Washington, D.C.-3-day-itinerary

Day 1: Friday

Morning

  • Stop 1: Start your day at the National Mall, a sprawling park in the heart of Washington D.C. (8:00 am - 9:00 am)
    • Visit the World War II Memorial, which honors the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces during World War II.
    • Take a stroll along the Tidal Basin, a beautiful lake with famous cherry blossom trees and scenic views of the monuments.

Lunch

  • Eat: Grab lunch at Ben’s Chili Bowl, a D.C. institution since 1958 (11:00 am - 1:00 pm)
    • Try their famous half-smoke chili dog or one of their many vegetarian options.
    • Be prepared for a lively atmosphere and potential wait times.

Afternoon

  • Stop 2: Visit the National Archives Building, home to some of America’s most important documents (12:00 pm - 2:00 pm)
    • See the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights up close.
    • Learn about the history behind these iconic documents.

Evening

  • Stop 3: Head to Georgetown, one of D.C.’s oldest neighborhoods (4:00 pm - 6:00 pm)
    • Explore the charming streets lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants.
    • Take a stroll along the Georgetown Waterfront for beautiful views of the Potomac River.

Dinner

  • Eat: Enjoy dinner at The Old Ebbitt Grill, a historic restaurant that’s been serving D.C. since 1856 (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm)
    • Try their famous oysters or one of their many other seafood options.
    • Be prepared for a lively atmosphere and potential wait times.

Accommodations

  • Stay: Spend the night at The Hay-Adams, a luxurious hotel located just steps from the White House (available upon request)

Day 2: Saturday

Morning

  • Stop 1: Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (9:00 am - 11:00 am)
    • Explore the vast collections of natural history specimens and artifacts.
    • Be sure to see the famous Hope Diamond.

Lunch

  • Eat: Grab lunch at The Smith, a popular restaurant with multiple locations throughout D.C. (12:00 pm - 2:00 pm)
    • Try their famous burgers or one of their many other options.
    • Be prepared for a lively atmosphere and potential wait times.

Afternoon

  • Stop 2: Visit the National Museum of American History (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
    • Explore the vast collections of American artifacts, including the original Star-Spangled Banner and Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz.
    • Be sure to see the famous First Ladies’ Inaugural Gowns exhibit.

Evening

  • Stop 3: Head to Adams Morgan, one of D.C.’s most vibrant neighborhoods (5:00 pm - 7:00 pm)
    • Explore the lively streets lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants.
    • Take a stroll along the Adams Morgan Waterfront for beautiful views of Rock Creek Park.

Dinner

  • Eat: Enjoy dinner at Al Dente, an upscale Italian restaurant in the heart of Adams Morgan (8:00 pm - 10:00 pm)
    • Try their famous pasta dishes or one of their many other options.
    • Be prepared for a lively atmosphere and potential wait times.

Day 3: Sunday

Morning

  • Stop 1: Visit the United States Botanic Garden (9:00 am - 11:00 am)
    • Explore the beautiful gardens, including the National Herb Garden and the Rose Garden.
    • Be sure to see the stunning views of the Tidal Basin from the garden’s scenic overlook.

Lunch

  • Eat: Grab lunch at The Pig, a popular restaurant with multiple locations throughout D.C. (12:00 pm - 2:00 pm)
    • Try their famous burgers or one of their many other options.
    • Be prepared for a lively atmosphere and potential wait times.

Afternoon

  • Stop 2: Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
    • Explore the vast collections of African American art, history, and culture.
    • Be sure to see the famous Freedom’s Journal exhibit.

Departure

  • Transportation: Take a taxi or ride-share service from your hotel to Reagan National Airport for your departure flight (available upon request)

Things to Know

  • The Washington D.C. Metro system is an efficient way to get around the city, but be prepared for crowds and potential delays.
  • Be sure to tip your servers at restaurants, as it’s customary in the United States.
  • Try to avoid visiting popular attractions during peak hours (usually between 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm) to avoid large crowds.

Tips

  • Take a stroll along the National Mall after dark for stunning views of the monuments and city skyline.
  • Be sure to try some of D.C.’s famous street food, including half-smoke chili dogs and Ben’s Chili Bowl’s famous chili fries.
  • Consider purchasing a tourist-friendly transportation card for easy travel around the city.