Tips
- Use metro from airport. Only $6.25 right into the centre.
- Lyft was cheaper than uber around the city. This makes it more affordable around the city if travelling in groups.
- Avoid summer months if you can as it can get very humid. Unbearable for some.
- Only 6% sales tax on luxuries – so good for shopping.
- Avoid buying anything from the tourist trap vendor vans parked just outside museums. They make up prices for their drinks and ice creams.
Activities
Capitol Tour – 2 to 3 hours
A free and very informative tour (30-40 minutes), with live guides using headsets so you can hear over the crowd. We booked months in advance but managed to get into an earlier slot on the day. The tour covers the grand architecture, historical rooms, and stories behind the building. It’s well worth the time for a deep dive into US political history.
House of Representatives & Senate Galleries – 30 minutes each
Separate tickets are required for each chamber, collected from desks on opposite sides of the Capitol. All electronics, pens, and paper must be surrendered before entry. We visited while neither chamber was in session, but it’s usually active Monday–Thursday. Even without debates, the viewing galleries give are a must-see.
Library of Congress – 1 to 2 hours
Accessible via an underground tunnel from the Capitol, this is a beautifully preserved space. It has two exhibit rooms and the famous main reading room, which you can enter in timed 10-minute slots. Every area feels like stepping back into a more elegant era.
Museum of Natural History – 3+ hours
Packed with fascinating exhibits, from ancient fossils to dazzling gemstones. I stayed about three hours but could easily have doubled that. It’s well laid out and suitable for both quick browsing and in-depth exploration. One of the most impressive museums on the National Mall.
Air and Space Museum – 4 hours (full day when fully reopened)
Currently, half the museum is closed until 2026, but the open half is still open. Highlights include the original Wright brothers’ aircraft and countless plane models spanning the history of flight. We spent four hours here and still felt there was more to see. Once fully open, you could easily dedicate a full day.
Baseball Game at Nationals Park – 3 to 4 hours
Our evening game was delayed by 45 minutes due to weather, but the atmosphere was lively. The home team’s poor season meant free jerseys for spectators. It’s a classic slice of American culture, complete with food stalls and music. Even for non-baseball fans, it’s an enjoyable experience.
Ukrainian Catholic Church Service – 1.5 hours
A unique bilingual service in both Ukrainian and English, including hymns in both languages. After the service there is tea, coffee and cake in the hall beneath where I met members of the Ukrainian community, discussing amongst other things, refugee integration in the US versus the UK. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. It was a meaningful cultural and spiritual experience. There is also a small shop here selling Ukrainian items.
American History Museum – 3 to 4 hours
This museum traces US history from colonial conflicts through WW2, Vietnam, and beyond. Exhibits on inventions like the lightbulb and ships are as engaging as the war displays. There’s a lot to absorb in a single visit.
Smithsonian National Zoo – 2 to 3 hours
Located further out, it’s worth making the trip. Even arriving late in the day, we saw plenty of animals. The enclosures are well designed, with a good variety of species. A pleasant change of pace from museum hopping. You may need to book a free ticket a day or so in advance from their online website.
Shopping – 2 to 5 hours depending on location
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is a large mall right next to the Pentagon, with a wide range of shops. There’s 4 levels so it could take a whole day. But I’d avoid this since there isn’t anything different to shops in Europe. Georgetown offered trendier boutiques and cafés for a more upscale shopping stroll.
Places of Interest
White House – North Side – 30 minutes
The fence is about 100 metres from the building, but you can still get a decent view. This side has press access points and is more likely where you’d spot the President’s motorcade. Some near-fence areas close in the evenings. It’s the better side for photos.
White House – South Side – 15 minutes
A road blocks direct access and the fence is roughly 200 metres from the building, limiting the view. Most of the south façade is obscured. Worth walking around for context but not the best for pictures.
Capitol Grounds – 30 to 45 minutes
The landscaped grounds surrounding the Capitol make for great photo opportunities. Strolling here after the tour is relaxing. You get impressive views of the building from different angles.
Lincoln Memorial – 30 minutes
An iconic spot with panoramic views down the reflecting pool. Let’s just say the statue is as big as you hear. Always busy but worth the wait for a clear shot. Walking up to it is a reflective pool, great for photographs.
Washington Monument – 30 minutes
A defining feature of the DC skyline. Best viewed from a distance to capture its full height. The surrounding area is open and good for wide-angle photos. Despite being the tallest thing in the mall, it’s nothing much to be honest.
Fun fact – no building in Washington DC is allowed to be build taller than it!
Ukrainian Holodomor Memorial – 10 to 15 minutes
Located along a main road, it’s a sombre tribute to a tragic history, of which Ukraine is still similarly suffering today. The design is simple but moving. A quick visit that leaves a lasting impression.
Taras Shevchenko Statue – 10 minutes
Standing about three metres tall atop its base, it’s a striking monument to the Ukrainian poet. Notably authorised by President Eisenhower. Worth a quick photo stop.
Georgetown – 1 to 2 hours
A charming district with cobblestone streets, boutique shops, and inviting cafés. It’s a great place to slow down and take in a more local vibe. Perfect for a relaxed afternoon wander.
Food
Ruta Ukrainian Restaurant – 1.5 to 2 hours
Opened shortly after the war, it serves both classic and lesser-known Ukrainian dishes like green borscht and Crimean recipes. The menu also features creative cocktails. Go early, since it gets full quickly due to its small size.
Rasika (Indian) – 1.5 to 2 hours
Elegant Indian dining with unlimited soft drinks and rice included within the price of the curry sauce. The food is rich in flavour and beautifully presented. The best thing, instead of tipping, there’s a standard 20% service charge.
Corner Bakery – 45 minutes to 1 hour
A casual breakfast stop. Ideal for starting a busy sightseeing day. Unlike other café’s, this has a one way system so you don’t have people walking round you when you’re trying to eat. The menu has simple, satisfying options.
Whole Foods Market – 30 minutes to 1 hour
Perfect for a quick, affordable meal with salad and pizza bars. Also great for picking up American produce to take home. Doubles as a convenient grocery run.
Overall a great trip, clean streets you feel safe in. Lots of the attractions are free so you do not end up spending too much on them.