tourist office washington dc

Washington, DC Visitor Information

1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

(800) 422-8644

For visitor information and to plan your next trip, visit the following sites:

Destination DC 901 7th Street NW, 4th Floor Washington, DC 20001-3719 Phone 202-789-7000 / Fax 202-789-7037 http://washington.org/

White House Visitor Center 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

http://www.nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/white-house-visitor-center.htm

The visitor center is open from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. daily (except January 1, Thanksgiving, and December 25). Admission is free. (202) 208-1631

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

The FBI Experience

The FBI Experience is a self-guided tour at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Open to the public, the tour features interactive multimedia exhibits, content, and artifacts — including a number […]

Old Post Office Museum & Tower

The Old Post Office Museum and Tower is located in the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC hotel and has a 270-foot observation deck allowing visitors an awe-inspiring view of the city. […]

Museums & Galleries

National Children’s Museum

National Children’s Museum combines learning elements found in a science center with children’s museum experiences. Through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) focused exhibits and playful, in-person and virtual […]

© Grant Czerwinski

Washington, DC

The USA's capital teems with iconic monuments, vast museums and the corridors of power. But look closer and you'll have a sharp view of one of America's most diverse art and culture scenes.

Best Time to Visit

Best things to do, attractions, must-see attractions.

National Air and Space Museum

The legendary exhibits at the National Air and Space Museum include the Wright brothers' flyer, Chuck Yeager's Bell X-1, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St…

National Gallery of Art

Two buildings. Hundreds of masterpieces. Infinite enjoyment. It's easy to spend a full day at the National Gallery of Art, which showcases a whole range…

Lincoln Memorial

Anchoring the National Mall's west end is the hallowed shrine to Abraham Lincoln, who gazes across the Reflecting Pool beneath his neoclassical, Doric…

National Museum of African American History & Culture

Located in Washington, DC, the sensational National Museum of African American History & Culture is devoted exclusively to the documentation of African…

Since 1800, this is where the legislative branch of American government (ie Congress) has met to write the country's laws.

White House

White House Area & Foggy Bottom

Play image association with the words “Washington, DC,” and chances are the first thing that comes to mind is the White House. The president’s pad is…

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Image bykanzilyou/GettyRF

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

In a city of classic, white-marble monuments, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands out on the National Mall for its stark modernism. Designed by 21-year…

Top picks from our travel experts

7 of the best things to do in washington, dc.

Union Market

Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights

The cool crowd hobnobs at this food hall, where culinary entrepreneurs sell their banana-ginger chocolates, herbed goat's cheeses and smoked meats. Among…

Hirshhorn Museum

The Smithsonian’s cylindrical art museum shows works from modernism’s early days to today's most cutting-edge practitioners. Exhibitions of works drawn…

Tidal Basin

The 2-mile stroll around this constructed inlet incorporates the Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson memorials as well as the Floral Library…

National WWII Memorial

Dedicated in 2004, this grandiose memorial honors the 16 million US soldiers who served in WWII. Groups of veterans regularly come here to pay their…

Washington Monument

Peaking at 555ft (and 5in) and composed of 36,000 blocks of stone, the Washington Monument is the district's tallest structure. Political shenanigans…

National Museum of American History

Containing all kinds of artifacts of the American experience, this museum has as its centerpiece the flag that flew over Baltimore's Fort McHenry during…

C&O Canal Lockkeeper's House

At the northeast corner of Constitution Gardens, this 1835 stone gatehouse is a remnant of the days when the Washington City Canal flowed through this…

National Museum of Natural History

Arguably the most popular of the Smithsonian museums, so crowds are pretty much guaranteed. Wave to Henry, the elephant who guards the rotunda, then zip…

19 of the best free things to do in Washington, DC

Martin Luther King Jr Memorial

Opened in 2011, this was the first Mall memorial to honor an African American. Sculptor Lei Yixin carved the piece, which is reminiscent in concept and…

Eastern Market

One of the icons of Capitol Hill, this roofed bazaar sprawls with delectable chow and good cheer, especially on weekends. Built in 1873, it is the last of…

Library of Congress

The world's largest library – with 164 million books, manuscripts, maps, photos, films and other items – awes in both scope and design. The centerpiece is…

United States National Arboretum

The greatest green space in Washington unfurls almost 450 acres of meadowland, sylvan theaters and a pastoral setting that feels somewhere between bucolic…

National Postal Museum

The Smithsonian-run Postal Museum is way cooler than you might think. Level 1 has exhibits on postal history from the Pony Express to modern times, where…

Georgetown Cupcake

Here’s what’s going to happen: you’ll be walking down M St and will see a gigantic line spilling out of a small shop: moms with kids, preppy students and…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Things to Know

With so many museums and landmarks to see, a trip to Washington, DC, requires a bit of pre-planning. Here are our tips.

Best Neighborhoods

After you’ve checked all the monuments off your list, spend some time in DC’s neighborhoods to find out what makes the city tick.

From charming towns to staggeringly beautiful parks, there are incredible day-trip options from Washington, DC. Here are six of our favorites.

Money and Costs

Washington, DC, has a reputation for being expensive. Here are our tips for visiting on a budget.

Transportation

Find your way around Washington, DC, with this guide to transit options in the US capital.

Free Things to Do

Washington, DC is an expensive city but there are plenty of free things to do if you know where to look. Here are 19 of our favorites.

Traveling with Kids

All the insider tips on how to make the most of a family trip to Washington, DC, whether you're traveling with toddlers or teens.

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Washington, DC and beyond

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29 Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Not surprisingly, many of Washington D.C.'s main attractions relate to its principal enterprise: politics. These include the White House and the U.S. Capitol , of course, as well as monuments and historic sites dedicated to notable figures who

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The Tidal Basin The Tidal Basin free

If you've never been to Washington, D.C. before, plan to spend some time along the Tidal Basin, an approximately 107-acre pond encircled by a 2.1-mile loop trail. Constructed to use the strong tides of the Potomac River to clear silt from the Washington Channel and to maintain steady water levels in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pools , it now also serves as the backdrop to some of D.C.'s best-loved sites. Every spring, the Tidal Basin bursts with color as cherry blossom trees (gifted to the city from Tokyo ) bloom into cotton candy-colored tufts, and they attract hordes of visitors. The cherry blossoms typically hit peak bloom (defined as when 70% of the cherry blossoms are open) in March or April. The National Park Service website makes "bloom watch" updates on its website , where you can check the progress of the trees and see when peak bloom is expected for the year. You can follow the path that leads around the basin, but recent visitors recommended testing the waters in a paddleboat. Paddleboats are available to rent from spring until fall for $28 to $40 per hour (depending on the day) for a four-passenger boat. You can pick up a paddle boat every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from the boat dock near Maine Avenue.

Even if you don't make it to town for the cherry blossoms, you won't want to miss the three major memorials that can be found along the Tidal Basin's shores: the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial . A memorial to Virginia Declaration of Rights author George Mason, also stands nearby.

The White House and the Washington Monument The White House and the Washington Monument free

Even if you're only in town for a short trip, visiting the Washington Monument and the White House – two marble symbols of the U.S. – is a must for any first-time D.C. visitor.

Standing just shy of 555 ½ feet, the Washington Monument was the tallest structure in the world at its completion in 1884. Nowadays, you can ride one of the monument's glass-encased elevators to the top observation deck to enjoy 360-degree views of the city, which invariably impress visitors. You can explore the attraction's exterior for free 24 hours a day, but National Park Service rangers are only available from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. to answer questions. The monument itself is open to visitors every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free timed-entry tickets can be reserved up to 30 days in advance via Recreation.gov . (There is a $1 nonrefundable service charge for each ticket.) Some same-day tickets are distributed daily on a first-come, first served basis. The ticket window opens at 8:45 a.m.; be prepared for a line. The Smithsonian Metro stop is closest to the monument. Visit the National Park Service's Washington Monument page for more information.

Lincoln Memorial Lincoln Memorial free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  The best time to see this monument is after dark when it's illuminated. You'll still contend with crowds, but it will be worth it. – Marisa Méndez, Senior Editor

Although the Lincoln Memorial is just one of the District's many monuments, the larger-than-life Honest Abe is also among travelers' favorites. History buffs might enjoy reading Lincoln's  two famous speeches – the Second Inaugural Address and the Gettysburg Address – which are both etched into the memorial's north and south walls, respectively. Meanwhile, art history and architecture aficionados will enjoy admiring the building's striking design by Henry Bacon, complete with 38 Doric columns, 36 of which signify the states in the Union at the time Lincoln passed away.

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World War II Memorial World War II Memorial free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  While it's pretty during the day, the memorial is incomparable at night. Visit after sunset. – Marisa Méndez, Senior Editor

The World War II Memorial was dedicated in 2004 to the 16 million American military members who served during World War II, including the thousands of individuals who lost their lives during the fight. A circle of 56 columns (representing the U.S. states and territories from the era) looks over the Rainbow Pool. At night, with lights shining, this memorial can be quite ethereal. The structure also has a wall of more than 4,000 gold stars – one for every 100 Americans who died in the conflict.

Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials free

One of the most moving war memorials, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial – or "the Wall," as it's commonly referred to – is a long black granite wall with the names of more than 58,000 Americans who perished during the Vietnam War emblazoned on its surface. Recent travelers said their visits to the site were heartbreaking but thought-provoking and powerful, adding that even the toughest of individuals will find it hard to not become emotional while reading the wall's names. If you're looking for a specific person, keep in mind that the soldiers' names are ordered by the date they died, not alphabetically. Also, reviewers recommend using the attraction's name books and visiting during the day when there's ample sunlight.

When you're wandering along the eastern side of the Mall, venture to the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Paying tribute to the 1.5 million who served in "The Forgotten War," this privately funded site contains 19 stainless steel statues of soldiers in combat. In a triangular area known as the Field of Service, soldier statues march toward an American flag. Next to the soldiers is a 164-foot-long granite wall that pays homage to the unnamed troops that fought in the Korean War. Another highlight of the memorial is the Pool of Remembrance, a tranquil place for reflection. However, some past travelers cautioned that the memorial lacks signage, so younger visitors may not understand as much as those who lived through the war.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial free

Located on the northwest rim of the Tidal Basin , this 30-foot granite memorial pays homage to civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Everything from its address at 1964 Independence Ave. (a reference to the year the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed by Congress) to its design (which shows King emerging from a "mountain of despair," a reference to his "I Have a Dream" speech) are meant to reflect King's significant contribution to American history. What's more, this towering sculpture opened to the public in 2011, making it one of the newest memorials to open in the District. It is also the National Mall's first memorial dedicated to an African American.

Previous visitors raved about this memorial, adding that its powerful symbolism and beautiful design will give you chills. Plus, the sculpture's proximity to other memorials and monuments like the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the World War II Memorial make it convenient to reach. However, some reviewers wished there was more information on King's life, legacy and commitment to nonviolence around the statue.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum free

Note: Beginning in 2018, the museum embarked on an ambitious, multiyear, multimillion-dollar effort to renovate and reimagine all of its exhibits and put 1,400 new objects on display. It's reopening galleries in stages, but the IMAX theater is closed. Check the website to see what's on display before you go.

Attracting millions of people each year, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum contains a trove of celebrated aircraft, including Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega 5B, the Apollo 11 Command Module, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and Wilbur and Orville Wright's 1903 Wright Flyer, among others. Exhibits include flight simulators, an IMAX theater and the Einstein Planetarium. And parents beware: The gift shop is huge, so get ready for pleas from your kids. 

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture free

U.S. News Insider Tip: When hunger strikes, don't miss the Southern comfort offerings at Sweet Home Cafe, including fried chicken, collard greens and fish po'boys. The food is surprisingly delicious for a museum eatery. – Nicola Wood, Senior Editor

Designed to replicate the three-tiered crowns found in Yoruban art from West Africa, with bronze-colored latticework accents that honor the ironwork of enslaved African Americans, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture opened on the National Mall in 2016. More than 40,000 artifacts are displayed inside, including photographs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists, boxing headgear and a robe used by Muhammad Ali, and a fedora once worn by Michael Jackson.

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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum United States Holocaust Memorial Museum free

You need to be in the right frame of mind to visit this sobering museum that focuses on the atrocities of the Holocaust. Through film footage, photographs and historical artifacts, it confronts subjects such as Hitler's rise to power, anti-Semitic propaganda and the horrors of the Final Solution. In addition to its permanent exhibition, "The Holocaust," the museum mounts several special exhibits. The facility also has a Hall of Witness, a three-story chamber beneath skylights; a Hall of Remembrance, a space with an eternal flame intended for individual reflection as well as public ceremonies; the Holocaust Survivors and Victims Resource Center; a library and a reading room.

Past travelers felt moved by this powerful museum but cautioned that its graphic collection is not ideal for younger children. (Indeed, the museum itself has age recommendations for its exhibits, signaling that some material may not be suitable for kids.) Many were especially impressed with its informative, thorough and respectful displays, adding that you can easily spend a few hours perusing its halls.

National Gallery of Art National Gallery of Art free

U.S. News Insider Tip: There are two things you won't want to miss here: the rooftop terrace, which affords panoramic views of the city and a photo op with a giant blue rooster, and the only Leonardo da Vinci oil painting on permanent exhibition in the U.S. – Catriona Kendall, Associate Editor

If you're any kind of art connoisseur, you should make a stop at the National Gallery of Art. Composed of the East Building, which houses the gallery's more modern works (think: Henri Matisse and Mark Rothko), and the West Building, which contains the collection's older works (from Sandro Botticelli to Claude Monet), this museum has enough to fill an entire afternoon. Visitors often remark on the museum's large size and expansive collection. Pace yourself and maybe order a coffee, gelato or lunch at one of the gallery's five bars and cafes.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

U.S. News Insider Tip:  Even if you don't have time to catch a performance, head to the rooftop of the Kennedy Center to grab a drink and see an incredible sunset from the terrace. The on-site REACH art gallery and sculpture garden (free) are also fun to wander around. – Erin Evans

Many travelers highly recommend a visit to The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, built and named for America's beloved Camelot president. The Kennedy Center houses the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera and hosts numerous other dance, theater and musical performances throughout the year. Although ticket prices can run a bit high, you can take in a performance for free on the Millennium Stage. The Kennedy Center debuted a new permanent exhibit in 2022: Visitors can explore the free "Art and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy" immersive exhibit to learn about the relationship between Kennedy's presidency and the arts. The facility also includes the REACH, an indoor/outdoor complex comprising an art gallery, sculpture garden, classrooms and studios, lecture halls, a video wall and more interactive spaces.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History free

With a collection of more than 147 million items, this robust Smithsonian museum on the National Mall attracts millions of visitors each year. Some of the museum's highlights include replicas of giant whales and other marine life in the Sant Ocean Hall. There's also a 2,000-pound, 52-foot model of a mega-tooth shark suspended above a dining area. In addition, you can venture to the Butterfly Pavilion for some fluttery fun with multicolored bugs. No stop at this museum would be complete without stopping by the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils – "Deep Time" exhibit features approximately 700 specimens, including Tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops dinosaurs. Other permanent exhibits explore human evolution, ancient Egypt and geology, among other topics.

Although this museum is especially appealing to families, past visitors said there's something for everyone here. However, the property can get quite crowded on weekends, holidays and during the busy summer season, so consider arriving on a weekday or in the offseason to avoid crowds. Recent museumgoers also suggested saving some time for the Hope Diamond, which is on display in the geology exhibit.

Washington National Cathedral Washington National Cathedral

U.S. News Insider Tip: Opt for a tour instead of exploring on your own, especially if you want to spot some of the cathedral's weirder gargoyles (like the famous Darth Vader). – Marisa Méndez, Senior Editor

Construction first began on this massive cathedral – the sixth largest in the world – in 1907, but it wasn't actually completed until 1990. (Though work on the building continues, including extensive and ongoing repairs after an earthquake damaged the structure in 2011.) Designed in the Gothic style, the Washington National Cathedral sits surrounded by gardens, creating a pleasant atmosphere for visitors. Take a stroll around the cathedral and peer at its high vaults and flying buttresses, keeping a close eye out for gargoyles (there's one of Darth Vader!). Step inside to admire the building's intricate stained-glass windows.

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Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery free

Arlington National Cemetery sits in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The cemetery spans about 1 square mile and serves as the final resting place for more than 400,000 service members, veterans and their families. Visitors should be sure to spend some time viewing the Memorial Amphitheater, the John F. Kennedy Gravesite and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Additionally, finding the grave of a notable veteran, family member or friend proves to be a powerful experience, according to visitors. The cemetery also has a downloadable app available to help you pinpoint the location of a grave.

Previous travelers appreciate the trolley tour from Arlington National Cemetery Tours, but they warn that the excursion is a bit pricey at $19.50 for adults, $10.75 for children ages 4 to 12 and $15 for seniors ages 65 and older. (There are discounted prices for service members, veterans and their families.)

Planet Word Planet Word

The world's first voice-activated museum, Planet Word strives to provide an immersive language experience through multiple exhibits and interactive galleries. Its word-centric exhibits span three floors and explore such topics as how people learn to speak, words’ origins, the world’s diversity of languages, famous speeches (which visitors can recreate using teleprompters), songs (which you can deliver karaoke style), jokes and how advertising uses language to persuade consumers. It also has a library, of course, as well as recording booths for listening to others reflect on the power of words and for preserving your story. Its Lexicon Lane contains multiple "puzzle cases" with themed word puzzles that can be solved using various clues deposited around the room. The museum, which opened in 2020, also has a restaurant and a gift shop.

Visitors frequently enthuse about this museum with adjectives like "clever," "creative," "fascinating" and "innovative." Many say its well-executed interactive activities make it an especially engaging place for families. Plan on spending at least a couple hours here.

U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress free

Arguably the most magnificent building in Washington, the U.S. Capitol is where visitors go to witness politics in action. Inside, members of both houses of Congress debate and create national policy and law, while visitors explore the building's north and south wings and circular centerpiece: the Rotunda. This iconic hall houses paintings, frescoes and sculptures depicting famous scenes from American history, not to mention an iconic cast-iron dome added to the structure in 1868.

Touring the Capitol is free of charge, but you'll need to make your reservation well in advance to ensure you get a tour slot (you cannot see the Capitol without booking a tour). The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day). The tour does not include the Senate and House of Representatives galleries. Though some travelers express mixed reviews on whether the U.S. Capitol warrants the time and effort spent (both making reservations and going on the actual tour), most agree the site is well worth a visit.

National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum free

The National Portrait Gallery most notably houses images of every previous president, allowing visitors to reminisce about each political figure as they progress through the hall of portraits. The presidential portraits aren't alone, though, as the National Portrait Gallery also houses artistic renderings of notable American citizens ranging from sports figures to civil rights leaders. Moreover, the National Portrait Gallery only takes up half of the building and shares the space with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This museum showcases rotating exhibits, which have previously exposed visitors to work created in response to the Vietnam War, glasswork, native women artists and more. The Smithsonian American Art Museum also operates a separate branch, the Renwick Gallery, devoted to contemporary craft and decorative arts.

Previous travelers insist that you take a few minutes to enjoy the shared Kogod Courtyard; its glass-paneled roof protects visitors from the elements while maintaining an abundance of natural light. These visitors also recommend that you take a few hours to explore both the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, as there are a variety of interesting, small exhibits that are easy to miss if you're in a rush.

Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute free

More than 1,800 animals reside at the Smithsonian's 163-acre National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, from Asian elephants to cheetahs to sea lions. Look up every now and then as you stroll beneath the Orangutan Transport System (called the O Line): You may spot orangutans swinging along cables between steel towers. Or, if you're more intrigued by animals native to South America, head over to the Amazonia exhibit, home to creatures like titi monkeys and multiple frog species. The Great Cats exhibit features Sumatran tigers and African lions, among other feline predators. The zoo also has a playground and other attractions geared toward kids. If you time your visit for the holidays, swing by the zoo after dark for its ZooLights exhibition, when animal lanterns and lights bedazzle the park.

Recent visitors praised the zoo's pleasant surroundings and broad selection of species. Others warn future travelers to temper expectations: It's popular during the spring and summer seasons and there are long lines for (somewhat overpriced) food. Though some said the zoo could be more exciting and have a broader array of animals, keep in mind the more than 360 species are free to visit.

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U.S. National Arboretum and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum U.S. National Arboretum and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum free

Note: Due to the discovery of boxwood blight, the arboretum has closed its Boxwood Collection and adjacent Perennials Collection in order to prevent spread of the disease. It is closed until further notice.

Located northeast of downtown Washington, D.C., the United States National Arboretum rewards its visitors with beautiful outdoor spaces. The arboretum's outdoor collections range from dogwoods to azaleas to magnolias, but none of the plants are the area's primary attraction. Instead, most travelers make the trek here for the National Capitol Columns and the bonsai collection. The National Capitol Columns were built in 1828, decorated the Capitol building until 1958 and found their way to the arboretum in the 1980s. Now, the columns serve as an excellent place to snap photos or enjoy a picnic. The area's bonsai trees sit in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, which boasts an astounding 300 miniature trees that staff members rotate through the museum's three pavilions and special exhibits gallery.

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery free

The Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery combine to comprise the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art. Opened in 1923, the Freer Gallery showcases American paintings from the late 19th century aesthetic movement, plus art from China, Egypt, India, Japan, Korea and the Islamic world. The Sackler Gallery opened in 1987 in the adjacent building, and it displays Thai earthenware, a Tibetan Buddhist shrine, Iranian artifacts and a host of rotating exhibits.

Past visitors particularly appreciated the Peacock Room, a gilded blue and gold room filled with frescoes of peacocks and pottery. The Sackler Gallery's underground exhibits also serve as a boon for sweltering tourists during the District’s hot summer months, which delighted recent travelers. The general consensus is that there are some remarkable works of art here.

Rock Creek Park Rock Creek Park free

A large urban park extending from the Washington, D.C.-Maryland border to the Potomac River, Rock Creek Park is a destination for an expansive array of outdoor activities. It has more than 32 miles of hiking trails and 13 miles of horseback riding trails while bicyclists can use its paved trails and roads. It has a nine-hole golf course and tennis courts. Fishing and paddleboating on the Potomac River are additional options. The park also boasts plenty of built things to see, such as scenic bridges, fountains and statues.

In addition to its more than 1,750 acres of outdoor space, the park encompasses multiple noteworthy structures. The Nature Center features a book- and game-filled children's Discovery Room, displays of live turtles and snakes and an observation deck. It provides hiking information and serves as the starting point of the half-mile Woodland Trail. The Peirce Mill operated as a grist mill from 1829 to 1897, making the historical building the last one of its kind in the area. The Old Stone House, constructed around 1766, ranks as the oldest building on its original foundation in Washington D.C. Its former kitchen contains historical exhibits.

National Archives Museum National Archives Museum free

A treasure trove of the United States' founding documents, the National Archives Museum is high on travelers' to-do lists and almost always has long entrance lines. But once you do get inside, you'll see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, along with one of the surviving copies of the Magna Carta. Other interactive and kid-friendly exhibits fill the museum, which is located off the Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter Metro station on the Green and Yellow lines. Conveniently, the museum is also a popular stop on many of the city's best bus tours .

If you love history, you'll enjoy visiting this museum. Reservations are not required but are available. Reserving free passes on Recreation.gov's website comes with a service fee of $1.00 per ticket, but travelers say paying for advance tickets will save you from having to wait in a long line to enter. The museum encourages reservations during its peak season from March through Labor Day. Also, be aware that photography is not permitted anywhere inside the building.

9:30 Club 9:30 Club

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're attending a concert at this venue, plan to arrive early, as the line can stretch around the block for popular artists. And if possible, avoid using the coat check (unless you want to be stuck waiting in line for hours after the show).  – Alissa Grisler, Associate Editor

The 9:30 Club has often been heralded as one of the best live music venues in America. The iconic club began earning its accolades around the time it opened in 1980, though, and has hosted groups like Nirvana, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fugazi and Public Enemy, among others. While the 9:30 Club relocated and expanded over time, the club is still small enough to feel intimate. Its location near the bustling U Street corridor means that travelers will have no shortage of options for a pre-show dinner or a post-show drink (the staple Ben's Chili Bowl is just a few blocks away). Alternatively, the 9:30 Club offers a small menu of quesadillas, nachos and tacos if you want to eat there.

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Heurich House Museum Heurich House Museum

German-American immigrant and brewing entrepreneur Christian Heurich built the mansion that now bears his name in the late 19th century. Now, its stands as both an example of Richardsonian Romanesque residential architecture as well a testament to the business-owner's legacy. (It also, appropriately enough, serves as the headquarters of the District of Columbia Brewers Guild, a nonprofit trade organization serving the city's craft brewing industry.) The museum aims to preserve the building, its grounds and its collections while demonstrating the relevance of Heurich's version of the American dream to the modern day.

Visitors typically find the tour guides highly knowledgeable and enjoy seeing the fine period furniture and the well-preserved, intricately decorated structure.

National Building Museum National Building Museum

U.S. News Insider Tip:  The permanent exhibits are a bit technical, but special exhibits are accessible (and often hands-on!) for everyone, regardless of their knowledge of architecture. – Marisa Méndez, Senior Editor

Washington boasts countless examples of iconic architecture, but the National Building Museum fittingly stands out from the rest. The gargantuan former Pension Building, which completed construction in 1887, once housed the United States Pension Bureau as well as a variety of political events like inaugural balls. In 1985, the building completed its transition into a museum, and it was officially renamed the National Building Museum in 1997. Currently, the museum showcases various interesting intersections of architecture and design throughout American history and culture via approximately 100,000 photos, 130,000 architectural drawing and prints, and more than 20,000 objects ranging from building materials to toys.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Frederick Douglass National Historic Site free

Like other parts of the South, the Washington metropolitan area – which includes Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. – was once home to numerous plantations that profited off the labor of enslaved African Americans. To learn more about one of the region's most famous former slaves, visit the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in the district's Anacostia neighborhood.

At this historical site, you'll learn all about Frederick Douglass, who had been born into slavery in 1818 who fled from Maryland to New York City in 1838. After becoming a free man, Douglass devoted his life to speaking against slavery, producing abolitionist newspapers and writing about his experience as a slave. In 1872, Douglass and his then wife, Anna, moved to Washington, D.C. The couple moved into the house known as Cedar Hill in 1878. After the death of his first wife in 1882, Douglass married Helen Pitts in 1884 and continued to live in the house until his death in 1895.

The Mansion on O Street The Mansion on O Street

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United States Botanic Garden United States Botanic Garden free

African American History Tour with Museum Admission

(967 reviews)

Small Group National Mall Night Tour with 10 Top Attractions

(1241 reviews)

from $ 99.00

Guided Capitol Hill Walk with US Capitol & Library of Congress

(227 reviews)

from $ 85.00

International Spy Museum International Spy Museum

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14 Best Things to Do in Washington, DC

By Adele Chapin

There's the DC you see on C-SPAN footage and blaring cable news clips. Then there's DC that residents know, the livable city where you can spend a Saturday exploring indie boutiques, cool restaurants and breweries, and amazing concert venues. Your visit to America's capital city can include both sides of town, seeing awe-inspiring museums and memorials—or trying to find a presidential motorcade if you're a "West Wing" super fan. Next up, see a free concert at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, hear the birds chirp in one of The District's many parks (both wild and manicured), or even see the sights from the Potomac River on a water taxi. Need more ideas? Here's our list of the best things to do in Washington, DC, both on and off the beaten path.

Read our complete Washington, DC, destination guide here .

Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Arrow

It’s hard to imagine improving upon the grandeur of the historic National Mall , miles of greenery surrounded by world-class monuments and museums. But in September 2016, the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture did just that. This relatively new addition to an iconic landscape houses artifacts, photography, and other media that reflect African American culture and experiences. Here you’ll find Harriet Tubman’s personal hymnal and silk lace and linen shawl, a bill of a sale for a young enslaved girl, Louis Armstrong’s trumpet, photos capturing the participation of Black women during the Civil Rights Movement, and a collection of costumes from ‘The Wiz’. Given the scope and size of the space (85,000 square feet), this is best saved for a day when you have plenty of time to devote.

Ben’s Chili Bowl Arrow

You can’t miss Ben’s Chili Bowl. The restaurant’s bright red and yellow facade on the U Street Corridor proudly broadcasts itself as a Washington landmark. The institution is best known for its chili dogs and half-smokes—half-beef, half-pork smoked sausage smothered in chili—and has presided over U Street since it opened in 1958. Much has changed in 60 years: U Street has become a hipster hotspot and Ben’s has expanded to five other locations, including one inside Washington Reagan National Airport and another at Nationals Park . Former President Obama has been known to dine at Ben’s; his likeness graces a mural on the side of the building. Prepare yourself for an animated, if not downright rowdy, crowd. By day, the restaurant is a popular tourist destination—everyone is here to try a half-smoke—and by night it’s a perfect late-night spot to recover from an evening at one of U Street’s many bars.

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Washingtonians love spending their weekends at Union Market, in the industrial NoMa neighborhood, a sweeping space filled with local food vendors, restaurants, and shops. Union Market offers more than enough to meet anyone’s needs. Get fish and chips from The District Fishwife, eat Venezuelan at Arepa Zone, or go for Southern comfort food like étouffée from Puddin'. For a sit-down meal, try the Michelin-starred Masseria or St. Anselm, a perfect steakhouse from restaurateur Stephen Starr. For drinks, head up to Hi-Lawn, a rooftop bar and open-air eatery. Or hit mixologist Gina Chersevani's two outposts: the New York soda shop–inspired Buffalo & Bergen and carefree dive bar Last Call. And if you’re in the mood to explore Latin American culture, you’re in luck, thanks to the nearby 20,000-square-foot Latin market, La Cosecha.

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This massive Romanesque Revival building completed in 1899 is covered with arches and turrets. It's a formidable presence on Pennsylvania Avenue, nicknamed America's Main Street. The building is now the grand home of the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. (the tower entrance is at the back of the hotel next to Sushi Nakazawa). This is also DC's second tallest structure, according to the GSA, second only to the nation capital's most recognizable building: the Washington Monument. But the Old Post Office Tower is much lower-profile for the tourist hordes, which makes a visit here a cheat code for taking in a sweeping view of the Washington skyline. No tickets or reservations are needed for a trip to the 270-foot observation deck within the clock tower.

Matt Ortile

Kaitlin Menza

Kelsey Glennon

Lauren Burvill

Phillips Collection Arrow

In a town full of museum after-hours parties, the Phillips Collection's monthly "Phillips After 5" is one of the longest-running events of its kind and still hits it out of the park. For example, a party celebrating an exhibit with French post-Impressionist artist Pierre Bonnard partners up with the Embassy of France to bring in a live band, snacks like spring vegetable galettes with edible flowers, and a floral arranging workshop.

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It’s hard not to be taken with Busboys and Poets, particularly if you have an affinity for cozying up with a compelling book and a steaming cup of coffee. Part restaurant, bookstore, and hub for driving social change, the establishment is eclectic and comfortable, outfitted with murals and art depicting activists and progressive movements. The crowd varies, based on time of day, event lineup, and what’s going on in the world when you visit. Weekend mornings can be lively, with folks tucking into a DC favorite brunch .

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If you're looking to hike and disappear into nature within the city limits, head to Rock Creek Park . But for an outdoor escape that combines showy landscape architecture with DC's peaceful Anacostia riverfront, check out the Yards Park. This very modern urban park is an anchor of the redeveloped Capitol Riverfront neighborhood, turning a former industrial space into a slice of greenery for residents and visitors to enjoy amidst the office towers—with amenities like a dog park and water features that little ones can splash around in during the summer. The futuristic Yards Park Bridge, a pedestrian bridge with striking, swirling steel supports that glows at night, tempts photographers to capture a unique angle. The bridge is located near the park's Canal Basin and Waterwall, a unique water feature where kids are invited to wade and play in the 11-inch deep water on hot days.

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Open since 1873, Eastern Market is a National Historic Landmark and a beloved local institution. Long before farmers markets cropped up in every neighborhood across the city, Eastern Market was the go-to place for fresh produce, meat, cheese, and baked goods—and still is. One can easily spend an afternoon wandering the stalls, which are packed with fresh produce, cheeses, meats, poultry, and flowers, as well as items like shaved ice snowballs, canned pickles, and Filipino food. If you’re really hungry, sit down for a meal at Market Lunch, a 46-year-old institution famous for its blueberry-buckwheat pancakes. On weekends, local artists sell handmade wood carvings, letterpress prints, soaps, and the like. A community staple for more than 140 years, Eastern Market offers a fascinating look into local life DC—beyond the buzzy new restaurants and the politics.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Arrow

The John F. Kennedy Center is a sight to behold, inside and out. Set on the banks of the Potomac River—between the Watergate Hotel and the Lincoln Memorial —this performing arts center is stately and iconic; it's the true monument to J.F.K. Edward Durrell Stone designed the modern marvel, whose halls are decorated with plush red carpets, enormous crystal chandeliers, and a bevy of state flags; its rooftop restaurant is a favorite place for Washingtonians to watch the sunset with a cocktail or coffee. The National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera both call The Kennedy Center home. In September 2019, the Kennedy Center doubled down on its commitment to the arts with the opening of The REACH. Filled with intimate performance spaces and lecture halls, the expansion aims to create deeper connections between performers and audiences.

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Each year, millions of people come to see the monuments and memorials that dot the more than 1,000 acres of the National Mall, which is flanked at one end by the U.S. Capitol Building and at the other end by the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his famous “I Have a Dream" speech in 1963 (his own memorial is a half-mile away). At the center of the park, dubbed “America’s Front Yard," the Washington Monument honors the first U.S. president and the founding of American democracy. Though the National Mall stars in myriad movies and TV shows, it's far more awe-inspiring in real life. From the solemnity at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the stirring energy at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial, you’ll find that each monument or memorial has its own atmosphere. In other words: Prepare to feel all the feels.

Nationals Park Arrow

Nationals Park, home to the Washington Nationals, is one of the finest baseball stadiums in America; from the upper decks, you just might spy the top of the U.S. Capitol Building . While you’re cheering on the Nats, you can enjoy a burger from Shake Shack, brews from more than a dozen local breweries, or a half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl , a local institution. Since it opened in 2008, the ballpark has become the glittering centerpiece of a revitalized Southeast Waterfront—so don't forget to check out the neighborhood while you're here.

Shop Made in DC Arrow

Shop Made is stocked with the work of the best artisans and makers from across Washington, DC, including prints, photography, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, toys, kitchen goods, clothing, and food. The boutique bursts with local pride, making it a perfect way to get to know the city while wandering around Georgetown. It also hosts regular events—like pottery painting sessions and calligraphy workshops—so be sure to check the website before your visit. The shop has been so successful, there are now six other locations throughout DC.

Rock Creek Park Arrow

Sprawling out across a whopping and wild 1,754 acres of public land, Rock Creek Park is one of the most awe-inspiring destinations in DC Officially authorized in 1890, it was the third national park to be designated by the federal government. It has something for everyone: a Nature Center for explorers; running, biking, and hiking trails for fitness enthusiasts; equestrian, golf, and tennis centers for sports lovers; and picnic spots, historic forts, a 19th-century gristmill, and concert venues for everyone else. While the verdant grounds are a peaceful escape from urban life, it also offers a planetarium—the only planetarium in the National Park Service, in fact—and the Smithsonian National Zoo . Both are free.

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This Takoma-area specialty shop is as eclectic, warm, and creative as its entrepreneurial founder, Angel Gregorio. Step in, and you might feel like you’re in the self-taught cook, mother, and activist’s own kitchen. At any given time, you’ll be able to select from more than 75 different food products and 23 kitchen accessories to outfit your own cooking space. The store is filled with glass jars whose labels read of interesting blends, including black cardamom, as well as red curry from Zanzibar.

Attucks Adams: “U Street: The Art & Soul of Black Broadway” Arrow

Tim Wright, the owner of Attucks Adams, is the host of this tour that dives into why U Street earned its nickname of Black Broadway, complete with a 40-song playlist you'll hear as you walk. It's an inside look at this vibrant neighborhood: the story begins back in 1867 with the founding of Howard University and covers up until the go-go music scene of today. The tour often spans small groups, and you'll definitely want to reserve a spot. Howard Theatre, the grand, circa-1910 building where jazz great Duke Ellington once played, is a fitting starting point. The overarching theme of the U Street tour hits home how Black people had to recreate the institutions they were locked out due to racism and segregation, be that musical institutions or legal institutions and beyond. Tour stops include the site of Washington Conservatory of Music and School of Expression, Ben's Chili Bowl, the site of the Waxie Maxie Record Store, and the section of the neighborhood known as Little Ethiopia.

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Why get stuck in gridlock or Metro delays when you could glide serenely along DC's Potomac River to your next vacation stop, with gorgeous views along the way? The Potomac Water Taxi connects Washington's bustling new Wharf development to three different locations: Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria in Virginia, and National Harbor in Maryland. These bright yellow boats depart throughout the day and are an easy, non-committal way to drift along seeing the sights (instead of booking a dinner cruise, for example). Two routes (Alexandria to Georgetown and the Wharf to Georgetown) offer an accompanying audio tour if you download the City Experiences App. Otherwise, relax and enjoy the ride.

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A local's ultimate travel guide to visiting Washington, DC

• Washington, DC, is rich in history and culture, making it a must-visit destination. 
• To plan a trip to the nation's capital, Insider created a comprehensive travel guide full of local tips.
• Visit Insider's hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations .

Much more than just the US seat of government, Washington, DC, is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. With world-class art museums, historic neighborhoods, thousands of acres of green space, and countless cultural festivals all year long, there's plenty to experience on any trip. In fact, eating your way through the district's award-winning culinary scene is worthy of a trip all on its own.

I moved to DC nearly a decade ago, when a non-profit internship brought me to Washington from the West Coast after college. But it was the culture, people, music — it's where go-go music originated after all — and food that made me decide to stay.

I now split my time between the district and traveling for work as a travel writer, but I'm always happy to return home to try a new restaurant, admire an art exhibit, or immerse myself in a cultural festival. Next time your travels take you to Washington, DC, be sure to check out Insider's guide to learn how to best experience the nation's capital like a Washingtonian.

→ Washington, DC, is easy to reach from most US cities, but these are the best ways to get to and around it

→ the only 7 hotels — and one airbnb — you should consider booking in dc, according to a local travel writer, → i've been eating my way through dc for nearly a decade — here are the 9 best places where you should eat and drink, → i've lived in dc for 10 years — here's my list of under-the-radar spaces and fascinating places that most tourists miss, → washington, dc, is open to visitors. here are 2 important advisories to know before you visit.

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32 Best Things to Do in Washington, D.C., From Must-see National Landmarks to Renowned Museums

Here's how locals in hospitality suggest getting to know the U.S. capital.

Victoria Chamberlain/Travel + Leisure

Our nation's capital is a veritable treasure trove of sights and experiences. The city’s always-evolving cultural scene, combined with its historical roots, make it an eclectic destination where centuries-old monuments and landmarks stand alongside sleek new museums and neighborhoods — and a great meal or exciting live performance is never too far away.

“D.C. has vibrant neighborhoods with unique character, such as Georgetown, Adams Morgan, and Dupont Circle," says Brian Salley, chef concierge at Waldorf Astoria Washington DC . "These areas offer a mix of shopping, dining, nightlife, and cultural experiences." And don't forget about the urban center's myriad parks and green spaces, where nature lovers can relax and unwind.

Planning a trip to this historic city? We polled several concierge teams at some of the best hotels in D.C. on the most exciting things to do and see on your next getaway to Washington, D.C.

Head to the Old Post Office Pavilion's clock tower.

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Occupying prime real estate in downtown D.C., the Old Post Office Tower soars 270 feet above Pennsylvania Avenue, and it offers breathtaking views of some of the capital's most famous landmarks, including the White House, U.S. Congress, Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial. The beautiful 19th-century building, which also houses the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC , is open for self-guided tours daily.

Climb "The Exorcist" steps in Georgetown.

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Tucked between a stone wall and a brick building, this steep climb was made famous by the 1973 horror movie "The Exorcist." The steps connect Canal Road N.W. with Prospect Street N.W. above, where you'll also find MacNeil's house on the 3600 block.

Snap a selfie with Transformers.

In the same area, head to 3614 Prospect St. N.W. to check out life-sized statues of Bumblebee and Optimus Prime. The Transformers guard the residence of Georgetown University professor Newton Howard; while the three statues (the third one is on his rooftop, and it's visible from the street) have drawn mixed reactions from Howards' neighbors, visitors and university students seem to like them.

Visit Washington National Cathedral.

Victoria Chamberlain/Travel + Leisure

This imposing gothic building took 83 years to complete, and it boasts 215 stained glass windows and 112 gargoyles, some more famous than others. "See if you can catch a glimpse of the Darth Vader gargoyle," suggests Adrian Renart, assistant director of services at The St. Regis Washington, D.C. You might need binoculars to spot the sculpture of the Star Wars villain; it's set on one of the cathedral's northwest towers. The cathedral is also the final resting place of President Woodrow Wilson.

Explore the Tidal Basin by peddle boat.

SKLA/Getty Images

Once warmer weather arrives in D.C., lots of locals and visitors rent pedal boats at the Tidal Basin, a man-made reservoir that's about 10 feet deep. You can get your heart rate up by pedaling to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Or opt to cruise at a slower pace and simply admire the Basin, which is where the annual Cherry Blossom Festival takes place.

Place an order at Ben's Chili Bowl.

Deb Lindsey For The Washington Post via Getty Images

This has to be D.C.'s most iconic dining spot — it's been a defining part of our capital's culinary (and cultural) scene since 1958, feeding people from all walks of life, including celebrities and presidents. The most popular menu item is the half-smoke grilled sausage, served with spicy chili sauce, onions, and mustard. Don't leave town without trying one.

Catch a show in the garden at the National Gallery of Art.

Astrid Riecken For The Washington Post via Getty Images

"This concert series offers a variety of musical performances, including jazz, Latin fusion, bluegrass, and more," says Tiffany Gary, chef concierge at Riggs Washington D.C. The popular events take place every Friday, from May 19 through August 4, in the serene sculpture garden of the museum. Entry is free but your name must be pulled from a lottery to attend; register on the National Gallery of Art website .

Tour President Lincoln's home.

Chris Maddaloni/Roll Call/Getty Images

"President Lincoln's Cottage, where he lived for more than a quarter of his presidency, is a historic site and museum located in the northwest of the city," Gary explained. Instead of the White House, Lincoln resided in this idyllic two-story home, where the Emancipation Proclamation was born. Visitors can learn more about Lincoln's life and work through guided tours and interactive exhibits.

Visit Ford's Theatre.

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This is the venue where, on the evening of April 14, 1865, President Lincoln was shot during a performance of the play "Our American Cousin." The historic theater reopened in 1968 and exhibits inside explore the aftermath of the assassination, as well as its impact on U.S. history. Ford's Theatre also produces plays and musicals, and has a seasonal calendar of shows that start in September and continue through May.

Catch an interactive exhibit in Artechouse.

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Immersive and mind-bending interactive exhibitions that blend art and technology make the D.C. outpost of Artechouse Studio an absolute must-see for travelers. With no permanent exhibition, but rather a rotating list of fascinating experiences that changes every three or so months, each visit here is sure to be a memorable one.

Enjoy a live concert at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.

"Libraries are not usually places one thinks of for parties. However, we guarantee no librarians will 'shh' you during these events," Gary says. Seasonal musical performances at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Penn Quarter feature local bands and some pretty fantastic city views from the lush rooftop garden.

Stroll through Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens.

While most visitors focus on the Smithsonian museums in downtown D.C., travelers looking for an equally impressive venue that's a bit more under the radar should head here . This site features a museum, sprawling gardens, and an estate that was once the home of philanthropist, heiress, and businesswoman Marjorie Merriweather Post. "We suggest spending the day exploring the house, collections, special exhibits, and grounds," says Gary. "We often imagine how lucky former D.C. glitterati were to receive an invitation to one of Ms. Post's legendary garden parties. The Fabergé eggs are a must-see – as is an iced tea enjoyed when strolling the gardens."

Book a spirit tasting at Silver Lyan.

Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The first American bar of British mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana, Silver Lyan is often named one of the world's best bars. Located in the Riggs Hotel, the bar hosts exclusive spirit tastings in a secret bank vault throughout the year. "This is a must for aficionados of whisky and other spirits; expect rare gems, special edition bottles, and a few [things] you won't find anywhere else," Gary says.

Visit the National Portrait Gallery and linger in the courtyard.

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Some people assume this museum isn't for them because of the specific art form found inside — do not make this error. You will view spectacular pieces here , including Barack and Michelle Obama's official portraits, which people line up to see, and you can enjoy the museum's modern courtyard as well, which features a "floating" canopy of glass and steel that was added in 2004. It's the perfect spot to take a break from sightseeing and to have lunch or a snack.

Explore Theodore Roosevelt Island.

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One of the most serene and lush places in D.C., Theodore Roosevelt Island is an 88-acre natural retreat on the Potomac River. "Explore the trails, take in the scenic views, and learn about the conservation legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt," suggests Brian Salley, chef concierge at Waldorf Astoria Washington DC.

Hike the trails at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens.

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Located on the banks of the Anacostia River in northeast D.C., this tranquil 700-acre park features 45 ponds and unique habitats bursting with wildlife, including many aquatic species. "Explore the beautiful aquatic gardens with their blooming lotus flowers and water lilies," Salley says. "The park also offers walking trails and birdwatching opportunities."

Spend time at The Wharf.

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D.C.'s newest neighborhood, The Wharf , is located along the Potomac River and offers waterfront dining, boutique shopping, five-star hotels, live entertainment, and activities like kayaking and paddleboarding. The area is also home to The Municipal Fish Market , which opened in 1805 and lays claim to being "the oldest continuously-operating open-air fish market" in the country.

Tour Embassy Row.

Over 170 embassies line the quaint streets of Embassy Row, an area in northwest D.C. between Dupont Circle and Observatory Circle. Book a guided tour to learn all about the stunning Beaux-Arts mansions here — they house some of the world's most influential diplomats — and the stories they hide.

Tour the U.S. Capitol.

Inspired by the grandeur of the buildings in ancient Rome and Greece, the U.S. Capitol is arguably the most iconic building in the country. The structure houses the U.S. Congress, and you can take a free guided tour through its beautiful halls. Tour participants will see the Crypt, a legendary vaulted space with 40 Doric-style columns; the Rotunda, fashioned after the Pantheon and often the site of official ceremonial events; and the National Statuary Hall, a stunning amphitheater with marble columns and towering statues.

Meet the animals at the National Zoo.

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Home to more than 2,100 animals and nearly 400 species, the Smithsonian's National Zoo is a 163-acre property in Rock Creek Park and a favorite of visitors and locals alike. From the always popular Asia Trail to the kid's farm and Africa Trail, it's easy to see what makes this zoo one of the most visited landmarks in D.C. Entry is complimentary, but check the zoo's website for information about timed passes and parking directions.

Explore the National Air and Space Museum.

This venue is still undergoing a multi-year, top-to-bottom renovation (slated for completion in 2026), but it is partially reopened now, with eight new exhibition spaces housing aviation artifacts. If that's not enough, you can head to the affiliated Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia (a 40-minute ride from downtown D.C.), to peruse legendary aircraft like the Discovery space shuttle and a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. Keep in mind that the Air and Space Museum in D.C. needs a timed entry pass, so book yours well in advance, especially if you're visiting on a weekend.

Watch a live show at a local concert venue.

D.C. is an entertainment hub, so save some time for a comedy, theater, or music show. Alejandra Castillo, guest services and client experience manager at Hotel Washington , suggests checking the schedules at local venues like DC Improv and The Anthem for comedy, or taking in a big show at Capital One Arena or Kennedy Center . Recently, Dave Grohl of The Foo Fighters (who's a Virginia native) celebrated the opening of his own venue, The Atlantis , a 450-person intimate space for live shows; it's a replica of a popular 1980s venue in D.C.

Peruse the incredible works in the National Gallery of Art.

As one of the top art museums in the world, the halls of the National Gallery of Art are lined with tens of thousands of works of art spanning centuries, including pieces by Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Piet Mondrian, Vermeer, and so many more. The striking East Building of the museum, designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, houses the institution's contemporary and modern art collection and a rooftop terrace with views over Pennsylvania Avenue.

Tour the White House.

You could just snap a picture of the most famous address in the country from behind its fence, but what fun is that? Though it requires some advance planning, touring the White House is possible; submit a request through your representative in Congress at least 21 days before the desired tour date. The self-guided tours take approximately 45 minutes, during which you will see the East Room, the State Dining Room, and the Blue Room. Presidents have sometimes surprised visitors on these tours, so you may even meet the President.

See the Lincoln Memorial.

Brandon Rosenblum/Getty Images

The Lincoln Memorial is a National Mall highlight. Overlooking the Reflecting Pool, the imposing building where the 19-foot tall statue of seated President Abraham Lincoln is located has been the setting for some of our country's most memorable demonstrations, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Visit the monument at night when it is beautifully illuminated and crowds are much smaller.

Museum hop at the National Mall.

You can't visit the National Mall without taking advantage of all the free museums. The National Museum of Natural History is always a hit with kids, and other highlights include the National Museum of the American Indian (note that there's a playground on the second floor), the National Museum of American History , and the fantastic National Museum of African American History and Culture (timed-entry passes are required here).

Explore the sculpture gardens of the National Mall.

Aside from housing a world-class collection of modern art (including five works by Yayoi Kusama), many visitors come to the Hirshhorn Museum to enjoy its sculpture garden, where more than 30 works are displayed. For more of this art form, head to the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden , which is only a few minutes away and features art by the likes of Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, and Mark di Suvero.

Hike in Rock Creek Park.

When you've had enough of the hustle and bustle of downtown D.C., head to Rock Creek Park, a 1,754-acre haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With more than 32 miles of hiking and biking trails, plus a dozen miles of horseback riding trails, this is a true escape. There are many kid-friendly facilities here, too, including a planetarium and a nature center with age-appropriate exhibitions.

Dine at a José Andrés restaurant.

James Beard Award-winning chef and founder of World Central Kitchen, José Andrés , has six restaurants in D.C., many of which are within walking distance from downtown. From classic Spanish tapas at Jaleo and authentic Mexican flavors at Oyamel Cocina Mexicano to the Mediterranean Zaytinya, Andrés's eateries are excellent dining options. His latest dining concept, The Bazaar by José Andrés , opened to glowing reviews earlier this year at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC.

Take in the views from the Washington Monument.

As the tallest building in D.C., the Washington Monument provides stunning views over the capital. A 70-second elevator ride takes guests 500 feet up to the observation deck and museum, from where visitors enjoy spectacular, unobstructed views of the National Mall, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian museums. Tickets are free, but advance reservations are required.

Explore D.C.'s murals.

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"Many local artists express their creativity through murals all over D.C.," Castillo explained. "One [tour] that I often recommend is with Jason Bowers, who is behind D.C. Mural Tour ." The tour takes place in the NoMa neighborhood and around Union Market, where you will see more than 20 beautiful murals. This formerly industrial area is quickly becoming one of the trendiest places to hang out in the capital, thanks to its many restaurants and boutiques.

Shop for designer goods at CityCenterDC.

CityCenterDC is a premiere shopping destination, where brands like Louis Vuitton, David Yurman, Dior, and Chanel all have boutiques — and some of these stores have private shopping rooms for the ultimate VIP experience. If you’re staying at the adjacent Conrad Washington, DC , Jeff Morgan, the hotel’s chef concierge and president of the Washington Area Concierge Association (WACA), can book those shopping experiences for you.

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36 Hours in Washington, D.C.

By Shayla Martin Updated Nov. 9, 2023

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At times, Washington D.C. can feel like a tale of two cities: Politicians and temporary dwellers versus multi-generational residents fighting to hold onto their piece of the district. Once known as “Chocolate City” because of its predominantly African American population, Washington has seen its demographics shift dramatically in recent decades, bringing both positive and negative effects of gentrification. The second phase of a $3.6 billion development of the Wharf district has contributed a new Pendry luxury hotel and splashy dining destinations , all against the backdrop of skyrocketing living costs ( only recently cooling ), increased crime and ongoing questions of cultural identity . Even in this time of transition, Washington is still a hub of art, history and social-justice leadership, and is home to many of the best free museums and monuments in the world.

Recommendations

• The Wharf , Washington’s rapidly changing waterfront area, overlooks the Potomac River and features a fish market, local boutiques, restaurants and music venues.
• Anacostia Community Museum highlights social issues within the Anacostia neighborhood and African American neighborhoods around the country. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s biggest museum complex.
• Frederick Douglass National Historic Site , also called Cedar Hill, is the restored 19th-century estate of the abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass.
• The Bazaar by José Andrés is the whimsical, fine-dining culmination of the Spanish chef José Andrés’s 30 years in Washington.
• Monuments Tour From the Wharf , a boat tour by City Experiences, takes passengers on the Potomac River past landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts .
• Anacostia Riverwalk Trail runs along the Anacostia River, through forests, marsh and Anacostia Park.
• Museum of Illusions Washington , one of the city’s newest museums, has more than 50 mind-bending illusions.
• National Museum of Women in the Arts , the country’s first museum dedicated to female artists, has reopened after a two-year renovation.
• The Market Lunch is the counter-service breakfast and lunch restaurant within Eastern Market that is known for its crab cakes.
• Love, Makoto is a 20,000-square-foot Japanese food hall with a steakhouse, an omakase, an izakaya and a grab-and-go cafeteria.
• Ilili is an upscale Lebanese restaurant at the Wharf, known for its hummus, offered with a variety of toppings, and duck shawarma.
• Moonraker , the rooftop bar at the new Pendry Washington D.C . hotel, serves sake and Japanese cocktails while overlooking Virginia and the Potomac River.
• Turning Natural serves fresh-pressed juices, smoothies and plant-based bites in underserved communities, including in the Anacostia neighborhood.
• Shop Made in DC showcases nearly 5,000 products made by more than 200 Washington-based artisans at its four shops across the city, including at the Wharf.
• Eastern Market , an indoor-outdoor food and arts market in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.
• Pendry Washington D.C. – The Wharf is a nautically tinged, luxury boutique hotel with arguably the best outdoor swimming pool and terrace in Washington. Rooms start from $395.
• Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. , at more than 200 years old, is a classic Washington hotel near the White House that recently underwent an extensive $18 million renovation. Rooms start from $218.
• Hotel Hive has a variety of rooms with king, queen or bunk beds to fit every budget, but at 125- to 250-square-feet each, you’ll sacrifice space. If you really want a deal (and can sleep through anything), book a “Buzz” room , which is directly over the hotel’s occasionally noisy bar and pizza restaurant. Rooms start from $74.
• For s hort-term rentals , look in the Capitol Riverfront, Southwest Waterfront or Foggy Bottom neighborhoods, all with easy Metro access for exploring other parts of the city.
• Most of Washington’s neighborhoods are walkable , especially near the downtown area. The Metrorail system , though less reliable on weekends, is affordable, expansive and also reaches to Maryland and Virginia. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft are popular options for late-night needs, but if the weather is nice during the day, consider renting a bike from one of the hundreds of Capital Bikeshare docking stations across the Washington metro area.

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Toronto: Savor the diversity of this lakefront city through its hidden bars, small-but-fascinating museums and vibrant restaurants .

Cape Town: Take a food and storytelling tour, cruise one of the world’s most beautiful coastal drives and see contemporary African art  in this city with stunning views in every direction.

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Mérida:   Rich in culture and history , this young and artsy Mexican city is an antidote to the wall-to-wall all-inclusive resorts of the Yucatán coast. ​​

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22 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Washington, D.C.

Written by Becca Blond and Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Mar 21, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Whether you are marveling at its white marble monuments and memorials, learning about history in one of its free museums, or getting a feel for how locals live in one of its vibrant neighborhoods, Washington, D.C. emits a pulsating energy not found anywhere else in the U.S. The District of Colombia is a city you can explore dozens of times and have a completely different experience with each visit.

Designed by Pierre-Charles L'Enfant at the request of George Washington, America's capital city sits on the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia. It is located on land specifically set aside after the Revolutionary War to keep the federal government from being in a single state.

L'Enfant planned D.C. to feel larger than life with its wide avenues, inspirational marble buildings, public squares, and a magnificent "public walk" that is the National Mall. The city is split into four quadrants: NW, NE, SW, and SE and its layout is a street grid intersected by avenues.

First-time visitors flock to its list of must-see attractions like the White House, Capitol Building, and museums, monuments, and memorials, perfectly spaced along its park-style National Mall. But beyond these famed attractions, you will find another DC. One ruled by locals and influenced by the host of long-term international residents, that is filled with eclectic neighborhoods including U Street , Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, and Georgetown.

This is a city where you can eat your way across the world's food scene in the space of a few miles. It is also a city that boasts a world-class arts scene and outdoor experiences from paddleboarding on the Potomac River to walking or biking along the C&O Canal towpath.

If you can avoid visiting DC in the summer, do so. Besides being unpleasantly hot and humid, summers are when you'll see the biggest crowds. The best times to visit Washington are spring and autumn.

Plan your trip to the nation's capital with our list of the top attractions in Washington, D.C.

1. United States Capitol and Capitol Hill

2. the lincoln memorial, 3. national mall and veterans memorials, 4. the white house, 5. the washington monument, 6. national air and space museum, 7. national gallery of art, 8. united states holocaust memorial museum, 9. library of congress, 10. national museum of natural history, 11. national museum of american history, 12. national museum of african american history and culture, 13. jefferson memorial and tidal basin, 14. the john f. kennedy center for the performing arts, 15. national zoological park, 16. national archives, 17. international spy museum, 18. arlington national cemetery, 19. washington national cathedral, 20. georgetown historic district, 21. smithsonian american art museum and national portrait gallery, 22. u.s. botanic garden, 23. u street corridor, 24. the wharf, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to washington, d.c., best time to visit washington, d.c..

Recognized around the world as a symbol of the United States, the Capitol is the seat of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The huge dome, based on the dome of St. Peter's in Rome, stands out above all other Washington buildings.

Like Washington itself, the building has grown over the years since the central portion was built between 1793 and 1812. The last addition, in 1958-62, enlarged the main façade where presidents take the oath. On the other side, a marble terrace offers beautiful views over the mall and the city.

The interior is resplendent with frescoes, reliefs, and paintings, especially the rotunda under the great cast-iron dome with a ceiling painting by Constantino Brumidi and huge paintings of scenes from American history on the walls. Beside it is the former Chamber of the House of Representatives, with statues of leading historical figures. The small Senate Rotunda leads into the beautifully restored Old Senate Chamber, where the Senate met until 1859, and the Supreme Court until 1935.

When free tours resume, they can be reserved online and begin at the visitor center on the lower floor, where there is an interesting exhibition on the building's history. Free tours on weekday afternoons explore the ornate paintings on the walls and ceilings of the corridors in the Senate wing, designed by Brumidi between 1857 and 1859. To visit the Senate or House in session, you need to contact your Senator or Representative for a pass; foreign visitors can arrange visits through the visitor center.

East of the Capitol are the Supreme Court Building; the Library of Congress; and Folger Shakespeare Library, home of the world's largest collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare .

The Capitol Hill neighborhood extends southeast, with the lively Eastern Market, a farmers market with craft vendors, as well.

The best-loved of all Washington's memorials, the Lincoln Memorial stands at the far end of the mall, separated from the Washington Monument by the Reflecting Pool. At its center is a 19-foot marble statue of a seated and pensive President Abraham Lincoln surrounded by 36 columns, one for each of the states that existed at the time of Lincoln's death. This is the most famous work designed by noted sculptor Daniel Chester French. Jules Guerin painted the murals on the inside walls, showing important events in Lincoln's life.

Since its completion in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial has been the scene of a number of historic events. In 1939, when the all-white Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused to let celebrated African American singer Marian Anderson perform at a concert in nearby Constitution Hall, President Franklin Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt arranged for her to give an open-air concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, attended by 75,000 people and broadcast to millions of radio listeners.

Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I have a dream..." speech from the memorial steps in 1963, again making history here.

Visiting this and other Mall monuments is one of the favorite things to do in Washington, D.C. at night. The monuments are all lighted, and many, like the Lincoln Memorial, are open 24 hours. The statue of Lincoln is especially powerful lighted at night inside the darkened interior of the temple and framed by the floodlit white columns.

The spacious swath of lawns and pools that form a wide greenbelt from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial is also the site of many of Washington's landmark buildings and monuments. Most prominent at its center point is the Washington Monument , and war memorials include those to veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial , a poignant wall inscribed with the names of all American servicemen and women who lost their lives or are missing, is one of Washington's most visited memorials. The nearby Vietnam Women's Memorial has a bronze sculpture of three servicewomen helping a wounded soldier. The Korean War Veterans Memorial contains 19 steel sculptures of soldiers. The newest, American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial was dedicated in 2014.

If you look at a Washington, D.C. attractions map, you'll notice that many of them line the National Mall, so you're likely to spend a lot of time here. Along with providing a park for walking, running, and picnicking, the Mall is a place for celebrations and festivals. Best known of these is the annual Independence Day celebration with fireworks around the Washington Monument.

Also in July, the Smithsonian American Folk Life Festival fills the Mall with music, crafts, performances, storytelling, cultural programs, and food from various regions around the country. The Smithsonian Kite Festival is held here in late March or early April.

On summer evenings, you can often find military bands performing at venues along the Mall. The US Navy Band has concerts at the Capitol steps overlooking the Mall on Mondays and on Tuesdays at Navy Memorial. The US Air Force Band performs on the capitol steps on Tuesdays and at the Air Force Memorial on Fridays.

Location: Between Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue, Washington, D.C.

The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States. The home of every president except George Washington, it was originally built by James Hoban in 1792, and after being burned down by British forces in 1814 was rebuilt in 1818.

Although tours of the interior that include the East, Blue, Green, and Red Rooms; the Ballroom; and the State Dining Room must be reserved well in advance through your Congressional office or embassy, every tourist to Washington will want to see this iconic building, at least from the outside.

The free White House Visitor Center , a short distance away, has excellent interactive exhibits, which show details about the White House and the presidential families. It includes furniture of past presidents, a model of the residence, historical changes, and videos with insights from presidents about their time living there.

The Ellipse , a 54-acre stretch of lawn stretching to Constitution Avenue, hosts summer concerts by the US Army Band. Next door to the White House are the elaborate 1833 Greek Revival Treasury Building and the 1871 Executive Office Building , one of the most striking old government buildings in Washington. From Lafayette Square, one of the city's best-known, statues of Lafayette and others overlook the White House.

Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: http://www.nps.gov/whho/index.htm

The 555-foot white shaft of the Washington Monument is a familiar icon of the National Mall, and a beautiful sight, especially when mirrored in the long Reflecting Pool at its foot. Construction of the obelisk to honor the nation's first president did not proceed smoothly. The plan was approved by Congress in 1783, but ground wasn't broken until 1848.

When the tower reached 156 feet in height in 1854, political wrangling and lack of funds stopped the project for several years, and the Civil War caused further interruption so that the tower was not capped until 1885, when it was finally completed by the Army Corps of Engineers.

You can still see the separate stages of its building by three changes in the color of its facing stones; inside are engraved stones from states, cities, foreign countries, individuals, and civic groups, many of them donors who helped in its private funding stages. You can take an elevator to the very top for aerial views over the mall and much of Washington. The base of the monument is surrounded by a circle of 50 American Flags.

Address: 15th & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

The National Air and Space Museum is one of the world's most popular museums, with a collection of history-making air and spacecraft that includes the original 1903 Wright Brothers Flyer and Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis , the first plane to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

More recent flight history is represented here by the Apollo 11 command module , part of the first manned lunar landing mission. Permanent and changing exhibitions illustrate the science, history, and technology of aviation and space flight, covering topics like the use of air power in both world wars, the space race, flight pioneers, and up-to-the-minute flight and space technology.

Many of the exhibits are interactive, and all contain actual historical objects, such as a moon rock you can touch. Not only do permanent exhibits illustrate the history, they show the how and why of flight and space science, explaining how things fly, how jet engines work, and what keeps the International Space Station in orbit.

In addition to the exhibits, there is the Albert Einstein Planetarium , an IMAX theater, and the Public Observatory on the east terrace, where you can examine lunar craters and see planets and other astronomical features through telescopes. Flight simulators (fee charged) allow kids and adults to fly combat missions with aerial maneuvers like 360-degree barrel rolls or experience naval aviation in an F-18 Super Hornet.

The museum is also the home of the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, adjacent to Dulles Airport, and has even more historic aircraft and space exploration artifacts, including a Concorde and the space shuttle Discovery . You can watch from observation walkways through the hangars where experts are restoring historic aircraft.

The Air and Space Museum is currently undergoing a seven-year makeover that will transform not only the arrangement of 23 galleries, but the way it interprets the history and science of flight. During renovations, a number of the exhibits will be closed, so if particular exhibits are of special interest, you can consult the museum's website to find out if they are open.

Address: 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: www.nasm.si.edu

Housed in two separate buildings connected by a tunnel, the National Gallery of Art is one of the world's premier art museums and one of the most popular in the U.S. Based on the sizable collection of financier and later Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, its large and diverse collection includes masterpieces of European and American paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts.

Frequent temporary exhibitions add to this outstanding permanent collection to highlight arts from cultures around the world. Among the highlights is Ginevra de Benci, the only Da Vinci painting in any American museum. Others include works by major French Impressionists - Monet, Degas, and Renoir -- and other masterpieces by Rembrandt, El Greco, and Vermeer.

The newer East Wing features sculptures by Henry Moore, a mobile by Alexander Calder, and other modern works. Free concerts are held at the National Gallery on Sunday evenings from fall through spring.

Also part of the Smithsonian Institution and located on the mall are the two museums that comprise the National Museum of Asian Art. These are the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery , which houses more than 1,000 pieces, principally Chinese jade and bronze, Chinese paintings and lacquerware, and ancient Near Eastern ceramics and metalware.

The Freer collection includes nearly 30,000 pieces of Asian artworks, including Buddhist sculptures and Persian manuscripts, one of the most extensive collections in the world. The Freer also features 19th-century and early 20th-century American art, most notably a large collection of work by James McNeill Whistler.

The drum-shaped Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden traces the history of modern art from the mid-1800s, through more than 12,000 pieces of art and sculpture. One of the highlights of the garden is Rodin's Burghers of Calais .

The National Museum of African Art displays thousands of objects representing diverse artistic styles throughout the African continent, including sculptures, masks, costumes, household objects, and ceramics. All of these Smithsonian museums are among the many free things to do in Washington, D.C.

Address: 600 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: www.nga.gov

Near the Smithsonian museums, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum documents, studies, and interprets the history of the Holocaust with the dual purpose of memorializing the victims and helping the world to confront hatred and prevent genocide.

Permanent exhibits examine the rise of the Nazis and the Aryan ideology, the ghettos, key events such as Kristallnacht, the concentration camps, and the Nazi atrocities. An exhibit on Americans and the Holocaust examines US reaction to Nazis, the war, and genocide, while another features personal accounts by US soldiers and citizens who witnessed the evidence of Nazi atrocities.

The presentations draw on the enormous collections of more than 12,750 artifacts, 85,000 historical photographs, 9,000 oral history testimonies, as well as archival footage and records of survivors and their families. A visit to the museum is a sobering experience.

Address: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: https://www.ushmm.org

An underground passage with historical exhibits leads from the Capitol Building to one of Washington's little-known places to visit, the Library of Congress. It's the world's largest library, modeled on the Opera House in Paris. You can visit portions on your own, but free tours disclose even more of its beautiful interior.

Displayed here are one of the three surviving complete Gutenberg Bibles, an earlier hand-printed Bible, Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson's personal library, and galleries filled with exhibits focusing on topics as varied as the musical careers of the Gershwin brothers and the work of editorial cartoonists and graphic artists.

Address: Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

Official site: https://www.aoc.gov/

One of the most popular things to do with children in Washington, the Museum of Natural History explores the natural world with permanent and changing exhibits to interest all ages. Favorite exhibits include the renowned Hope Diamond and the dazzling collection of gems and minerals around it, and Ocean Hall with its stunning underwater photography and replica of a 45-foot North Atlantic Right Whale.

The Hall of Human Origins follows human evolution over six million years in response to a changing world. Children will especially like the dinosaur exhibits and the interactive Discovery Room where they can touch and play with various artifacts.

Address: Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: http://www.si.edu/Museums/natural-history-museum

One of the most popular of the Smithsonian's many museums that line the mall, The National Museum of American History traces the political, cultural, scientific, and technological history of the U.S. since the Revolution. It displays important pieces of Americana, including Thomas Jefferson's desk, one of Edison's light bulbs, and the original flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to The Star Spangled Banner .

But beyond these treasured national artifacts, exhibits also examine how people lived, what they ate, where they worked, how they played, what they wore, how they traveled, how they worshiped, and how they governed themselves.

Illustrating these multiple themes are artifacts that include everything from gowns, work by First Ladies, and Julia Child's complete kitchen to the Muppets and the actual ruby slippers Judy Garland wore in the film Wizard of Oz . With all the historical things to do in Washington D.C., you might think your family has had enough history. But this engaging museum houses some fascinating exhibits and artifacts of our collective past that will appeal to all ages.

Address: 14th Street NW at Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: http://americanhistory.si.edu

Focusing on themes of history, culture, and community, the newest of the Smithsonian museums explores changing definitions of American citizenship and equality, at the same time highlighting African American culture and that of the entire African diaspora.

Various themes are covered in changing exhibits, which center on themes such as African American food traditions and chefs, the influence of African American sports stars on the breakdown of segregation, and African craftsmanship.

Historic artifacts on display include a section of the original Woolworth lunch counter that was the scene of the Greensboro, N.C. sit-in in 1960, and the aircraft known as the "Spirit of Tuskegee." In World War II, it was used to train African American airmen in the Army Air Forces, men whose work helped trigger the desegregation of the military.

Address: National Mall at Constitution Avenue, N.W., between 12th and 14th Streets

Official site: https://nmaahc.si.edu/

The design for the domed white memorial to Thomas Jefferson, the third US president, is based on the Roman Pantheon, its low dome supported by 54 Ionic columns. Inside, appearing in a dramatic silhouette through the columns, is a 19-foot statue of a standing Jefferson, and around are engraved excerpts of the Declaration of Independence and other writings.

The monument stands alone at the far end of the Tidal Pool, which reflects the monument in its surface, and all around the edge of the water are cherry trees, a gift from Japan. These are one of Washington's greatest attractions when they bloom each spring, surrounding the basin with a cloud of pink flowers and celebrated with the Cherry Blossom Festival .

Along the Cherry Tree Walk around the Tidal Basin, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial reflects twelve years of American History through four outdoor rooms. Each one is devoted to one of FDR's terms of office as he guided the country through the Great Depression and World War II. Unveiled in 2011, the 30-foot-high Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is the newest along the Tidal Basin.

Address: 900 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, D.C.

Opened in 1971 and named in memory of President John F. Kennedy, the National Cultural Center overlooks the Potomac River in a state-of-the-art building designed by architect Edward Durell Stone. It is home to the National Symphony Orchestra, which hosts some of the world's greatest guest artists each year, and the Washington National Opera , one of the nation's leading opera companies.

Its three main stages and several smaller stages present over 2,200 performing arts shows and events each year, about 400 of which are free. These represent all types of music and theater, both classical and contemporary.

Joining the Los Angeles Music Center and Lincoln Center in New York as one of the three most important venues in the United States, the Kennedy Center is a major stop for visiting overseas opera, dance, and drama companies on tour.

Address: 2700 F Street NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: www.kennedy-center.org

The National Zoo is another part of the Smithsonian, where nearly 2,000 different animals, birds, and reptiles live in habitats replicating as closely as possible their natural environments. Of the several hundred species represented here, about a quarter are endangered. This is one of the world's best zoos, not only for the quality of the visitor experience, but for its leadership in areas of animal care and sustainability.

By far the most popular animals here are the giant pandas, part of a major initiative that began in 1972 with the arrival of Hsing Hsing from the People's Republic of China. Other zoo highlights are red pandas, Sumatran tigers, western lowland gorillas, Asian elephants, cheetahs, white-naped cranes, and North Island brown kiwis.

In the Amazonia exhibit, you can glimpse the colorful underwater life of the Amazon, where one of the world's largest freshwater fish swims beneath a living tropical forest.

Along with the cheetahs at the Cheetah Conservation Station, you can see Grevy's zebras, dama gazelles, vultures, and red river hogs, and at the highly popular Elephant Trails, you can see the multigenerational herd and learn about the elephants' life at the zoo and in the wild.

Check the day's schedule for feeding times, demonstrations, educational games, and talks. As you might expect, this is one of Washington's favorite places to visit for children.

Address: 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: http://nationalzoo.si.edu

The National Archives holds permanent records of the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court, District of Columbia courts, and some federal agencies, as well as pre-World War I military service records for U.S. Army and Confederate veterans, and pre-1940 vessel and station logbooks for the U.S. Navy.

The records are open to researchers, and in the Rotunda, you can see the Declaration of Independence , Constitution , and Bill of Rights . Exhibition galleries feature a 1297 Magna Carta and a changing group of other historically significant documents. An exhibit, Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote, includes documents from the suffrage movement, and in other areas are interactive exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages.

Address: 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: https://museum.archives.gov

The place for 007 wannabes, the museum covers the techniques, technology, history, and contemporary role of espionage. Many of the exhibits are interactive, and throughout the building are actual examples of real espionage equipment (including a poison dart umbrella designed by the KGB), from declassified hardware and captured equipment to movie props used in the James Bond series.

Photographs, audio-visual programs, and special effects combine to give a picture of strategies and methods behind secret espionage missions. The collections include historic spy artifacts from the Revolution and Civil War, along with a wealth of ingeniously concealed and disguised cameras and weapons, even the famous Enigma cipher machine that broke the Nazi codes in World War II.

The top floor is dedicated to real-life spies Aldrich Ames, Robert Hanson, and John Walker, detailing the actual methods and tools they used to spy on the United States, with videos describing how spies were caught. The lower floor moves from fact to fiction, filled with information and actual props used in James Bond movies.

Highlighting these is the Aston Martin DB5 that first appeared in the 1964 film Goldfinger , equipped with machine guns, oil jets, a dashboard radar screen, an ejector seat, tire slashers, a bulletproof shield, and a rotating license plate. The car actually inspired intelligence agencies to add similar features to their own vehicles.

Address: 700 L'Enfant Plaza, SW; Washington, D.C.

Official site: www.spymuseum.org

On a hillside overlooking the city from across the Potomac River, Arlington National Cemetery is filled with memorials to American history and the men and women who were part of it. Its best-known landmarks are the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier , President John F. Kennedy's gravesite, and the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial depicting the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima in World War II. The Welcome Center has maps, information (including the locations of specific graves), and exhibits telling the story of Arlington National Cemetery and its monuments.

Among these are memorials to nurses, Iran Rescue Mission casualties, and various battles and groups, including one at the graves of Lt. Cmdr. Roger B. Chaffee and Lt. Col. Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, who were killed in a fire aboard their Apollo spacecraft. Another commemorates the seven Challenger astronauts.

In a solemn and impressive ceremony, the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is changed every hour on the hour October 1 to March 31, and every half hour from April 1 through September 30. Although the cemetery is not right in the city, both the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's Metrorail system and Metrobus have stops close to the gate.

Official site: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil

The English-style, Neo-Gothic National Cathedral, one of the world's largest cathedrals, took 83 years to build, from 1907 to 1990. It follows the Gothic building style and techniques, with flying buttresses and solid masonry construction of Indiana limestone. Throughout the cathedral are artistic details to see, from its stained-glass windows to the hand-embroidered kneelers that commemorate war heroes and historic events.

Special tours, reserved in advance, explore hidden parts of the building and its art; families should ask for the brochure Explore the Cathedral with Children for a scavenger hunt to find wrought-iron animals, tiny carvings, and gargoyles. Be sure to look for the gargoyle of Darth Vader high up on the northwest tower.

The cathedral is the burial place of President Woodrow Wilson and Helen Keller, and state funerals for Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, and Ford took place here. The top of the 300-foot central tower is the highest point in Washington.

The Bishop's Garden, on the south side of the cathedral, includes plants found in medieval gardens, plants mentioned in the Bible, and others native to the area, along with a fish pond. The 59-acre Cathedral Close, designed by the eminent landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr in the early 20th century, is an urban oasis modeled on the walled grounds of medieval cathedrals.

Carillon recitals are held each Saturday at 12:30pm, and the peal bells are rung on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9pm and after Sunday services. On Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:30pm, a cathedral organist discusses the Great Organ here, followed by a mini-recital.

Address: Massachusetts & Wisconsin Avenues NW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: www.cathedral.org

The neighborhood from 27th to 37th Streets, between Rock Creek Park and K Street NW, is the city's oldest, with origins in the early 1700s, before Washington itself. Georgetown University , the nation's oldest Roman Catholic and Jesuit College, is located here.

Today, Georgetown's tidy streets of historic homes and its boutique shops, cafés, restaurants, and small museums make it a popular respite from lines at the mall attractions. The C&O Canal , the 184-mile waterway paralleling the Potomac River, begins here, and its towpath is a favorite place for walking and cycling.

Dumbarton Oaks is a 16-acre estate with formal gardens and a valuable Byzantine and Christian art collection. Federal period Dumbarton House features Federal-style furniture, paintings, textiles, silver, and ceramics, and is home to one of five original known copies of the Articles of Confederation.

Tudor Place is an early 19th-century mansion built by Martha Washington's granddaughter, Martha Custis Peter, and her husband. Items from George and Martha Washington's Mount Vernon home are shown here, and the Federal-period gardens contain plants and trees from the early 19th century. The Kreeger Museum displays a wide collection of art from the 1850s to the 1970s including paintings by Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Chagall, Gauguin, and Picasso.

If you're looking for places to eat in Washington or things to do at night, this is one of the places to visit. The neighborhood is filled with restaurants and cafes, along with live music venues.

Sharing the historic Old Patent Office Building with the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum holds one of the world's largest and most inclusive collections of American art, representing more than 7,000 artists from the colonial era to the present.

The collections record the wonder of artists capturing the beauty of American landscapes as the nation expanded westward, and the changing face of American cities and towns. Special collections represent works by more than 200 African American artists, collections of Latinex works, an outstanding array of contemporary American craft and folk arts.

The National Portrait Gallery focuses on famous Americans, from the time of the first colonies to present day leaders and important public figures, including the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House.

Address: 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, D.C.

Official sites:

• https://americanart.si.edu/art
• https://npg.si.edu/

At the foot of Capitol Hill, the U.S. Botanic Garden is an oasis of tropical gardens in the center of the city. Surrounded by outdoor gardens, the huge glasshouse is the hub of a museum of living plants. Permanent interior exhibits create environments for plants at home everywhere from the desert to rainforests, while outside is a showcase of plants that thrive in the Middle Atlantic states.

The greenhouse contains two courtyard gardens and 10 garden rooms, and the outside displays include a pollinator garden, rose garden, kitchen garden, and water garden. There's always something in bloom, and benches in the vast conservatory invite a stop to enjoy the fragrances and the lush green surroundings.

Address: 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C.

Official site: https://www.usbg.gov/

D.C.'s U Street Corridor is one of the city's top historic neighborhoods and served as the epicenter of Black culture in America between 1862 and 1948. Designated a historic district in 1998, this neighborhood is filled with colorful buildings housing plenty of shops, restaurants, and theaters.

It is anchored by 14 th Street on its west side and the recently renovated Howard Theatre on its east end at the edge of the Shaw neighborhood. Constructed in 1910, this was the center of Black Broadway for the first half of the 20 th Century. It fell into decline but underwent a magnificent renovation and reopened a decade ago.

Duke Ellington was born in this neighborhood and a sculpture honoring the famed jazz musician can be seen at the intersection of Florida Ave and T Street. Also check out a concert at Lincoln Theatre , built in 1922, where Ellington and other jazz greats like Billie Holiday, Nat King, Cole, and Louis Armstrong all used to play.

U Street is known for its delicious food scene. Here you'll find the acclaimed Ben's Chili Bowl , which has served everyone from Anthony Bourdain to Barack Obama. Its restaurants span the globe, however. If you are craving authentic Ethiopian fare, head to "Little Ethiopia" on the east end of U Street.

With its second phase only completed in 2002, The Wharf is D.C.'s hottest new waterfront neighborhood, home to more than 80 restaurants and shops, an iconic fish market, four hotels, and a popular live music venue. Running along the Potomac River for one mile, the neighborhood was created as part of a larger development plan for what had been a neglected portion of the SW quadrant.

Just about a 10-minute walk from the National Mall, The Wharf's waterfront location provides a totally different vibe than the memorial and museum area. The Municipal Fish Market is the country's oldest continuously operating open-air fish market, originally opened in 1805. Until the redevelopment of The Wharf, it wasn't really on the tourist map anymore. Today it is buzzing with hungry travelers and locals alike, who come here to dine al fresco on fresh fish.

If you want to get out on the Potomac River yourself, you can rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore. There are also seasonal water taxis running from The Wharf to Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, across the river. Alexandria is known for its stately 18 th - and 19th-century buildings and brick streets. It's a great place to wander around for an afternoon. Water taxis also run to Georgetown.

Come evening, book a luxe riverboat dinner cruise on Potomac. These offer a wonderful way to relax after an action-packed day, and river sunsets can be phenomenal.

Official site: https://www.wharfdc.com/

Sightseeing by Day:

• Washington, D.C. has so many famous sites that it's difficult to keep track of all there is to see and do. One of the best ways to explore this city is on a classic Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour , seeing the sites from an open-top red bus and getting on and off wherever you choose.

Sightseeing by Night:

• At night, Washington is transformed as the floodlights are beamed up the monuments, giving them a completely different look from their daytime appearance. The Washington, D.C. Monuments by Moonlight Night Trolley Tour is a 2.5- hour guided tour that provides an easy way to see the city at night.

Sightseeing by Bicycle:

• Active travelers will enjoy the Washington D.C. Monuments Bike Tour to visit the Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial on a three-hour ride. Hybrid bikes and the relatively level terrain make this suitable even for those who are not avid cyclists. As many places to visit have security checkpoints and do not allow backpacks, it is wise to carry as little as possible while touring.

Weather wise, the best time of year to travel to Washington, D.C. is between the months of March and May and September to November . You'll hit cherry blossom season (usually from late March to early April), ogle spectacular fall foliage (especially in October through November), and enjoy a long stretch of great weather free from frigid and sweltering temps.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Places to Visit Close to Washington: If you have time to explore outside the city, there are many easy Day Trips from Washington, D.C ., and our page on Top-Rated Weekend Getaways from Washington D.C. can give you plenty of ideas for longer excursions.

Exploring Maryland : There are a number of tourist attractions in Maryland , including those in historic Annapolis and Baltimore with its lively harbor area. The state is also famous for its beaches and oceanfront resorts, many of which are within easy weekend reach from Washington. You can learn more about these on our page Top-Rated Resorts in Maryland.

Discovering Virginia : The District of Columbia lies between two states, and to its south, you can visit attractions in Virginia , including those in the capital city of Richmond . Or you could spend a weekend immersed in colonial history with the help of our page Top Tourist Attractions in Williamsburg & Easy Day Trips .

More on District of Columbia

Travel and Dish

Traveler, Diner, Photographer @TravelandDish

18 Washington D.C. Attractions that Require or Recommend Advance Tickets (and how to make them)

Before you travel to Washington DC, it’s important to plan your visit by making advance reservations at many popular attractions. It’s important to check out each website for the latest on the hours of operation. Some attractions remain closed. (updated November 29, 2022)

1 National Archives 

Where to get tickets: archives.gov/museum 

Tour times: Guided, Every 15 minutes beginning 10:30 to 90 mins before close 

Adult cost: $1.00 

Notes: walk-ins allowed, but Fast Pass is recommended  

2. The White House 

Closed. Where to get future tickets:  whitehouse.gov  Must go through member of Congress. 

Tour times: Mon.–Thu., 7:30–11; Fri.–Sat., 7:30–1:30  

Max days ahead: 180 

Min days ahead: 21 

Notes: Background check is required. Tours have resumed.

3. US Holocaust Museum 

Where to get tickets:  ushmm.org  

Tour times: 9:45 am – 4:45 pm  

Max days ahead: Same day and advance tickets online  

Notes: Passes required Mar-Aug, not required September – February 

4. Treasury Building 

Closed. Where to get tickets : Must go through member of Congress. Limited to legal American citizens at this time.

Tour times: Every other Saturday morning, 9 am and 10:30 am 

Notes: Background check is required. Visitors must enter through the West building entrance (Bell entrance).  This entrance is located in between the Treasury Building and the White House.  A docent will meet you to escort the group into the building.

5. Washington Monument 

Where to get tickets:  www.recreation.gov  877-444-6777 

Tour times: 9 am – 5 pm 

Adult cost: $1.00 processing fee 

Notes: Some same day passes on first come/first serve available, but best to reserve a ticket in advance. (You can wait around the Monument grounds and often people will have extra tickets and give them out)

6. The Pentagon 

Closed. Where to get tickets: pentagontours.osd.mil 

Tour times: Mon.–Fri., 9–3 

Max days ahead: 90 

Min days ahead: 14 

Notes: submit request, must show ID (passport, driver’s license, permanent resident card) Public tours have resumed. You will not be allowed to bring any electronics on your tour.

7.  U.S. Capitol 

Where to get tickets:  visitthecapitol.gov for tickets 

Tour times: 9 am –3 pm weekdays only 

Min days ahead: 1 

Notes: Some same day passes available, Gallery Passes obtained through Congressional representative. But all tours, programs and activities in the visitor-approved areas like the Rotunda, Statuary and the Crypt are free of charge. Visitors enter through the Capitol Visitor Center, located underground on the east side of the Capitol. 

8. Ford’s Theater National Historic Site 

Where to get tickets:  fords.org  for Historic Site Visit 

Tour times: Daily, 9–4 

Adult cost: $3 

Notes: Advance reservations strongly encouraged. Limited number of Same Day passes are available for timed-entry every half hour from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday – Sunday. The Theatre is not included in every ticket. 

9. Department of State Diplomatic Reception Rooms 

Where to get tickets:  diplomaticrooms.state.gov For information call  202-647-3241 

Tour times: Mon.–Fri., 9:30, 10:30, 2:45 

Notes: Fine Arts tour, not appropriate for children. 

Background The State Department building is a secure facility, and visitors will need to check in at the information desk inside the C Street entrance. Be sure to bring photo identification. You must be pre-cleared or cleared in by an employee for a tour.

10.  Frederick Douglass National Historic Site  

Where to get tickets: nps.gov/frdo 

Tour times: Daily, 9, 12:15, 1:15, 3, 3:30 (walk-ins only), 4 (Apr.±Oct.) 

Standard Tours (1 to 10 people)

Space is limited to ten people on the standard tour. Reservations are not required, but they are  strongly encouraged . To make a reservation, visit  recreation.gov  or call 1-877-444-6777. There is a $1.00 fee for each reserved ticket. Reservations must be made at least one day in advance. If available, unreserved tickets are otherwise free to the public and may be claimed on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are recommended to guarantee your place on a tour.

Adult cost: $1.00 

Notes: Same day passes available.

11. President Lincoln’s Cottage 

Where to get tickets: lincolncottage.org 

Tour times: Mon.–Sat., 10–3; Sun., 11–3 

Adult cost: $15, Kids $5 (should be 6 or older) 

Min days ahead: 0 

Notes: Advanced tickets suggested. On site tickets are sometimes available. 

12. Bureau of Engraving and Printing 

Where to get tickets: Tickets required on day of visit beginning at 8:30 am.  

Tour times: Mon.–Fri, 8:15–8:45, 4–4:45 

Min days ahead:  

Notes: Tickets only required Mar-Aug; can be picked up at ticket window for other times.  Currently closed .

13. Folger Shakespeare Library 

Where to get tickets: folger.edu 

Tour times: Saturday at noon 

Max days ahead: 60 

Notes: This is for READING ROOM TOURS; regular tours do not require tickets.  Currently closed for renovations. Opens November 17, 2023.

14. FBI Experience  

Where to get tickets: Security approval required. Must go through member of Congress. 

• Submission:  Confirms your congressional representative scheduled the correct tour date and time.
• Security approval:  Verifies your tour time and approval to enter FBI space and provides tour logistics you need to know prior to your visit.

Tour times: Mon.–Fri. 9 am -4:30 pm 

Max days ahead: 35 

Notes: No Federal Holidays, must be 16 or older with government issued ID.

15. National Museum of African American History and Culture 

Where to get tickets: Timed entry passes available online, required on Saturday and Sunday 

Tour times: Mon.–Fri. 10 am -5:30 pm 

Adult cost: free 

Max days ahead: 90 days 

Notes: Walk-in entry on Monday-Friday from 1 pm until close on March-August 

16. International Spy Museum

Where to get tickets: tickets.spymuseum.org

Adult (13-64) –  $26.95 Youth (7-12) –  $16.95 Child (6 and under) –  FREE (ticket required)

Hours: Thursday through Wednesday 9 am – 7 pm

Location: L’Enfant Plaza Station. Rooftop viewing. Spies under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

17. Planet Word

Where to get tickets: https://planetwordmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/

HOURS Wednesday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last entrance time is 3:30 p.m.

LOCATION 925 13th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005 Entrance on K Street

Cost: General admission is free, with a suggested $15 donation to support the museum’s mission-driven programs, exhibits, and educational outreach.

18. Museum of the Bible

Reserve Online for discount tickets: https://www.museumofthebible.org/plan-your-visit

Hours: Open 7 days a week from 10 am – 5 pm

Cost: Adult Advance tickets $19.99 Walk Up: $24.99

Seniors, Military, First Responders, and Students $19.99

Youth (Ages 5–17) $13.99, Walk up $14.99

Children (Ages 4 and under) Free

Old Post Office Tower

Where: Located at the intersection of 12th Street and Pennsylvania Ave N.W. (part of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel) Information

Cost: Tickets are Free, No reservations needed

Hours: 9 am – 4 pm, tours commence every five minutes

Self-Guided Tours begin from the elevator lobby on the stage level of the Old Post Office Pavilion. Visitors board the glass elevator to the exhibit area, then the elevator rises 270 feet viewing area.

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International Visitor Information

Washington, dc is a diverse city that welcomes many international visitors every year. read on for some helpful travel tips..

Please note that some of the information below may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For the latest information on the city’s current operating status, please check out our travel status update . Please reach out to the Destination DC team at (202) 789-7000 if you have any additional questions.

Starting Nov. 8, vaccinated international travelers were welcomed back to the U.S. Learn more about  international travel guidance.

What are the passport & visa requirements.

All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable. International visitors who need a visa to travel to the U.S. can utilize the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Wizard tool to learn what documentation is required and how to obtain it.

Do I need to fill out an ESTA application for visa-free travel?

Yes, all eligible international travelers who wish to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for authorization. Note: Anyone assisting international clients coming to the United States should be aware of a significant number of Internet scams involving the new ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) procedures. Clients should be directed to only use the official government site .

Do I need travel insurance?

There is no compulsory or government plan in the U.S. You are advised to purchase travel and health insurance in case of an emergency.

Can I tour or visit an embassy?

Many embassies offer guided tours with prior notification, and they’re an essential starting place for any international visitors who wish to tour the White House during their visit. Go to https://os.dc.gov/service/dc-embassies to find contact information for each of the more than 150 embassies in DC.

How far are the main airports/ how to get into the city from the main airports?

What is the customs process.

You must complete customs and immigrations formalities at the first point of arrival in the U.S., whether or not it’s your final destination.

How do I book visits to popular attractions?

Visit the links below to learn how to visit each of these popular DC sites.

• White house
• U.S. Capitol
• Arlington Cemetery
• Library of Congress
• Smithsonian

What are the electricity standards in Washington, DC?

The electricity used in Washington, DC is standard electricity, which is 110 volts. Appliances brought from Europe, Africa and most of Asia and Latin America will require a voltage transformer.

Does DC have any sister cities?

You can see a list and read up on DC’s sister cities on the DC government’s

In the City

What is the time zone in washington, dc.

Washington, DC is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (Greenwich Mean Time minus four hours during daylight saving time, from March through November, and minus five hours the rest of the year).

How can I use the Internet or stay connected during my stay?

• AT&T’s network runs on 850/1900 MHz. T-Mobile’s frequency runs on 1700/2100 MHz.
• Public wireless internet can be found in most DC coffee shops as well as hotel rooms for a charge.
• Free public wirless internet is offered at DC Public Libraries. Visit dclibrary.org for locations.
• Hotels – Hotel websites will list in what areas they offer complimentary service. You can purchase internet service on a daily rate if complimentary is not available.
• National Mall – Internet coverage is available in front of the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, the Capitol Visitors Center, limited hotspots throughout the Smithsonian museums and the Enid Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle. Two additional outdoor hotspots include the Hirshhorn Museum and the plaza beside the National Museum of the American Indian.

How do I make telephone calls?

When calling within the U.S. from one area code to another, dial 1, followed by the area code and the seven-digit telephone number.

What currency is used in Washington, DC?

In Washington, DC and throughout the United States, the U.S. dollar is the standard currency. This converter allows you to determine the value of other currencies compared with the dollar.

Below are some of the many places where you can exchange your currency for American dollars:

Travelex Currency Services, Dulles International Airport Terminal

Travelex Currency Services, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Travelex Currency Services, Reagan National Airport

Travelex Currency Services, Union Station

AAA Mid-Atlantic, 1405 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005

CXI Currency Exchange International, Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, 1st Floor Food Court

• American Express Travel Service, 1501 K St., NW, Washington, DC 20005

How much are the goods and service taxes?

DC Sales Tax is 5.75% (exemptions include groceries and prescription and non-prescription drugs).

Restaurant meals and drinks: 10%

Rental vehicles: 10%

Parking in commercial lots: 12%

Hotels: 14.5%

How do I know how much to tip?

Tipping is voluntary; gratuities are not automatically added to the bill except in some cases for large groups. Tipping guidelines: servers 15%-20%; taxi drivers 15%; doormen, skycaps and porters $1 per bag.

What local laws should I know?

If you're headed out for a night on the town, you should know that the drinking age in Washington, DC – and throughout the United States – is 21, and smoking is banned in public places throughout the city, including bars, restaurants, subways and taxis. Cigar smoking is permitted at cigar bars that register with the city. In Washington, DC, those who are 18 or older can purchase cigarettes and tobacco.

Which important phone numbers should I know in Washington, DC?

Here are some important phone numbers to keep handy during your Washington, DC visit.

Emergencies (police, fire or ambulance): 911

One-stop service for DC government services, numbers, and information: 311 or 202-737-4404

Directory assistance: 411

Metro Visitors Kit: 1-888-638-7646

Official Visitor Maps (available in Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, and Japanese): 1-800-422-8644

How do I rent a car in Washington, DC?

To rent a car within the United States, you will need to already have a driver’s license issued by your home country. See below for more information on obtaining this permit. Rental cars can be picked up at all Washington, DC major airports. It is recommended to make reservations in advance. American car rental companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. For more information on getting around in DC, click here .

What is a SmarTrip Card and where can I get one?

What types of multilingual services are offered in washington, dc.

The White House Visitors Center, Kennedy Center, Library of Congress and other attractions offer brochures on site in several languages.

• The Smithsonian Institution provides multilingual information at the visitors center in the Castle Building.
• Complimentary foreign language tours are available by appointment at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art , National Museum of Asian Art Freer and Sackler Galleries , Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden . Visit their websites or call each museum for information and booking.
• The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum has handheld digital language guides available for rent on their first floor on a first-come-first-served basis.
• National Archives offers visitors guides in 6 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Simplified Chinese and Japanese
• Mount Vernon offers translated content for trip planning as well as audio tours in Chinese, French and Spanish. Printed maps and guides to the estates are available in ten languages.

Do you have any more questions?  Contact us  and we’ll answer them for you.

More About DC

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Guide to Free Embassy Tours in Washington, DC During Passport DC

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Visit The White House

The President and Dr. Biden are delighted to welcome members of the public to tour the White House. Public tour requests are scheduled through your Member of Congress and their Congressional Tour Coordinator. Constituents may reach your Member of Congress and Congressional Tour Coordinator through the U.S. House of Representatives Switchboard at 202-225-3121, the U.S. Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121, or online at  www.congress.gov/members .

Consistent with prior practices, public White House tour requests must be submitted a minimum of 21 days in advance and no more than 90 days in advance of the requested tour date(s). Reservations cannot be accepted for tour dates outside this 21 – 90-day window.  

Public tours are typically available from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, excluding Federal holidays or unless otherwise noted. If your tour is confirmed, please note that you will be assigned a specific time.  All White House tours are free of charge. The White House tour schedule is subject to change, with little notice, based on inclement weather or official use.

If you are a citizen of a foreign country, please contact your embassy in Washington, D.C. for assistance in submitting a tour request.

Identification Requirements

All U.S. citizens ages 18 and older, and foreign nationals of all ages (including children), must present a valid, government-issued photo ID upon arrival for their tour. Acceptable forms of identification are below.

U.S. CITIZENS

• United States Driver’s License
• Valid United States Passport
• United States Military ID

FOREIGN NATIONALS

• Valid Passport
• Alien Registration Card
• Permanent Resident Card
• U.S. State Department Issued Diplomatic ID Card

A U.S. driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification for foreign nationals. No foreign-issued state IDs, foreign-issued driver’s licenses, expired passports, photocopies, other transmissions of these documents, or other forms of identification will be accepted. Individuals without acceptable identification, or whose identification does not exactly match the information previously registered, may be denied entry.

Prohibited Items

• Bags of any kind (including fanny packs and clutches)
• Cameras with detachable lenses
• Electric stun guns
• E-cigarettes
• Knives of any kind
• Martial arts
• Tobacco Products
• Toy Weapons
• Video cameras
• Weapons/devices
• Any pointed object
• Any other item determined to be a potential safety hazard

Please note that storage facilities are not provided during your visit. Individuals who arrive with bags or prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House.

Permitted Items

• Baby carriers worn on the body
• Breast pumps
• Cell phones
• Compact cameras with lenses less than 3 inches
• Umbrellas without metal tips
• All items needed for medical purposes (i.e. wheelchairs, EpiPens, medication, etc.)

Getting Here

Use of public transportation is strongly encouraged, as there is no parking available on the White House complex and street parking is limited. The closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, silver, and red lines), and McPherson Square (blue, orange, and silver lines).

The White House Tour entrance is located in Sherman Park at 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW. If arriving by rideshare, use the White House Visitor Center (WHVC) as the drop-off address. The WHVC is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20230, which is one block from the White House.

Restrooms are located at the White House Visitors Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20230. There are no restrooms available once you arrive for your tour.

Accessibility

The White House tour route is wheelchair accessible. Visitors who wish to use a White House wheelchair should notify a U.S. Secret Service officer upon arrival.

Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

Health and Safety Guidance

Guests who receive a confirmed tour reservation will be issued a White House Tour Pass ahead of their tour date containing pertinent health and safety guidance.

Know Before You Go

• Tours are self-guided and last approximately 45 minutes
• Eat a snack and stay hydrated prior to arrival.
• Dress for the weather, knowing you will be outside before your tour.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
• No late arrivals are accepted.
• All guests must be previously registered via the RSVP link provided by the White House.
• Please silence your cell phone and refrain from phone calls during the tour.
• No flash photography or video recording is permitted during your tour.
• Visitors may call the 24-hour Visitors Office information line at 202-456-7041 for latest updates and information relevant to White House tours.

Visit The White   House

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National Travel and Tourism Office

National travel and tourism office (ntto).

In addition to providing statistics, the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) creates a positive climate for growth in travel and tourism by reducing institutional barriers to tourism, administers joint marketing efforts, provides official travel and tourism statistics , and coordinates efforts across federal agencies through the Tourism Policy Council. The Office works to enhance the international competitiveness of the U.S. travel and tourism industry and increase its exports, thereby creating U.S. employment and economic growth. 

What Guides Our Work: The National Travel and Tourism Strategy

The Department of Commerce, on behalf of the federal interagency Tourism Policy Council, is launching the new National Travel and Tourism Strategy (Strategy) to recover and rebuild a U.S. travel and tourism industry that is more inclusive, equitable, sustainable, and resilient, positioning the sector to drive economic development and export revenue. The Strategy seeks to utilize the full efforts of the federal government to promote the United States as a premiere destination that is representative of the breadth and diversity of its communities, and to foster a sector that creates good jobs for more Americans and is a positive force for sustainability.  

2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy

FACT SHEET: 2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy

Our Engagement with the Private Sector: Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB)

The United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB) serves as the advisory body to the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry in the United States. The Board advises the Secretary on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry, offers counsel on current and emerging issues, and provides a forum for discussing and proposing solutions to industry-related problems. Visit the TTAB page

Our Work Fostering Diverse, Inclusive, and Sustainable Tourism:

As is laid out in the National Travel and Tourism Strategy, the U.S. government is working to increase not only the volume, but the value of travel and tourism to the United States. Across all of our work, we are striving to make sure tourism is accessible to communities, diverse across cultures and geographies, and a positive driver for economic growth and environmental protection. 

APEC Project “Assessing the Impact of Rising Sea Levels on Travel and Tourism in APEC Economies” : Our report looks at how rising sea levels and extreme weather events pose an increasing threat to tourism businesses and destinations, and how those businesses can prepare. It also examines best practices for governments and destinations to incorporate climate change into their tourism planning.  Access the Full Report Here.

How We Market the United States: Brand USA

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The United States and Japan Launch “U.S.- Japan Tourism Year”

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The 34 best things to do in D.C. this weekend and next week

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with street festivals, or tour Loudoun farms and Dupont Circle museums.

Here comes another weekend where it is honestly too hard to pick two, or even four, things you want to do. There are street festivals and markets celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Chihuahuas are finally set to race at the Wharf after Cinco de Mayo’s washout. Dozens of farmers in Loudoun County are opening their doors to the public for farm tours, while the Lucketts Spring Vintage Market and the Lincoln Strawberry Festival also make for tempting day trips. Closer to D.C., there are street parties on Georgia Avenue and at the Village at Shirlington, and a pedestrian-friendly tour of museums in Dupont Circle and Kalorama. From soccer viewing parties to a concert in the grass at the National Arboretum to a three-day Greek festival, the choices are almost overwhelming. We hope this helps.

Editor’s note : The threat of rain this weekend has led to the postponement of the Fiesta Asia street festival (postponed to June 1) and the Ballston Quarterfest Crawl (now scheduled for June 29). Other events may be affected. Check social media for updates before finalizing plans.

Thursday, May 16

My Body My Festival

A benefit for the DC Abortion Fund, My Body My Festival lands at a handful of venues for what it bills as “part music festival, part D.C. love fest.” Rockers Pretty Bitter bring their impeccable pop hooks to a bill at Pie Shop , D.C. iconoclast Sneaks headlines a diverse bill at Songbyrd , and a daytime party at Metrobar promises the smoother sounds of jazz and neo-soul. Through Saturday. $35-$500 .

MoCo Eats Restaurant Week

Montgomery County’s fourth annual culinary showcase continues through Sunday, with specials like buy-one, get-one-free pints at 7 Locks Brewing in Rockville, a discounted bottomless brunch at Bethesda’s Ala (one of our top bottomless brunches ), or lunch and a beer for $15 at the Silver Branch brewery in Silver Spring. Through Sunday. Locations and prices vary. A map of all locations offering deals is available on the MoCo Eats website.

King of the Wing at Fair Winds Brewing

Lorton’s Fair Winds Brewing is celebrating American Craft Beer Week with beer releases, DJs and comedy, but the undoubted highlight is the King of the Wing Competition, which finds five chefs and food truck operators showing off their original flavors, with the public voting for the winner. Tickets include two wings and a side from each chef, plus “beer samples galore,” with full-size beer pairings available. 6 p.m. $45 .

Friday, May 17

Bike to Work Day

The DMV’s annual Bike to Work Day turns a bicycle commute into a party, thanks to more than 100 pit stops in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. You’ll want to register in advance for a pit stop on the way to or from work to snap up prizes like a T-shirt or even a new pair of wheels as part of a bicycle raffle sponsored by local bike shops. Pit stops around town will be stocked with food, beverages and freebies. You can even join a Bike to Work Day convoy led by a seasoned bike commuter who is used to battling D.C. traffic: Organized journeys so far include Georgetown to Tysons, Alexandria to Foggy Bottom or Greenbelt to NoMa. Hours and locations vary. Free; register online .

Greek Festival at St. Sophia’s Cathedral

For fans of roast lamb and homemade spanakopita and loukoumades, it doesn’t get much better than this annual festival at St. Sophia’s Cathedral near Woodley Park, which features three days of food, music and dancing. Greek bands perform at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, while folk dancers, DJs and children’s groups are featured throughout the weekend. There are long lines for gyros and souvlaki cooked over coals (smell them and you’ll understand why), while the “Taverna” serves Greek beer and wine. A bazaar features Byzantine icons, jewelry, CDs and Greek soccer scarves, while a moon bounce and games keep the kids busy. If you’ve never visited St. Sophia’s before, tours are offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. Free.

Lucketts Spring Vintage Market at Clarke County Fairgrounds

If you love checking out estate sales and combing through thrift stores for treasures, you need to make a pilgrimage to the Virginia countryside for the Lucketts Spring Vintage Market. Leesburg-based “vintage hip” purveyor Lucketts Store organizes this twice-yearly shopping weekend in Berryville, bringing in more than 200 vendors from around the country. You’ll be able to buy vintage furniture and decor in styles ranging from American farmhouse to European country to mid-century mod, as well as vintage clothing, textiles and garden accessories. After loading your car with finds, stick around for live music, food trucks, a kids’ play area, and a beer and wine garden run by Leesburg’s Vanish Brewery. General admission is $15, while a $45 ticket allows early admission to scope out everything first, as well as access to all three days of the show. Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for early bird hours, then general admission from 12:30 to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $15-$45; free for children age 12 and younger .

Music in the Meadow at the National Arboretum

Bring a picnic to enjoy while watching the concert in the Arboretum’s Ellipse Meadow, featuring local neo-cumbian band Cumbia Heights. This event, supported by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, is pay-what-you-can. Note that ticketing is only for concert access; the grounds won’t be open during the show. 7 to 8:30 p.m. $25 recommended ticket price.

The Goons at the Black Cat

D.C. hardcore, or “harDCore,” never dies, especially as a wave of originators have gotten into the reunion and anniversary spirit. After celebrating a record release last year, the Goons are back at the Black Cat with, as a flier promises, “intoxicating battery acid for the soul.” The group will be joined by HR Band, the group fronted by the legendary Paul “H.R.” Hudson; Supreme Commander; and RDX. 8 p.m. $20 .

Saturday, May 18

Fiesta Asia

Update : This event has been postponed until June 1. The annual Fiesta Asia shuts down Pennsylvania Avenue between Third and Sixth streets NW to showcase more than 20 Asian cultures in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Look for live music and dance performances representing multiple countries, a karaoke stage, a cosplay contest, martial arts demonstrations, hands-on games and crafts for kids, a large vendor area, and a “food alley” featuring local and New York City restaurants that is apparently 50 percent larger than last year’s. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free .

Loudoun Farm Tour

The Loudoun Farm Tour is a way to immerse city slickers — kids and adults alike — in the rural communities on the other side of Dulles Airport. The 38 farms open their doors for more than just talks about farm management or letting kids come face to face with barnyard friends such as pigs, donkeys and llamas. Over two days, taste raw honey straight from an apiary or try a scoop of all-natural ice cream on a dairy farm. Learn how craft beer goes from the field to the bottle or tour farms dedicated to mushrooms, garlic or tea leaves. This year, the tour includes shuttle buses running on loops between farms, leaving from four locations, including the Ashburn Metro station. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free; farms may charge for tours and activities .

Museum Walk Weekend in Dupont Circle

Of the seven museums featured on the Dupont Kalorama Museums Consortium’s annual open house, the Phillips Collection is by far the best known — and that’s your cue to put on some comfortable shoes and go exploring. Admission is free at the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, Dumbarton House, Anderson House, Dupont Underground, the Woodrow Wilson House and the Mansion on O Street, as well as the Phillips, with special tours, talks and activities throughout the weekend. Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Some museums may stay open longer.) Free; tickets needed to see special exhibitions at the Phillips.

Africa on the Avenue at Bruce Monroe Park

Washington’s African heritage and community are celebrated during Africa on the Avenue, held in Park View’s Bruce Monroe Park. There’s music from a variety of DJs and artists, including the Ethiopian fusion of the Feedel Band, the Grammy-nominated songs of Malian griot Cheick Hamala Diabate, and the Farafina Kan drummers and dancers. For families, there’s a foam party, double Dutch, hula hoops and interactive art projects. Vendors will be selling African coffee, head wraps, braiding, clothing, books and pepper sauces. 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free .

Bourbon and Bluegrass at President Lincoln’s Cottage

President Lincoln’s lawn turns into a music festival during Bourbon and Bluegrass, the biggest annual fundraiser for preservation efforts at President Lincoln’s Cottage. Bring a picnic blanket for this two-day concert, which combines cocktails and tunes from fiddlers and folksy artists, as well as exterior tours of the cottage in Petworth where Lincoln spent summers during his presidency. Saturday’s lineup brings Baltimore’s Letitia VanSant to D.C., along with Hubby Jenkins and Adeem the Artist, while Sunday’s sets feature Jake Blount, David Wax Museum and Senora May. Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Single-day admission: $50-$70 adults, $35 ages 7 to 20. Two-day admission: $75-$115 adults, $50 ages 7 to 20. Free for ages 6 and younger .

Bladensburg Waterfront Art Festival

Painting and pontoon boats meet at Bladensburg Waterfront Park’s outdoor arts party, which features a market of local artists, hands-on community art projects, demonstrations and activities for kids. Adults can sip beer or wine, and all ages can enjoy live music and free boat tours on the Anacostia River. Noon to 5 p.m. Free .

Lincoln Strawberry Festival

Supermarket strawberries have nothing on a freshly picked red berry, which you’ll find in abundance at the inaugural Lincoln Strawberry Festival in Loudoun County. This two-day fundraiser from Wegmeyer Farms begins Saturday morning with a strawberry pancake smorgasbord (buy a separate breakfast ticket in advance) and continues with musical performances, a strawberry baby fashion show, tractor rides, and eating competitions for strawberry pie and strawberry ice cream. Sunday’s schedule is similar, swapping in 4-H animal presentations in the morning instead of pancakes. Each day, you’ll be able to pick your own strawberries for purchase while supplies last. Proceeds benefit a variety of local causes. Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. $15; free for kids age 2 and under .

Korean Bell Garden Celebration at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Did you know that Vienna’s Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is home to the only Korean Bell Garden in the Western Hemisphere? This unique cultural destination, with a pavilion holding a three-ton bell at its center, is often a place of quiet contemplation, but the vibes are much livelier during the annual Korean Bell Garden Celebration, organized by the Korean American Cultural Committee, thanks to traditional Korean music and dance performances, taekwondo demonstrations, and free Korean food and drinks. The highlight of the ceremony is the ringing of the bell. Picnics are not allowed, but picnic blankets and low chairs are. In the spirit of the celebration, the usual admission fees are waived between 10 a.m. and noon. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free .

Need beauty? These are 7 of the most gorgeous gardens in the D.C. area.

Ballston Quarterfest Crawl

Update : This event has been postponed until June 29. The days of teenagers cruising the stores at Ballston Common Mall are long gone, but it’s still possible to cruise through the neighborhood, checking out music and happy hours — especially during the annual Quarterfest Crawl. More than 30 restaurants are offering deals on Saturday, ranging from free food samples to discounted cocktails. Five is the magic number: $5 will get you frozen fruit punch margaritas at El Rey, Vietnamese ube coffee at Hot Lola’s, any draft beer at Ballston Local, an order of wings at First Down or a trio of empanadas at Turu’s. Meanwhile, DJs, singer-songwriters and dueling pianos provide the soundtrack at Ballston Quarter or local bars. The Washington Capitals — who practice at Ballston Quarter — are hosting a kids’ zone with hockey activities and an appearance by mascot Slapshot. Noon to 7 p.m. Free .

Shirlington Spring Fling

The third annual block party features a curated market with 60 local makers in the streets of Shirlington, plus live music, family activities, lawn games and discounts at restaurants and bars — for example, decorate mini-doughnuts at Astro Beer Hall before a game of cornhole on the patio. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free .

Republic Restoratives Eighth Anniversary Party

When Republic Restoratives opened its doors in May 2016 , it was part of D.C.’s growing “Distillery District,” alongside Ivy City neighbors Green Hat Gin, One Eight Distilling and Jos. A. Magnus. Republic Restoratives has managed to outlast them all. Join the city’s first woman-owned distillery for an afternoon of free guided bourbon and whiskey tastings and a special anniversary cocktail, plus barbecue from Cinder. 2 to 7 p.m. $20; includes tastings and cocktail .

Good Vibes Only Block Party at Sandlot Georgetown

Good Vibes Only started throwing block parties and events in the organizers’ native Houston, featuring headliners like Curren$y and Ari Lennox. This summer, the festivals are going on the road, including a stop in D.C. before heading to New Orleans. Head to the Sandlot, the outdoor bar on the edge of Georgetown, for a day party with DJs and food trucks. 3 to 8 p.m. $7.50-$155 .

Tropical Plant Sale at the U.S. Botanic Garden

Ever wish you could take plants from the U.S. Botanic Garden home with you? Join the club. (Well, maybe not the corpse flower.) At this annual sale, organized by the Friends of the U.S. Botanic Garden and Rewild , you can purchase succulents, tropical plants, orchids and other plants similar to those on display, and talk to garden experts about the best ways to keep your new babies thriving. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free; no registration required .

Shop! The Square at the Square

New downtown food hall the Square is home to outposts from a plethora of buzzy chefs, including Taqueria Xochi’s tacos, pizza slices by the team from Pluma bakery, and churros and soft-serve at Junge’s. But once a month, the Square is going beyond food with a retail pop-up called Shop! The Square, where artists, crafters and curators of secondhand clothing set up mini-boutiques. The Atrium Bar is open during the event for both boozy and spirit-free drinks, and at 4 p.m., you’ll be able to order piña coladas and more tropical drinks from tiki pop-up Lost Island Vibes. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free; reserve a spot online .

Frühlingsfest at Aslin Beer Company

Aslin’s ticketed spring festival is back for a third year, offering a selection of its own craft beers and 16 creations from breweries around the country. Tickets include four eight-ounce drink tickets and a custom tasting glass. Noon to 5 p.m. $25.

Tacos and Tequila at Nationals Park

Try more than 30 tequilas and mescals, plus taco samples from Mission, El Techo, Surfside and more at Nationals Park’s Tacos and Tequila festival. Dewey Beach, Del., band Love Seed Mama Jump provides the tunes. A general admission ticket will get you 12 tastings; a VIP add-on for $35 includes cocktail-making classes. 4 to 7 p.m. $75.

Sunday, May 19

The Running of the Chihuahuas at the Wharf

The Wharf’s quirky combination of the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo is back for the 12th year, after rain on May 4 postponed the original event. The annual Running of the Chihuahuas involves more than 100 of these tiny dogs sprinting in groups of eight on a 60-foot “racetrack.” One Chihuahua eventually emerges as the fastest of the pack, winning $100 cash and swag during this bracket-style tournament. Only Chihuahuas can race, but dogs of all types can enter an all-breed dog costume contest, while human spectators enjoy the Pacifico Beer Garden, a DJ, a pet photo booth and an adoptable-dog parade. This event is very popular: Arrive early for the best views of the track, or watch on a giant video projection screen. 2 to 5 p.m. Free admission. All spots for racing Chihuahuas are filled.

Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert at Washington National Cathedral

D.C. native Sir Duke’s 125th birthday has been celebrated around the city, but the Cathedral Choral Society, Heritage Signature Chorale and Pershing’s Own U.S. Army Blues offer a different party. Choruses combine with a big band sound for a set list of the works Ellington considered his most important. Come early for a moderated discussion with music historian and commentator John Hasse at 2:45 p.m. Advance tickets are required, but a limited number will be available at the door starting at 3 p.m. before the show. You can also register for the live stream. 4 p.m. Free.

Sari-Sari Pop-Up Market at Metrobar

Asian art collective Samasama takes over the Metrobar beer garden on Sunday afternoon for the Sari-Sari Pop-Up Market, which finds 10 local artists and makers setting up alongside a selection of food trucks and vendors, including Indonesian cuisine from Kopi House and sweets from Toimoi Bakery. DJ Mamchella and Les the DJ provide sounds from a variety of countries. For an additional fee, DC Beer hosts Cheers & Beers , with a tasting of beers representing AAPI brewers from the D.C. area, as well as special spring releases. Noon to 5 p.m. Free ; $25 for Cheers and Beers .

Asian Festival on Main in Old Town Fairfax

The Asian Festival on Main begins with a lion dance in the heart of historic Old Town Fairfax and continues in Old Town Square and surrounding streets with 40 musicians and dancers across two stages, more than 80 food vendors, a market with 70 vendors, and activities and photo ops for all ages. Noon to 6 p.m. Free .

D.C. Record Fair at the Eaton

The D.C. Record Fair has graced some notable venues over the last 15 years, from landmarks like the Black Cat to the now-vanished Warehouse Next Door and U Street Music Hall. The fair seems to have found a home at the Eaton, though, where it’s back to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Unsurprisingly, the formula remains the same: dozens of dealers from up and down the East Coast selling everything from rare (expensive) collector’s items to bins full of cheap wax for the curious to flip through, while local DJs, musicians and record shop owners provide an inspirational soundtrack. You never know what you’re going to find — just make sure you get there early enough that someone else doesn’t snag your dream disc first. There’s even a bar to toast your successes afterward. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.

Backstage with the Slickee Boys at the Palisades Hub

The Slickee Boys are D.C. music royalty: They’ve played 9:30 Club more than any other band (mostly when it was actually on F Street NW). They opened for the Ramones, and, in turn, had a young band called U2 open for them at the Bayou. They had an MTV hit with “ When I Go to the Beach ,” a rockabilly-surf rave-up that’s probably their second most famous tune, after the punk snarl of “This Party Sucks.” Almost half a century after they formed, the Slickees — credited with releasing one of the first new wave records — are getting back together at the Palisades Hub to talk about the history of the group with journalist Mark Segraves, and perhaps teach the younger folks how to rock. 4 p.m. $15-$20 .

Premier League Championship Sunday Watch Party at Franklin Hall

The English Premier League soccer season comes to its climax on Sunday, with all 20 teams kicking off at the same time (11 a.m. Eastern), and the title could wind up with either Manchester City or Arsenal, depending on results. While most of the league’s teams have a fan club in the D.C. area , Franklin Hall is officially neutral on this day, showing every match on different TVs, so viewers can skip around and follow the action. Sunday doubles as a benefit for DC Scores, the local charity that helps children by mixing soccer and poetry. Tickets include two beers from D.C.’s Atlas Brew Works. 11 a.m. $15 .

Pencil sketching with baby goats at Faith Lutheran Church

Nigerian dwarf goats from Salem, Va.’s Walnut Creek Farm will be loose during this guided art session. Del Ray Artisans’ Dina’s Doodles provides the how-to on sketching the baby goats, which surely won’t be a challenge as they zoom around the room and cuddle with participants. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. $40.

Monday, May 20

Country Night at Whitlow’s

There are not many chances to two-step on U Street — until this Monday, when Country Night pops up at Whitlow’s, from the group behind weekly western-themed events at Clarendon Ballroom. Arrive early for an hour-long country dance lesson, beginning at 8 p.m., followed by country swing, line dancing and boot scootin’ until 11. 8 to 11 p.m. $12-$15 .

Tuesday, May 21

NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest on the Road at Howard Theatre

The dream for D.C. music lovers is to score an invite to a Tiny Desk Concert at NPR headquarters: The long-running concert series invites stars and up-and-comers alike to perform in an intimate corner of the NoMa office building. Now, NPR is taking its “Star Search”-esque Tiny Desk Contest series out of the cubicle and on the road with concerts crisscrossing the country this summer — beginning, naturally, with a show in D.C. You’ll hear a set by the winner of the 2024 contest, along with to-be-announced Tiny Desk Contest artists hailing from Washington. Over the years, the contest has launched the careers of Fantastic Negrito and Tank and the Bangas, so this could be a chance to see a future Grammy nominee. 8 p.m. $22 .

AAPI Cocktail Week

Bartenders of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage shine during AAPI Cocktail Week, with events across D.C. bars from Sunday to May 26. On Tuesday, Moon Rabbit beverage director Thi Nguyen and Binge Bar owner Vergie “Gigi” Arandid demonstrate how to incorporate Asian flavors into drinks during a cocktail class at Rice Market ( 6:30 p.m., $70 ). Other highlights include game night at Lost Generation’s taproom (Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m.) and karaoke at the Game (May 24 at 5 p.m.). See the whole schedule at aapicocktailweek.com .

Wednesday, May 22

Sexpill at Quarry House Tavern

Houston noise punks Sexpill are the sonic equivalent of the mushroom cloud that graces the cover of their latest album, “In Dust We Trust.” Emphasis on the “mushroom”: These titans of tinnitus make music for bad trips in the desert. 8:30 p.m. $15 .

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Mayor Bowser and Events DC Announce $3.5 Million Grant Program to Support Large Events that Bring More People to DC

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and Events DC announced the launch of applications for the 2024 Large Events Grant Program. Managed by Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC, the $3.5 million Large Events Grant Program will support the District’s cultural and economic vitality by providing grant funding to nonprofit organizations planning to host large events with more than 10,000 people in attendance.    “We can see and feel the energy people have for going to festivals and events right now, and there’s no city better at hosting and organizing large-scale events than Washington, DC,” said Mayor Bowser. “Through the Large Events Grant Program, we can support events that represent DC culture, bring more people together, and in turn support our local economy.”    Program funding can be used to support expenses associated with hosting the event, including government fees, venue rentals, security, labor costs, equipment, and other infrastructure costs. The application process will consider the economic benefits to the local community, which may be measured by the increase in hotel room nights, new jobs created, engagement with local businesses, additional tax revenue generated, the number of small businesses supported or promoted through the event and activation of parks or public spaces. This process also will consider the socio-economic benefits of the event, including highlighting, promoting, or celebrating the history and culture of communities in the District.    “Large events have been critical to the economic success of our city and showcasing Washington, DC as a world-class, family-friendly destination,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. “This $3.5 million grant program will provide crucial support to nonprofit organizations and ensure we create unique experiences that result in jobs, economic impact and lasting memories for residents, tourists and guests. I look forward to partnering with organizations to ensure our economic vitality for years to come, highlight our incredible local culture and reinforce our position as a top destination.”    The grant program is funded by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development’s (DMPED) through a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program.    Applicants must be a nonprofit organization; produce an event in Washington, DC by September 30, 2025; and demonstrate their history of hosting large events, among other requirements. For more information, please visit Events DC’s Procurement Portal here .       About Events DC  Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the LEED Gold-certified Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, The Fields at RFK, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit   www.eventsdc.com   and find us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC) — and on our hub for on-demand event programming on GATHER by Events DC at  www.gatherbyeventsdc.com .  

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Garamendi Secures Wins for Safer, Easier Airline Travel in FAA Reauthorization Bill

Bicameral legislation supports upgrades to bay area airports and better protects airline passengers.

WASHINGTON, DC —Today, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA08), a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, secured key provisions to modernize airports, protect airline workers, improve aviation safety, support passengers, and more in the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization ( H.R.3935 ). The final compromise legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a bipartisan vote of 387 to 26 after passing the Senate by a vote of 88 to 4.

Every five years, Congress passes legislation to update the FAA’s governing rules and practices to improve the aviation industry and upgrade airport infrastructure throughout America. Garamendi secured over one dozen provisions in this year’s bill to benefit airline travelers and employees in the Bay Area and across the nation.

“Today, we took a vital step towards enacting my legislation to improve cabin air quality, bolster aviation safety, and strengthen Buy America standards to create new middle-class jobs,” Garamendi said. “As the governing entity for all U.S. airline travel, the FAA must ensure airline travel is safe, efficient, and seamless for all. The recent uptick in travel delays and near misses at our airports underscores the need for this bipartisan bill .”

“Now that this legislation has passed the U.S. House of Representatives, I will work tirelessly to negotiate a final bill with the U.S. Senate that can be sent to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law before the end of the year to improve air travel for passengers and modernize California’s airports,”  concluded Garamendi.

Garamendi secured the following provisions as part of the FAA Reauthorization bill that passed by the U.S. House of Representatives:

Cabin Air Safety

• Includes key provisions from Garamendi’s bipartisan “ Cabin Air Safety Act ” (H.R.1293) with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to prevent smoke and other potentially dangerous fumes inside the cabin on commercial flights.

Building Modern and Climate Resilient Airports

• Includes Garamendi’s amendment requiring the FAA to allow alternative project delivery methods like progressive design-build for federally funded airport projects. Major airport modernization and resiliency projects including San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are seeking to use progressive design-build project delivery models to complete construction on time and on budget.

Preventing Airline Passenger Assault

• Includes key provisions from Garamendi’s “ Airline Employee Assault Prevention Act ” (H.R.4037) with Congressman Rob Menendez (D-NJ), which requires all commercial airlines’ employee assault prevention and response plans to also protect airport workers like baggage handlers and ticket and gate agents. A 2019 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that 61% of customer service agents reported experiencing at least one passenger assault during their tenure. Garamendi’s bipartisan bill ensures proper oversight and response plans are in place to protect all airline staff, not just those aboard the airplane.
• Codifies into law the U.S. Department of Justice’s interpretation that airline employees working in the airports who provide a security function like gate agents and baggage claim personnel are protected under the same federal penalties protecting other security personnel.

Closing Buy America Loopholes for Airport Buses and Trams

• Includes Garamendi’s “ Airport Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act ” (H.R.2912) with Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA14) requiring that all federally funded buses and passenger rail-like trams at domestic airports are made in the United States by skilled American workers. This will ensure that taxpayer funds for airport improvements support middle-class, union jobs and prevent Chinese state-controlled companies from undercutting American manufacturers.
• Includes Garamendi’s applying Buy American standards to the FAA’s Ground Transportation Demonstration Projects, to ensure that taxpayer funds for transit, parking, ride share, and other projects to improve access at airport terminals are spent on American-made building materials and equipment.

Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvements

• Includes Garamendi’s “ Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act ” with Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA26) and U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) requiring foreign aircraft repair stations to be held to higher standards as are domestic stations. Recent airline accidents raise serious concerns about the increasing trend of maintenance being outsourced. These foreign outsourcers do not have to be FAA certified and are not subject to the drug and alcohol testing required in the United States for mechanics. Outsourcing has also eliminated thousands of middle-class jobs in the United States and created significant safety concerns for passengers.

Strengthening Air Traffic Controller Staffing

• Includes Garamendi’s provision requiring that the FAA  Collaborative Resource Workgroup ’s targets, staffing standards, and guidelines for air traffic controllers be implemented at each air traffic control facility to ensure Congress and aviation stakeholders have a complete understanding of the operational staffing needs at each facility.

Emergency Medical Kits

• Includes Garamendi’s provision requiring the FAA to update the mandatory equipment list for all emergency kits on commercial aircraft to include new medical necessities, including Naloxone, to reverse opioid overdoses.
• This provision was inspired by the experience of Garamendi’s former constituent and emergency room nurse on a commercial flight from California to New Jersey in October 2022. When she was called upon by the cabin crew to assist a fellow passenger who was undergoing a medical emergency, she was alarmed to discover that the emergency medical kit on this transcontinental flight lacked basic equipment such as an automatic blood pressure machine, a glucometer, and a pulse oximeter. The federal standards for emergency medical kits aboard commercial flights have not been updated since 2004, and this provision is long overdue.

Improving Cockpit Safety

• Includes key provisions from Garamendi’s “ Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act ” (H.R.911) with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA) named after United Airlines pilot Captain Victor J. Saracini, who tragically lost his life in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
• This bipartisan bill would mandate the installation of secondary barriers on commercial aircraft. These barriers would create a physical separation between the cockpit and the passenger cabin, providing an additional layer of security to protect pilots from unauthorized access and potential acts of terrorism.

Prioritizing U.S.-based Airlines to Service Domestic Routes

• Includes Garamendi’s amendment directing the FAA to examine interchange agreements between foreign and domestic airlines to ensure that foreign airlines are not taking away jobs from Americans.
• The Congressionally directed study would require the FAA to consider any regulatory updates necessary to ensure that such agreements do not violate federal cabotage laws requiring that only US-based airlines service domestic routes.

Requires Data and Voice Recorders on Commercial Helicopters

• Incorporates late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congressman Brad Sherman’s (D-CA32) “ Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act of 2021,” requiring that flight data recorders be installed on helicopters, as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board.

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April 2024 Air Travel Consumer Report

About this document.

The Air Travel Consumer Report is a monthly product of the Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection. The report is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by the airlines. 

Data Included in this Report

Flight Delays: February 2024 Mishandled Baggage / Wheelchairs and Scooters: February 2024 Oversales: 4th Quarter 2023 / January - December 2023  Consumer Complaints: See the report for details. Customer Service Reports to the Dept. of Homeland Security: February 2024 Airline Animal Incident Reports: February 2024

Individual redacted animal incident reports may be seen by clicking the airline’s name in the report.

11 hurt in mass shooting that marked a weekend of gun violence in Savannah, Georgia

The Associated Press

May 19, 2024, 7:57 PM

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — An argument between two women led to a gunfight that left 11 people hurt in a busy tourist area of Savannah, Georgia, late Saturday, one of five weekend shootings in the city, two of which were fatal, authorities said.

Two people were injured in separate shootings Friday. Two more shootings Saturday resulted in two deaths. Then came the gunfire just before midnight Saturday near Savannah’s Ellis Square.

The shooting broke out as two women argued in an area business, according to Police Chief Lenny Gunther, who didn’t name the establishment.

“One shot rang out. That triggered other individuals to shoot,” he said. “We had multiple individuals discharge their weapons to shoot at each other, which resulted in multiple people getting shot.”

Ten of the 11 injured were hit by gunfire. Authorities did not say what caused the 11th injury. Victims were treated at the scene and “several” were taken to a hospital, police said. None of the injuries appeared life threatening.

Mayor Van Johnson said a proliferation of guns was a factor in the shootings and that reasonable gun control laws are needed. He also stressed the need for gun owners to keep their weapons from being stolen and for people carrying guns to know how and when to use them.

“We have to insist on smart gun laws,” Johnson said at a Sunday news conference. “And then, on the other end, we have to insist that people act responsibly with those weapons.”

The mass shooting happened a week ahead of the tourist-heavy Memorial Day weekend. Gunther sought to assure people that police staffing will be sufficient to keep the public safe.

Ellis Square is in Savannah’s historic district, an area popular among tourists and locals. It was developed in 2010 and is known for a large fountain and a life-sized statue of songwriter Johnny Mercer.

The first two of Savannah’s weekend shootings happened Friday. Each of those resulted in a non-life-threatening injury and an arrest. On Saturday, police answering a call about a home invasion found a dead juvenile at the home. Initial reports are that shots were fired after a resident confronted an armed intruder.

Still another shooting was reported at a Savannah intersection Saturday night that left one man dead and a juvenile injured.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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