Not sure what to do on your next vacation? Check out this list of the top 15 activities in Washington DC, USA that you won’t want to miss! From strolling around and exploring parks, all the way up through sightseeing tours and historical landmarks – we’ve got something for everyone. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
The Best Thing To Do in Washington DC
National Mall
- Address: Washington, DC, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (127556)
- Phone: +1 202-426-6841
- Website: Link
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Top 15 Things To Do Washington DC, USA
Lincoln Memorial
- Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20002, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (44155)
- Phone: +1 202-426-6841
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
- Reviews:
Reality Vs. Expectations 😊
These pictures I posted are reality . The place is crowded with tourists or locals , just people all over the place . It was fun , a lot of walking going around all the tourists spots In Washington .Going to Lincoln Memorial is quite a challenge for your feet. Make sure you have a good pair of sneakers 😊 or rent a scooter or bicycle . It was fun going around on scooter . Just need your phone and credit card. Different scooter has different price. Goodluck 😊
Lincoln Memorial reminds me of the movie “ Night at the Museum” . Lots of tourist taking pictures . Nice to sit down after a long walk and pictures taken . Breathe in and breathe out and enjoy .
By Lee Loo (7 months ago)I flew to DC in November. We decided to visit the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. No regrets! The park is very historic with lots to see. The souvenir shop nearby is worth checking out. They have postcards and other gifts. It was checked off my bucket list.By Nathan Santos (11 months ago)Another must visit in the capital city. Gives a great view of the Washington monument. The place is well maintained and always gives a lively vibe. There is plenty in the area for taking in some history and otherwise. Recommended.By Praswin Prakash (a month ago)We went to DC for our 1-year anniversary to do a complete walk-around of the city. The Lincoln Memorial was absolutely breathtaking. There’s so much history in this beautiful building. Truly amazingBy Sam Buck (11 months ago)We visited in Fall season, and if you have the chance I’d suggest you do the same, as this can be a very busy area of the Washington Mall. The Lincoln Memorial is at the far west end of the Mall, and if you’re like us, you’ll find yourself walking from one end to the other making as many stops as your time allows. If you visit the Washington DC Metro website, you’ll be able to see that the train and bus lines make stop/s along the Mall. I remember the 1st time we were in DC about 10 years ago, We bought what was I think a multi-day pass, used the heck out of it, and our car didn’t leave our hotel the whole time we were there!But, back the the Lincoln Memorial. It wasn’t as crowded, as I stated the BUSY tourist season was over. Such a beautiful building. If you’re able, take the time to walk around like we did, and take in the different views of the city at every turn. Also, don’t forget a good pair of shoes and have you phone charged, as you’ll be taking SO many photos.
By Bob Kramer (4 months ago)
National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Address: 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (22959)
- Phone: +1 844-750-3012
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 12:00 – 5:30 PMTuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Reviews:
The amount of History is amazing. Did you know the tickets come out the first Wednesday of the month before? I figured this out Thursday and could only book a Sunday @1030a. It’s about a 2′ drive or on the train from DE to DC. We actually lucked up and found free parking but I did see meters other places so check the parking situation. The Museum is gorgeous. To get to the main exhibit is was about a 25 minute wait to get in there. But once in, Wow! Two hours is really not enough time to see it all but it can be tiresome to some with all the walking. This place is also handicap accessible and can provide elevators if needed. Eat before you go or they have a Cafe but it closes around 3p. You must be vaccinated to go into the cafe. NO vaccination required to visit the exhibits.By Dani Isthebest (a year ago)This was my first visit. The contents of the permanent exhibits were thoughtfully assembled and meticulously curated. The temporary exhibit, called “Reckoning,” was stunning! I only had a few hours so I couldn’t spend as much time there as I wanted. You could take the better part of a day looking at everything! It’s a beautiful place sharing important history and should be a required stop for anyone in DC.
I started at the top floor and worked my way down. The architect designed the building so that each floor has a core in which the exhibits are housed, leaving the outside passageways open to the large windows and natural light. This is a thoughtful, modern design allowing for abundant natural light and great views.
My only complaint is the museum’s way finding and informational signage. There were no paper maps when I visited, so I scanned a QR code to get a digital map. The digital map was hard to read on my iPhone’s small screen; I couldn’t get a great overview of the museum’s space or contents, so I gave up on using it.
I also found that the informational signage on each floor wasn’t really clear. For example, I could tell when I was on the floor with the Heritage Galleries, but had no idea what the Heritage Galleries were or what they contained.
I didn’t take any stars off for these issues because they’re minor and easily resolved.
One important note is that you need a timed entry pass to enter! They’re very easy to get – and free – before you visit.
By Casey ROSS (3 weeks ago)This was one of the best museums I’ve ever visited. We purchased a package that gave us an African American perspective of DC. We did a city tour (US Tours) that ended at The African American History Museum. We gained so much knowledge from the tour guide that you just don’t learn from a book. The museum is a lot to see and it’s recommended that you start in the basement and go up from there. It also may take more than a day to enjoy the museum. We began at the restaurant. The food was decent authentic soul food. The portions were huge and we wish we would have just shared a plate so we didn’t have much waste. The prices in the restaurant are about what you’d pay in a theme park for food. We then started our tour on the top of the building and went down from there. I’m glad we did it this way. It was incredible to see all the contributions to history that African Americans have made. We finally made it to the bottom floor and it goes with out saying that the first few hundred years was really sad and de humanizing. It was incredibly overwhelmingly for our 7 year old so we stepped away to educate her gently. Then proceeded to the other floors after to enjoying the Reflection Falls. You must stop at The Falls.This building offered offers lockers by the 1st floor restrooms that is super helpful. Also they have elevator operators that also help as guide through the museum. It is very mobility friendly. But the crowd can get pretty thick. We went on a weekday and it was still small crowds in a good amount of places. Don’t forget to check out the gift shop. They have so many goodies in there.
By Sharlisa (a month ago)Here is the deal! We had an awesome experience. It was very educational and awe inspiring. I didn’t see Malcolm X at all. I don’t understand why? The history of the Nation of Islam was represented. Coming from a historian. Without Malcolm I just don’t know how you could tell that story. So for me understand that I’m in Washington DC the land of politics: this had to be political.By Jeremiah Church (3 months ago)Man, this was a fantastic experience. It was extra special because I got to attend a special event held in the museum. I was only able to take in the first two floors of the exhibit (you start at the bottom and work your way up). It’s hard to maintain composure from taking in all the information. It’s impossible to do in one day there is so much to see and learn. Another fine trip to DC in the books. Can’t wait to come back.By Blayne Sutton-Wills (2 months ago)
Washington Monument
- Address: 2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20024, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (17652)
United States Botanic Garden
- Address: 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (12785)
The President’s Park
- Address: 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (12554)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
- Address: 1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20003, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (6865)
United States Capitol
- Address: First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (4129)
Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Address: 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue NW #1, Washington, DC 20006, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (4119)
National Geographic Museum
- Address: 1145 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (2771)
Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum
- Address: 2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (2291)
Chinatown
- Address: 604 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.2 (1863)
Library of Congress
- Address: 101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20540, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (1765)
The Phillips Collection
- Address: 1600 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20009, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (1499)
National Christmas Tree
- Address: 15th St NW &, E St NW, Washington, DC 20500, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4 (665)
Friendship Archway
- Address: 728-730 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (344)
That’s it for our list of the best things to do in Washington DC! If you have any arguments or additional information, please leave a comment. We love to hear from our readers too!
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It is simply amazing to be in one spot where you can take a Sunday stroll around a beautiful lake and blooming orchard of trees while seeing some of the most important and stunning monuments in the world! I only wish I had more time on my visit to simply walk around and take in the sights. I got to visit mid-morning on a Thursday in early March so the crowds were not bad at all.
It’s a beautiful place dotted with numerous monuments and museums throwing light on the History of America. Very interesting and informative. Can easily spend a day here by just strolling through the entire area visiting all the memorials. There’s a lot of walking involved, but if weather holds good (not so hot/cold), it would be a pleasant experience. It was slightly drizzling when we were there and so we loved all the walking and could go on and on without getting tired. If you decide to visit the museums, it may take more than a day. So plan accordingly.
It’s a beautiful place with numerous monuments and museums based on the History of America. Very interesting and informative. Can easily spend a day here by just strolling through the entire area visiting all the memorials. There’s a lot of walking involved. It would be a pleasant experience. If you decide to visit the museums, it may take more than a day. So plan accordingly.
National mall is one of the most interesting and enjoyable places to visit in DC and, actually, in the entire country. Museums second to none, great memorials, and lots of tourists. The only blemish, truly embarrassing for our nation, is the toilet facility next to the Lincoln Memorial. Many establishments in Washington, DC, have serious problems with plumbing and sanitation. But this one is even worse than average. My wife and I visited the women an men facility, respectively. The lady’s room had a long queue (that took about 45 minutes) to reach one of three available stalls. The door of one of them was broken. The filth of the place according to my wife’s report could only be matched by the men’ facility with broken facets and suspicious liquid on the floor difficult to avoid. Not even restrooms in Central Park in NYC come close. And you are really well advised to avoid those at all costs if at all possible.
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Wonderful open area to stroll in our nation’s Capitol. The outdoor space is beautifully lined with shady areas with an abundance of open space as well. Each monument is well laid out and provides amazing views. Capping it off is the line of museums that ring the mall making this area a terrific place to spend time. So much to see and do and all located in walking distance of one another. Highly recommended!