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Washington DC
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items My wife and I lived in DC for over a decade and we had lots of visitors that we showed around. Here are some of our favorite places that are a bit off the beaten path in addition to a first-time visitor list.
Sections
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Unique Favorites
Just Outside DC
First-Time Visitors
Unique Favorites
Lesser-known attractions, local favorites, and unique experiences for visitors who have already seen the main sights. These spots offer a deeper look at Washington DC’s history, culture, neighborhoods, and hidden gems beyond the typical tourist stops...
Step off the busy streets of DC and into a peaceful, wooded sanctuary right on the Potomac. Theodore Roosevelt Island feels worlds away from the city—no crowds, just quiet trails, wildlife, and river views. It’s perfect for a reflective walk, a natur...
Theodore Roosevelt Island (U.S. National Park Service)
This solemn ceremony is one of the most powerful and moving experiences in Washington, DC. Every precise step, pause, and gesture honors those who gave their lives in service, creating a moment of quiet reflection and deep respect. Even for visitors ...
Arlington National Cemetery > Changing of the Guard
More than just an iconic statue, this memorial captures a defining moment of courage, unity, and sacrifice. Set against open skies with sweeping views of Washington, DC, it’s especially striking at sunset when the monument glows and the city skyline ...
US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima)
With its soaring stainless-steel spires, the Air Force Memorial feels both powerful and serene. The elevated location offers some of the best panoramic views of Washington, DC—especially at sunset—making it a favorite hidden viewpoint. It’s a meaning...
Air Force Memorial
This beautifully designed outdoor memorial offers a deeply personal and emotional way to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. Each illuminated bench is placed with intention, telling an individual story while creating a powerful collective ...
National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
If you want a one-of-a-kind DC experience, this is it. Gravelly Point Park lets you watch planes roar just overhead as they land at Reagan National Airport, creating an unforgettable moment. With open green space, river views, and a relaxed local vib...
Picnic at Gravelly Point Park
This is one of the best ways to experience DC from the water. Rent a kayak, paddle board, or canoe and glide along the Potomac with iconic views of Georgetown, the Kennedy Center, and the monuments—without the crowds. It’s an active but relaxing brea...
Kayak at the Key Bridge Boathouse
This charming, lesser-known memorial invites visitors to sit beside one of history’s greatest minds—literally. The larger-than-life Einstein statue feels approachable and playful, making it a fun and reflective stop tucked away near the National Mall...
Albert Einstein Memorial
Powerful, inspiring, and deeply moving, this memorial brings Dr. King’s words and legacy to life through striking stone carvings and thoughtfully chosen quotes. Set along the Tidal Basin, it’s especially impactful at sunrise or sunset, when the setti...
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Just steps from Georgetown’s busy shops, the C&O Canal offers a calm, scenic escape that feels surprisingly timeless. The towpath is perfect for a peaceful walk or bike ride alongside the water, where historic locks and stone bridges tell stories...
C&O Canal in Georgetown
The Wharf blends waterfront views with great food, live music, and a lively atmosphere, making it one of DC’s most enjoyable places to spend an evening. Walk along the piers, watch boats glide by, or catch a concert while the sun sets over the Potoma...
The Wharf
The National Portrait Gallery offers a fascinating and deeply personal way to experience American history through portraits of the people who shaped the nation—from presidents and activists to artists and cultural icons. Housed in a beautiful histori...
National Portrait Gallery
Georgetown offers a scenic and relaxing way to enjoy the Potomac River with great views, riverside paths, and plenty of spots to sit and unwind. You can stroll or bike along the water, grab a bite at nearby eateries, watch boats drift by, or just tak...
Explore or Shop Beautiful Georgetown
Catching a Washington Nationals baseball game at Nationals Park is a fun way to experience local culture and enjoy America’s pastime in the nation’s capital. The stadium offers great views, lively crowd energy, and a classic ballpark atmosphere with ...
Washington Nationals Baseball Game
A true hidden gem, the National Arboretum offers wide-open landscapes, winding paths, and stunning plant collections just minutes from downtown DC. Highlights like the iconic Capitol Columns and seasonal blooms make it perfect for photography, picnic...
National Arboretum
Glen Echo Park’s social dances offer a fun, lively way to experience local culture just outside Washington, DC. With live music and beginner-friendly lessons included, anyone can join in—no partner or experience needed. From swing to folk dances, it’...
Dancing at Glen Echo Park
The Tidal Basin is one of Washington, DC’s most picturesque spots—a scenic two-mile loop surrounded by iconic memorials and beautiful water views. It’s especially famous during cherry blossom season, but it’s lovely year-round for a stroll, bike ride...
Walk Around the Tidal Basin
The Library of Congress is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring buildings in Washington, DC. Its grand architecture, stunning murals, and ornate Great Hall feel more like a palace than a library. Beyond its beauty, it holds priceless historica...
Library of Congress
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is where U.S. paper money is actually printed. A unique behind-the-scenes peek at something we use every day. At the Washington D.C. Tour and Visitor Center you can explore exhibits about currency production, and ...
The Bureau of Engraving & Printing
Just Outside DC
Memorable attractions just outside Washington DC that are well worth the short drive. From historic estates and scenic parks to unique museums and waterfront destinations, these spots offer a great mix of history, nature, and family-friendly experien...
This massive, awe-inspiring museum is where aviation and space history truly come alive. Home to the Space Shuttle *Discovery*, the Concorde, and countless historic aircraft, the scale alone is unforgettable. Located near Dulles Airport, it’s far les...
Air and Space Museum (Udvar-Hazy Center)
Just outside the city, National Harbor offers a fun change of pace with waterfront walks, colorful shops, restaurants, and big views of the Potomac. Ride the Capital Wheel for sweeping skyline views, catch live entertainment, or enjoy dining by the w...
National Harbor
A visit to Mount Vernon feels like stepping back into the founding era of the United States. Beyond the beautifully preserved mansion, the expansive grounds, gardens, and Potomac River views bring George Washington’s world to life in a personal and i...
George Washington's Mount Vernon
Visiting Monticello offers a deeper, more personal look at Thomas Jefferson beyond the monuments. Set on a hilltop with sweeping Virginia views, the beautifully preserved home and grounds explore Jefferson’s ideas, innovations, and contradictions—alo...
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
Just outside Washington, DC, Great Falls Park delivers big natural beauty with dramatic waterfalls and rugged river views along the Potomac. It’s a perfect place to hike scenic trails, watch powerful water cascades, and escape the city for a few hour...
Great Falls Park
This serene visitors’ center and temple grounds offer a unique, peaceful stop just outside Washington, D.C. You can explore interactive exhibits, beautiful gardens, and the impressive exterior of the Washington D.C. Temple—open daily and free to visi...
Washington D.C. Temple Visitors' Center
Just across the river from Washington, DC, Old Town Alexandria offers a charming step back in time with its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and waterfront views. Explore unique shops, cozy cafés, and colonial sites as you stroll along Kin...
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
Washington National Cathedral is a stunning architectural and spiritual landmark with soaring stone arches, intricate stained glass, and peaceful gardens. It’s one of the tallest cathedrals in the world and offers both breathtaking craftsmanship and ...
National Cathedral
First-Time Visitors
This list covers Washington DC’s most iconic landmarks and attractions that every first-time visitor should experience. From historic monuments and world-class museums to famous memorials and landmarks, these stops provide the perfect introduction to...
The National Mall is the heart of Washington, DC—where iconic monuments, memorials, and world-class Smithsonian museums all come together in one unforgettable walk. From the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol, every step is layered with history, symboli...
National Mall
Visiting the Washington Monument is free, but tickets are required to go to the top. Same-day walk-up tickets are available starting at 8:45 a.m. at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15th Street, offered first-come, first-served, and they often sell o...
Washington Monument TOUR
Lincoln Memorial is one of the most powerful and iconic places in Washington, DC. Standing before Abraham Lincoln’s statue, framed by his timeless words, feels both humbling and inspiring. With sweeping views of the Reflecting Pool and Washington Mon...
Lincoln Memorial
This memorial is a moving tribute to the men and women who served during World War II. With its grand arches, fountains, and stone pillars representing each state and territory, it powerfully conveys both the scale and sacrifice of the war. Located b...
World War II Memorial
Set gracefully along the Tidal Basin, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial offers one of the most serene and scenic experiences in Washington, DC. The domed structure, inspired by classical architecture, frames Jefferson’s words on liberty and democracy in ...
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
This museum is a favorite for visitors of all ages, offering awe-inspiring exhibits that range from massive dinosaur fossils to glittering gemstones. Highlights like the Hope Diamond and the Hall of Mammals make it both educational and endlessly fasc...
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
One of the most popular museums in the world, this Smithsonian favorite showcases humanity’s greatest achievements in flight and space exploration. From historic aircraft and the Wright brothers’ plane to real spacecraft and moon rocks, the exhibits ...
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
This museum brings the story of the United States to life through iconic artifacts and powerful exhibits. From the Star-Spangled Banner to presidential memorabilia and pop culture treasures, it offers a fascinating look at how history, innovation, an...
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
One of the only free zoos in the world, the National Zoo offers a chance to see giant pandas, elephants, and hundreds of other species in a beautifully designed, walkable setting. Tucked into Rock Creek Park, it feels more like a nature escape than a...
Smithsonian National Zoo
The U.S. Capitol is one of the most recognizable symbols of American democracy and a must-see in Washington, DC. Home to Congress, the building’s iconic dome, historic chambers, and grand architecture tell the story of the nation’s legislative proces...
United States Capitol
This museum offers one of the most powerful and important experiences in Washington, DC. Through deeply moving exhibits, personal stories, and historic artifacts, it preserves the memory of the Holocaust while emphasizing the consequences of hatred, ...
Holocaust Memorial Museum
This peaceful oasis near the U.S. Capitol offers a refreshing escape filled with vibrant plants from around the world. From tropical rainforests to desert landscapes and seasonal floral displays, the Botanic Garden is both relaxing and educational. F...
Botanic Garden
White House tours are free but must be requested well in advance through a Member of Congress. Requests can be submitted up to 90 days ahead of time and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Even if you don’t get an inside tour, the White...
White House TOUR