore.
Need restaurant recommendations? Check out this post for a few of mine.
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