The USA is home to 50 states, each with their own distinctive personalities, but this magnificent country’s capital, Washington DC, is located in the proud District of Columbia. From the stunning architecture of its government buildings to its wide array of museums, there are so many things to do in Washington DC. 

The seat of the United States government, the country’s capital is where the most iconic monuments, the most substantial museums, and the corridors of power where the politicians roam are. Who knows? You might bump at Starbucks with a known figure in the U.S. government here in Washington DC. 

Washington DC is the perfect place to learn a lot about the nation’s history, society, politics, and so much more. But whether you are a U.S. social sciences buff or simply a traveler who wants to explore, this city will never fail you. So let us present to you the best things to do in Washington DC. 

Best Things To Do In Washington DC

Here are the most interesting things to do in Washington DC. Be prepared to learn and be amazed. 

1. Visit And Take Pictures Of The White House

We begin our list of the best things to do in Washington DC with your visit to the White House. Washington DC is equated with the White House, and many travelers head to the nation’s capital to experience and see this building up close and personal. They take photos with it to brag about their visit to their friends and relatives. 

But a visit to the White House is a must for any first-timer setting foot in Washington DC. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the White House is the official residence and workplace of the United States president. It has been the residence of every president who had run the country since John Adams in 1800 when the capital was moved from Philadelphia to Washington DC. 

If you are visiting the White House, you must also make a stop at the Washington Monument, the tallest structure in the world back when it was completed in the late 19th century. But of course, Dubai has beat it today. 

At the Washington Monument, tourists can ride one of its glass-encased elevators going up the observation deck where to enjoy stunning 360-degree views of the entire city. You can also tour the monument’s exterior for free, and it is open to visitors 24 hours a day.

2. See The World’s First Powered Airplane At The National Air and Space Museum

Love traveling? For sure, the thrill of flying on an airplane never fades away. This experience is always one of the things that make travelers excited about. But did you know that all flights today look back to when the world produced the first powered airplane, the Wright brothers’ flyer?

Yes, and this Wright brothers’ flyer is among the highlights you can find at the National Air and Space Museum, along with Chuck Yeager’s Bell X-1, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St Louis, Howard Hughes’ H-1 Racer and Amelia Earhart’s natty Vega 5B, other remarkable aircrafts in history.

Here in this museum, you’ll learn everything about aviation, space, and all aspects of human flight. The National Air and Space Museum provides programs, lectures, performances, and educational activities that reflect America’s triumph in the world of flight.

3. Remember Abe At Lincoln Memorial

Unlike several other presidents who served the United States, Washington DC has a place dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, known by his nickname “Abe,” the 16th president of the country. 

Lincoln was a lawyer, politician, and statesman who was president of the USA from 1861 until he was assassinated in 1865. He is an important figure in American history because of his legacy and achievements. Lincoln successfully ended slavery – which was plaguing the nation during this time, waged a political struggle and civil war that preserved the Union, and created the possibility of civil and social freedom for African-Americans.

You can reminisce about Lincoln and his legacy at Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. This is one of the things to do in Washington DC that history geeks and those who are not will appreciate. 

The hallowed shrine of Lincoln anchors the west end of National Mall. It gazes across the Reflecting Pool beneath the neoclassic, Doric-column structure where the statue resides. Furthermore, the words of his famous Gettysburg Address – “Four score and seven years ago,” come on, you know it – and his Second Inaugural speech flank the sizable marble statue on the north and south walls. 

There’s also a museum on the lower level which is also worth visiting. It features interesting displays about his life and times.

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4. Find Yourself In The Natural Oasis Offered By Rock Creek Park

Things to do in Washington DC are not just about all the geeky monuments, buildings, and museums, but it is also for those who want to take a breath of fresh air. Nestled between the city’s busy commercial spaces is the 1,750-acre forest called Rock Creek Park. Truly, it is a natural oasis for travelers.

Around offering a relaxing space for locals and tourists since the 1800s, Rock Creek Park also has various biking and walking trails – the walking trails are spanning over 32 miles – but of course, Washington DC’s trademark is never absent. There are also colonial houses and working mills in this area, where you can continue your learning of America’s history.

5. Witness Politics In Action At The U.S. Capitol

Frequent travelers to Washington DC consider the U.S. Capitol as the most beautiful building in the city, and it offers one of the most interesting things to do in Washington DC. Here, tourists can see politics in action. 

Inside the U.S. Capitol, members of both houses of Congress create laws and debate about the nation’s most pressing issues in the hopes to give the American citizens a better life. 

Visitors may also explore the building’s north and south wings, as well as the popular circular centerpiece known as the Rotunda. This beautiful and iconic hall is likewise home to paintings, frescoes, and sculptures depicting scenes from U.S. history. And don’t forget to take a look at the famous cast-iron dome added to the structure in the 1860s. Touring the U.S. Capitol is free of charge, but tourists will have to reserve their slots in advance.

6. Let The Beautiful Cherry Blossoms At The Tidal Basin Entice You

First-time travelers to Washington DC also make it a point to visit the Tidal Basin, aside from, of course, heading to the buildings and monuments. The Tidal Basin is an approximately 107-acre pond circled by a 2.1-mile loop trail. This place is built to utilize the strong tides of the Potomac River to clear silt from the Washington Channel and to keep steady water levels at the Reflecting Pools of the Lincoln Memorial. 

Where are the cherry blossoms? Well, that area only serves as the backdrop of what you are looking for. Every spring, the Tidal Basin bursts with the colors of cherry blossom trees blooming to impress tourists and locals alike. Believe us, the locals never get tired of visiting the cherry blossoms year after year. These cherry blossoms are a gift to the city from Tokyo, where the best cherry blossoms sceneries are.

The shores of Tidal Basin are also where the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the memorial to Virginia Declaration of Rights author George Mason are. They are also must-visit places.

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7. Explore Natural History At The Smithsonian

The Smithsonian, officially known as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, may be more familiar with you. It is here where popular movies such as “The Day the Earth Stood Still” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” were shot. The images may still be vivid to you. 

In this museum, you can find replicas of giant whales and other marine life, a 2,000-pound and 52-foot model of a mega-tooth shark, multicolored butterflies, and dinosaurs, as well as exhibits about human evolution, geology, and ancient Egypt, among others.

8. Grab Some Food At The Centuries-Old Eastern Market

There are so many popular markets worldwide, but nothing comes close as Washington DC’s Eastern Market. You know why? This market was originally constructed in 1873, and today, it is considered the “town center” of the Capitol Hill neighborhood and one of the liveliest areas in the capital. 

Its South Hall market is always open, providing opportunities for merchants who offer meats, baked goods, cheeses, flowers, and more for visitors. During the weekends, the area around Eastern Market hosts arts, crafts, and furniture sellers, as well as food vendors and farmers’ stands.

Hungry while you are here? You can grab a bite at Eastern Market as it also has plenty of restaurants that serve good-tasting food. These include pizza joint Matchbox, nostalgic diner Ted’s Bulletin, and Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar Cava Mezze. This is among the best things to do in Washington DC that you don’t want to miss. 

9. Admire The Washington National Cathedral

Religion will always be part of a place’s history, and you can see this manifesting with the churches, chapels, and cathedrals in beautiful and mesmerizing designs built in those places, may they be Buddhist temples, or Catholic or Protestant cathedrals. 

In Washington DC, there’s the Washington National Cathedral. Construction started on this lovely cathedral, the sixth largest in the world, in 1907, but believe it or not, it was not completed until 1990. Those are several years apart! 

Designed in the Gothic style, like many cathedrals in the home continent of this style, that is, Europe, the Washington National Cathedral is situated with gardens, creating a relaxing space for visitors. 

You can stroll around this cathedral, take a look at its high vaults and flying buttresses, admire its intricate stained-glass windows, and don’t miss the gargoyles. Did you know there’s literally a Darth Vader gargoyle here? While this may seem like a vandalism of the cathedral, this gargoyle is an approved addition. 

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10. Stroll Around The United States National Arboretum

Run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, the United States National Arboretum is a natural haven that has more trees than people, even during the busiest days. 

This arboretum offers several things to do in Washington DC for tourists and locals. It features a boxwood collection, dwarf conifers, an herb garden, a herbarium of dried plants, an Asian collection, and a bonsai collection. Its bonsai collection has over 300 tries. Also in the area are the famous 22 columns removed from the Capitol’s East Front during the expansion in the 1950s. The columns are a picture spot among tourists.

Things To Do In Washington DC: Travel Tips

To guide you further into the best things to do in Washington DC, here are some travel tips you should know before going to the place. A recommended section for first-time travelers to Washington DC.

• Washington DC has three major airports: the Washington Dulles International Airport, the Ronald Reagan National Airport, and the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. All of them offer both international and domestic flights.
• Thinking of bringing your car to Washington DC? Not recommended. You’ll not be able to enjoy the best things to do in Washington DC. The DC traffic is well-known. Instead, take the public transportation that includes the Metro and bus system.
• Among the most affordable ways of getting around the area is taking the Circulator bus system. It already connects many of Washington DC’s most popular tourist attractions and neighborhoods.
• The best seasons to visit Washington DC are the spring and fall season. But, expect the place to be jam-packed with people. 
• There are museums here with free admissions, then there are those that require tickets, and not just tickets, but you need to purchase them in advance.

Explore The Capital City Like Never Before

Washington DC, the home of American politics. It is a compact city on the Potomac River, bordering Maryland and Virginia. This city is known for its imposing neo classical buildings and monuments. The most iconic ones would be the buildings of the federal government’s three branches: the White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court. It is also where you can find vast museums and performing arts venues.

This place may be known for politics, but Washington DC is definitely much more than that. There are many other things to do in Washington DC than just admiring the buildings where the country’s politicians work. You can see the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin during the spring season, celebrate the 4th of July at the National Mall, or grab some knowledge at the museums. Enjoy Washington DC!