Washington D.C. About This Page:

[POOH]

I’m thinking of taking a trip to D.C. since I’ve never been there and have always wanted to go.
Anybody have any advice, tips, or things to avoid?
Any website or travel book recommendations?
Any information would be helpful.
TIA

[jimmymac]

There's a Holiday Inn 2 blocks from the Smithsonian. We've stayed there 3 times. You can walk to the Mall with all the museums, the Capitol (definitely take the tour), White House. The Metro is right there if you want to range further afield

[Huntermom]

I think DC is a great vacation. Lots to do for everyone. check out the website for the Smithsonian. We have family in Bethesda so always stayed outside of the city-much less expensive and the metro is easy. I have also driven in DC and never found it that difficult, although parking on the street can be tricky.

[JJs_Mom]

One of the best times to visit is during the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms in the city, in early Spring. Fall is usually a good time to visit, too. Summer can get very hot and humid. There are so many free museums and outdoor memorials that DC is one of the best vacation values around. The National Zoo is also free.

[Alaskan Mom]

We went when I was a teen, and I did like the Smithonian but the two things that amazed me most were Lincolns memorial and Washington's monument both are very cool.

[Belle320]

There is so much to do and the wonderful thing is alot of it is FREE!!!!! The Smithsonian has many different musuems plus the National Zoo are all free of charge. There are other musuems that do charge admission - The Newsuem and The Spy Musuem. The only monument that I know is currently closed is the Washington Monument which is being repaired from the 2011 earthquake. There are hotels that are near the mall or you can stay outside the city and take Metro (the subway) downtown. Mount Vernon and Arlington National Cemetery are also nearby. The Cherry Blossoms are estimated to bloom this week or weekend and should be blooming for approximately one week. There is so much more depending on your interests. Have fun.

[CynBeth]

How many are traveling with you and are there any kids in your group? The National Zoo is wonderful! The Museum of the American Indian has the best food court and is one of my favorite museums along with Air and Space, American History, and Natural History. If the Nationals are in town I would recommend going to a game. I believe the Washington Monument is still closed. Away from the mall but nearby is the International Spy Museum and also The Newseum. If you are into history the National Archives is right behind the museum of Natural History I believe.

[Carousel96]

What time of year? Just you, or will you have kids with you? How long are you planning to be there? I love DC. My 13 year old daughter would rather go there than Disney World. She and I have gone the last 3 summers; I've been going once a year for over 20 years.

There's the usual stuff -- the monuments, the Smithsonian museums, the Capitol and the White House. Bureau of Engraving and printing is interesting, but contact your senator or representative to get tickets and avoid the lines. Then there's the Archives (see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution), Arlington Cemetery, the monuments at night....

A hop-on-hop-off tour is a good way to see the highlights without a lot of walking. Plus, you can get your bearings then go back and see the sights. Some offer a second day free.

Mount Vernon is worth the trip if you have time -- you can get there by public transportation if you're so inclined.

Depending on your interests, there are other less popular things -- National Geographic has a nice museum. The Pentagon offers tours, as does the State Department. The Spy Museum is interesting, but it wouldn't make my "must-do" list for a first-timer. The DAR museum has a wonderful textile collection if you like quilts. My family of Lincoln fans wouldn't miss Ford's Theater. Not only is it a museum about the Lincoln assassination, but it's a working theater and you might be able to catch a show.

There's the WWII Memorial, the new Martin Luther King Memorial. My favorite secluded spot is the memorial to the signers of the Declaration.

We're not big fans of the National Zoo. I know some folks think it's a must-see. DH and I have both been and neither like it enough to have ever taken our daughter.

Whatever you do, you won't be able to see everything. Just accept that, pick what you want to see, and have a great time.

[chezp]

9I always swear by my Dorling Kindersley guidebooks, so I'd grab their one about DC.

We've visited a few times and for a first timer, definitely plan on seeing the major memorials - i.e. Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosevelt etc. We also found Arlington a beautiful place to visit. Of course, there's also the White House and the Capitol.

Out of the Smithsonian, the one museum we've always made it to is the National Air and Space Museum, which is stunning.

One thing I would say is that DC looks very walkable - and places look quite close to each other. It's easy to say "I'll just walk over there" and as you walk, you discover it's further than you think. The memorials don't look that far apart, but it is deceiving. We've walked from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol, for example, and that is quite a hike. As I say, when you look at it, it doesn't look that far though...

[notjustamom]

The National Cathedral
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Arlington National Cemetary
I visited DC quite a bit as a kid/young adult having family in VA and going to college there also. Even as a kid, I was in awe of those three things and can still vividly recall being there.

[jlhill4444]

D.C. is a beautiful city. I lived in Arlington while I was working in the Senate. One thing I will say, if you would like to tour the Captial Building, Archives, White House (if they reopen tours), Treasury, etc. contact your representative or senator as soon as possible with your dates to get those scheduled. I would recommend visiting the Holocaust Museum is you are traveling with an older (15+) group. It is life changing.
Also, check our Arlington Cemetery.

We usually stay at the Omni near Dupont Circle when we go. It is close to some great eats and the metro. I always recommend to take at least 3-4 days for a visit, to really feel like you have seen the sights. The weekends are actually a lot less expensive in DC because of people that only stay there during the work week, especially when Congress is in session. Have a great time and if you have any questions, I will be happy to help if I can.

[B.M.]

My ds and I went about 5 years ago; it was a great trip..... TONS of things to see! Plan to use public transportation, it's pretty easy to navigate and much better than trying to park...

[karadisney]

Go to Arlington because the view at the top by the tomb of the unknown soldiers view of the DC is really pretty! I would say the Lincoln Memorial is just so neat to see in person. Pictures don't give it justice. The Vietnam Wall and the Korean Memorial is right in the same area. The Korean Memorial is one of my favorites it's just so neat to see!! You can go to the National Archives as well. Mount Vernon (George Washington's residence) is really beautiful. It sits on the top of a hill overlooking the Potomac River.
If I think of any more I will add more. Good luck!

[minemoz1]

DC is such a cool place with so much to see and do. I really liked Mt Vernon and we took public transportation to get there, Metro to bus. Otherwise, you'd need to rent a car or pay for a tour. Arlington, VA and downtown Arlington are also good places to visit. There are walking tours and you can see George Washington's residence. The National Archives/Constitution is a must but you need to get there at opening (10:00 am) as it gets really crowded.

Last time we were there, we hotwired a room in Arlington which was right on the Metro line near the Pentagon. We were in DC in just a few minutes on the train and only a short stop to Arlington National. We also took a nighttime monument trolley tour which was great as the tour guide gave us all the historical information on the way to the monument.

If you have a smart phone, download the Metro App. It shows you which lines to take to get to the various attractions and also shows train/bus arrivals in real time. It makes traveling around DC a piece of cake. Have fun!

[Teresa]

My family loved DC.
As others have said: it's easy to get the hop-on, hop-off tour and get around. May be your best bet for transport. Driving around DC is easy, traffic flow is great. If you're willing to pay $20 to park each day, you can drive into the 'city' and do that. We had an easy time finding parking on the street some days, others were a pain.

The Holocaust Museum is wonderful! We spent hours there, and could have spent many more. Arlington National Cemetery was great - we hadn't planned on visiting and didn't go until the day we left, not leaving ourselves enough time to truly explore it. Plus, it rained and they stopped operating the tour tram.
The Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War memorial, The FDR memorial, the National Mall, etc. are all awe-inspiring. Jefferson Memorial, is I think, overlooked frequently.
The Smithsonian museums are overwhelming. A nice day out is the National Zoo. Almost everything is free.

Whatever you decide to do, realize, that like WDW you can't see it all in one trip. Leave yourself time to actually enjoy and explore and not just glance and run.