15 Must See Places in Washington DC + Tips for Planning Your Itinerary
Washington, DC is one of my favorite cities in the world. There is so much do see and do in the nation’s capital, it’s hard to know where to start so we’ve come up with our list of 15 Must See Places in Washington DC! Our list covers our favorite museums, historical buildings, government buildings, and more!
Table of Contents
15 Must See Places in Washington DC
National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History is the #1 most visited museum in Washington, DC. The museum follows the journey of life on Earth from its creation until modern day, and explore what might happen in the future.
The museum has a large collection of dinosaur fossils, human and animal fossils, gems and minerals, and so much more. It includes lots of interactive elements that will keep your kids entertained. You could easily spend all day here!
Nearest Metro: Federal Triangle Station (Blue, Orange and Silver Lines), The Archives/Navy Memorial Station (Green and Yellow Lines), Metro Center (Red Line)
National Zoo
This is Washington, DC’s most popular attraction and the second most visited Smithsonian Institution. It is free to enter, however entry passes are required for all guests (even infants).
The most popular animals that reside here include giant pandas, elephants, lions, and of course…naked mole-rats. More than 1,500 animals call the National Zoo home.
Plan on spending between 2 and 4 hours at the National Zoo, to really get the full experience. We suggest getting there early in the morning, when the zoo is the least crowded.
Nearest Metro: Cleveland Park Station and Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Station (Red Line)
National Museum of American History
What we love about this museum is that it combines American history and American culture. This means there’s a little something for everyone! Where else are you going to find Julia Child’s kitchen and Abraham Lincoln’s top hat in the same place? Or Dorothy’s Ruby Red Slippers amongst the Star-Spangled Banner?
Like all of the Smithsonian museums, you could easily spend all day here. We suggest dedicating at least 2 hours here (but 3 would be better!). Check out our list of 10 Must-See Things at the National Museum of American History.
Nearest Metro: Smithsonian Station and Federal Triangle (Both on the Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines)
National Air and Space Museum
After being closed for renovations, the National Air and Space Museum is finally back open and it is awesome! This is one of the most popular attractions in DC at the moment, so be sure to book your timed entry pass as early as possible so you don’t miss out!
The museums boasts an awe-inspiring collection of Space memorabilia, and aviation marvels. There are even some movie props and actual space rocks sprinkled into the mix! This museum will be a favorite for young and old alike!
Nearest Metro: L’Enfant (Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines)
National Museum of African American History and Culture
This is another super popular museum that is hard to get tickets to. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a massive museum that celebrates the roles African Americans have had in our nation’s history and culture. This is definitely one of the must see places in Washington DC!
Obviously, there are some really moving exhibits that center around slavery and the Jim Crow era. You can see everything from an actual slave home to shackles that bound African slaves. The museum has a formidable collection of memorabilia from Civil Rights leaders such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Nearest Metro: Smithsonian Station and Federal Triangle (Both on the Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines)
Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial was build to honor one of our nation’s most beloved leaders, President Abraham Lincoln. The 16th President led our nation through some of the most difficult times in our nation’s history. He valiantly fought to put an end to slavery and to reunify our nation following the south’s secession.
This grand memorial was erected to honor this incredible man. It has also been home to many key events in our nation’s history such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s, “I Have a Dream Speech.”
The memorial is stunning during the day, but it is, perhaps, even more impressive at night when it is all lit up.
Nearest Metro: Foggy Bottom and Smithsonian (Both Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines)
Ford's Theatre
Speaking of Abraham Lincoln, another one of the must see places in Washington DC is the site of his assassination, the Ford’s Theatre. The National Park Service has done an incredible job preserving the theater so that it looks just as it did the night that he was shot by John Wilkes Booth.
There are National Park Rangers on site that will happily answer any questions you may have about that fateful night and the days that followed.
The theater also includes a series of museums dedicated the Abraham Lincoln’s life, the plot to kill him and others, and the nation-wide hunt for his assassin. While you’re there, be sure to visit the Petersen House across the street. After Lincoln was shot in the head, he was brought to this home where he would take his final breaths.
Nearest Metro: Metro Center (Red, Orange, Silver and Blue lines) and Gallery Place (Red, Yellow, and Green lines)
Library of Congress
When I booked us tickets to the Library of Congress, I went in with low expectations. To be honest, I didn’t know much about it…just that it was the world’s largest library. I didn’t expect it to be so ornate and opulent. Surprisingly, it’s much more elegant and extravagant than the White House!
The Library of Congress has a magnificent collection of books, maps, photos, and historical memorabilia. Highlights include Thomas Jefferson’s personal library, the Gutenberg Bible, and more!
Nearest Metro: Capitol South (Orange, Blue and Silver Lines)
National Archives Museum
The National Archives Museum is home to the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. It’s a great place to go to learn about the founding of our nation and to observe the documents that helped to sculpt our nation.
Nearest Metro: Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines), Archives/Navy Memorial (Green and Yellow Lines), or Metro Center (Red Line)
The White House
The White House has been the residence of every sitting president with the exception of George Washington. It has been the site of weddings, state funerals, important meetings, and so much more.
We strongly suggest trying to get a tour of the White House, it’s quite the experience. It’s neat getting to see portraits and busts of all of the important leaders of our nation and to walk the halls that they once walked.
Tours are self-guided and take between 30 minutes and an hour to complete. This is something everyone should do at least once in their lifetime, so start looking into booking your tour today.
If you aren’t able to get a tour (or even if you are!) we also suggest visiting the White House Visitor Center where you’ll have the opportunity to see their collection of presidential relics.
Nearest Metro: McPherson Square Station and Farragut West Station (Both on Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines)
U.S. Capitol Building
Each year more than 3.5 million people visit the U.S. Capitol building. Not only is this where Congress meets, but it is also a museum dedicated to American History.
Only visitors with tour reservations are able to enter the Capitol Visitor Center. To schedule tour, visit the Capitol’s website. The tour is led by a tour guide and visits the Crypt, the Rotunda, and the National Statuary Hall. It does not include the House and Senate Galleries.
Nearest Metro: Union Station (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)
National Mall Monuments & Memorials
The National Mall is known as “American’s Front Yard”. It is the home to iconic monuments and memorials that are recognized throughout the world. You could easily spend an entire weekend visiting all of the monuments and memorials that line the mall.
The National Mall is massive and there are countless stops that service this area. It’s best to consult a map to determine which stop is best for you.
United States National Holocaust Memorial Museum
One of the most moving museums in the District of Columbia is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). The USHMM is our nation’s official memorial to the Holocaust. The center is dedicated to helping the leaders and citizens of the world fight hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity, peace, and kindness.
The USHMM contains more than 12,750 artifacts, 93,000 library items, and a list of over 200,000 registered survivors and their families. It is truly remarkable and an absolute must-see.
Despite its proximity to the Smithsonian museums, the USHMM is not part of the group. Instead, it operates as an independent entity. A timed entry ticket is required to enter.
Nearest Metro: Smithsonian (Orange, Blue and Silver Lines)
Washington National Cathedral
One of the most gorgeous buildings in the city is the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington…also known as the Washington National Cathedral. The Neo-Gothic Cathedral is the second-largest church building in the US and the third-tallest building in DC. Construction began in 1907 under the presidency of T. Roosevelt, and was completed 83 years later in 1990 under the presidency of George H.W. Bush.
State funerals for Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, Ford, and Bush Sr., were all head at the cathedral. Memorial services for Presidents Harding, Taft, Coolidge, Truman, and Nixon were also held here. Many Presidential inaugural prayer services happen here, as well.
Nearest Metro: Tenleytown and Woodley Park (Both on Red Line)
Arlington National Cemetery
This cemetery is the final resting place for nearly 400,000 people. Arlington National Cemetery was established during the Civil War.
Notable burials include:
- President William H. Taft
- President John F. Kennedy & his wife Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
- Senator Robert F. Kenney
- Senator Ted Kennedy
- Senator (and astronaut) John Glenn
**Bonus Place if You're Traveling with Kids**
National Children's Museum
The National Children’s Museum sparks curiosity in STEAM for children ages 12 and under. STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities help develop soft skills (creativity, problem-solving, collaboration), increase engagement and motivation, and help personalize learning experiences for children. The activities help capture their interest in fun, engaging, and innovative ways.
We found this was a great way to balance out out the heaviness of visiting Ford’s Theatre.
Nearest Metro: Federal Triangle (Orange, Blue, and Silver Line)
Planning Out Your Trip
It would be exhausting trying to cram all of these places into a long weekend. In fact, it’s pretty impossible- unless you just zoom through everything without taking the time to soak it all in. To do these 15 sites justice, you’d honestly need about a week.
When we planning a trip to DC, we suggest using the following strategy each day:
- 1 Museum
- 1 Government Building
- 1 Important Site
- Time on the National Mall
1 Museum
The museums in Washington, DC are absolutely incredible, but let’s face it, nobody wants to spend their entire trip exploring museums. We suggest picking one museum each day and spending a couple of hours wandering around.
If you’re visiting in the warmer months, you’ll want to do this in the afternoon to take advantage of the air-conditioning- DC in the summer gets dreadfully hot! If you’re visiting in the cooler months, you may want to do the museum in the morning to allow the weather to warm up a bit before you spend time outdoors.
The most popular museums are based on the number of visits:
- National Museum of Natural History
- National Museum of American History
- National American Art Museums
- National Air and Space Museum
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
1 Government Building
We also recommend visiting one government building each day. These are a great way to learn more about our nation’s history, our leaders, and how our governments works.
These include:
- The Library of Congress
- U.S. Capitol Building
- The White House
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing (currently closed to visitors)
- Supreme Court (currently closed to visitors)
- The Pentagon (currently closed to visitors)
1 Important Site
Washington, DC is the backbone of our nation. So many incredible, and historical, things have taken place here. To honor this history, there are memorials, monuments, and historical sites sprinkled all throughout the District of Columbia. Pick and choose what interest you and add one of these into your itinerary each day.
Ideas include:
- Ford’s Theatre
- Arlington National Cemetery
- National Cathedral
- National Archives
- United States National Holocaust Memorial Museum
Time on the National Mall
You could easily spend an entire day strolling along the National Mall visiting all of the monuments and memorials. We, however, prefer to break up the Mall and do a little each day.
Each of the monuments and memorials is an magnificent piece of art dedicated to our Nation’s heroes.
Popular favorites include:
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
- Washington Monument
- Lincoln Memorial
- National World War II Memorial
- Korean War Veteran’s Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Helpful Info for the Kiddos
Each time we go on a trip, I try to get the kids some background knowledge of the things we will be seeing and the history of the area. These are some of the books we used to help front load some of this information for our kids.
Ready to Start Planning?
Honestly, there’s nothing like a trip to Washington, DC. It is the perfect destination for families. If a museum or monument isn’t holding your kids attention, there’s always another one you can check out- and it’ll most likely be free!
If you’d like a little guidance for your itinerary, see our 4 Day Itinerary. It was designed with young kids in mind and hits a lot of the most popular sights in Washington, DC such as:
The White House
National Museum of American History
National Air & Space Museum
Ford’s Theater
Lincoln Memorial
Washington Monument
National Children’s Museum
and so much more!
Save our 15 Muse See Places in Washington, DC
For future reference, be sure to save our Ultimate Guide to the National Mall and Beyond! Pin one of the images below to Pinterest. Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!
If you’re planning a trip to Washington, DC, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to the National Mall and Beyond and our 4 Day Washington, DC Itinerary. You can also learn how to visit the White House.
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