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District of Columbia, United States

Washington, DC

Plan two days: one for the Mall's monuments and Smithsonians, one for Capitol Hill and a neighborhood like U Street. Below: 5 sights, 1 activity and 3 places to eat, plus how Washington, DC fits into a longer trip.

Plan Washington, DC with friendsBrowse 10 places
Washington, DC, District of Columbia, United States
Places
10

5 See · 1 Do · 3 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Capital Cities Corridor

Best season
Mar – Jun

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

31°C / 88°F avg high

Coolest month
January

4°C / 40°F avg high

Wettest month
June

about 118 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Washington, DC

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Washington, DC across National Mall and Capitol Hill. All 5 are free to visit.

  • Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DCPhoto: Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Lincoln Memorial

    Daniel Chester French's seated Lincoln, facing the Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument.

    Tip Go at sunrise or after dark when it's lit and quiet.

    • National Mall
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Sunrise
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DCPhoto: Phil P. · Google
    See

    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Smithsonian museum tracing African American history from slavery to today.

    Tip Start in the lower history galleries; allow 4 hours. Free timed passes may be required.

    • National Mall
    • Free
    • 4 hr
    • Weekday morning
  • National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DCPhoto: ajay_suresh · CC BY 4.0
    See

    National Air and Space Museum

    Wright Flyer, Apollo 11 command module and the Spirit of St. Louis.

    Tip Reserve free timed-entry passes online.

    • National Mall
    • Free
    • 2.5 hr
    • Morning
  • National Gallery of Art in Washington, DCPhoto: ajay_suresh · CC BY 4.0
    See

    National Gallery of Art

    Free galleries including the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in the Americas.

    Tip The Sculpture Garden next door hosts summer jazz on Fridays.

    • National Mall
    • Free
    • 2.5 hr
    • Afternoon
  • Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building in Washington, DCPhoto: Rajiv Sukumar · Google
    See

    Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building

    Ornate Great Hall and the Main Reading Room overlook beside the Capitol.

    Tip Linked by tunnel to the Capitol Visitor Center.

    • Capitol Hill
    • Free
    • 75 min
    • Weekday

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Washington, DC in Capitol Hill.

  • U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, DCPhoto: The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center · Google
    Do

    U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

    Free guided tours of the Capitol Rotunda and crypt.

    Tip Book tours online in advance.

    • Capitol Hill
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Weekday morning

Eat

3 places to eat across NoMa, U Street and Downtown, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Union Market in Washington, DCPhoto: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Eat

    Union Market

    Food hall in a market building with local vendors, oysters and Korean, Indian and Latin stalls.

    Tip Lunch on weekends gets busy; go weekday.

    • NoMa
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Lunch
  • Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, DCPhoto: Ben Schumin · CC BY-SA 2.5
    Eat

    Ben's Chili Bowl

    U Street landmark since 1958, known for the chili half-smoke.

    Tip Order the original chili half-smoke.

    • U Street
    • $
    • 45 min
    • Late night
  • Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington, DCPhoto: Old Ebbitt Grill · Google
    Eat

    Old Ebbitt Grill

    Historic saloon next to the White House, known for its oyster bar.

    Tip Oyster happy hour runs late afternoon and late night.

    • Downtown
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Late afternoon

Drink

1 bar or café in Downtown for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Round Robin Bar in Washington, DCPhoto: Round Robin Bar · Google
    Drink

    Round Robin Bar

    Circular bar in the Willard hotel where the mint julep came to Washington.

    Tip Order the mint julep.

    • Downtown
    • $$$
    • 60 min
    • Evening

How to fit Washington, DC into a trip

Washington, DC is stop 1 of 3 on our Capital Cities Corridor route. Follow it as-is or lift Washington, DC into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Washington, DC month by month

Average daily highs run from 4°C / 40°F in January to 31°C / 88°F in July. June is the wettest month, with about 118 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Washington, DC weather and the best time to visit →

Near Washington, DC

8 other destinations from our guides within about 200 km (124 mi), measured in a straight line.

Washington, DC questions, answered

How many days do you need in Washington, DC?

Our route notes suggest 2 days in Washington, DC. On our Capital Cities Corridor route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 17 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Washington, DC best known for?

Plan two days: one for the Mall's monuments and Smithsonians, one for Capitol Hill and a neighborhood like U Street. Standouts on our list: Lincoln Memorial (Daniel Chester French's seated Lincoln, facing the Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument); National Museum of African American History and Culture (Smithsonian museum tracing African American history from slavery to today); National Air and Space Museum (Wright Flyer, Apollo 11 command module and the Spirit of St. Louis).

When is the best time to visit Washington, DC?

Our Capital Cities Corridor route is best Mar – Jun. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (31°C / 88°F), the coolest in January (4°C / 40°F) and the most rain in June (about 118 mm).

What are the best things to do in Washington, DC?

Start with Lincoln Memorial, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art and Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 5 sights, 1 activity, 3 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Washington, DC?

Our picks: Union Market (NoMa); Ben's Chili Bowl (U Street); Old Ebbitt Grill (Downtown). Lunch on weekends gets busy; go weekday (Union Market).

What is near Washington, DC?

The closest destinations in our guides are National Mall & Downtown (about 2 km / 1 mi), Georgetown (about 2 km / 2 mi) and Inner Harbor & Harbor East (about 56 km / 35 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Washington, DC with your crew

Open the Capital Cities Corridor route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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