THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Washington DC
Things to Do in Washington DC
Stroll or bike through the National Mall, stopping at the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Smithsonian museums. Go in Spring to catch the cherry blossoms in bloom For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at Washington DC.
Private and Luxuryfromper adultC$102
Half-day Toursfromper adultC$131
Likely To Sell Outfromper adultC$37
Culinary Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)C$146
Ghost Toursfromper adultC$72
Private and Luxuryfromper adult (price varies by group size)C$140- fromper adult (price varies by group size)C$102
- fromper adultC$131
Golf Tours & Tee Timesfromper adult (price varies by group size)C$122- fromper adultC$125
Natural History Museums
Interactive natural history displays spanning from dinosaur fossils to live butterfly encounters, complete with a celebrated gem and mineral hall, including the famed Hope Diamond.
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Speciality Museums
Museum with an array of aircraft and space exhibits, including the original Wright Brothers plane and the Discovery shuttle, complete with educational insights into aviation history.
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Monuments & Statues
Majestic monument showcasing a grand statue and historical displays, set against the backdrop of the Reflecting Pool. Offers a contemplative tribute to a key figure in racial equality.
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Art Museums
Art museum with a vast array of Western and Renaissance masterpieces, including sculptures and prints, spanning from the Middle Ages to contemporary works.
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History Museums
Historical museum with poignant exhibits on the Holocaust, requiring timed tickets. Plan for a reflective 90-120 minute visit amidst crowds for a sobering educational experience.
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Libraries
Historic library featuring guided and self-guided tours, renowned for its stunning architecture and intricate interior details. Home to rare collections including the Gutenberg Bible.
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Government Buildings
Neo Classical landmark with guided tours through historic chambers, the Crypt, and Rotunda, connected to the Library of Congress by tunnel. Features impressive statues, artwork, and a gift shop.
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Historic Walking Areas
Spacious green haven with benches and gardens, surrounded by iconic landmarks and memorials. Ideal for serene walks, museum visits, and viewing the reflecting pool by night.
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Monuments & Statues
Elevated vantage point in the National Mall for panoramic city views, surrounded by a picturesque reflecting pool with historical significance and photo moments.
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Speciality Museums
Museum chronicling African American history across three levels, from slavery to modern achievements, with immersive exhibits and a reflective contemplative court.
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Other Top Attractions around Washington DC
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- IslandFranChincoteague Island, VA48 contributionsThis is a must see experience! The exhibits are interesting and engaging. My husband and I were particularly impressed with how each exhibit relates back to our planet and people’s role as caretakers of animals and the environment. The exhibit videos are fascinating, especially the one in the Ocean hall.Written March 22, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Douglas MMount Vernon, ME636 contributionsWe throughly enjoyed visiting and touring the air and space museum with our family. Seeing all the planes, helicopters, and the Discovery Space Shuttle was truly rewarding.Written January 12, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rebecca Y30 contributionsWe saw the memorial at night when it was all lit up. It gets very busy, so expect a lot of people.
This is an iconic place. You can't go wrong with seeing this oneWritten March 12, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - dustythoughtsManchester, CT2,296 contributionsSeveral colleagues and I came here after a work meeting to wander through this glorious art museum and take in the beauty of the artwork. This art museum is so large that we could've spent the entire day here and not see everything. I really liked the Elizabeth Catlett exhibit; she was an immensely prolific artist and yet remains relatively unknown, which is deeply unfortunate. The museum is well-organized and has plenty of benches so we can sit and ponder the art. The staff here are super friendly.Written March 19, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- courtneyf150Nekoosa, WI21 contributionsA very nicely laid out museum with so much information! I had my mom and young daughter with so I didn’t spend as long as I probably could have, however the one thing I did notice and appreciate is that the more graphic movies were placed behind walls so my 4 year old could pass over them but were still available for everyone else!Written March 7, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- noworryRichmond, VA108 contributionsTruly one of the most beautiful and interesting buildings in DC. Even if you just walk around on your own it is worth the visit.
Lucked out and just happened to be able to join a tour moments before it started. Can't imagine this would happen the majority of time --tickets!! Hank, I think, was the docent and had a wealth of interesting info.
Would put it at the top of the list of places to visit in DC.Written March 21, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Rebecca Y30 contributionsBe sure to get there early as the security takes awhile to get through and you'll need to get there before your tour time.
You will need a booked tour in order to see the building.
The tour was really good. The tour guide talked about all the paintings, sculptures, and history of the building. We all wore headsets so that we could all hear the tour guide speaking.Written March 12, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lee S7 contributionsIt is the heart of the city and a wonderful to get a feel of the grandeur of Washington. I think that it is a bit moving to experience it and reflect the great country we live in and it's history.Written March 23, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- regal tour travelDallas, TX768 contributionsInteresting history. Amazing height. Nice architecture. Good location. It's definitely worth a visit. A must-see in Washington, DCWritten March 15, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- dfb260Staunton, VA514 contributionsInteresting. You learn a lot of history while learning (or being reminded of) famous spies. It helps to have a fairly good knowledge of history. All of the “gadgets” used by various spies are interesting. A couple of hours if you move through quickly. Four- fave hours if you read most of the captions and watch most of the videos. Well done. Frankly, better than I expected. Would recommend..Written March 21, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lincoln P1 contributionBest place I have ever gone to, me and my wife love it here. The art was very cool, especially the train coach that they had.Written March 18, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AdorableK240 contributionsWe only got to see the outside of the White House but it was nice to see at night. It was pretty with all the lights. Seems like the fence gets bigger and taller everytime I visit.Written February 20, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
When to Visit
- January2 ºCColdest month7 days of rainLess busy
- February3 ºC7 days of rainVery busy
- March8 ºC8 days of rainVery busyBusiest month
- April14 ºC9 days of rainVery busy
- May19 ºC11 days of rainModerately busy
- June24 ºC11 days of rainModerately busy
- July26 ºCHottest month12 days of rainWettest monthVery busy
- August25 ºC10 days of rainModerately busy
- September22 ºC8 days of rainModerately busy
- October15 ºC7 days of rainLess busy
- November9 ºC7 days of rainLess busy
- December4 ºC7 days of rainLess busyLeast busy month
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
Reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.