Many people visit Washington, D.C. each year to learn about the government and tour historical landmarks such as the Smithsonian collection of museums. But Washington, D.C. has much more to offer. In this city, you can sample all types of food, enjoy concerts, go shopping and take part in cultural events. After-hours, the bar and nightclub scene comes alive in Washington, D.C., making this a great place for singles to visit as well as families.
If you’re staying in the heart of Washington, D.C., you can walk to the museums and other attractions. However, without a car, you might miss out on some of the attractions on the outskirts of the city. With a SIXT rental car, you can more easily get to suburbs like Navy Yard where the Major League Baseball team, the Washington Nationals, play. If you’re flying into Washington Dulles International Airport, pick up a rental car and easily get to your destination. Outlying cities like Arlington, VA, and Bethesda, MD, are also just a short drive away when you have a rental car in Washington, D.C.
Must-see attractions in Washington, D.C.
1. The White House
A visit to the nation’s capital is not complete without a stop at the White House. If you want to take a tour inside, note that advanced reservations are required, and they are only offered on Friday and Saturday. You can, however, visit the President’s Park where there are various memorials and the White House garden which provides produce for the White House kitchen. There is also a Visitor’s Center with numerous exhibits such as an interactive tour of the White House.
Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500
Entry fees: Free; reservations required for tours
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Plan to spend half a day if you’re going on the White House tour. A couple of hours is plenty if you’re just touring the park and garden.
2. The Smithsonian
The Smithsonian is made up of several museums. These museums cover a variety of topics and include the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History and the American Indian Museum. On a tour of these museums, you’ll learn a lot about American history, science, art, technology, and different cultures. There is also a zoo that focuses on animal conservation, and several art galleries for you to explore.
Address: The Smithsonian Information Center, 1000 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC 20560
Entry fees: Museum entry is free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Plan to spend at least a full day here.
3. The National Mall & Veterans Memorial
Visit this green space to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while learning a little history. This National Mall is home to several monuments and memorials including the Lincoln Memorial, the African-American Civil War Monument, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. This is a great place to jog or take a bike ride (you can rent one at the park). If you have little ones with you, be sure to take them on a carousel ride while in the park.
Address: The National Mall is found between 17th St. NW and 15th St. NW, bordered on the south by Independence Ave. SW.
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Open 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: Plan to spend a couple of hours walking or riding around the park.
4. City Center DC Shopping Mall
If you want to do some shopping, City Center DC is the place to go. It has upscale designer stores where you can shop for luxury clothing and accessories like Chanel, Dior and Giorgio Armani. Other specialty stores include Breitling’s Swiss luxury watches and a Tesla dealership. There is also a tea house, steakhouse and French-American bistro in the mall should you get hungry.
Address: 825 10th St. NW, Washington, DC 20268
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Plan to spend a couple of hours shopping at this spacious mall.
5. The Library of Congress
At the Library of Congress, you’ll see a massive book collection. Along with books, its collection includes maps, photos, records, and more. The architecture and grandness of the building itself are mesmerizing. It has a tall and ornate ceiling, a richly decorated interior and several floors of bookshelves. The library also has various interesting exhibits such as the Rosa Parks and “Exploring the Early Americas” exhibits.
Address: 101 Independence Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20540
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Plan to spend a couple of hours here
6. The Jefferson Memorial & Tidal Basin
Washington, D.C. is known for its cherry blossom trees. The Jefferson Memorial is situated on the Tidal Basin (a man-made reservoir) which is surrounded by these beautiful trees. Therefore, this is especially a great place to visit in the spring season. The architecture of this memorial is magnificent. It has an open design and is made of marble. You can stand on the steps of this monument to take great photos of the White House.
Address: 16 East Basin Drive, SW, Washington, DC 20242
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Plan to spend at least 1 hour here
7. The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Numerous stage performances are held at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. The Broadway production of “Hamilton”, the National Opera Theater and the National Symphony can all be seen here. Check the theater schedule before you leave for your trip to Washington, D.C so that you can plan. Whether you’re attending an event or not, you can take a tour of the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. The tour also includes an exhibit on the life of JFK.
Address: 2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20566
Entry fees: There’s a free public tour. Ticket prices for events vary.
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: 1-4 hours, depending on the event
8. The International Spy Museum
Feel like James Bond at the International Spy Museum. With its interactive exhibits, you can test your spy skills and learn spy secrets. There are also numerous exhibits that explore the history of spying and international espionage. Through their education program, you can attend workshops and seminars facilitated by real spies. This attraction is good for young and old alike.
Address: 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Plan to spend 2-3 hours here
9. Washington National Cathedral
The National Cathedral, the place of worship for many US Presidents, is open for public tours. On your visit to this gorgeous church, you’ll appreciate its interesting architecture, sacred art and stained-glass windows. Through a self-guided or audio tour, you can learn all about the history of the church. You can also attend worship services here on Sunday while in D.C.
Address: 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Plan to spend a couple of hours here
10. National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden (a.k.a. the Sculpture Museum)
Tour the Sculpture Museum and enjoy artwork from the 1960s to the present. Some exhibits include the Spider, the Amor and Thinker on a Rock. There is also a cafe, where you can dine after you’ve walked around the garden. From the cafe you can look out in the garden. In the winter, residents come here to go ice skating.
Address: 7th St. and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Plan to spend 2-3 hours here
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Washington, D.C.
You can find almost any type of food in Washington, D.C. It has an array of ethnic and multicultural restaurants. There are also many fine-dining restaurants where you can get great food while taking in views of the city’s skyline. If you want to sample many different foods, you should visit the National Mall where there are various food trucks.
Ana at District Winery: One night while in the city, you might want to get all dolled up for a fancy dinner out on the town. This chic winery offers upscale dining with a romantic ambiance and waterfront views. Its menu features small plates.
Astro Donuts and Fried Chicken: Imagine crispy fried chicken served between two glazed donuts. What a delicious treat! If you don’t like glazed donuts, they have numerous other flavors. This restaurant is located near the White House but also has a food truck that can be found at the National Mall and around town.
Rose’s Luxury: Experience a Michelin-rated restaurant on your visit to Washington, D.C. This restaurant specializes in small plates for group dining and sharing. It has a prix-fixe, eclectic menu.
The Capitol Cafe: Grab a bite to eat in the US Capitol Building. The Capitol Cafe is located on the lower level and is open during breakfast and lunch hours serving casual food like sandwiches, pasta, pastries and pizza.
