3 Days in the Nation’s Capital
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Day 2
7:00am: Enjoy an early breakfast so you can get out to a few of the museums before the intense crowds hit. The breakfast is basic continental, plus eggs and yogurt and the coffee (La Colombe) is terrific. If you prefer to try something local, Le Bon Cafe is a quaint little French restaurant just around the block from the cafe. They serve great Quiche and Illy espresso.
8:00am: Get up early to walk the 2.5 mile self-guided monument path. You will get in plenty of exercise, while also taking in monumental history. Early morning is a great time to view the monuments. Photos typically turn out the best during early daylight hours. Plus, it is much more comfortable to enjoy the sights without the intense summer sun in your face. Take a look at this National Mall map to plan your adventure. Note: there are also maps along the trail.
Some of the noteworthy sights you will see along the route include the US Capitol building, the WWII Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. The White House is just a short detour (a few blocks or so) away from the Washington Monument.
If visiting during cherry blossom season (typically the beginning of April), you will want to head over to Tidal Basin Park where you will see thousands of gorgeous cherry trees. Bring with your camera as there are plenty of fantastic photo opps along the way.
11:00am: Grab a quick lunch as to not waste any precious time. There are plenty of casual cafes and quick service restaurants all over. Au Bon Pain is one of my favorite quick stops. It’s not fancy, just a quick place to enjoy a healthy salad, cup of soup, or a sandwich, so you can enjoy a quick bite and be on your way. If you are planning to visit the White House, stop for lunch at GCDC, a great local cafe serving all different varieties of grilled cheese. Pi Pizzeria is a nice local pizza gem near The Portrait Gallery.
Noon: There are 11 free Smithsonian museums in the National Mall area. Unfortunately, you will not be able to get around to all of them on a simple weekend trip. They museums are really massive too (and some extremely crowded too), and so jam packed that it could take several hours to simply scan through each exhibit.
I highly recommend placing The National Portrait Gallery, The Natural Museum of American History, and The National Archives Museum near the top of your list. As the Portrait Gallery is open the latest (7pm while most other museums close at 5), you can save this one for later in the day. A tour of the Capitol Hill building is also a must. Reserve online to guarantee your spot (some walk ins are available, depending on traffic levels).
Capitol Hill highlights: National Statuary Hall featuring 2 statues representative of each state, gorgeous artwork, an amazing fresco painted on the ceiling of the rotunda.
Portrait Gallery highlights: Portraits of every President, from George Washington to Barack Obama.
American History museum highlights: First Lady dresses, America on the Move (how transportation shaped our country), Wizard of Oz artifacts including Dorothy’s ruby slippers, The Dolls house (an intricate 5 story, 23 room dollhouse by Faith Bradford), The Star spangled banner
The National Archives museum: See the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Sorry, no pics allowed inside! Note: this museum often has a very lengthy wait, especially on weekends!
National Gallery of Art: One of the largest art museums in the county. I love the outdoor sculpture garden. The holiday floral displays are amazing!
Note: all of the museums have cafes on site if you need a quick bite.
7:00pm: After a long day on your feet exploring the various Smithsonians, treat yourself to a dinner at Founding Farmers. This is a wonderful modern American restaurant which offers a diverse menu of comfort foods, in an attractive trendy space. I love the Butternut Squash ravioli here. The ambiance is casual, thus making it the perfect place to unwind after racking up so many miles (most days we averaged 11-13 miles!).
