Washington DC; America’s Capitol, a city of monuments, memorials and museums, politics and presidents. With so much to see and do in Washington DC a long weekend just doesn’t seem like enough time to do it all. But, with a bit of planning, this 3 day itinerary will assist you in checking off your list of “must see & do” activities in the city.
Day 1
White House
- Plan to spend 2 hours between the Visitor Center & White House Tour; dependent on peak seasons & times
High on the list of “must see” attractions in DC is the White House; home of the President of the United States. Everyone can view it from the outside, but with some pre-planning you’ll be able to enter into the White House and tour parts of the East Wing.
To request access to a tour, Citizens of the United States need to contact a Member of Congress that represents their state. If you’re not sure who that is, you can find that info here. Most Members of Congress have a personal website where you can easily request tours. The Senators & Representatives of my home state, the great state of North Dakota, were wonderful to work with and got me access to the White House Tour, a private tour of the U.S. Capitol Building and the Library of Congress. I would highly recommend reaching out to your Member of Congress to take advantage of these opportunities.
The tour of the East Wing includes the East Room, which is the largest room in the White House and probably one of the most recognizable rooms, as many press conferences and banquets are held here. You’ll also have access to the Green, Blue & Red Rooms and the State Dining Room. On your way out, pose for a picture in front of the U.S. Seal and the Grand Entrance.
United States Capitol Building
- Plan to spend 1-2 hours depending on tour
The Capitol Building is home of the U.S. Congress and is located on the east end of the National Mall. This tour can also be scheduled through your state Congress Member or if you’re more a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants personality, you can join a tour at the visitor center in the Capitol Building. I did request a tour through my state representative, which allowed me a private tour with a knowledgable docent.
You’ll tour the Rotunda, Crypt and National Statuary Hall. Be sure to check out the “whispering gallery” in the Statuary Hall. Stand on the plaque that indicates where John Quincy Adams’s desk once sat and you’ll experience the full effect of the “whispering gallery.”
An additional perk of booking a private tour through your Congress Member is the opportunity to experience my personal favorite stop on the tour; the Speaker’s Balcony. It overlooks the National Mall and is a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the tours.
Lastly, your Congress Member may be able to provide you with a day pass to the Senate & House Galleries. If they are in session; this is a unique opportunity to experience our government in action.
The Library of Congress
- Plan to spend about 1 hour
After finishing the Capitol tour, head on over to the Library of Congress for a free guided walking tour or a self-guided tour. Don’t miss the Gutenberg Bible, the first large printed book in Western Europe.
National Mall-Monuments & Memorials at Night
- Plan to spend about 2 hours
To end the day on an awe-inspiring note, walk the National Mall and view the monuments and memorials at night. This was the highlight of my entire trip! There is something just so magnificent of seeing the sights lit up and glowing.
By now I’m sure your feet are aching from all the walking, so head back to the hotel and sleep, so we can hit it hard again tomorrow!
Day 2 & Part of Day 3
Museums
With so many museums in the city, you could honestly spend several days exploring them all. Smithsonian offers a great app you can download called “Smithsonian Mobile.” I found this app to be helpful in deciding which museums I wanted to explore and what exhibits were on display at each museum. Here’s my quick list of Smithsonian Museums I enjoyed.
- National Museum of African American History & Culture-I was very moved by this museum & ended up going back a second time during my trip to explore more. You may need a timed ticket to enter depending on when you visit. Check their website for details.
- National Museum of Natural History-here you can see the Hope Diamond a 45.52 carat blue diamond
- American History Museum-see the Star Spangled Banner & Dorothy’s Ruby Red Slippers
- Air & Space Museum-see the 1903 Wright Flyer
- American Art Museum
Other museums not part of Smithsonian to check out include;
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum-a very moving museum; plan to spend several hours here
- National Gallery of Art-consider adding this to your museum itinerary if you need a break from museum information overload. Here you can wander and just enjoy the beautiful art
- The National Archives-check out the Founding Documents; The Constitution, The Declaration of Independence & The Bill of Rights
Day 3
Segway Tour
- 2 hour tour
By now you’re in need of a new pair of shoes since you’ve put on many miles of walking the National Mall and through all the museums. My suggestion would be to book a Segway Tour and see all the sights of the National Mall and also parts of DC. Hang on for a fun ride!
We booked with Bike & Roll Washington DC. There are several Segway operators in DC, I found a deal on Groupon for Bike & Roll, so do some searching to find the best price.
Arlington National Cemetery
- 2+ hours
Take a guided tour of Arlington National Cemetery on a tour bus or trolley. The tour includes stops at President John F. Kennedy’s Gravesite, U.S. Coastguard Memorial, General John J. Pershing Gravesite, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Memorial Amphitheater, Arlington House and Old & Weitzel Gate (Iwo Jima Memorial).
Be sure you see the Changing of the Guard Ceremony while at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The ceremony takes place every hour on the hour from October 1-March 31 & every half hour from April 1-September 30.
Conclude your day with the museums you couldn’t cram into day 2. My last suggestion for any remaining time is to check out the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center for the Arts. Every night at 6pm there is a free performance, with different entertainment each night. Check out the Kennedy Center’s website to see what’s going on while you’re visiting.
Now, with this itinerary we’ve covered a lot of ground both figuratively & literally. Do not forget to take your time and enjoy all the sights you do take in! If you don’t see it all the first time, you’ll just have to plan on going back!
