Washington, DC is so much more than just the capital of the United States. Alongside all of the powerhouse politicians and hundreds of lawyers, there is great food, art, and absolutely tons of fun things to do. After finally visiting Washington DC myself, I understand why it is one of the most visited cities in the States. There are so many reasons to visit Washington DC, and here are a few of them.
1. So Many Free Things To Do
One of the best things about Washington DC in my opinion is that almost all of the attractions and activities are completely free. In 10 days I only paid for 3 attractions and activities which were a couple of tours, and the Spy Museum. Everything else that I wanted to do was completely free. So although accommodation and food can be pricey, you will save a lot of money in activities in Washington DC.
2. Learn About American History
Washington DC is where everything comes together when it comes to American History. America’s capital has a really rich history and tons of incredible sights to see and experiences to enjoy. In addition to the monuments and memorials, the White House, the Capital Building, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Botanic Gardens, there are also loads of other significant buildings and points of interest such as the Ford Theatre where President Lincoln was assassinated.
3. Declaration Of Independence
Retrace the footsteps of Benjamin Gates, Abigail Chase, and Riley Poole in National Treasure and go see the Declaration of Independence as well as the Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.
Also, take the time to check out the other exhibitions at the National Archives, as they are amazing. I wish I had had more time here to take it all in.
4. The National Mall
The National Mall is a mile-long landscaped park in the center of Washington DC that stretches from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and is flanked by Smithsonian museums including the Smithsonian Institute ‘The Castle’. It’s also home to many iconic US memorials.
This is the hub for so many of the attractions that you will probably spend a lot of time here. There always seemed to be a lot of food trucks here too.
5. Monuments & Memorials
There are so many iconic monuments and memorials in Washington DC, and they are all beautiful. Out of the more than 160 to check out, some of the must-sees are Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, National World War II Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, General Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
6. Georgetown
Georgetown is a pretty historic neighborhood within Washington D.C. with cobblestone streets lined by stately homes and tree-lined sidewalks. There are also lots of historic sites like Dumbarton Oaks and Tudor Place which is an early 19th century mansion that has been restored as a public museum with collections spanning over 200 years on four stories!
Random Fact: Georgetownโs Martinโs Tavern (booth #3 to be exact) is a piece of DC history as it is where JFK proposed to Jackie.
7. Incredible Museums
One of the main reasons that Washington DC was on my travel bucket list is that it is home to some of the most notable museums in the World. I can now say from experience that the Smithsonian Museums are truly incredible and by far the best I have ever been to.
Most of the museums are free, and you could easily spend countless hours at all 20 museums and not see them all. I spent a huge chunk of my time in the museums and there were still tons I didn’t see. It would take years to see all of the exhibits!
I highly recommend that you visit at least one of them if you visit Washington DC. Not sure where to start? Make the big red gothic Smithsonian Castle your first stop. It doubles as a visitor center as well as a museum and it will give you an insight into each of the museums, as well as information like the opening hours for them all.
8. The Natural History Museum
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is home to some of the most unforgettable exhibits, including our personal favorite, the Hope Diamond.
This gemstone is one of the most famous and recognized items in history! The gem has a history of being stolen and then found, which is probably part of the reason it’s so popular. You’ll also find other treasures such as fossils from dinosaurs to meteorites on display within this museum- it’s not your average art gallery!
9. The National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum is one of the most popular museums in Washington D.C., and it was a highlight of my trip. If you are interested in air and space travel then you do not want to miss this museum.
The exhibits are fascinating, and provide so much history as well as lots of incredible artifacts that span from the early days of flight to the future of the USA as a space-fairing nation, There are also some interactive exhibits as well that you can do to experience what it feels like to fly or do stunts in the air.
10. Giant Pandas At The National Zoo
I can’t think of anything cuter than a Giant Panda playing in the grass and chewing on bamboo. I love Giant Pandas so I just had to go and see them at the National Zoo. To get a Panda fix at any time check out the Panda Cams!
Free to visit, the Zoo which is part of the Smithsonian Institution sits on 163 acres in Rock Creek Park. It’s home to 2,700 animals of 390 species including Gorillas, Lions, Cheetahs, Tigers, Asian Elephants, Gray Wolves, California Sea Lions, and Red Pandas,
11. The International Spy Museum
Do you have what it takes to be a Spy? You are in Washington, DC after all so it’s time to channel your inner spy at this highly interactive museum where you are submerged in the world of spy-craft.
You can check out gadgets used by spies in years past, learn how to crack codes and participate in interactive spy experiences via โOperation Spyโ, which is a live-action adventure. I had so much fun doing all of the exhibits and exhibitions that I spent a whole day here.
12. World-Class Art
If you are an art lover, then the National Gallery of Art the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, and the Portrait Gallery are must-sees for world-class art and high-profile exhibits like the Presidential Portraits.
13. The White House & The Capitol
One of the most popular things to do in Washington DC is to take a tour of the White House which has to be reserved a few months in advance. It’s closed to the public at the moment, but it’s still an unforgettable experience to see it from the outside, along with the Capitol.
14. Arlington National Cemetary
The Arlington Cemetary is where more than 250,000 men and women who served in the US military have been laid to rest. It is also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, many American heroes including President John F Kennedy, and General George C. Marshall, and Arlington House, a tribute to Robert E. Lee.
There is also memorabilia from various wars (1917-present) as well as information on American history on display for all to see. Arlington Cemetery is really big so I recommend doing the inexpensive trolley tour. Itโs 100% worth it and the best way to see all of the prominent things.
15. The Changing Of The Guard
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is an unknown American soldier from World War I and unknowns from World War II, Korea and Vietnam is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The military guard is changed in an elaborate ceremony every hour on the hour from October 1 through March 31, and every half hour from April 1 through September 30.
16. Itโs Easy To Get Around
Washington DC is a very walkable city with a grid system in each quadrant so it’s easy to navigate around the city. I found that almost everything I wanted to do was easy to get to on foot from my central hotel, but for things further out I did need to use public transportation which is excellent – and very cheap.
17. Shopping Is Good There
If you love shopping when you are on vacation then Washington DC is a good choice. They have great and varied shopping options. Georgetown and the City Centre have big brand names, but there are also lots of quirky local stores throughout the city.
18. The Food Scene
The food scene in Washington DC is really good and very varied. There are also a lot of really good food trucks scattered around the main tourist areas if you are traveling on a budget.
These are just a few of the reasons to add Washington DC to your travel plans. It had been on my travel bucket list for a while but it still exceeded my expectations.
Have you been to Washington DC or plan to go there? Let me know in the comments.
Learn More About Washington DC
- 18 Great Reasons To Visit Washington DC
- 7 Easy Ways To Save Money In Washington DC
- Is The Spy Museum In Washington DC Worth A Visit?
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Gemma Lawrence is the creator of This Brits Life. Born and raised in England, she has been living in British Columbia, Canada as a permanent resident since 2016. A solo traveler for the past 9 years, she hopes to inspire and help others to enjoy solo adventures too. As someone who has always struggled with her self-confidence and mental health, she also shares tips and inspirational stories relating to self-love, self-care, and mental health.
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