I am pretty damn familiar with Washington D.C. I have organized/participated in a field trip to D.C. every year for the last 11 years. (With 100+ hormonal but wonderful 8th graders!) It is one of my favorite cities in the world. Washington DC has so many wonderful things to do and most are FREE! Even better, the restaurants in DC are delicious. There is so much to see, do and eat in Washington DC. Us this best of Washington DC guide with the best things to do and to eat to have a wonderful trip in 2024 So keep scrolling to discover the best things to do and to eat in Washington DC for 2024.
At Pragmatic Travelers, I only ever recommend what I have actually done. Check out our free things to do in Washington D.C. guide.
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Tips and Tricks for Washington D.C.
- It can be HOT in DC. Know your limits and duck into a museum if you need a break.
- Ditch the car. D.C. is extremely walkable and they have a subway system. You could even rent bikes, scooters, etc.
- Watch out for the school groups. Some museums will be SLAMMED with them. April and May are always busy with school groups.
- Some planning is needed. Some museums require a ticket to enter and it is not always easy to find good coffee. Take some time to plan out your day.
- Check out the distances between attractions. Some places are further apart then they seem.
- Go early or go late. I love being the first one into a museum. Most museum’s open at 10 so you still have time for a relaxing coffee.
Where to stay in Washington D.C.?
- JW Marriot, Washington DC– LOCATION. This hotel is in the center of it all. Made it so easy to explore the city. Gorgeous hotel. Starbucks in the lobby. We parked at the Ronald Regan building (not cheap).
- This is not where we stay with students. I stayed here with my husband. I won’t recommend the one we stay at with the kiddos. Nothing wrong with it just pretty far away from the center.
- Use this Washington DC Booking.com page to help plan your visit to the area. It will include hotels, reviews, pictures, and more. Everything you need to plan your trip!
Best Restaurants in Washington D.C.
- Cacao Bistro, Capital Hill- I don’t describe things as romantic, like ever. BUT this French restaurant is quite romantic with its booths of white linen surrounded with red velvet curtains. Delicious pate, moules and Kir Royales!
- Zaytinya, Penn Quarter- Mediterranean dreams. I loved this restaurant. Great atmosphere, drinks and food. Busy so make a reservation.
- China Chilcano, 7th street-Peruvian Asian Fusion. Funky vibe and exciting food. Walking distance from the Mall so perfect when you are touring around.
- Union Station, Massachusetts Ave-Walking distance from the Capital. Plenty of restaurants and large food court. Architecture alone is worth a visit; beautiful train station. Shopping available.
- Emma’s Wood Fired Pizzas-Chill vibe, close to the action and great pizza. The Soppressota pizza and Aged Manhattan were very enjoyable.
- Dept. of Agriculture-Why yes, I am recommending a government building. This cafeteria is massive and has so much variety from burgers to a really fantastic hot food bar to sushi. The hot food bar is pretty special and includes cuisine from around the world. It is affordable, close to the mall and food changes daily. You cannot lose with this. (You will need to go through security.)
- Capital Building Cafeteria-VERY good food (so many cakes) and surprisingly affordable. Can be busy so have a plan b. You will need to go into the Capital which means going through security.
- Fashion Center at Pentagon City-It’s a mall so nothing too exciting but does offer a variety of quick, affordable food options. Walking distance to the Pentagon Memorial.
- National Mall Green Kiosks– You will see them while walking the Mall. Not worth getting any food but a great stop to grab a beer and enjoy the surroundings.
- Shack Shake, F Street- Yes I know it is a chain but it is right near the Portrait Gallery. Perfect for a quick bite.
But, what about coffee?
- I have struggled to find good coffee near the National Mall. These are my main spots:
- Starbucks, 7th Street and Indiana Ave-Near the Navy memorial behind the National Archives
- Coffee shop at the Hirshhorn Museum-Excellent coffee and cool lobby. Will need to go through security. (Just a metal detector.)
Best Thing to do in Washington D.C. (FREE)
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum-Powerful, emotional, educational. This museum is incredibly well done. From the moment you get your passport of a survivor or victim then step into the elevator, you know this is a different kind of museum. You should not miss this. A few tips:
- Prepare your young people. No one should walk into this museum without some knowledge of the Holocaust. Also, set your behavior expectations. Nothing is more upsetting then seeing people act foolishly.
- Tickets are free at the door. I recommend going right when the museum opens either to go in or get your ticket for later in the day. They go extremely fast. OR you could buy tickets in advance for a very small fee.
- If you are lining up for tickets, read the following: You have to line up next to the main entrance. (The alley with benches lining it; to the right of the front door.) Wait until an employee comes out around 9:45ish am. The line moves quick once they start handing out tickets.
- The propaganda area bottlenecks so plan on getting separated from your group. There are great meeting points at the end of each exhibit.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture–Another powerful, raw, emotional and fantastic museum. You begin by descending into darkness and work your way towards the light. It is just a great museum. They release tickets ahead of time so continually check their website. Another check your behavior location. Free to visit.
- Air and Space Museum– Kids love this museum. I do enjoy it and there is so much to see BUT it is always busy and a bit dated. It is not one of my favorites. I believe they have been adding new exhibits.
- National Museum of American History– This is a great museum. The exhibits are interesting and include so many great artifacts! HOWEVER, depending on the time of year this place gets so so SO busy. (April/May with all the school trips.) To the point, where I won’t go. The security line alone could take 20 mins. Typically if the line is out the door, I won’t go in. It is worth going early in the morning.
- Smithsonian’s National Zoo– LOVE THIS ZOO. Beautiful zoo, clean, free and enjoyable. Opens very early. Morning means feeding which means active animals and even better small crowds. Make sure to visit the reptile house! Take your time and explore every nook and cranny. FYI: You walk down a hill in the beginning which means you have to walk back up it. Free to visit.
- National Portrait Gallery-Often overlooked. Really some fantastic pieces of art, interesting exhibits and the Presidential portraits. I always enjoy seeing the Obama’s portraits. A bit off the National Mall. Walk by Ford’s Theater on the way back to the mall. Free to visit.
- 9/11 Pentagon Memorial-Go at night when the benches (one for each person) is lit. Stunning and moving. Free to visit.
- Arlington National Cemetery – Walking through the cemetery is humbling. Don’t miss the changing of the guard, JFK memorial and Thurgood Marshall’s grave. Iwo Jima Memorial is nearby. Also free.
- United States Botanic Garden–Absolutely one of my favorites! Multiple rooms to explore plants and flowers. The Tropics House has multiple floors so you won’t miss a thing. Love, love, love this place. Very close to the Capital building. Free.
- Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden-Modern art museum with interesting exhibits. Always worth visiting! Free.
- National Art Gallery– One of the best art museums. The rotunda alone is worth a visit. Great Impressionist exhibit and they have a Da Vinci painting. Need a quiet place to rest? There are two fountains with benches by the front door of the museum. Quiet and secluded. OH! Checkout the light installation in the walkway between the East and West buildings. Free.
- National Sculpture Garden- Another one of my favorites. Lovely to walk around and check out the outdoor sculptures. Large water feature to sit and rest by. It does close at 4 in the afternoon. Free.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History– Gorgeous museum. The gems and minerals exhibit is fantastic which includes the Hope Diamond. On Tuesdays, they give away free tickets to the live butterfly exhibit. Go right when the museum opens and head straight to the exhibit to grab the tickets you want. This exhibit is on the second floor. Free.
- National Archives– Amazing to check out the actual Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The line can be long to get in. Recommend booking tickets in advance. Free if you don’t book in advance.
- The National Mall Monuments: Can be broken up into two sections. I like to break it up since it is a great deal of walking in the sun. Wonderful to visit first thing in the morning with your cup of coffee OR at dusk when they turn the lights on. Gorgeous! I am not unique with going at dusk. Everyone goes at dusk. It is so busy with school groups. Be aware of your people. I recommend giving everyone a glow in the dark item so it is easy to find them. Can get these at a Dollar Tree.
- First Section: Washington Monument, WW2, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Reflecting Pool, Vietnam’s Women Memorial and Lincoln Memorial.
- Second Section: Close to the Tidal Basin- Jefferson Memorial, MLK Jr Memorial and FDR Memorial
- The Capitol Building-The rotunda is just beautiful. I can’t recommend visiting enough. It can be hard to get tickets. Reach out to your Senator/Representative for more information.
Best Things to Do in Washington DC (PAID)
- Newseum– Interesting museum on the news. It has really old newspapers. One is from the 1600’s! It is not free! Great view from the top of the museum.
- Attend a baseball game at Camden Yards or with the Washington Nationals-Both are beautiful ballparks and fun to attend. Camden Yards will require a car or some form of public transportation. Affordable.
- George Washington’s Mt. Vernon– Will have to drive to get there. Paid attraction. Great tour of the property and Washington’s house. Nice walk down to the Potomac River.
Your Thoughts…
This is the ultimate travel guide to Washington D.C. What are you planning on visiting when you go next? Share your thoughts below.
