Capital ideas: The best things to do in Washington, D.C.
Get the inside scoop on what to see on your trip to the nation’s capital, from the White House to Foggy Bottom.
By Paul Oswell | December 30, 2021 (Updated: June 30, 2025)
Paul Oswell
Paul Oswell is a British award-winning journalist and published travel author based in New Orleans, Louisiana. His books include Bucket List North America and The Great American Road Trip, as well as New Orleans' Historic Hotels. He has also been an editor of and contributor to several guidebooks/editions published by Dorling Kindersley (owned by Penguin), including New Orleans, Florida, Orlando, Los Angeles, California, and The United States. His work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure (both of which he has written multiple online travel guides for) and The Guardian, as well as dozens of international newspaper and magazine titles, and inflight magazines for major airlines.
Washington, D.C. is known for its grand monuments and politicians that rush around the city’s corridors of power, but there’s more to this majestic capital than meets the eye. In addition to witnessing the business of running the country, you can also experience world-class art and culture, eat Michelin-starred meals, and even learn how to think like a spy.
The National Mall and the monuments
Organizing your time is going to be your biggest challenge in Washington, as there are so many sites worth seeing. If you want to marvel at the big-ticket items, then a hop-on, hop-off bus tour is probably going to be the most efficient means of doing it. That way you can hit the Capitol, the White House, the Library of Congress, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the National Mall, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial, as well as dozens of other spots.
Museums galore
Just a detailed list of the museums in Washington would take a lengthy guide of its own, but it helps that many are located within walking distance of each other. The National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, and the National Portrait Gallery are all big hits with families — plus, all of the Smithsonian museums are free!
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a remarkable, inspirational, and unflinching facility, as is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Art lovers will be thrilled by The National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and Renwick Gallery.
Gardens and the zoo
The United States Botanic Garden, the National Arboretum, and the National Zoo are all glorious, intentional green spaces within Washington, D.C. Note that the zoo is on a hill, so you’ll have to walk up it either at the start or the bottom, depending on where you park (arriving by Metro is recommended). There’s a great kid-friendly petting zoo located at the bottom of the hill, and the pandas are located near the top. If you’re lucky, you could even see the orangutangs swinging above you on the open-air O Line.
Spot the cherry blossoms
During the cherry blossom season (late March-early April), a walk along the scenic Tidal Basin, drenched in pinks and reds, is hard to beat (however, be warned that it will be extremely crowded at this time of year). Here you can also admire the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, which includes a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt.
Where to eat in Washington
It’s likely that many of the political deals in this town take place at one of the city’s 20 Michelin-starred restaurants. You’ll find competition for tables, so you’ll need to book ahead for your fine-dining experience. You can taste Washington’s global influence through its cuisine, and Asian selections are particularly strong — if you can get a table, head to Maketto or Astoria DC.
You should also sample the Middle Eastern spots in Navy Yard, the Ethiopian restaurants in Shaw, and the fresh seafood in Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria. Kid-friendly restaurants can be found in every neighborhood; your kids will love the homemade pop tarts at Ted’s Bulletin (several locations around the city).
Hit the shops
If you have time for shopping, then Georgetown is a good place to start, with both high-end boutiques and major brand stores. You can find designer names as well as national chains around Penn Quarter. In short, you don’t have to limit your souvenir hunting to museum gift stores. The Capitol Hill neighborhood is also full of shopping surprises. Including Eastern Market, which sells mostly food and grocery items during the week, but on the weekend, this shopping mecca transforms into a massive marketplace where hundreds of local artisans sell pottery, paintings, photography, and everything in between.
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