10 must-do’s in Washington D.C.

I finally visited D.C. for the first time a few years ago and I have to say I was impressed. The Capitol Hill area was much nicer than I was expecting and everything was easily walkable from our hotel. There are so many wonderful free tours and historic sites to explore, so it’s a wonderful budget friendly vacation too. A trip to the Nation’s Capital is a worthy addition to everyone’s travel bucket list, even moreso for history buffs.

Regardless of whether or not you are a history or politics buff, there is much more to see and do in “America’s Backyard” besides seeing the incredible monuments. D.C. is home to several of the most renowned museums in the world, and that alone warrants a visit to the city in my opinion. The many reasons to add D.C. to your bucket list go well beyond the impressive museum scene. It’s one of my top picks for history buffs for sure.

The iconic annual Cherry Blossom festival, an emerging foodie scene, and amazing architecture, are just a few more reasons to place a trip here high up on your list. There is more than enough for everyone to do in the vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood, whether your interests lies in history, art, photography, food, nature, and/or politics. After many roadtrips to the city at different points over the years, I have created a list of the must-do’s around the touristy Capitol Hill region.

1. Take a self-guided tour of the monuments

Obviously, seeing all the gorgeous grandiose monuments and memorials should be your number 1 priority, especially on your first vacation. The National Mall, America’s most visited park, is commonly referred to as “America’s Backyard.” The Mall is home to an impressive concentration of museums, historical memorials, and cultural attractions. It’s a history buff’s dream destination. While all of these monuments are stately (and much more impressive in person than in pics), the history behind the architecture is even more impressive.

Most of the major monuments can be viewed via a 2 mile walking path, which stretches from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln memorial. This self-guided path is easy to follow, with signs along the way guiding you in the right direction. You’ll see a lot of locals out jogging and bike riding. The area is patrolled 24/7, and thus, also quite safe at night. I’ve never felt unsafe walking day or night.

I always book a room at the Capitol Hill hotel where I can walk right out of the hotel doors and start exploring. If you are not up for a full day of walking (we put in a good 9-10 miles each day), you can opt for a narrated trolley tour, available both day & night. Additionally, you can look into the Capital Bikeshare program, where you can enjoy unlimited bike rides for just 8 bucks a day.

2. View the monuments by moonlight

Unfortunately, due to an overbooked itinerary, many tourists never make it to see the monuments at night. This is a shame as they look even more mesmerizing at dusk. This was actually my favorite activity thus far and I am thankful that a family member who lived in the area insisted on us doing so.

It’s so refreshing to take a peaceful night walk viewing each awe-inspiring memento of history without the hefty afternoon congestion or intense summer sun in your face. If you really want to avoid crowds, 9pm-11pm is the ideal time frame. Mike and I barely saw more than 10 people on our late evening walk: it was really nice to explore alone.

Crowds have usually died down, and thus, it’s easier to get great pics at this time. Plus, there really is not a whole lot to do in the Capitol Hill area after 5:00 when the majority of museums close. The Lincoln Memorial, the WWII Memorial, and Washington monument look especially incredible lit up, so be sure to at least get around to seeing these 3 beauties.

Wear comfortable shoes as you will be racking up plenty of mileage. Most pathways are well lit and the area is heavy patrolled, so it feels safe (be sure to use common sense and avoid dark areas).

If you prefer a guide, DC by Foot offers free tours (you can donate as much as you like).

3. Browse the Presidential Portrait Gallery

Although not the most hyped, the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery is one of my favorite museums. Like all the other Smithsonians, it is completely free to visit. If you are especially interested in art and/or politics, this is the museum for you. The highlight here is a section dedicated to Presidential portraits. Since Gilbert Stuart completed the iconic “Lansdowne” portrait of President Washington in 1795, every President since has had his portrait taken. It’s a pretty cool place to stroll around – definitely one of my favorite exhibits in the city.

From Founding Father George Washington, to 44th President Obama, you will take a trip back in time from the late 1700’s, to the early 2000’s, viewing the detailed portraits of the Presidents who helped shape each period of our nation’s history.

Besides the well-known presidential portraits, the museum also highlights the history of America, civil rights leaders, and sports and entertainment figures. Portraits, as well as sculptures, drawings, and artifacts, and even the official White House piano (which was used from 1903-1937), are all on display.

There is a lot here, and honestly, I did not have time to explore it all in a single visit. I would definitely recommend planning on this being your only museum for the day. After my first visit, I quickly learn that these museums take hours upon hours to explore, so you really shouldn’t plan for more than 1 or 2 in a single day.

What to see: The Obama portrait which was unveiled in February of 2018 is currently the most popular exhibit. Also be sure to check out Michelle Obama’s portrait and Champions, dedicated to American sports legends.

4. View the nation’s most important documents

The most frequently asked question by new tourists is “Where can I view the Declaration of Independence?” The National Archives building is where you can view this document, plus The Bill of Rights and The Constitution. The line is quite long and often begins to form outside the building more than an hour before opening. I highly suggest visiting on a weekday to avoid an extremely long wait. We got here early and still waited quite a long time, but it was worth it for the historical significance alone.

As everyone wants to see these most important founding documents, they let people in one large group at a time. It’s a bit hard to see anything due to the immense crowds, but still a must-do while in the nation’s capital. Unfortunately, no pics are allowed, so you will have to wait to see this one for yourself. The on-site gift shop offers an abundance of souvenirs including mini Declaration of Independence posters. This was one of my favorite museum gift shops!

Additional info on the Archives exhibits – there’s a lot more to see if you have the extra time.

5. Visit The Smithsonian Museum of Natural & American History

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is the one most tourists come to see. It’s packed even when you arrive early in the morning. Highlights include: a nearly complete T-Rex skeleton (one of the largest and most complete ever discovered), the legendary 45.52 carat Hope Diamond, and the Eternal Life in Ancient Egyptian exhibit featuring 4 mummies which are over 2000 years old.

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the 11th most visited museum in the world, is also well worth a look. This is a massive museum with lots to see. I really enjoyed the First Ladies dress exhibit where you can view the beautiful gowns worn by Michelle Obama and Jacqueline Kennedy. And as a big Wizard of Oz fan, it was really cool to see Dorothy’s ruby red slippers (one of numerous pairs used for filming but still pretty cool). I also loved seeing the Star Spangled Banner, Abraham’s Lincoln’s top hat, and an old Yankee ticket booth from the 1920’s.

Because the museums are right next to each other, it’s easy to combine both into a full day adventure.

Note: Both these museums get insanely busy on weekends. Try to plan for an early morning weekday visit, if possible.