The Complete Guide to Washington DC
I love Washington DC! DC was on my doorstep for 20 years and luckily I took advantage of it (minus the year I turned 18 and spent most of my time in the clubs – because I could)! The nation’s capital has so much to offer – monuments, memorials, great restaurants, and the museums are some of the best in the world, so why wouldn’t you want to travel to Washington DC!?!?
Complete Guide to Washington DC
How to Get to Washington DC
There are three airports that service Washington DC.
- Reagan National Airport DCA (Virginia): Domestic flights only. 10 minutes by car (to the attractions area), also located on the blue and yellow lines of the metro.
- Dulles International Airport IAD (Virginia): 30 minutes by car (to attractions area), or the Silver Line runs directly into the city from the airport!
- Baltimore/Washington International Airport BWI (Maryland): 50 minutes by car (to attractions area), no metro line.
If you’re flying internationally then you’ll have an easier time getting from Dulles to DC than Baltimore to DC. Baltimore will be cheaper to fly into, but the roads will be busier (if you’re traveling during rush hour), and will cost you a little bit more for transportation from the airport to DC.
By Train: Amtrak runs right into Union Station in the middle of the city. It’s also a big bus depot and the metro is connected to the station, making it super convenient and accessible to anyone who will not be renting a car. (It’s super easy to get here from New York City)
How to Get Around Washington DC
By Foot: All the attractions are very walkable… however, they are quite a distance away from each other, but the views you get from every angle make it worth it! You will want to walk down the National Mall from the Lincoln Memorial to the World War II Memorial to the Washington Monument and then onto the Smithsonian and if you stop to take pictures, admire the architecture, and learn about the memorials, then you’re looking at a couple of hours…. so take that into account.
By Taxi: Do yourself a favor and download the Uber app. It’s very cheap throughout the city and there’s always a driver less than 5 minutes away from you. It’s nice to hop in an Uber if you want to take a break from walking or there’s no metro station around the block from you and you need to grab something to eat or get to a certain area… even with traffic, the ride won’t be that long.
By Metro: LITERALLY THE EASIEST WAY TO GET AROUND. This is such an easy metro system to navigate! There are only 6 lines (silver, blue, orange, green, red, yellow) and while you’re in the city, the silver, orange, and blue lines run together and the green and yellow lines run together… so you technically only have to keep track of three lines when you’re in the middle of the city.
When to Visit Washington DC
I personally like DC in the fall. It can be a toss-up whether you will get great weather or cold weather, but as the leaves change color around the National Mall, it’s worth it! Hotels will be cheaper and there will be relief in the tourist crowds (September-November).
Independence Day is slammed! Have I done it? Too many times! However, paying a whole load of money to go on a dinner cruise during the fireworks is truly magical and TOTALLY worth it!! (My number one choice would be Spirit Cruises!)
The Cherry Blossom Festival is magical! From the end of March to the beginning of April, the cherry blossoms that were gifted to DC from Japan in 1912 are in full bloom! It’s an understatement to say it’s busy and crowded. Wake up early in the morning for those cherry blossom sunrise pics and go on a weekday to minimize the crowds as much as possible. Peak bloom varies from year to year, but if you are there on April 1st, you’ll be guaranteed to see some blossoms!
June through August will be HOT! And busy! Just be prepared for longer lines into the museums and making dinner reservations at restaurants!
Where to Stay in Washington DC
The average cost of a hotel in DC per night is $230.00 during peak season ($130.00 during off-season) and if you want to stay just outside DC in Northern Virginia, then you’re looking at an average of $110 during peak season ($70 per night during off-season).
If you decide to AirBnB then you need to make sure you are in a touristy area (around the monuments & NW DC) because there are some not-nice areas of DC.
700 F Street
Washington, DC
- Peak Season Average: $360.00
- Off-Season Average: $140.00
- Great location!
- 4-Star Hotel
520 North Capitol Street
Washington, DC
- Peak Season Average: $170.00
- Off-Season Average: $90.00
- Closest Metro: Union Station
- 3-Star Hotel
- 15-minute walk to National Mall
1325 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA
- Peak Season Average: $150.00
- Off-Season Average: $100.00
- Closest Metro: Rosslyn
- 3-Star Hotel
- Walk across the river to Georgetown
The Smithsonian
Closest Metro Station: Smithsonian
Price: Free
The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex with 19 museums spread across the city. All the museums are free to visit! I’m not going to explain all of them to you, but just share some of my favorites!
Smithsonian Museum Tip!
You need to pre-book your entry ticket for each museum separately online! It’s hard to find available slots (even during off-season) the day-of, so book well in advance!
Air and Space Museum
Absolutely my favorite museum in DC! I love love LOVE the Air and Space Museum… maybe I just like space? I remember coming here for elementary school field trips and falling in love! Over the past 27 years since I’ve been going to the museum, it’s changed A LOT! *Currently (2023) the museum is being renovated, so exhibits have been moved around and some items are missing – this is a 7-year renovation project!*
Some of my favorites in the museum are the Apollo lunar module, the Spirit of St. Louis plane, the Wright Brothers exhibit with the 1903 Wright Flyer, Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit, and the space exploration exhibit.
National Museum of American History
Definitely a very cool museum to check out. Literally everything about American History, from the industry to politics to movies to superheroes. I love seeing the old automobiles and motorcycles and catching a glimpse of some famous jackets – Indiana Jones and the Fonz have hung up their coats here!
You can also jump into the Oval Office and get a behind-the-scenes look at being the president and what it takes to do the job and how the past 44 presidents have impacted the country.
National Museum of Natural History
Who doesn’t love dinosaurs and sparkly gems?! If you don’t, then this museum is not for you!
Learn about mummies from ancient Egypt, walk through the bone hall, explore the butterfly pavilion, and walk amongst the fluttering butterflies in their tropical environment (extra tickets are needed with timed entry), and check out all the sparkly gems and minerals… including the famous (and cursed) Hope Diamond!
National Museum of African American History and Culture
This is the latest museum to open at the Smithsonian and has one of the coolest-looking buildings… seriously. During the summer this museum gets VERY busy and you may need to get a timed entry ticket.. this is not necessary during the off-season.
You can see Louis Armstrong’s trumpet, a dress sewn by Rosa Parks, Michael Jackson’s fedora, and an electric organ owned by James Brown. Some of the highlighted exhibits are Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom with a Journey through the Civil Rights Movement, and the struggles and challenges that African Americans have met throughout the years, the culture galleries on the 4th floor, and the community galleries on the 3rd floor.
National Gallery of Art
Closest Metro Station: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter
Price: Free
A lot of people think this museum is part of the Smithsonian, but it’s actually not. This gallery is located across from the Air and Space and next to the Natural History Museum.
If you like art then you can spend a good amount of time here (the only Leonardo da Vinci displayed at a museum in the Americas is here), however, if you’re not big into it and are only interested in the big-name pieces, then this is not your art gallery! (Just being honest).
The main building is the west building with the east building and the sculpture garden on either side. If you’re more into modern and contemporary art then go to the east building and you can see some pieces by Picasso, Pollock, and Warhol.
Washington Monument
Closest Metro Station: Smithsonian
Price: Free
This monument towers over the city… it’s the tallest building in DC! You can see this 555 ft marble obelisk from almost anywhere in the main part of the city.. making it a very good marker in case you get lost or turned around!
Construction started in 1848 and by 1854 all funds were exhausted, bringing construction to a standstill. In 1880, work started again (you can even see the different colored marble – there are actually 3 different colors, can you see them?) and 8 years later the monument opened to the public.
You can get to the 500 ft observation deck via the elevator inside the monument and it’s FREE. You need a timed ticket and it’s FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE… that means during peak season, you will have to start lining up around 7:30am in order to get a timed ticket for that day… they go VERY quickly! If you visit during off season then you can reserve a ticket online for $1.00, but you shouldn’t have any issues grabbing a timed ticket for the day when they first open in the morning.
If it’s off season, you can just head over to the ticket office when they open and grab a ticket for the next lift up!
The White House
Closest Metro Station: McPherson Square or Farragut West
Price: Free
The White House is one of the most famous and recognizable residences in the world. Yep, this is where the president lives and all the presidents lived (except for George Washington – John Adams was the first to live in the White House in 1800).
Back in the day, you could just show up for a guided tour, however, that is no longer possible. BUT… you can tour the White House, it just takes a little effort.
You need to put in a request (up to 3 months in advance) with your member of Congress, just send an e-mail requesting a tour with your dates and then you’ll either get a confirmation and instructions or a denial. Tours are first-come, first-serve, so don’t be disappointed if you miss out on a tour.
If you’re an international visitor then you need to contact your embassy in Washington, DC and they can arrange a tour for you.
*There is currently a fencing project going on and it will obscure your view of the White House, this is expected to continue through 2021.
US Botanic Garden
Closest Metro Station: Federal Center SW
Price: Free
This living garden museum is located just in between the Capitol and the museums on the National Mall. It’s the oldest continually running botanical garden in the US and it’s free to enter!
It’s a lot bigger than it looks from the outside and the conservatory holds 10 gardens and 2 courtyards with everything from the tropics to the desert, so leave about an hour to walk around. There are permanent exhibits and some that are ever-changing, so check the website to keep up to date with what’s going on.
The holiday exhibit, Season’s Greetings, is always popular. Check out the heavily themed gardens, the collection of DC landmarks made from plant materials, and the model train exhibit in the West Gallery. There’s music on select days and you can even grab some hot chocolate to warm yourself up.
US Capitol
Closest Metro Station: Capitol South
Price: Free
Construction started in 1743 when George Washington laid the first cornerstone during a massive celebration. This building was to be the grandest building in the country. The Capitol is home to the Congress with the Senate and the House of Representatives and has become a symbol of the US Government.
The entrance to the visitor center is actually underground, so if you are heading there from the National Mall, you will have to walk around the building and down the stairs (you can follow the signs to the visitor center). Tickets for the tour are free, but I recommend making a reservation online if it’s during the summer because it can get busy.
This is the only way you will be able to see the Rotunda and the Crypt. Once you’re finished with the Capitol, you can save some time by using the underground tunnel to the Library of Congress!
Library of Congress
Closest Metro Station: Capitol South
Price: Free
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world with over 167 million books. The library opened in 1800 and now greets about 1.9 million visitors a year.
The main building you want to visit is the Thomas Jefferson Building. You can take a guided tour or walk around on your own. The great hall architecture is beautiful and you can also access the viewing gallery for the famous reading room.
Did you know you can actually visit the reading room (not just gaze at it from above)?!? Head on downstairs towards the researchers’ entrance (you’ll probably have to ask for directions… you have to follow the winding, yellow hallway and then take another elevator down to registration).
Across from the entrance is reader registration and you need to check in there. Have your ID ready (yes, it can be an international driver’s license) and register for your card (you can register online, but it’s not a hassle to actually do it on-site), once you’ve registered you’ll head on over to another desk where you get your picture taken, sign the electronic pad and your library card will be printed.
Take the card and check in at the researchers’ desk… you are now free to roam around the reading room!
National Archives
Closest Metro Station: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter
Price: Free
The National Archives is the building that houses America’s most famous documents… the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. It’s free to enter and the main entrance is at the bottom and to the left of the main stairs. You cannot take pictures once you are inside!
There are other exhibits inside the building, but if you are heading just to see America’s founding documents then you need to walk up the stairs and follow signs for the rotunda… it’s not marked well and can be confusing!
Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool
Closest Metro Station: Foggy Bottom-GWU (20-minute walk)
Price: Free
Ohhhh the Lincoln Memorial, one of the most famous landmarks of DC… especially the 87 steps leading from the reflecting pool to the Lincoln statue inside!
Aside from countless movies being filmed here (National Treasure, The Firm, Forrest Gump, Election, Wedding Crashers, Deep Impact… to name a couple), this is where Martin Luther King delivered his famous “I have a dream…” speech!
The reflecting pool was designed by the same person who designed the Lincoln Memorial (Henry Bacon). The pool is 2,029 ft long and 167 ft wide… the deepest part of the water is in the center (about 30 inches deep) and the shallowest part is near the edges at 18 inches deep… and no, you can’t paddle around in the water during the summer!
*You can also get off at the Arlington Cemetery Station on the Blue Line (about 5 minutes longer) and walk across the river for a more picturesque stroll*
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
Closest Metro Station: Foggy Bottom-GWU (15-minute walk)
Price: Free
This memorial is located next to the Lincoln Memorial. (If you are facing away from the memorial and looking at the reflecting pool, the memorial will be on your left). The wall stretches 246 feet across and contains over 58,000 names engraved in the granite.
The unique aspect of the wall is the constant reflection you see of yourself… so you’re always connected to the past.
World War II Memorial
Closest Metro Station: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle
Price: Free
This memorial is at the opposite end of the reflecting pool from the Lincoln Memorial, so you will more than likely pass through it if you are walking toward the Washington Monument.
This stunning memorial honors the 400,000 armed forces that fought in the war and the men who sacrificed their lives. 56 granite columns surround the massive fountain in the center with scenes from the war rendered in bronze.
Spy Museum
Closest Metro Station: L’Enfant Plaza
Price: $24.95 in person (discount if you purchase online)
One of the only museums you have to pay for in DC, but it is WORTH IT! The Spy Museum has moved to a new location closer to the National Mall and it’s bigger and better!! There are plenty of interactive exhibits and they always have temporary exhibits so there’s something different every time you visit!
The coolest part about the museum is you get a cover identity and can test out your spy skills for yourself and you’ll receive your debriefing at the end of your tour and see how you did as an undercover agent. You’ll go behind the scenes in the real spy world and see how the industry has evolved over the years, find out how analysts crack codes and find secret intelligence, learn about covert mission failures and significant events throughout history.
Set aside at least two hours to explore this awesome museum!
Fords Theatre
Closest Metro Station: Metro Center
Price: Free
This is definitely one of the more overlooked museums in DC and not a lot of people know you can enter the theatre and take a self-guided tour.
This historic theatre is where Lincoln was shot on April 14, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth. The assailant came through the box door, wedged it shut with a wooden stake, shot Lincoln in the back of the head, dropped the gun after a struggle with Lincoln’s guest and jumped down the balcony onto the stage, and ran out of the theatre.
There’s a museum on the lower level with facts and the history of Lincoln’s presidency, there’s also the jacket he was wearing the night he was shot, the wooden stake from the door, and the gun Booth used on display. If you are a Lincoln fan then this theatre is a must!
Day Trip to Mount Vernon
Closest Metro Station: Huntington plus 30-minute bus ride
Price: $20.00 online
How can you travel to Washington DC and NOT take a day trip to visit the first president’s residence?!
You can go on a tour, drive yourself (about 30 minutes) or take the Spirit of Mount Vernon dinner cruise (with admission included) to get there! There is no Metro stop near Mount Vernon… the best metro option would be getting off at Huntington and then taking the bus to Mount Vernon.
You can only tour the house via a guided tour and there are plenty of add-ons to choose from… National Treasure tour anyone? Take a walk down to the old tomb, around the stables, and stop by the new tomb where Washington rests. You can continue down to the river banks and even take a boat tour during peak season.
Definitely worth it if you can make it here!!
Where to Eat and Drink in Washington DC
DC has such great restaurants and bars… and you can’t go wrong with a quick grab-and-go street vendor hot dog! These are just a few of my faves for brunch, food, and drinks!
Favorite Splurge: Le Diplomate – a fusion of French and American, it’s delicious but very expensive! This is one of the most popular restaurants in DC (and for good reason). The atmosphere and vibe are great, for cheaper menu options go for lunch.. it’s about $10-$15 cheaper!
Favorite Fast Service: Daikaya – this little ramen restaurant is perfect if you want a quick meal in and out… oh and the ramen is DELICIOUS! This is seriously one of my fave restaurants in DC.
Favorite Lunch: Mari Vanna – this Russian-style cafe-style restaurant has my favorite interior out of this list. They are a little bit pricey for lunch (typical DC prices…), but the beef and pork dumplings are worth it!
Favorite Brunch: Cava Mezze – small plates cafe with 25-cent mimosas! Need I say more? And if everyone in your party pays $35.00 then it’s bottomless food… what?! ALSO, you really can’t go wrong with brunch in DC… just pick anywhere!
Favorite Rooftop Bar: POV at the W Hotel – this bar gives you amazing views of the Washington Monument… and you can even see the White House! Drinks are reasonably priced for DC and if you go in the early afternoon then you’ll practically have the place to yourself!
Favorite Restaurant Area: Georgetown – so many great restaurants and cafes, you could literally pick any place in Georgetown and it’s going to be good!
Favorite Nightlife Area: Adams Morgan (around 18th St) – I LOVE the bars in this little area of DC… it does get crazy on a Friday and Saturday night, but there’s a good mix of live music bars, trendy bars, and hole in the wall bars.
Tips for Visiting Washington DC
- Every museum and significant building has a security check, so be prepared to empty out those pockets every time!
- Don’t bring a backpack (a SMALL one if you have to) – most museums will not let you in with a big backpack
- Wear pants that don’t need a belt… otherwise, you’ll be taking it off at almost every security checkpoint
- Bring some snacks with you – food is SUPER expensive in the museums and it’s not that great (I’m talking a cold, pre-packed sandwich for $15.00!!)
Are you heading to DC soon? Lemme know in the comments below!
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