Washington D.C.
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Alexandria Taylor is a travel writer based in Washington, DC. Alexandria loves exploring the DC area and surrounding cities for rooftop views and unique experiences. Alexandria’s favorite places to travel are Rhode Island, Boston, and Charleston, South Carolina. When she travels, you’ll find her checking out the local yarn stores, bookstores, and dive bars.
Why We Love Washington, D.C.: Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and best known as the seat of the U.S. government. History and vibrant local culture makes D.C. a unique place to explore. Go-go music and punk scenes have deep roots in the city, both of which you can still hear throughout the streets. The influence of hard working Americans and immigrants from diverse backgrounds have put a stamp on Washington, D.C. and helped shape the city it is today. Washington, D.C. is a destination where you can be constantly entertained by one-of-a-kind exhibits and museums, a delicious food scene, and vibrant nightlife.
Best of Washington, D.C.
✨ Things to Do
Washington, D.C. always has something fun to do. Whether you’re exploring historical monuments or partaking in nightlife, there is always something exciting to experience.
- Picnic at the Arboretum – Explore the beautiful flora of the Arboretum and then have a picnic on its lush grounds.
- Tour the Library of Congress – The Library of Congress has historical artifacts and rotating exhibits. Entrance is free.
- See a Show at Black Cat – This bar and music venue features indie, rock, and alternative artists.
- Visit During the Cherry Blossom Festival – Thousands of pink and white cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the city in the spring.
- Ride to the Top of the Washington Monument – Take an elevator to the top of the Monument and enjoy views of the D.C. from 555 feet high.
👉 Explore all things to do in Washington, D.C.
🗺️ Where to Stay
You can stay close to the action or opt for a little retreat. Here are my suggestions for where to stay in Washington, D.C.:
- Downtown – Stay Downtown to be within walking distance of the city’s monuments and museums. It’s also centrally located.
- Adams Morgan – This area has vibrant nightlife and entertainment with many bars and shops to explore.
- Georgetown – A quaint and historic area of the city filled with luxury shopping and dining options.
👉 Read the complete guide to where to stay to DC
🛎️ Best Hotels
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Washington, D.C. has a mix of luxury, boutique, and family-friendly hotels across the city. When planning your trip, I recommend these hotels:
- The Line Hotel – A boutique hotel with a cool bar and restaurant within walking distance to a lively entertainment district.
- Capitol Hill Hotel – An upscale hotel in Capitol Hill, located close to the monuments and National Mall.
- Canopy by Hilton – Located in the Southwest Waterfront, this hotel is close to entertainment and sporting venues.
🍽️ Restaurants
Washington, D.C. is filled with world-class restaurants and delicious cheap eats. Whether you’re in the heart of the city or dining on the water, here’s where you should go:
- Al Volo Osteria – A cozy Italian restaurant serving rustic dishes and homemade pasta in Adams Morgan.
- Timber Pizza Co. – Located in Petworth, Timber Pizza Co. is one of the best pizza places in the city.
- Planta Queen – A trendy vegan restaurant with a focus on Asian-inspired cuisine.
- Thai Chef Street Food – An eclectic modern restaurant located in the West End that serves plant-based Asian cuisine.
- Immigrant Food – Cuisine inspired by world flavors located in Union Market.
🚗 Day Trips
- Baltimore – Baltimore is a fun city to explore or see a sports game, only an hour and a half north of D.C.
- Fredrick – Frederick is a quaint city where the main street is lined with unique small businesses.
- Great Falls Park – A small park in Virginia that has stunning views of the Patapsco River.
- Alexandria – Just a short metro ride out of DC, Alexandria is a great place to spend the day exploring.
- Luray Caverns – The largest caverns on the East Coast, about two hours from D.C.
🚗 Read the full list of best day trips from DC.
🏘️ Neighborhoods
- Georgetown – Georgetown is a lively area for shopping, luxury dining, and seeing colonial homes.
- Cardozo/U-Street – U-Street is known for its lively nightlife and entertainment.
- Navy Yard – Watch a soccer or baseball game, then head to the waterfront for drinks.
- Adams Morgan – Fun, local area full of restaurants, bars, and local shops.
- Chinatown/Penn Quarter – Chinatown and Penn Quarter are close to Downtown and have plenty of shopping, dining, and fun entertainment options.
👉 See full list of the best Washington, D.C. neighborhoods
🍸 Bars
- Reliable Tavern – Reliable Tavern is a local gathering spot that was once an old hardware store.
- Lost Society – The rooftop lounge offers views of U-Street while you sip your drinks.
- Atomic – This small basement bar with pool tables is a great place to go for a casual drink.
- Whiskey Charlie – Whiskey Charlie is an upscale bar on a rooftop with views of the Potomac River.
- Wunder Garten – A casual and dog-friendly beer garden that’s a fun place to spend a Saturday.
🏛️ Museums
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – This museum is the largest natural history collection in the world and great for kids and adults.
- Planet Word – Dive into the interesting world of language with interactive exhibits at Planet Word.
- National Portrait Gallery – This museum holds some of the world’s finest art and images of famous Americans.
- Spy Museum – Learn about the history of spies from around the world in this interactive museum.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture – This museum features the rich history and culture of Black Americans.
👉 See full list of the best museums in Washington, D.C.
⛲️ Monuments
- Washington Monument – The tallest structure in D.C. and you can take a ride to the top.
- Lincoln Memorial – You can see other monuments with a clear view from the Lincoln Memorial. It’s especially beautiful at night.
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial – This memorial sits on the banks of the Tidal Basin and is lovely in the spring.
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial – The Vietnam Veterans Memorial pays tribute to the armed forces who fought during the Vietnam War.
- Arlington National Cemetery – Located across the river in Arlington. See the changing of the guard and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Washington, D.C. Travel Advice
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Washington, D.C. is during the fall or spring because the weather is perfect for outdoor activities.
- 🍂 Fall – Fall in Washington, D.C. begins between late-September and mid-October. Days are comfortable and evenings are cool.
- 🌞 Summer – Summers can be hot, humid, and busy around tourist areas. Bring sunscreen and bug spray during this time of year.
- ❄️ Winter – Winters are cold with a few days of heavy snow. There are fewer outdoor activities to enjoy.
- 🌼 Spring – Spring is beautiful with enjoyable weather. The cherry blossoms are a huge draw, but they can bring large crowds.
👉 Read the full guide to when to visit Washington DC.
🚌 Getting Around
Washington, D.C. is small but dense. Walking and taking public transportation are often the easiest ways to get around.
- 🚶♀️ Walking – Walking is a great way to explore individual neighborhoods, but not the entire city.
- 🚗 Driving – Driving can be challenging because of congested areas and parking can be expensive.
- 🚇 Public Transit – The metro and the bus are the best way to get from one area of the city to another.
- 📲 Ride Share – Ride shares like Uber and Lyft can be good options, but this can get expensive.
- 🚴♀️ Biking – Biking is great when the weather is nice. The Capital Bikeshare is a good option for visitors.
- 🛴 Scooters – Scooters are best for going short distances around Washington, D.C.
👉 Tips & Things to Know
- 🌸 – Prices surge in the spring – The cherry blossom festival brings many visitors in the spring. This often means the costs of hotels, food, and rideshare prices go up.
- 🚊 – Stand on the right, walk on the left – When on the escalators of the D.C. Metro, stand on the right and walk on the left. Locals and commuters take this seriously.
- 👟 – The National Mall is bigger than you think – Walking the Mall can be tiring since it’s just over two miles long. Comfortable shoes and a bottle of water are a must.
- 🏛️ – Smithsonian museums are free – The Smithsonian museums have free admission. But there are many of them. You should plan in advance which to visit.
- 🍛 – Try local cuisine – D.C. has large Salvadorian and Ethiopian communities. Find local restaurants that serve this authentic cuisine.
🧳 What to Pack
- 👟 – Comfortable Walking Shoes – You’ll be walking a lot in Washington, D.C., so comfortable shoes are a must.
- 🦟 – Bug Spray – The summers brings a ton of mosquitos. Bring bug spray to avoid getting bitten.
- 🧥 – Layers – Jackets are helpful to pack when the weather is cooler in the spring and fall.
- 👗 – Night Out Clothes – Washington, D.C. has many nice restaurants and lounges, so bring something fancy for one night.
- 💦 – Water Bottle – Summers get hot and you’ll save a lot of money having your own water bottle rather than having to buy one on the street.
🤓 Facts & Info
- Census Population (2024) – 702,250 (city), 6,436,489 (metro area)
- Time Zone – Eastern Standard Time (UTC -5 / UTC -4 during daylight savings)
- Area Codes – 202 and 771
- Airports – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Nickname – DC, Chocolate City, The District
- Demonynm – Washingtonian
- Country – United States of America
💵 Costs & Budgeting
- 3 Star Hotel Room – $185/night
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $108/night
- Rental Car – $30/day
- Public Transit Ticket – $13 to $58 day unlimited pass ($2.6 to airport from center)
- Ride Share from Downtown to Airport – $2
- Take Out Meal for Two – $45
- Sit Down Dinner for Two – $85
- Draft Beer – $8
FAQs About Visiting Washington, D.C.
Is Washington DC safe for tourists?
Washington, D.C. is generally safe for tourists. Many of the areas that tourists frequent, such as the National Mall are safe to walk around even at night. However, like most major cities, it’s a good idea to practice standard safety precautions and be aware of your surroundings.
Can I tour Washington DC without a car?
You can tour Washington, D.C. without a car. Washington, D.C. is walkable and has an extensive metro and public transportation system that allows you to get around the city and surrounding areas.
Can you walk everywhere in Washington DC?
You can walk to many places in Washington, D.C. A combination of walking, taking the metro, and buses will allow you to go just about anywhere you want.
How can I spend 3 days in Washington DC?
You can spend 3 days in Washington, D.C. by visiting places like the National Mall to see the monuments. Other highlights include large museums like the Smithsonian museums and exploring different neighborhoods for a local experience.
What is the best time of year to visit Washington DC?
The best time of year to visit Washington, D.C. is between September and November or between March and May. The weather is more enjoyable for being outside during these times.
Meet Our Washington D.C. Travel Expert
Alexandria Taylor
Alexandria Taylor is a travel writer based in Washington, DC. Alexandria loves exploring the DC area and surrounding cities for rooftop views and unique experiences. Alexandria’s favorite places to travel are Rhode Island, Boston, and Charleston, South Carolina. When she travels, you’ll find her checking out the local yarn stores, bookstores, and dive bars.
📰 Washington D.C. Travel Guides
Explore popular attractions and hidden gems across the state with our index of guides:
- 17 Best Museums in Washington DC (By a Local)
- These Day Trips are Perfect to Escape DC
- The 43 Best Things to Do in Washington DC (By a Local)
- Where to Stay in Washington DC (Best Places & Areas)
- 15 Best Towns Near Washington DC (A Local’s Picks)
- The Perfect Washington DC 5-Day Itinerary, Planned by a Local
- The Best Time to Visit Washington DC (A Local’s Guide)
- Is Washington DC Safe to Visit? (Honest Info From a Local)
- The Best Washington DC Neighborhoods (By a Local)