Last Updated: 4/10/23

How To See The Best of Washington DC in Three Days

I’ll admit it, this 3 Day Washington DC itinerary didn’t start from a place of love.

An Anglophile at heart, I’ve always been more drawn to American cities like Boston and New York City. Washington DC seemed too manufactured; like an industrial town, but for politicians. It just didn’t seem to have the organic history (or architecture) that draws me to New England.

But after 72 hours in Washington DC in February 2018, I walked away surprised by how much America’s capitol city reminded me of my beloved London. In fact, I quickly realized that three days in Washington DC isn’t enough time. With so many fascinating museums, government buildings, and restaurants, there are so many things to do in Washington DC. I definitely recommend five days to see all that DC has to offer.

But considering the nature of the city, with folks constantly jetting in and out for marches and political events, too many of us end up with only a couple days to explore Washington DC. I put together this three-day Washington DC guide to make sure you see DC’s best in your limited time. I’ve also included my best travel tips for first-time DC visitors.

Read on for my full 3 Day Washington DC itinerary!

This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase something through these links, I receive a small commission that helps me create this blog’s content. There’s no extra cost to you.

Traveling to Washington DC soon? Pin this 3 Day Washington DC Itinerary!

Day One of our 3 Day Washington DC Itinerary

Arrive via George Washington Memorial Parkway

Our three-day visit to Washington DC was part of a larger road trip that started in Ann Arbor, MI and included a stop at Gettysburg, PA. After spending the morning exploring the historic battlefield in Gettysburg, we hit the road to make the 90-minute drive south to the United States Capitol.

After about an hour of uninteresting interstate driving, we turned onto the George Washington Memorial Parkway. This two-lane parkway provides a beautiful and dramatic introduction to Washington DC.

Although we didn’t make any stops along the parkway, we enjoyed the oak tree-lined roadway’s stately natural beauty. The 25-mile-long parkway winds along the Potomac River’s south bank, offering views of the Potomac River Gorge and Georgetown. We crossed the Potomac on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, placing us on the far western edge of the Mall, giving us a clear view of the Lincoln and Washington Memorials and US Capitol Building.

Self-guided Washington DC walking tour

We needed to stretch our legs so we headed to the closest DC attraction to our hotel – Lafayette Square and the White House. A stroll past the Treasury Department and then a turn toward the Washington Monument shot us straight onto the Mall.

Since we visited smack dab in the middle of the Washington Monument’s three-year closure for elevator and other repairs, it wasn’t looking its best, so we headed west toward the World War II and Lincoln Memorials.

After obligatory photo ops at the Lincoln Memorial, we headed up on 23rd Avenue, past the State Department and the old CIA headquarters.

Day Two of our 3 Day Washington DC Itinerary

Self-guided Washington DC Tidal Basin Monument Tour

First-time Washington DC visitors with only two full days in the city won’t get much beyond the Mall. However, the Smithsonian Museums on the Mall don’t open until 10 a.m. If you’re a fairly early riser, that gives you plenty of time for a self-guided monument tour before heading to the museums.

Head down to the Tidal Basin and loop around the water counter-clockwise. This direction will lead you through the Roosevelt Memorial in chronological order. In addition to the Roosevelt Memorial, you’ll also visit the Jefferson and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials.

The National Museum of American History

Our first official stop of the day was the National Museum of American History. I’d wanted to see Julia Child’s kitchen since Julie and Julia came out, but the museum contains so, so much more than that. We ended up spending a decent amount of time on the second floor (where you’ll find an entire house!) before heading downstairs.

In hindsight, I found the exhibits on the first level most interesting. That’s where you’ll find Julia Child’s kitchen tucked into a fascinating exhibit about American food. Another noteworthy first level exhibit is “America on the Move,” focused on modes of transportation throughout the centuries. If you grew up listening to NPR’s Car Talk show, be sure to check out the part of the exhibit that features actual problem cars that callers called in about.

National Air and Space Museum

After grabbing lunch in the American Indian Museum, we headed over to the National Air and Space Museum. Designed to feel like walking into an airplane hanger, historic aircrafts fill the museum’s rafters. I especially enjoyed seeing the original Wright Flyer used by Orville and Wilbur Wright for the first flight in Kitty Hawk, NC  in 1903.

The National Air and Space Museum exhibits captivate visitors of all ages, but have special appeal to elementary-aged kids. After spending our visits to both The National Museum of American History and The National Air and Space Museum dodging school groups, we needed a break.

The U.S. National Gallery

The National Gallery provided us with just the serenity we needed after a full day of sightseeing. The only museum along the Mall not connected with the Smithsonian Institute, the National Gallery has a little more elegant, and dare I say it, European feel than its neighboring museums. With free admission, we didn’t even feel guilty that we spent a good portion of our visit sitting in the West Building garden court under the rotunda figuring out that evening’s dinner plans.

We eventually ventured beyond the peaceful rotunda to take in the museum’s impressive collection, which includes the only Da Vinci in the Western Hemisphere. In several rooms, artists worked to produce incredible reproductions. I always love a good art museum. Next time I’ll visit earlier in the day with fresher senses.

Day Three of our 3 Day Washington DC Itinerary

Touring the US Capitol Building

If you want to tour the US Capitol Building, I recommend getting an advanced tour reservation. However, because we visited during low season, we easily nabbed free tickets for the next tour without reservations.

The tour began with a short audiovisual presentation before joining up with a tour guide. She lead us through the National Statuary Hall, the Crypt where Congress intended to inter George Washington, the original Supreme Court Chamber, and ended in Exhibition Hall. I think the most striking part as our guide’s firsthand account of the events of 9/11 in Washington DC. 

The day-to-day work of the US government influences each tour of the Capitol Building. For example, on our tour, we skipped the Rotunda because Capitol staff were busily preparing it for Reverend Graham’s lying in honor. You also can’t see the Senate or House Galleries unless you have a pass from your senators or representative, so plan ahead.

Arlington National Cemetery

After exiting the Capitol Building, we headed for the nearest Metro station to get ourselves over to Arlington National Cemetery. Once there we hightailed it straight up the hill to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to catch the Changing of the Guard at noon. During the winter months, the guard is changed on the hour at Arlington National Cemetery. In the summer (April 1 – September 30), the guard changes on the half hour.

Immediately following the Changing of the Guard, we observed a wreath laying ceremony. Families of veterans can request these ceremonies to honor their loved ones. After the two ceremonies, we wound our way back down the hill past Arlington House, the Kennedy graves, and out through the Visitor Center.

US Botanic Garden

I’d been intrigued by the US Botanic Garden since I first spied it on the far eastern end of the Mall. Since the sun was shining for the first time during our entire visit, we opted to return to the Mall for some greenery and photographs.

Although the US Botanic Garden doesn’t merit a long visit, it sure felt good to be some place warm and lush when I knew I’d be return to the snows of northern Minnesota the next day! The orchid displays are particularly striking.  

If you have a fourth day in Washington DC

This 3 Day Washington DC itinerary gets you to most of the city’s highlights, so if you’re lucky enough to have a fourth day in Washington DC, I’d recommend getting off the mall and leaning into your personal interests. If you have a particular topic of interest, chances are, Washington DC has a museum for it!

Ford’s Theater, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the International Spy Museum, and the National Archives are just a few of Washington DC numerous museums beyond the Smithsonian museums. At the top of my list for next time are the George Washington University Textile Museum and touring National Public Radio headquarters. I’d also love to see the National Cathedral.

If you’re “museum-ed out,” not to worry! Consider day-tripping to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, taking a donut tour (yes please!), or checking out Georgetown. Don’t forget to catch a performance at the Kennedy Center!

Other fun activities to check out during a visit to Washington DC

Planning Your Washington DC Visit

Tips for First Time DC Visitors

Plan ahead.

Yes, free admission to many, many Washington DC museums and attractions is a huge perk of visiting the nation’s capital. However, you still need to plan ahead. Before arriving in DC, be sure to throw together a list of places you most want to visit, then do a quick Google to see if there are any admission requirements.

For example, you need a free, timed ticket to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. To watch a Supreme Court session, you need to queue outside the court the morning of the argument. If you’re an American citizen, reach out to your US representative or senator to secure gallery passes so you can sit in on a session of Congress or the Senate.

Wear comfortable shoes!

Almost every Washington DC guide mentions this, but it’s hard to grasp until you’ve experienced it yourself: the Mall is really long. In fact, it stretches for 2.3 miles between the US Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. We put on an average of 13 miles each day in DC. Needless to say, you’ll want comfortable, broken-in shoes for your time in Washington DC.

Don’t forget about lunch.

Except for snack kiosks and museum cafes, there’s no food on the Mall. However, all the Smithsonian Museums allow food and beverages in resealable containers. A picnic lunch is definitely the fastest, most economical option if you’re planning to spend the entire day on the Mall. Enjoy it either in the museum’s lunch room (along with busloads of school children) or find a nice park bench outside.

Before you go, think about the museum’s target audience

If you’re headed to museum filled with spaceships, airplanes, and other things you loved as a child, don’t be surprised if the museum is filled with . . . children. Perhaps the National Air and Space Museum’s required time entries have now cut down on the amount of screaming child in the museum at any one time, but I suspect the museum remains very popular with the under 12 set. If you don’t want to be jockeying an elementary school student for a view of the Wright Flyer, consider timing your visit for late afternoon after school is dismissed.

Be prepared for security

You need to clear security before entering most Washington DC attractions. While it’s a pretty low-key process involving a metal detector and bag scan, you can dress for success by figuring out pants that don’t require a belt and traveling lightly. (Just don’t forget that lunch!)

How To Get To Washington DC

Air: Two major airports serve the Washington DC metro area. If you’re reading this itinerary, I’m assuming you’re in town to sightsee. That makes Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport your most convenient airport. Located right across the Potomac from Washington DC, you can jump on a Metro (subway) train and be at your central DC hotel in a matter of minutes.

If you snag a good deal flying into Washington DC’s other airport – Dulles – just know that it’s about a 40-minute drive from Dulles to the Washington DC National Mall.

Train: Washington DC and the northern half of the East Coast are well connected by passenger train. In fact, the first time I rolled into DC was abroad the Capitol Limited Amtrak train! President Biden famously commuted into work via Amtrak from his Delaware home for decades. If you live along the Eastern Seaboard or any other Amtrak route, you can make a train adventure out of getting to DC.

Car: Unlike Rome, all roads in America do not lead to Washington DC. However, if you live within driving distance, driving into DC is pretty straightforward. If you’re driving into Washington DC and approach from the north, definitely take the George Washington Memorial Parkway into the US capitol city. This scenic 25-mile drive overseen by the National Park Service connects several important locations in American History including Arlington National Cemetery and Clara Barton’s house.

Drivetimes to Washington DC
Gettysburg, PA to Washington DC: 1.5 hours
Philadelphia to Washington DC: 2.75 hours
New York City to Washington DC: 4 hours
Richmond, VA to Washington DC: 2 hours

Getting Around Washington DC

It’s very easy to navigate central Washington DC on foot, although it’s worth noting that if you’re planning to walk everywhere during your visit, you’ll be logging several miles each day. DC sites can be deceptively far apart!

For further flung destinations such as Arlington National Cemetery, you can easily buy a round-trip ticket or unlimited day-pass from the Washington DC metro.

Given how walkable central DC is, I don’t really think it’s worth renting a car during your Washington visit. Although we drove to Washington DC, our car sat in a parking garage during our entire visit. If you’re planning to day trip to locations outside of the Metrorail’s network like Mount Vernon, you’ll find no shortage of tour companies that can handle your transportation.

For those with limited mobility or wanting to travel between the city’s highlights faster than your feet can take you, consider buying a pass for the Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley.

Fast Facts About Washington DC

• Washington DC isn’t located in a state. The District of Columbia is an independent federal district bordered by Virginia and Maryland.

• The city is named after the first United States President, George Washington. Washington himself chose the city’s exact location, which coincidentally isn’t far from his family home, Mount Vernon.

• The city is completely planned, from its location and layout right down to the street names.

• Since it’s not a state, Washington DC doesn’t have any pull in the federal government. However, it does have a non-voting representative in the House of Representatives as well as two shadow senators. During presidential elections, the district has three electoral votes.

• Ever think that Washington DC is a weird location for the United States capitol city? Given how the American Revolution went down, it would make far more sense for the United States capitol to be in Philadelphia. Indeed, the Pennsylvanian city served as America’s first capitol for several year. However, southern states feared a northern capitol would be too sympathetic to abolitionists. In 1790, Congress decided to move the capitol to a more central location for all of the 13 original colonies.

• Brand-new Washington DC was almost destroyed in the War of 1812 when the British burned the city.

• Today the Washington DC metro area has a population of about 700,000. About 25 percent of residents work for the federal government.

• The city itself is governed by a mayor-council.

Is A Winter Visit to Washington DC Worth It?

Winter in Washington DC is obviously a lot less wintery than winter in my Minnesota home, but I wouldn’t exactly call the weather we had in DC in late February balmy. Most of our visit was marked by overcast skies and breezy conditions. It’s not uncommon for Washington DC to be hit by major snowstorms throughout winter. You’ll definitely want to pack a winter jacket and other winter wear. 

While we definitely enjoyed our February visit to Washington DC, it’s worth noting that the capitol city’s scenic appeal declines precipitously in winter. The Reflecting Pool is drained. The celebrated cherry trees stand bare and stark around the Tidal Basin.

Winter’s more challenging conditions keep tourist levels fairly low in Washington DC. However, we found that massive school groups filled the gap left by tourists, at least in the Smithsonian Museums.

Both the Houses and the Supreme Court were in session during our trip which made it an exciting time to visit. 

On the whole, if you’re willing to layer up and aren’t going to be salty about the city being slightly less photogenic, I think winter is a wonderful time to visit Washington DC!

Three Favorite DC Restaurants

Washington DC offers so many great places to eat. Favorite restaurants close to the White House and Mall area including Founding Farmers, Ben’s Chili Bowl, and The Prime Rib. You’ll also find a lively food truck season, particularly around George Washington University and Farragut Square.

Here are our three favorite DC restaurants from our visit.

Old Ebbitt Grill

Established in 1856 and reputed to be Washington DC’s oldest saloon, Old Ebbitt Grill sits basically across the street from the White House in a Beaux-Arts building. This large, busy restaurant serves up American fare. It’s known for its seafood and oysters. Personally, the biggest appeal felt like people watching and taking in the restaurant’s curated Victorian décor.

Rasika

A busy, highly-rated modern Indian restaurant, Rasika often makes DC’s “top restaurant lists.” We visited Rasika West End (1190 New Hampshire Avenue, NW) for dinner, in part because of its convenient location to our apartment and also its large selection of vegetarian items. Whatever you order will be good, but definitely start your meal with their fried spinach salad (palak chaat).

Leo’s GW Delicatessen

This might not be high-end dining, but Leo’s GW Delicatessen in the middle of George Washington University is the perfect place to grab a quick lunch. This busy deli serves up breakfast, hot and cold sandwiches, soup, bagels, and more. The benches in nearby Kogan Plaza make a great place to enjoy your meal.

Where To Stay in Washington DC

We spent three nights in the AKA White House Apartment Hotel and loved its amenities and central location. Our two-bedroom apartment in this extended stay hotel featured a full kitchen, two baths, a living room, and even a washer and dryer.

I personally love extended stay hotels because they merge the best bits of hotels and vacation rentals. We truly felt like we were coming home at the end of each day. Since we walked an average of 13 miles all three days in Washington DC, having a place where we could stretch out and settle in each evening really made the trip.

Located just two blocks west of the actual White House, we could walk basically everywhere on this itinerary from the AKA. I’ll definitely return on my next trip to Washington DC . . . and not just because it has a bar in the lobby!

Other good DC hotel options in the same general area include The Hays-Adams and the Hampton Inn Washington DC/White House. Or check out all your Washington DC accommodation options here!

What would you add to this 3 Day Washington DC itinerary?

If you enjoyed this 3 Day Washington DC Itinerary, check out some of my other United States city guides!