Washington D.C.
- Debbie Discovers
- Feb 28, 2021
- 17 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
There are some places you visit, and then there are places that become part of your story. Washington, D.C. is one of those places for me.
I grew up visiting our nation's capital because my mom attended college there. Over the years, the city has continued to be woven into my life. My brother lives there, as do one of my closest friends and my godson. It always makes me smile that the city even shares my initials—D.C. Maybe that's one more reason it has always held such a special place in my heart.
I've probably visited Washington, D.C. around 30 times over the past 50-plus years, and I can honestly say I still haven't seen everything. That's one of the things I love most about it. Every visit brings something new to discover, whether it's a museum exhibit, historic neighborhood, hidden memorial, or incredible restaurant.
You Can Never See It All
If you're planning your first trip to Washington, D.C., here's my biggest piece of advice: don't try to do everything in one visit.
I often compare Washington, D.C. to Disney World. There is simply no way to experience it all in one trip. Instead, choose the attractions that interest you most and leave yourself time to wander. Some of my favorite memories have come from stumbling upon a memorial at sunset or finding a quiet park bench with an unforgettable view of the monuments.
The tips throughout this guide come from decades of visiting the city, so I hope they help you make the most of your own adventure.
Get Excited Before You Go
One of my favorite ways to build excitement before a trip is by watching movies that feature the destination.
Before our visits, we watch Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian and National Treasure. Both films made seeing the Smithsonian museums, monuments, and historic sites even more fun once we arrived. It's amazing how many places you'll recognize from the movies.
What to Bring While Exploring
You'll be doing a lot of walking, so pack smart.
I always carry a regular-sized backpack filled with bottled water, snacks, sunscreen, and anything else we might need throughout the day. Most museums allow backpacks, although some will ask you to wear them on your front while inside.
One important exception is the White House and the U.S. Capitol. Neither allows food or drinks inside, so plan accordingly before your tour.
Having snacks and water available while you're exploring the National Mall can save both time and money, especially during the warmer months.
Choosing the Best Airport
Washington, D.C. is served by two airports that I use most often, and each has its advantages.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is my favorite if I'm staying in the city. Located just across the river in Arlington, Virginia, it's incredibly convenient. You can easily hop on the Metro and be downtown within minutes, making it a great choice if you won't have a car.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located about 20 miles outside the city. Flights are often less expensive, but you'll usually need to factor in the cost and time of transportation into Washington.
I've flown into both airports many times—and even flown into one and out of the other. The best choice really depends on flight prices, where you're staying, and whether someone is picking you up
Metro
Metro
One of the reasons I love visiting Washington, D.C. is how easy it is to get around without a car. In fact, I almost always use the Metro, Washington's clean, efficient rail and subway system.
My biggest recommendation is to book a hotel within walking distance of a Metro station. It makes sightseeing so much easier! If your feet get tired after exploring museums and monuments all day, you can quickly hop on the Metro, head back to your hotel for a break, and then return to sightseeing later.
The Metro Is Easy to Use
Don't let using public transportation intimidate you. The Washington Metro is one of the easiest subway systems I've ever used.
Most major attractions have Metro stations nearby, although you'll usually have about a two-block walk from the station to your destination. The stations are clearly marked, and once you've used the Metro once or twice, you'll feel like a pro.
Metro Fares
Metro fares vary depending on how far you travel and what time of day you're riding. As a general rule, plan on spending about $3 to $6.75 each way.
A few things to know:
Children 5 years old and under ride free with a paying adult.
Seniors can purchase a Senior SmarTrip® Card and receive discounted fares.
Your remaining balance stays on your card, so you won't lose unused funds if you return to Washington in the future.
Buying and Reloading Your Card
It's easy to purchase or reload a Metro card.
You'll find ticket machines in every Metro station where you can:
Purchase a new SmarTrip card
Add money to an existing card
Check your remaining balance
You can also simply tap your phone or contactless credit card at the fare gates to pay with your digital wallet, making the process even easier.
Finding the Right Train
Metro lines are identified by colors, making them easy to follow.
Instead of looking only at the line color, pay attention to the last station listed on the train. That tells you which direction it's traveling and helps ensure you're boarding the correct train.
Electronic boards and TV monitors on each platform display exactly when the next trains will arrive. There are also several free Metro apps that provide real-time arrival information if you'd rather check on your phone.
Don't Put Your Card Away Too Soon
One helpful tip that first-time visitors sometimes miss—you'll need your Metro card (or phone) again when you exit the station.
The Metro charges based on the distance you travel, so you'll tap or swipe both when you enter and when you leave. I always keep my card handy until I'm completely out of the station.
Traveling With Luggage
If you're arriving from the airport or changing hotels, the Metro is also very luggage-friendly. I've used it with suitcases many times without any problems. The stations have elevators and escalators, making it much easier than many other subway systems.
Taxis/Uber/Lyft
We use Uber whenever we're in the city and have always found it to be convenient, reliable, and easy. It's especially helpful if you're traveling early in the morning, late at night, have tired feet after a full day of sightseeing, or are heading somewhere that's not close to a Metro station.
Hotels
My biggest recommendation is to stay near a Metro station. Being within walking distance of the Metro makes sightseeing so much easier. You can quickly head back to your hotel for a break, freshen up, and then return to exploring without worrying about parking or traffic.
One of my absolute favorites is The Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C.
Known as the "Residence of Presidents," The Willard is one of the city's most historic and elegant hotels. Located just steps from the White House and the National Mall, it's hard to beat the location. Walking through the grand lobby feels like stepping back in time, and its rich history is part of what makes staying there such a memorable experience.
Marriott Crystal City
One of the things I love most about the Marriott Crystal City is its convenience. The hotel has direct access to the Metro, making it incredibly easy to get into downtown Washington without needing a car. After a full day of sightseeing, it's nice to hop on the train and be back at the hotel in no time.
Another bonus is the indoor/outdoor pool, which is a great place to relax after walking miles around the monuments and museums. If convenience is a top priority, this is an excellent choice.
ARC Hotel Washington, D.C. (Foggy Bottom)
The ARC Hotel in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood is a great value if you're looking to save money while staying close to many of D.C.'s top attractions.
We had a wonderful experience here and would definitely stay again. The rooms were comfortable, the staff was friendly, and the price was hard to beat for the location.
A few things to know before you book:
There is no on-site restaurant.
The hotel does not have a swimming pool.
The Metro station is within walking distance, but it's a little farther than some other hotels.
If having a large fitness center is important to you, my son purchased a week pass to the gym at the nearby Fairmont Hotel, which worked out perfectly during our stay.
Both of these hotels offer excellent options depending on your budget and travel style. Whether convenience or value is your priority, we've had great experiences at each.
Double Decker/Tour Buses
One of my favorite things to do is a night tour. Washington, D.C. is absolutely beautiful after dark when the monuments and memorials are illuminated. Seeing the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and other landmarks lit up at night is a completely different experience than visiting during the day.
Many sightseeing companies offer hop-on, hop-off tours, which are especially convenient for first-time visitors. You can ride around the city, get off at the attractions you want to explore, and then hop back on when you're ready to continue.
White House Tour
Book your White House tour as soon as you plan your trip.
Requests for the White House tour must be submitted through your Member of Congress in either the House or Senate. You can also call the House switchboard at 202-225-3121 or the Senate switchboard at 202-224-3121 to reach your Member of Congress.
White House tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis and can be submitted up to 90 days in advance. The minimum time is seven days in advance of your visit, but the sooner the better.
Some time after you submit a tour request through your congressional office, you will receive an email from the White House with a link to submit your security information. Be sure to do so by the deadline. You will be notified of the status 2-3 weeks prior to your requested tour date.
These self-guided tours are available from 7:30AM - 11:30AM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Friday and Saturday tours are from 7:30AM - 1:30PM. You can call the Visitors Office information line 24 hours a day at 202-456-7041 for updates about any last minute schedule changes or cancellations of tours.
When visiting, remember that you can only bring a wallet and cell phone with you. There is no storage area for bags or other belongings, so plan accordingly.
Medical items are allowed, such as a cane or other necessary equipment. (My mom used a cane to walk, and that was permitted.)
Inside the White House Tour
If you need accessibility assistance, the White House does have an elevator option. Guests using the elevator go with security throughout the process. There was a separate line, and it took my mom about 20 extra minutes, but she said it was worth it! She was able to see the kitchen and a few areas that were not included on our regular tour.
Guests needing assistance are accompanied by a guard the entire time.
After that, the tour continues through about five additional rooms. You are allowed to take pictures throughout the tour, including photos with the presidential symbol.
After you exit the White House, be sure to take some time for pictures outside. The front of the White House does have a gate, but my favorite photos were actually taken from the park across the street. If you walk to the far end of the park, you can capture a beautiful photo with the entire White House in the background.
Capitol Tours
All tours, programs and activities are free of charge and led by our professional tour guides. Visitors are encouraged to book a timed-entry tour pass. Reservations are recommended, not required, and same day passes may be available. Visitors without reservations should arrive at the Capitol Visitor Center as early in the day as possible to obtain passes. The last tour of the day begins at 3:20 p.m.
We met in our Senators office in the Russell building before the tour began. They were sweet and offered us Coke products and Georgia Peanuts! We left our souvenirs and bags here during the tour. We then had a tour guide who took us underground to a tram, then to the capitol.
Capitol Tour Experience
One of the coolest parts of our Capitol visit was entering through the underground area. It was fascinating to see a side of the building most people don't think about.
Our guide took us throughout the Capitol and explained the history behind what we were seeing. We happened to visit during an exciting time, and you just never know what can happen on a tour! Security and the Vice President walked through the crowds, and my son even got a picture with the Vice President.
After the guided portion, visitors receive passes that allow them to visit the House and Senate galleries if they would like to watch proceedings. Keep in mind, cell phones are not allowed inside the galleries. There is a secure area with guards where you can leave them.
We were tired and there was a line, so we decided to skip that part of the experience. Inside the Capitol, there is also a gift shop and café if you need a snack or a break.
At the end of your visit, you return to the Senator's office to pick up any belongings you left behind.
✨ Planning a trip to DC? Some of the most popular experiences fill up quickly! Here’s when to reserve your tickets:
⏰ Book: ASAP
🏠 White House Tours
⏰ Request: Requests for the White House tour must be submitted through your Member of Congress in either the House or Senate. You can also call the House switchboard at 202-225-3121 or the Senate switchboard at 202-224-3121 to reach your Member of Congress.
White House tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis and can be submitted up to 90 days in advance. The minimum time is seven days in advance of your visit, but the sooner the better
⏰ Book: 1–2 months ahead for timed entry⭐ Summer and holidays: as soon as tickets open✔️ General admission is free, but timed passes are required.
⏰ Book: 30 day ahead⭐ Weekends and peak travel seasons: book early✔️ This is one of the most requested Smithsonian museums.
⏰ Book: 30 days ahead at 10 am⭐ Summer dates can sell out quickly✔️ Timed tickets are required to go inside.
⏰ Book: 2= ahead during busy times⭐ Tickets are free (pay for parking)
Lincoln Memorial Undercroft Cost $1 per person
US Bureau of Engraving and Printing No picture taking allowed on tour
⏰: 60 Days in advance
The National Mall
There is so much to see and do along the National Mall that you can easily spend an entire day exploring. If walking the distance feels like too much, there are buses that travel around the area, or you can always use a taxi, Uber, or Lyft to get from one attraction to the next.
Washington Monument
About half way down the mall, in front of the Smithsonian Castle, there is a Merry Go Round that is fun to ride on. The Smithsonian Museums are free. Many have entrances in the front and back. Both ways you will have to go through security and they will look in every section of your backpacks. You may carry in bottled water. I used one of our everyday water bottled and at each meal I would fill it with ice and water to keep it cool and not have to buy so many bottled waters. Speaking of which in the summer, each museum seemed to have an ice cream truck conveniently parked outside.
Bathrooms were usually located right after security when you walked in. The art museum and Natural Museum of History I know have great cafeterias. The Air and Space Museum has a McDonald’s inside it. Each Museum had a special coin made and my son loved collecting these at the gift shops They were $1 apiece. We bought the book to keep them in but be careful, his fell out many times. So next time I will keep the book in a big baggie. They also have those penny machines and my son started to get into those too. I would suggest pick the museums your family would like the best and go from there. We did the American History Museum. My son thought it was ok. We met friends who had 5th and 6th grader and they were more into it. He loved the Natural Museum of History with the bug museum in it. We got to touch bugs and see them feed a tarantula. They also have a butterfly part you pay $6 each to go in for 15 mins. He also loved the air and space Museum. We did the American Indian Museum and on one floor they have a children’s area with different stations to do fun activities. He liked this. This is right next to the Air and Space Museum. We went to the Art Museum, as I remember it from my child hood but he was disappointed to learn you look at art and not make it. So I would suggest it only if your child is an art lover. But great place to go eat lunch, but pricy They have a moving sidewalk and a pretty waterfall to look at.
The National Portrait Gallery is where Lincoln had his inauguration party. We went in there to have a snack and they allow children to take off their shoes and ran in the fountains they have. We looked at a few of the portraits and they have one room for kids to do a few hands on activities. We went to the 2nd floor to see the collection of President Portraits.
Air and Space Museum (There is another location near Dulles Airport)
National Gallery of Art - we love eating here for lunch.
United States Botanical Garden United States Holocaust Museum Memorial
National Museum of Natural History
National Museum of American History
Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
National Museum of American Indian
National Museum of African Art
Smithsonian Institution Information Center in the Castle
US Bureau of Engraving and Printing-You need a timed ticket to get in here
National Archives Museum
Post Office Museum
This was a gret hands on museum and see the history of the mail.
Union Station
Across the street from the Post Office Museum is Union Station. This is where many bus tours start and you can take a train to NY, Philadelphia or many other places.
National Geographic Museum
Milkeen Museum (Free)
The Peoples House (Free)
The Spy Museum you do pay for and it just relocated to a new location in 2021.
Tidal Basin
Another fun thing my son and I did was to pedal around the Tidal Basin.
with Tidal Basin Paddle Boat Ride. We took the tour bus to the Jefferson Memorial then walked the trail around to the Tidal Bison. They have paddle boats you can rent for 1 hour for $15 or a motorized duck one for $30 (you can paddle in it if you want.) If you do the duck for two people, make sure to ask how to use the motor as the guy was just going to send us on our way and I had to ask how to use it. It was hot in the sun so if you can, get the paddle boat with the cover. The paddle boat seats 4. Don’t be afraid to ask others in other boats to take your picture. We paddled close to them gave them my phone them paddled away so they could get our picture. Those were some of our favorite photos. You can bring your backpacks in the boats. My cameras never got wet, but if you are worried grab a baggie and place it in it. My son barely touched the peddles to paddle and he was 46 inches tall at the time. He could not make it go in a full circle. We only lasted about 40 min.s because the son was so hot.
Historic Clock Tower Waldorf Astoria
Formally Trump Hotel. You do not enter through the main hotel lobby. The dedicated visitor entrance for the tower is on the rear of the building (accessible off 12th Street NW). Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No advance reservations are required. Two high-speed elevators will take you 270 feet up to an enclosed observation deck that provides 360-degree views of the National Mall, the Capitol, and the White House.
Washington Cathedral
3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
This is a beautiful place to visit. Info here.
Mount Vernon
Parking is free, but can be a little walk for some people to the house. You can drop off your family at the gate if needed and then go park.
Your ticket (military and teachers get a discount) will give you a time to view the house. You can go after your time but not before. The day we went we had a 2:45 viewing time of the main house. It was crowded and they did not let us in till almost 3:45. So if you get tickets ahead gets an early time know you can go in really anytime after it.
Please note when you go to the main house, you may not chew gum or take pictures in the real house. I stayed at the place where you get in line for the house and my family looked around elsewhere and I called them when they said we could go.
We did the museums on property and the movies there. I will say, I did think the movies were a little too graphic for my 6 yr old. They act out the war and they make them really look like they are dying, blood coming out of their mouth. So if you think your child would not like this I suggest you skip them. They were about 20 mins. each.
They have gardens you walk around and walk a 10 min walk to see animals and his tomb. There is lots of walking, but if you are with someone who can’t walk a lot they could just go to the house tout and then meet you back in the main building. There is a café there and a great restaurant. They usually close the restaurant, The Mount Vernon Inn early for private dinner parties, so if you want to eat in the restaurant go for lunch.
It can get very hot walking around Mount Vernon so dress accordingly. Behind the main house they do have rocking chairs and you can look at the Potomac River, a great place for family to sit in shade and wait if needed. You can do this at any time during your visit. They have a huge gift shop and nice restaurants in the main building.
Great Falls Maryland Side
11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD 20854 (301-767-3714).
This is a great place for nature lovers. It costs $10 to park. We went to a little house near the parking lot, past the public bathrooms to get tickets for the C and O Canal ride. This is a fun ride. Everyone is dressed in colonial day attire and you get on an old fashion looking boat pulled by mules. You go into the interlock and they lock the boat in, fill it with water and then go up to take a 15 min. boat ride. There is a guide on the boat who tells you what is happening as you watch. You then take a 15 min ride back and then go into the interlock and they release the water and this makes the boat go down. The whole trip is about 1 hour.
We then took a very easy walk to the Falls. You walk over a bridge and you see falls and I got excited and my brother informed me those weren’t the falls and he was right, when you keep walking you eventually dead end on the nice trail into them. They are gorgeous. There is a little rock to climb on for the kids (out to the water.) We then walked back towards the parking lot and stopped and had lunch at the snack stand as there really aren’t any restaurants in the area. You put all your trash in a bag they have hanging on a stand and you take your trash with you to dispose of. You can bring your own food with you. Again dress for the weather as you are outside the whole time.
Skydome Restaurant
300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Drive 703-416-3862
This is a great place to go and see views of the city. It is a rotating restaurant, so please use safety with your child, I always remind my son about keeping his hands, feet, head in at all times. We love eating at this rotating restaurant when we go to DC.
They will validate your parking for 2 hours while you eat, but note the parking garage is very very tight to park in. It is also very easy to get a taxi to and from here. Once inside take the elevator to I believe the 13th floor. You then get out and get the elevator to the 15th floor for the Skydome. We made a reservation on Opentable for here and if you checked in on yelp at the time we got 15 percent off. You just showed you checked in to the waitress.
The restaurant will rotate in a little under one hour and you get to see great views of DC and the Pentagon. They rotate the menu seasonally too. This is a rotating restaurant so please always watch your children. I live in Atlanta and they had a tragedy at our rotating restaurant We went right after that happened but I felt safe with my son, but did give him a few safety tips. They have restrooms up here to if you need them. The floor moves very slow, my mom uses a can and is always fine to walk on it
Washington, D.C. at Night
Washington, D.C. takes on a whole different beauty after dark. One of my favorite things to do is simply drive around the city at night and see the monuments lit up.
The glowing Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and other landmarks are absolutely breathtaking. It is a peaceful and unforgettable way to experience the city.
If you don't want to drive yourself, there are also night bus tours that take you around to see the most famous sights beautifully illuminated. It is a wonderful option, especially if you have limited time or want to learn more about the history behind each monument.
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