By Shannon Gomes
Whether you are a history enthusiast, a culture lover, politics junkie, foodie, or simply seeking an enriching travel experience, Washington D.C. offers something for everyone.
Plan to stay at least 5-7 days to truly experience all that D.C. has to offer. You could spend a month just visiting all of the world-class museums and historical sites!
Best time of year to visit? Spring in D.C. is stunning with all of the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom yet it can be very crowded, especially with large school groups visiting. For less crowds and gorgeous weather, plan to visit in early Fall.
Washington D.C. is served by two major airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). If you want the quickest trip into the city, definitely fly into DCA as it is only 3 miles from downtown D.C. The much larger IAD airport is 26 miles from downtown so can take up to an hour to get into the city, depending on traffic.
Unless you plan on taking side trips outside of D.C., I wouldn’t recommend renting a car as it is so easy to explore D.C. via foot, public transportation, and on bikes and scooters. Recommend taking a taxi or Uber into the city from the airport.
As you can imagine, there is a plethora of hotels in D.C. ranging from economical to high-end. If you want to be within walking distance of everything, plan to stay in a hotel downtown. Another option is to rent an apartment or home via Airbnb. This works well for families as it’s nice to a kitchen and more space to unwind after a long day of exploring the city. Plus, you get to experience what it’s like to live as a local and experience the charming neighborhoods of D.C.
The number of historic sites to visit can feel overwhelming at first but if you plan ahead, you can see them all. Here are the top sites not to miss:
Lincoln Memorial
Washington Monument
Jefferson Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Korean War Memorial
World War II Memorial
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Pentagon Memorial
Arlington National Cemetery
US National Archives
Ford’s Theatre
The White House
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
Washington D.C. is musuem heaven! And here’s the best part – almost all of them are free! The only museum you need to book tickets for online in advance is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, which is a very powerful and deeply moving experience. Additionally, you need to purchase tickets online in advance to visit the International Spy Museum which is a big hit-especially with kids & teens. Other top museums not to miss include:
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
National Gallery of Art
NewseumED
The Phillips Collection
Want to take a break from museums and experience the beauty of D.C. from the Potomac River? Book a trip with Reflections DC – Your private, small group boat cruise experience (highly recommend the Sunset cruise!). You will love Captain Jerry who is so welcoming & knowledgeable about D.C. It’s a unique experience not to miss!
D.C. has an incredible performing arts scene so be sure to check the calendar at The Kennedy Center and try to see a live show while you are in town!
Be sure to carve out time to explore the vibrant and diverse neighborhoods in D.C. Here’s what not to miss:
Georgetown
Capitol Hill
U Street Corridor
Dupont Circle
Adams Morgan
Navy Yard
Hungry? You’re in luck! Washington D.C. boosts a thriving food scene that has gained national and international recognition in recent years. From Michelin-starred restaurants to food trucks to international cuisine, the D.C. culinary scene reflects its diverse and dynamic character. Some favorite spots not to miss include (reminder though: always book reservations online in advance!):
Rasika Restaurant (best Indian food I’ve ever had!)
And before you leave, be sure to take a quick Metro trip from D.C. over to downtown Arlington, Virginia and be sure to eat at Bayou Bakery, led by my friend, Chef David Guas. Here you’ll enjoy the authentic tastes of New Orleans, and you can’t miss the amazing beignets!