If you’ve only got 24 hours, you’ll need a well-planned itinerary to explore Washington DC in a day. With museums, monuments, and numerous iconic sites, DC can be overwhelming, but fear not: here’s how to immerse yourself in the city’s essence on a day trip or short getaway.
When the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened it became one of nineteen museums and galleries that compose the Smithsonian Institute in the District of Columbia. You could spend a lifetime getting around to all the historic attractions in our nation’s capital, but here’s what to see when you’re short on time.
And when you return, we’ve got you covered with our Washington DC getaway for second-timers. Pair your trip with a stop at the Arlington National Cemetery, find this and more, on our Arlington VA travel guide.
A Washington DC In A Day Itinerary
It is possible to see many of the city’s most important attractions within a day, especially if you don’t linger, skip guided tours, and avoid uber-popular times such as when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. Here’s an ambitious day’s agenda:
Morning: National Mall Extravaganza
Start your day bright and early at the National Mall, where many of the city’s most famous landmarks are located. Grab a coffee and a pastry from a nearby café and head straight for the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, one of the most iconic monuments in America. As the day breaks, you’ll experience this serene location with fewer crowds. After paying your respects to Honest Abe, make your way towards the Washington Monument, which provides a perfect backdrop for some stunning photographs.
Late Morning: Smithsonian Museums
Select one or two of the Smithsonian museums to visit; the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History are great options if you’re short on time. If art is more your style, consider the National Gallery of Art.
Afternoon: Capitol Hill and Library of Congress
Hop on the Metro or grab a taxi to Capitol Hill. Take a stroll around the U.S. Capitol’s exterior and the neighboring botanic garden. If you’ve pre-booked a tour, now’s the time to explore the interior. Right across the street, you’ll find the Library of Congress, an architectural marvel worth peeking into.
Late Afternoon: Georgetown Exploration
Take a short ride to the historic neighborhood of Georgetown. Wander its cobblestone streets, soak up its charming atmosphere, and consider grabbing an early dinner at one of the many cafes or restaurants.
Evening: Sunset at the Tidal Basin
End your day with a tranquil walk around the Tidal Basin, lined with cherry trees that offer an extraordinary view during the spring. As the sun sets over the Jefferson Memorial, you’ll realize how much of DC you’ve managed to experience in a single day.
Our Own Self-Guided Walking Tour
Even though it was late December, temperatures were surprisingly Spring-like. It was a perfect day for a walking tour. But because our party included teenagers and a sprightly near-octogenarian, we wanted to temper our enthusiasm with plenty of rest stops to fuel our not-too-ambitious plans.
PHOTO OP: After breakfast in Georgetown, we strolled down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House where the teenagers shot Instagram and Snapchat photos in front of the iron gates.
Both kids attended the 2009 White House Egg Roll, so this was a trip down memory lane for them. (Note that planning a White House visit is a complicated matter requiring that tour requests be submitted through one’s Member of Congress.)
From the White House, we made a beeline for the Washington Monument at the center of the National Mall since it was clearly visible in the distance. I foolishly hoped that we could go to the top, but discovered that although tickets to the Washington Monument are available on a first-come, first-served basis, you have to arrive early to get them.
The park ranger recommended arriving by 8am to score tickets before tours start at 9am, but one member of the party can obtain up to 6 tickets. Tickets may also be reserved in advance online.
Washington DC Attractions On the National Mall
Although you can power walk the entire circuit of the National Mall in less than a couple of hours–2.5 miles separate the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol Building at either end–there are too many attractions (all with free admission) to do so unless wearing blinders. For your day in Washington DC, consider which, of the many, museums or monuments you most want to visit.
There are eight National Monuments and Memorials :
- Washington Monument
- Lincoln Memorial
- World War II Memorial
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Five museums and historic attractions:
- National Gallery of Art
- U.S. Capitol – See How To Book A Tour on the Capitol Visitors Center site.
- U.S. Botanic Gardens
- National Gallery Sculpture Garden
- U. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
And nine museums of the Smithsonian Institution:
- Smithsonian Castle Information Center
- African Art Museum
- Air and Space Museum
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of Natural History
- American Indian Museum
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Freer Gallery of Art
- Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Turning toward the Lincoln Memorial, we passed the World War II Memorial, dedicated to those who served both in the armed forces and as civilians. The monument consists of 56 tall granite pillars, each dedicated to one of the U.S. states and territories, half circling a fountain.
It’s an open, understated plan, but when constructed it was quite controversial. Opponents were not happy that it cut the line of vision between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial; others were angry because this was space previously used by demonstrators; some rejected it on the grounds that it resembled Nazi architecture.
We didn’t see the resemblance, choosing instead to look for the pillars representing our hometowns.
We made for the Lincoln Memorial because my son wanted to reenact the scene from Forrest Gump where Tom Hanks runs through the Reflecting Pool shouting, “Jennyyyyy!”
Wading and swimming are not recommended activities at the Reflecting Pool. Although there is a history of multi-use that includes ice-skating and sailing model boats, after the $34 million renovation completed in 2012, there are bans against anything other than dipping toes in the water. Plus, waterfowl still use the pool. Enough said.
On this visit, we barely peeked into the Lincoln Memorial as it was packed on this sunny weekend day. It’s America’s most popular monument, receiving over 7 million visitors in 2014, and the interior can get quite congested. Since we’ve toured the interior before, and will no doubt do so again, we moved on to another monument that we hadn’t seen before.
We ended our walking tour next door at the second most visited monument among America’s national parks the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, receiving over 4 million visitors annually. Many come to find the names of family members on the list of 58,000 Americans who died in service to their country. These men and women are remembered, not just in stone, but in heartfelt tributes of flowers, mementos, and even Christmas trees.
Complementing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial are two bronze statues, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and the Three Soldiers. Both were considered to add a more traditional element to the monument. I don’t think selfies with the servicemen is what the memorial architects had in mind.
GET THE APP: The National Park Service app for the National Mall and Memorial Parks sites is available for both iPhone and Androids. It’s your up-to-date source for events and programs, walking directions, tours, and information.
Restaurants In Washington DC
BREAKFAST: Le Pain Quotidien
A hearty breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien’s communal table amply fuels city walks, and gets you seated faster. Organic, locavore menu with a few creative items, possibly too creative. Although I loved the Spinach & Goat Cheese Frittata, it was not a hit with rest of my party.
BISTRO: CIRCA at Foggy Bottom
Brunch to Late Supper, bar at CIRCA at Foggy Bottom takes center stage: over 20 wines by the glass and classic cocktails like the refreshing Moscow Mule. Menu is tasty and plentiful, and the bread ambrosial.
TAPAS: Bodega
Commence a festive night in Georgetown at Bodega during Happy Hour (Sunday through Friday, 4-7pm.) Order the Sangria, served in an authentic clay pitcher, and dig into a savory selection of tapas (word to the wise, keep the sauces to dip (free) bread.
Tip: Find months’ worth of dining options on 25 Classic Washington Restaurants.
DINE/DRINK/DANCE: Cuba Libre
Fresh mojitos and the dancing is hot, hot, hot at Cuba Libre every Friday and Saturday night, 10:30-3am. Tip – Take the Metro to get there, and Uber back.
Where To Stay In Washington DC
We arrived late at night for a 2-day stay at The Melrose Georgetown Hotel, a boutique hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Our basic room was spacious (by city standards) and attractive, with a nod to American history in the US Constitution wallpaper.
The stylish lobby is especially welcoming, and seating arrangements as well as the Happy Hour bar menu encourage informal get togethers. Best of all is its location within a 2-block walk from Georgetown’s bars, shops, and restaurants and 15-minute walk from the White House and National Mall.
My only caveat is that parking is pricey. But it is close to the Metro, or you could take your chances with street parking.
Washington DC Getaway Guides:
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