Washington, D.C. trip ideas

Trips planned for Washington, D.C. run 3 to 4 days. These are the places they keep coming back to, and the trips themselves, day by day.

  • 2 trips
  • 3 to 4 days
  • 12 places

How many days do you need in Washington, D.C.?

2 trips planned for Washington, D.C. run 3 to 4 days.

A 3-day planA 4-day plan
Map of the most-visited places in Washington, D.C.

What to see in Washington, D.C.

The places Washington, D.C. trips keep coming back to, most often first.

  1. 1

    White House

    Official residence and office of the President of the United States.

    In 2 of 2 trips
  2. 2

    Smithsonian Institution

    Group of museums and research centers administered by the United States government.

    In 2 of 2 trips
  3. 3

    Washington National Cathedral

    Neo-Gothic cathedral located in Washington, D.C.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  4. 4

    Orthodox Church in America

    Russian Orthodox church in North America, granted autocephaly in 1970 by the Patriarchate of Moscow.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  5. 5

    The Phillips Collection

    Art museum in Washington, D.C.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  6. 6

    Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

    Catholic cathedral in Washington, D.C.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  7. 7

    Pentagon Memorial

    Historic site.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  8. 8

    West Potomac Park

    Urban park in Washington, D.C.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  9. 9

    Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

    National memorial honoring Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  10. 10

    Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

    Memorial located in West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  11. 11

    Korean War Veterans Memorial

    National memorial in Washington, D.C., United States.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  12. 12

    World War II Memorial

    War memorial in Washington, D.C., United States.

    In 1 of 2 trips

Trips to Washington, D.C.

Sample trip4 Days in Washington, D.C.: Memorials, Museums, and Sacred SpacesMemorials, museums, and houses of worship · A packed four-day loop · October4 days · October · a trip with friends · 20 stopsSample trip3 Days in Washington, D.C. · Monuments and MuseumsArlington to the Mall · April · a couple · moderate pace3 days · April · a couple's trip · 12 stops

Good to know

Is a White House tour easy to arrange?

Tours are free but booked through a member of Congress, often weeks in advance. Without a booking, the view from the north side of the building is the usual alternative.

Are the Smithsonian museums in Washington free?

The Freer Gallery of Art, the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, and the other Smithsonian museums are free to enter; no ticket is needed beyond any timed entry they offer.

How far apart are the memorials on the National Mall?

Most sit within a walkable loop around the Tidal Basin and the Mall, so the 45-minute stops string together easily on foot without backtracking.

What is October like for a walking trip to D.C.?

Cool mornings and mild afternoons, with the leaves turning around the basin. Pack layers and save the outdoor memorials for early and late light.

How far apart are the two Arlington stops?

The Marine Corps War Memorial sits directly above Arlington National Cemetery's north edge, so the two work as one morning on the Virginia side of the river.

Do the Washington Monument and Holocaust Museum need reservations?

Both use timed entry; the Monument's elevator and the Museum's permanent exhibition are booked in advance. The White House tour is requested even further ahead.

Plan your own Washington, D.C. trip

Tell Triptic your dates and who is going, and get the days, real flights and a place to stay.

Plan a Washington, D.C. trip