2 Days in Washington DC: The Perfect First-Time DC Itinerary
Wondering how to spend 2 days in Washington DC? We had a fantastic few days in the city as part of our trip exploring the east coast USA and here are all of our top tips.
DC is a stunning city and the perfect weekend trip destination. The capital is also one of the most popular trips from New York City, and it’s also a great stop on an east-coast US road trip.
There is so much to see and do! For anyone who wants to spend 2 days in Washington DC, it can be hard to figure out which of the city’s many attractions to visit and where to stay.
So, I’ve included everything from how to get around DC, where the best things are located, and even what to do if you have a little longer than a weekend in Washington DC!
You’ll have an amazing time on this itinerary!
My favourite travel resources for D.C.
✅ Here are the best places to stay during your time there
✅ This is the best tour in Washington DC
✅ Don’t forget your travel insurance.
How to get around Washington DC
Being the capital of the United States, DC is a pretty easy city to get around. You can walk pretty much anywhere you want, and there are plenty of public transportation options too.
The Old Town Trolley or hop-on-hop-off buses are great ways of seeing as much of DC as possible whilst being able to hop on and off wherever you please.
You could also explore the city via Metrorail, DC’s subway system. There are two lines, and it will take you wherever you need to go – from the Mall near the Washington Monument all the way down to Dupont Circle.
Metrobus is another good option, as well as Uber and Lyft, or simply calling a cab.
Where to stay for a weekend in Washington DC
There are several different neighbourhoods that you can stay at for 2 days in Washington DC. The two most popular are DC’s Capitol Hill neighbourhood and Georgetown.
However, these are all of the top neighbourhoods to stay in DC:
- Foggy Bottom – Foggy Bottom is located in DC’s West End, 2 miles south of the White House. It’s home to many embassies, and it’s a very walkable neighbourhood with plenty of good restaurants, shops, and bars.
- Dupont Circle – Dupont Circle is the perfect neighbourhood for spending a weekend in DC. There are tons of restaurants and bars, plenty of shopping, and it’s a very hip and trendy location.
- Georgetown – Georgetown is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city. It’s famous for its pretty impressive historic homes. The streets are narrow and lined with leafy trees that reach toward the sky. Georgetown is the best place to stay if you’re travelling to DC as a family.
- H Street Corridor – The H Street Corridor is the 2nd (and newest) nightlife district in DC. Considering it used to be pretty run down, it’s now home to some of the best restaurants, bars, and clubs in the city. It’s perfect for 2 days in Washington DC with friends and it is one of the hippest parts of town.
19 things to add to your Washington DC itinerary
So, 2 days in DC is plenty of time to explore the city. Now that we’ve had a look at the best places to stay during your weekend in Washing DC, here are some of my favourite things to add to your to-do list:
1. White House
One of the top sights in DC is the infamous White House. Located on Pennsylvania Ave NW, you can visit the White House and take a photo of it from the outside.
You can book a guided tour of the White House, but this does involve some planning. Tours need to be booked a significant amount of time in advance by either contacting your local embassy or a member of Congress.
If you do manage to get a tour slot, you’ll need to present a valid ID (passport if you are not from the US), before you are allowed to enter.
Once you pass through security, however, you’ll be able to view the famous East Wing, the State Dining Room, the China Room, and even the beautiful White House Rose Garden.
2. Lincoln Memorial
Another important monument in Washington DC is the Lincoln Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial is on the National Mall. It was built to honour Abraham Lincoln, who led America through its Civil War.
The memorial is located along the infamous National Mall along with The Washington Monument. It’s a very beautiful monument that’s well worth a visit.
✅ This is a great way to see the Monuments of DC from a unique perspective
3. US Capitol Building
Another famous USA building, the Capitol is one of 2 (the other being the White House) where Congress meets. You can find it on Capitol Hill, on the east end of the National Mall.
Tours of the capital are also available and, once again, it’s recommended to book in advance. This is something I recommend doing if you’re going to Washington DC because it’s truly a beautiful building.
However, if you don’t feel like booking a tour, it’s also just as wonderful to view from the outside.
4. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian Museums are definitely one place I recommend visiting because they all have so much history inside. The Air and Space Museum is no exception. First opened in 1976, it houses an impressive number of exhibitions related to air and space.
The 2nd floor has a great section on aviation history, with some of the very first planes ever built! It also houses an impressive collection of actual spacecraft used by astronauts during different missions to outer space throughout our solar system.
5. Martin Luther King Jr Memorial
You could very easily spend 2 days in Washington DC purely exploring memorials and museums. The Martin Luther King Jr Memorial is definitely one to add to your list.
Located on the Tidal Basin, this does not only include the Stone of Hope, a granite statue of the Civil Rights Movement in Washington DC, but it’s also a very impressive and imposing sculpture.
This park that features the statue is open every day for 24 hours. It’s quite peaceful to wander around the whole park and take in all the memorials.
6. National Gallery of Art
One of the best free museums to visit in Washington DC is the National Gallery of Art. This consists of one main building and an attached sculpture garden, containing many famous works by great artists like Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, etc.
7. Smithsonian National Museum of History
The 2nd Smithsonian museum on the National Mall (and this list) is the Smithsonian National Museum of History. This is another one with lots of interesting exhibits around US history. This includes many objects used by famous figures in American history like Washington and Lincoln.
Some key things to see inside the museum include the Spirit of St Louis which was the plane flown by Charles Lindberg to complete the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean.
There’s also a walk-through exhibit on 2 floors that allows you to follow US history from its very early years right up until the present day, with many interesting interactive objects and displays along the way.
8. Washington Monument
Stretching up into the sky, the Washington Monument is a classic DC icon.
This column was built in honour of George Washington. It’s one place you’ll often see mentioned on postcards or souvenirs because it makes for a classic photo opportunity.
This is definitely one of the best things to do in Washington DC. Don’t forget to head inside for panoramic views over the city.
9. Washington National Cathedral
Although much less known than some of these other monuments and museums, one place that’s definitely worth visiting in Washington DC is the National Cathedral. The cathedral itself was built nearly 70 years and it’s free to visit any time during the day.
I recommend visiting the Crypt chapel which is completely underground. It’s also worth mentioning that this cathedral has a very impressive bell tower.
10. Thomas Jefferson Monument
The memorial to Thomas Jefferson is also located near the Tidal Basin. This monument celebrates one of America’s most famous Founding Fathers. It was built between 1939 and 1943 and celebrates the life of the USA’s third president.
It’s a beautiful white, domed structure, and, particularly when the cherry blossoms come to life in the spring, is a truly beautiful place. Whether you want to come here to reflect or marvel at this beautiful building, it’s one of the best places to visit during 2 days in Washington DC.
11. Library of Congress
Arguably the most famous library in the United States, the Library of Congress is also one of two places in Washington DC dedicated to Thomas Jefferson. This impressive building contains millions upon millions of books. At least one copy of every book published in the US is held here.
The Library of Congress also has absolutely stunning architecture and it’s worth visiting for this alone. There are even some great views from the top floor over the Capitol and Washington Monument.
Take a look at the 2nd floor Reading Room which is open to public visitors during certain hours. This room has an incredible domed ceiling, marble statues, and some fantastic stained-glass windows too.
There are also many other rooms you can visit throughout this library such as the Main Reading Room, Thomas Jefferson Building, and the Great Hall.
12. United States Holocaust Memorial
This sobering statue is a reminder of the atrocities that took place in the 2nd World War. It was founded in 1980 and is located adjacent to the National Mall.
13. National Museum of African American History and Culture
The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History houses a huge collection related to US history in its many different forms. It features the US’s largest and most comprehensive exhibitions dedicated to the African American story.
It’s a cultural gem, first opened in September 2016 by President Barack Obama. It explores and showcases the impact of African American history on both modern-day American culture and world history.
14. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Veterans Memorial is a site located near the Washington Monument. It contains two long black granite walls with over 58,000 names of soldiers engraved into them.
This is a very touching memorial that’s dedicated to all those who served in the Vietnam War – also known as “The Forgotten War”.
This is definitely worth visiting if you’re interested in American history. But it’s also a place to go for some quiet reflection during your weekend in Washington DC.
15. Korean War Veterans Memorial
Another 2nd World War memorial is the Korean War Veterans Memorial and this features an area full of soldier statues. This tribute to those who fought in the Korean War was dedicated by President Clinton on July 27, 1995. It’s very easy to find since it’s near the Lincoln Memorial.
There’s a flagpole here too, engraved with the names of all those who lost their lives in this war from 1950 to 1953.
I would definitely recommend visiting both the Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Particularly if you’re interested in learning more about 2 important conflicts that took place during America’s history.
16. Franklin Roosevelt Memorial
Franklin Roosevelt was the 32nd President of America. He is one of two Presidents to be elected for more than two terms.
This memorial consists of a statue of Roosevelt and his dog along with some very inspiring quotes engraved into these black granite panels. It’s an inspiring memorial and a beautiful place to visit.
17. Rock Creek Park
This 2,750-acre park is located in Washington DC and it contains 2 biking/running trails which are very popular with locals.
There’s also an outdoor amphitheatre here called the Carter Barron Amphitheatre where there are many theatre productions that take place during the summer months. You can even catch some great wildlife while you’re walking around this peaceful park.
There are also some great activities you can try out in Rock Creek Park, such as cycling and inline skating. So, it’s definitely worth taking a trip here if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle.
18. Union Station
This train station opened in 1907. It’s still the main railway where you can catch a 3-hour Amtrak ride to New York City.
Union Station is also known as “Washington DC’s Historic Train Station” because of its historic architecture.
There are also many shops, restaurants, and other attractions here that will keep you entertained while you’re waiting for your train.
19. Union Market
Lastly, one of the best places to get the tastiest food options during your 2 days in Washington DC is Union Market.
This local market has a ton of stalls. You can find some great local produce, restaurants, and bars so there’s something for everyone here.
It’s a really cool place to visit if you want to fill up on some delicious food before continuing your tour of this delightful city.
If you have longer than 2 days in Washington DC
If you have a little longer than 2 days in Washington DC, here are a few more of the city’s top attractions that would be well worth checking out:
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
The Smithsonian Zoological Park is America’s premier zoo. It houses over 300 animal species. You can learn more about them by taking part in one of the many educational tours that are available.
If you’re an animal lover then this world-famous zoo is definitely worth visiting. There are some very cute animals here such as lions, lemurs, gorillas, meerkats, and many more.
Georgetown Area
Another great place to explore during 2 days in Washington DC is Georgetown.
This historic and charming little neighbourhood features Federal-style architecture, cobblestone streets, a ton of bars, restaurants, and fashion and design shops that are well worth checking out.
It almost resembles a city in Europe. I recommend spending an afternoon here if you have longer than just the weekend in Washington DC.
United States Botanic Garden
The Botanic Garden is a little way out of town but it’s definitely worth visiting because there are some amazing flora and fauna here.
Also, if you’re a plant enthusiast then this is a place where you’ll be able to learn more about all kinds of different species. It’s also simply a very peaceful place to explore.
John F. Kennedy Center
If you’re interested in the performing arts then you should check out the Kennedy Center. This is America’s leading venue for performances of all kinds. It’s also the US’s National Culture Center and was dedicated to President John F. Kennedy in 1964 as a memorial.
If you’re an art lover, music fan, or history buff then this fantastic centre is well worth visiting during your time in Washington DC.
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Hi, Charles Lindbergh’s plane ‘was’ in the Air and Space Museum in the National Mall, but has been moved (I’m told) to the new extension of the Air and Space museum out by Dulles, along with much of the other artefacts while they refurb the main museum. 2/3 of it is closed currently (May 24).
Enjoyed the post and the rest was very helpful.
Thank you for this! I’ll update the article 🙂