Itineraries for Your Trip to Washington DC
1 Day in Washington DC for First Timers
Washington DC is best known as the capital of the United States, a city of power players and politicos stuffed with monuments and government buildings. All that is true—and those dozens of monuments and memorials are truly spectacular—but it’s also worth remembering that the city is much more than just a government town.
On my many regular trips to Washington DC, I’ve fallen for the District’s vibrant neighborhoods, world-beating restaurant scene, boundary-pushing art museums, and pretty green spaces. And while one day in Washington DC is just enough to scratch the surface of this always-on city, you can still combine the main sights while discovering DC’s unique charm and personality—here’s how.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the National Mall for the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and more.
Washington DC has notoriously swampy summers, though winters can bring a real chill—prepare by packing seasonally.
Washington DC is a city of culture, as its dozens of Smithsonian museums go to show. To start your day in the nation’s capital, begin with a morning museum excursion ideal for visitors of all ages. Whether you stop at the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of American History, or the National Air and Space Museum, you have nearly limitless possibilities for knowledge and discovery. Pick a tour that visits multiple museums in one trip to maximize your time in town.
Embarking on a DC cultural excursion is bound to work up an appetite, and there’s no better way to follow up your museum visits than with a neighborhood food tour. The capital is home to one of the country’s most quietly thrilling dining scenes, and its eclectic restaurants represent hundreds of cuisines and cultures worldwide. Pick a food tour that visits a vibrant neighborhood like Georgetown, and get ready to sip and savor while getting a glimpse of the city’s local side.
DC insiders know that the best time to go sightseeing isn’t during the daytime rush—it’s after the sun sets when the crowds thin and the city’s monuments and memorials are aglow. To cap off your visit to the District and make your evening a breeze, book an after-dark tour by sightseeing vehicle. You can rest your legs and travel easily, all while making photo stops at iconic landmarks from the White House and the US Capitol to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
