Washington, D.C. is the USA's monumental capital — a low-rise, walkable city of grand memorials, free world-class museums and green boulevards along the National Mall. History, politics and culture on a ceremonial scale, with cherry blossoms in spring and leafy neighbourhoods beyond the marble.
- The National Mall — the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Capitol and White House
- The free Smithsonian museums, among the best (and best-value) on Earth
- Cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin in late March / early April
- Springboard to Virginia's Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge
Region: Northeast Best time: Late Mar–May (cherry blossoms, mild) and Sep–Oct; summers are hot and humid Getting there: Reagan National (DCA) is closest (Metro-connected); Dulles (IAD) and Baltimore (BWI) handle more international flights. Getting around: The clean Metro and walking cover the Mall and central neighbourhoods easily; most museums are free.
Neighbourhoods
National Mall
The monumental core — memorials, the Capitol, and a row of free Smithsonian museums.
Georgetown
Cobblestones, the C&O Canal, boutiques and waterfront dining along the Potomac.
Dupont Circle
Embassies, bookshops, galleries and a lively café and bar scene.
Capitol Hill & Eastern Market
Row houses behind the Capitol and a weekend market with food stalls.
U Street & Shaw
Historic 'Black Broadway' — live music, Ethiopian food and nightlife.
Things to do
- The memorials at night — Lincoln, Jefferson and the WWII Memorial are floodlit and quiet after dark
- Smithsonian museums — Air & Space, Natural History, American History and the National Gallery — all free
- U.S. Capitol & Library of Congress — free tours of the Capitol and the stunning Library reading room
- National Museum of African American History & Culture — book timed passes ahead — it's the city's most in-demand museum
- Tidal Basin — walk or paddle-boat among the cherry trees and the Jefferson Memorial
- Arlington & Georgetown — Arlington National Cemetery, then dinner along the Georgetown waterfront
A few perfect days
- Day 1The Mall
Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol on foot, with the Air & Space and American History museums en route.
- Day 2Museums & monuments
National Gallery and Natural History by day; the floodlit memorials after dark.
- Day 3Neighbourhoods
Georgetown and the canal, then U Street for music and dinner.
Eat & drink
- Half-smoke sausage at a D.C. institution like Ben's Chili Bowl
- Ethiopian injera and stews around Shaw and U Street
- Global embassy-town dining and weekend brunch in Dupont Circle
National parks & day trips
Where to stay
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