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Updated February 2026

Traveling to Washington, DC should be on every American’s travel bucket list! DC is close to some of the most populated regions in the US, making it a convenient place to road trip to for many. For those who live on the other side of the country, there are three international airports to choose from (I usually fly into Dulles International Airport).

I love exploring the top things to do in DC, and have visited several times during the spring (around the Cherry Blossom Festival, when the largest crowds come) and during Christmas. I savor the moments going from one museum or monument to another and still have lots to return for. Here’s how to spend a three-day weekend in the capital of the USA.

Day 1

On every list of top 10 things to do in DC, exploring the National Mall fills up most of the list. The entire strip of museums and monuments is an expansive two miles long, so it is best to spread your visit out between the three days you have there.

On one visit, staying at a Hilton hotel near the White House made it so I was able to easily walk or take the metro to get around and see a variety of iconic locations on my first day. See other DC hotel options here.

White House

I tried booking a White House tour through my state’s member of Congress, but I didn’t request one early enough in advance, so I ended up just enjoying the views of the White House from the outside. It is an iconic building that houses the president of the United States and should be a part of any visit to DC.

National Archives

One of the highlights of my trip was exploring the National Archives, where the original Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and Constitution live. It is such an incredible experience to come face to face with the documents that built America. Admission is completely free, and includes several other unique exhibits, making this one of the best free things to do in DC!

Chinatown

I mainly visited Chinatown for the food, and there isn’t really much else to do there, especially compared to the bustling atmosphere of New York’s Chinatown. However, it is still fun to walk around and see the cultural sights, like the giant Chinese archway at the entrance to this part of the city.

What I saved for my next visit: Smithsonian Zoo (especially if visiting DC with kids), National Geographic Museum, Ford’s Theatre

Day 2

outside of Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

I knew I wanted to spend my first full day in DC exploring some of the many museums around town, so I chose two out of the 20 DC Smithsonian museums to visit. I dream of being able to visit them all someday!

Smithsonian Museums

My first stop of the day was the National Museum of Natural History. The three levels of exhibits offered a lot of interesting things, ranging from the smallest parts of nature to dinosaurs and everything in between. My favorite areas were the Hall of Human Origins and the Outbreak sections. The Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals is an honorable mention. Everything in the museum was pretty cool and I learned a lot in the few hours I spent there!

After that museum, I spent another several hours at the National Air and Space Museum. Much of it was under construction when I visited, but I was able to see rockets and learn a lot about life in space. I also explored the development of air and sea travel throughout the world, which was really neat.

National Mall on Electric Scooters

After a quick dinner at District Taco, I found some electric Bird scooters on the side of the road and did one of the best things to do at night in DC—explore the lit up historic buildings, which reminded me of ancient buildings I saw in Rome! I made my way to the east end of the National Mall and zoomed around the US Capitol Building, Supreme Court Building, and Library of Congress, taking tons of pictures along the way. Although the scooters can get pricey, the experience was one of my favorite memories from the trip and something I would highly recommend. Plus, it was one of my only expenses in DC, since most of the museums and monuments are free anyway!

What I saved for my next visit: International Spy Museum, National Museum of African American History and Culture (one of the most popular Smithsonian museums)

Day 3

I spent my final day in DC exploring the west end of the National Mall, which is the side with the major memorials and monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial.

National Mall Memorials

I started in the center at the Washington Monument, which can be seen from all over the city. It is to DC what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. I walked along the fields of grass to the WWII Memorial and my favorite, the Lincoln Memorial. It was inspiring to gaze up at the giant sitting Lincoln and then read his famous quotes and reflect on the changes he made for our country.

I then made my way to a cool Albert Einstein statue, passing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the way. After that, I backtracked a bit on the way to Tidal Basin, passing the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Each of the memorials were inspiring and beautiful.

There are several famous and noteworthy memorials surrounding the beautiful Tidal Basin, which was lined with bright pink cherry blossom trees. I loved the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the wall surrounding it of his inspirational quotes.

Along the walkway I also encountered the FDR Memorial, which incorporated nature really nicely into the urban area, then finally the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. It was a day well spent, honoring founders and influencers of my country.

What I saved for my next visit: Arlington Cemetery

My trip ended at Union Station where I boarded the Amtrak to head to New Jersey and New York City. Read about my NYC adventures here!

Visiting Washington, DC stirred something more patriotic in me than I’ve ever experienced before. I left with a greater appreciation for my country and the freedoms that are here because of the people who have come before me. I hope I can do my part to keep it free and fix the problems that remain.

If you enjoyed my Washington, DC travel guide, check out my other USA travel posts.

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