Washington DC 3-Day Itinerary

This plan covers the essentials without marching you up and down the Mall three times. Before you arrive, book the Capitol tour, the Washington Monument and free timed passes for the Library of Congress and the African American history museum. Check the Library's opening days before fixing Day 2.

Day 1: The memorials

Start at the Washington Monument with a morning ticket, then follow our National Mall route west past the World War II and Vietnam memorials to Lincoln. After lunch, spend the hot part of the afternoon in the National Museum of Natural History or the National Gallery of Art. Eat around Penn Quarter, then come back to the Lincoln Memorial after dark.

Day 2: Capitol Hill

Take the Capitol tour in the morning, then walk through the tunnel to the Library of Congress and see the Supreme Court's facade across the street. Have lunch at Eastern Market. Spend the afternoon at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, following our Smithsonian guide. In the evening, head to U Street for dinner and live music.

Day 3: Arlington and Georgetown

Take the Metro to Arlington National Cemetery in the morning, for the Kennedy graves and the changing of the guard. Walk back across Memorial Bridge, then take a bus or bike to Georgetown for lunch, a walk along the canal towpath and the waterfront at sunset. If you still have energy, finish with dinner at the Wharf, a short taxi ride away along the river.

With more time

Add the Air and Space Museum, the Tidal Basin memorials, or a day trip to Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria.