Top 10 Things to do in Washington, D.C.
Written and Photographed by Whitney O’Halek
People travel to D.C.—locally known as the District—for various reasons. Many people come to take jobs, get stationed here with the military, or for business trips. Students attend school trips, families visit for educational vacations, and history lovers travel to see where history is made. Everyone on your trip will surely find something interesting, new, or more than expected. When planning a trip to Washington, D.C., don’t miss these top 10 things to do.
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in Washington, D.C. by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy, Caly and Whitney talk about D.C. on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. Do “The Hill” – Whether you have 12 hours or 12 days in D.C., this must be on your to-do list. You can visit the “Big Three” on Capitol Hill in half a day or spend as long as you like. The U.S. Capitol is best planned with reservations, especially if you want to visit on a particular day or have a schedule to keep. You can make reservations online or by going through your Congressperson’s office. Visitors can enter the U.S. Supreme Court when the Court is not in session. But the real gem is the Library of Congress Jefferson Building. It’s the most beautiful building in D.C., home to many exhibits, all-American artifacts, many of the original books from Thomas Jefferson’s personal library, and beyond.
9. Explore the U.S. Botanic Garden – Just down the Hill, you’ll find the U.S. Botanic Garden. It’s completely free to visit, and you can walk through the jungle, the desert, the Mediterranean climate, and more. It’s true; you can see dozens of orchids, avoid touching multiple types of cacti, and learn about plants with both medicinal and poisonous properties, all in one place. They offer free programs to the public throughout the year, and Garden Ambassadors are always happy to answer your questions.
8. Tour the White House – No matter who’s in office or which party is in power, everyone wants to visit the White House on a trip to D.C. Tours need to be requested two to four months before your trip, and there’s no guarantee you’ll receive your preferred time or date, but it’s well worth a try. Can’t get in? For one weekend each spring and fall, the White House grounds are open to the public for a garden tour, with no reservation required (although you’ll need to stand in line). Just want a photo? You can do that, too. Capture the perfect picture from viewing areas on the Ellipse (the greenspace on the south side) or the pedestrian plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue (on the north).
7. Have the FBI Experience – This tour used to be one of the most popular in D.C., but after 9/11, the FBI closed its doors indefinitely. All that changed in 2017 with a massive re-vamp of the tour and a grand re-opening, but many people still don’t realize you can visit this museum experience. There are excellent interactive exhibits, sections full of insider info on past cases, tons of artifacts to see, and stories to learn. Getting tickets is a process, so make sure you apply two weeks to two months in advance.
6. Attend a Sporting Event – What D.C. lacks in lifelong locals, it makes up for in professional sports teams. Baseball fans must tour Nationals Park and go to a game (don’t miss the Presidential Race during the 4th inning). Basketball enthusiasts can go to a Washington Wizards NBA game and a Washington Mystics WNBA game. More into hockey? Washington Capitals games are fun for everyone. Prefer football? The Washington Commanders play at FedEx Field in nearby Maryland. Need a pro tennis fix? Come into town for a Washington Kastles match. Don’t care about the D.C. teams? No problem. Make sure you’re in town when your preferred team is playing.
5. Try a New Cuisine – One of the most exciting things about Washington, D.C., is its mix of cultures, which is showcased in the restaurant options in and around the District. Eat Israeli for breakfast at Tatte Bakery. Have lunch at Ankara for some Turkish delight. Get a dinner reservation at DAS Ethiopian for a cultural and gastronomic experience. And finish off with a genuine Greek dessert at Zaytinya in Chinatown. Sure, you can eat American favorites in America’s capital city, but it’s also an authentic place to branch out.
4. Take in a Show – D.C. is home to a variety of world-class performance venues. Ford’s Theatre is infamous and historical (as well as part of the National Park system). The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts offers free concerts every evening and shows of almost every genre. The National Theatre brings all the best Broadway shows into town. Whether you want to see the ballet, symphony, play, musical, improv, or even the opera, there’s a venue and a show for you during your visit.
3. Pop Into Smithsonian Museums – There are more Smithsonian Museums in the country than just the ones in D.C., but the District is home to the most historical, well-known, and popular. All Smithsonians in D.C. are free to visit, so come in as often as you like, even for a short visit to see that one item you came all this way to see. Start at the Smithsonian Castle, the original Smithsonian Museum, now the official Smithsonian Visitor Information Center. From there, head to the National Museum of American History to see the First Ladies’ Dresses exhibit. See the dinosaur skeletons and Hope Diamond at the National Museum of Natural History. And visit the Smithsonian Zoo. When was the last time you visited a world-class zoo for free?
2. Catch the View from the Washington Monument – If you’re looking for vast, epic, Instagram-able views, you’ll find them here. The Washington Monument stands just over 555 feet tall and offers views of the District in every direction. You’ll take the elevator to the top, and on the way back down, you’ll see historic stone blocks donated by every state and government worldwide. You can reserve timed tickets online in advance or get to the ticket office early for a chance at same-day tickets. Tickets all gone for the day? Walk just a few blocks northeast to the Old Post Office Tower. It’s completely free to visit, and no reservations are needed. You can go up in the clock tower and catch a stunning view of the National Mall and beyond, including the Washington Monument.
1. Walk the Monuments and Memorials – This is the number one thing to do in Washington, D.C. The monuments and memorials on the National Mall are among the most iconic landmarks in the world, and more people visit them than any other site in the District. Start at the Washington Monument, walk toward the Lincoln Memorial, and be sure to see everything in between. Turn to the left at Lincoln to find the Martin Luther King, Jr., Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson Memorials around the Tidal Basin. Want to see some well-kept secrets? Don’t miss the Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution Gardens on the mall’s north side. You may also stumble upon the District of Columbia World War 2 Memorial on the south side.
No matter your reason for visiting D.C., you’ll want to see and do (and eat) all the District offers. There is enough to keep you occupied for days, weeks, or even an entire month. This list is the best place to start.
Want to read about more great locations like this one? Be sure to visit our blog post page for more great destination content. Subscribe today and never miss out on RV destinations across the United States and Canada. It’s time to Be Inspired!
Big Boots in Cheyenne
