Washington DC Travel Guide (25 Epic Things to do)

I may get paid for ads or purchases made through links in this post.

Heading to DC? Go check out this comprehensive Washington DC Travel Guide for everything you need to know BEFORE you go!

Are you ready for another epic Bucket List Trip? It’s time to plan your visit to Washington DC!

This comprehensive Washington DC Travel Guide will show you the best things to do + nearby destinations you won’t want to miss when you visit. Also, you’ll learn the best budget tips, what to bring, when to visit, and the top free things to do!

So whether you’re looking for a quick city getaway, or want to plan an awesome Road Trip with a stop in DC, you’re going to love these brilliant travel tips!

Are you ready to explore DC? Let’s get started…

Washington DC Travel Guide

Washington DC Travel Guide Things to do:

#1: International Spy Museum

There’s no better way to embrace your inner 007 than paying a visit to the International Spy Museum! Here you can visit exhibits on how spies gather intel, learn about techniques used on the field, and how historical events have been shaped by intel gathered by spies. All around, it’s a terrific museum! I loved our visit, and know you will, too. Go check out the entrance prices Here.

#2: Walk Around the Tidal Basin

A man-made reservoir just off the Potamac River, the Tidal Basin is situated between the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the National Mall. It’s a beautiful spot to see the Japanese Cherry Blossoms in the spring, and the reflections of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial make it all the more beautiful.

Washington DC Travel Guide - Tidal Basin Reflection

#3: Visit the Thomas Jefferson Memorial

This open air, round memorial is among the most beautiful in DC. Inside is a bronze statue of Jefferson as well as quotes inscribes in the walls.

Washington DC Travel Guide Visit Thomas Jefferson Monument

#4: Vietnam War Veterans Memorial

Located near the Lincoln Memorial, the long black granite wall inscribed with the names of the soldiers who died in the Vietnam War is definitely one of the most moving sites in the city.

#5: Korean War Memorial

The memorial for America’s ‘forgotten war’ is just south of the Lincoln Memorial – and right across from the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial. It’s a good place to pay homage to a brutal conventional conflict that is seldom talked about, but played a vital role in shaping how the Cold War would turn out, as well as maintaining the independence and freedom of South Korea from communist rule.

#6: Lincoln Memorial

This dramatic memorial is located on the West end of the National Mall, and is one of the most iconic sights in all of DC. And of course the Lincoln Monument wouldn’t be the same without its famous reflecting pool!

#7: Reflecting Pool

From the WWII Veterans Memorial, watching the suns set over the reflecting pool, Lincoln Memorial and Arlington skyline is a great way to spend your evening in DC. Grab a snack or dinner from a food truck, and enjoy the beautiful view. Also, come at night for a spectacular view of the illuminated monuments reflected in the pool.

#8: WWII Veterans Memorial

Finished in 2004, the elaborate WWII Veterans Memorial is at the opposite end of the Reflecting Pool from the Lincoln Memorial. It’s dedicated to the sixteen million Americans that served in WWII, with a lovely fountain as the center piece.

#9: WWI Memorial

Like Korea, WWI is another increasingly forgotten about war within the US. Which is a tragedy, as it would dramatically change Europe and the course of world history. This memorial pays homage to the ‘Dough Boys’ – slang for Americans who went to fight the Germans in France from 1917-1918.

#10: Washington Monument

Right smack in the middle of the National Mall, it’s impossible to miss the Washington Monument! Standing at 555 feet tall, it was the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1884.

Washington DC Travel Guide See Washington Monument

#11: White House

A focal point and architectural icon, the White House is just half a mile north of the Washington Monument. While it’s a bit hard to see nowadays with multiple layers of fences and blockades, it’s absolutely worth the visit.

#12: Capitol Building

Washington simply wouldn’t be the same without the monstrous capitol building, with its gigantic dome towering high above the city. Tours of the capitol are free, but you’ll need to contact your local representative or senator before you go. Tours can be made up to 90 days in advance.

#13 US Navy Memorial Plaza

This (relatively) small and unassuming memorial is just a block off the National Mall, near the Canadian Embassy.

#14: Chinatown

What Washington’s Chinatown lacks in size, it makes up for in character. It’s home to one of the largest Chinese Friendship Arches in the world, and of course is home to some great Chinese restaurants! We actually stayed in Chinatown, and loved the convenient location as well. It was a great place to base out of, and in walking distance to the memorials.

#15: Smithsonian Museum of American History

The Smithsonian Museum of American History is by and far one one of my favorites, along with Air and Space. You’ll learn everything about American history and society, from transportation, pop culture, and more!

#16: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is by and far one of the best history museums in general I’ve been to.

#17: National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art is by and far one of the best collections in the United States. Enjoy a variety of American, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian art collections, to include renowned work from artist such as Leonardo de Vinci, Van Gogh, and more.

#18: Hirshhorn Museum

If you’re a modern art aficionado, you’ll love the Hirshhorn Museum. All three levels are home to excellent exhibits.

#19: Holocaust Museum

For a truly moving and gut wrenching experience, the Holocaust Museum covers in great detail the atrocities of the German government against Jewish people in Europe from 1933-1945. Multiple in-depth exhibits show the struggle, concentration camps, ways of escape and more during the Holocaust.

#20: Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

There’s no doubt this is one of the best aviation museums in the country! With everything from the Wright Brother’s first plane to the Spirit of St Louis – the first plane to cross the Atlantic – there’s so much to see here! Plus, admission is free!

#21: Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center

The Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center is an extension of the Air and Space Museum, and is located in Chantilly, Virginia right next to Dulles International Airport. There’s a great variety of aircraft to include American, British, German, Italian, and Japanese aircraft from WWII, Cold War era Soviet and American fighter jets, a Concord, a Gray Eagle drone, and so much more. It’s free to visit – you’ll just have to pay for parking.

Washington DC Travel Guide – Nearby Destinations:

#22: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Just 75 miles from the hustle and bustle of DC, Shenandoah National Park is the perfect tranquil spot to relax for the day. You can take a drive down the 105 mile long Skyline Drive, which winds around the Blue Ridge Mountains. Also, there’s hundreds of miles of hiking trails through forests, to waterfalls, and more.

#23: Charlottesville / Monticello, Virginia

120 miles Southeast of DC, Monticello was Thomas Jefferson’s elaborate home. Nowadays you can take a few different tours around the home and gardens. Actually, just a couple of blocks away, you can take a tour of James Monroe’s Highland home as well. All around, this is a great day trip from DC!

#24: Virginia Beach / Jamestown (3 Hours 45 Minutes)

Virginia Beach is under 4 hours from DC, and the perfect place to go for a beach getaway. Also, don’t miss Jamestown nearby, which is home to the first English settlement in North America.

#25: Annapolis (45 Minutes)

Maryland’s small state capital is just outside of DC, and situated along the Chesapeake Bay. Home to the US Naval Academy, you’ll also find a a great variety of restaurants, coffee shops, etc. Overall, it’s a great little city that offers a much slower pace of life compared to the hustle and bustle of DC.

Traveling to Washington DC on a Budget – What to Bring:

Flying to DC? Why pay, when you can score FREE airfare?!? When you use Swagbucks, you can get free gift cards for Southwest Airlines and Delta, which both fly into the Washington Dulles and Baltimore/Washington International Airports. Overall, this is the the best way to reduce the cost of your airfare to Washington DC. I’ve been a member of Swagbucks for about 10 years now, and it’s still one of my favorite ways to earn Free airline gift cards!

Here’s how it works:

Sign up with Swagbucks
Then start earning Swagbucks SB Points. There are so many EASY ways to earn Swagbucks! You can earn by Searching the Web {just like you would using Google}, Taking Surveys, Using Coupons, Shopping Online, Watching Videos, etc. I typically earn an easy $25 each month on Swagbucks!
Cash in your Swagbucks SB Points for Free Southwest Airlines Gift Cards and Free Delta Gift Cards!

How to Get Free Uber Rides in Washington:

If you’re flying into DC for a quick city break; or you have an extended layover and you don’t plan on renting a car, you can simply call an Uber to come pick you up from the airport and take you into the city. My favorite trick is to cash in Swagbucks points for Free Uber gift cards!

Here’s how it works:

Sign up with Swagbucks
Then start earning Swagbucks SB Points. There are so many EASY ways to earn Swagbucks! You can earn by Searching the Web {just like you would using Google}, Taking Surveys, Using Coupons, Shopping Online, Watching Videos, etc. I typically earn an easy $25 each month on Swagbucks!
Cash in your Swagbucks SB Points for Free Uber Gift Cards!

Washington DC Travel Guide Potomac River

Looking for even more great travel tips? Go check these out…

Leave a comment & share!

Washington DC Travel Guide (25 Epic Things to do)