© Grant Czerwinski
Washington, DC
The USA's capital teems with iconic monuments, vast museums and the corridors of power. But look closer and you'll have a sharp view of one of America's most diverse art and culture scenes.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Washington, DC
The legendary exhibits at the National Air and Space Museum include the Wright brothers' flyer, Chuck Yeager's Bell X-1, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St…
Washington, DC
Two buildings. Hundreds of masterpieces. Infinite enjoyment. It's easy to spend a full day at the National Gallery of Art, which showcases a whole range…
Washington, DC
Anchoring the National Mall's west end is the hallowed shrine to Abraham Lincoln, who gazes across the Reflecting Pool beneath his neoclassical, Doric…
National Museum of African American History & Culture
Washington, DC
Located in Washington, DC, the sensational National Museum of African American History & Culture is devoted exclusively to the documentation of African…
Washington, DC
Since 1800, this is where the legislative branch of American government (ie Congress) has met to write the country's laws.
White House Area & Foggy Bottom
Play image association with the words “Washington, DC,” and chances are the first thing that comes to mind is the White House. The president’s pad is…
Washington, DC
In a city of classic, white-marble monuments, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands out on the National Mall for its stark modernism. Designed by 21-year…
Attractions
Top picks from our travel experts
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
The cool crowd hobnobs at this food hall, where culinary entrepreneurs sell their banana-ginger chocolates, herbed goat's cheeses and smoked meats. Among…
Washington, DC
The Smithsonian’s cylindrical art museum shows works from modernism’s early days to today's most cutting-edge practitioners. Exhibitions of works drawn…
Washington, DC
The 2-mile stroll around this constructed inlet incorporates the Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson memorials as well as the Floral Library…
Washington, DC
Anchoring the National Mall's west end is the hallowed shrine to Abraham Lincoln, who gazes across the Reflecting Pool beneath his neoclassical, Doric…
Washington, DC
Dedicated in 2004, this grandiose memorial honors the 16 million US soldiers who served in WWII. Groups of veterans regularly come here to pay their…
Washington, DC
Peaking at 555ft (and 5in) and composed of 36,000 blocks of stone, the Washington Monument is the district's tallest structure. Political shenanigans…
National Museum of American History
Washington, DC
Containing all kinds of artifacts of the American experience, this museum has as its centerpiece the flag that flew over Baltimore's Fort McHenry during…
White House Area & Foggy Bottom
Play image association with the words “Washington, DC,” and chances are the first thing that comes to mind is the White House. The president’s pad is…
Washington, DC
At the northeast corner of Constitution Gardens, this 1835 stone gatehouse is a remnant of the days when the Washington City Canal flowed through this…
National Museum of Natural History
Washington, DC
Arguably the most popular of the Smithsonian museums, so crowds are pretty much guaranteed. Wave to Henry, the elephant who guards the rotunda, then zip…
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial
Washington, DC
Opened in 2011, this was the first Mall memorial to honor an African American. Sculptor Lei Yixin carved the piece, which is reminiscent in concept and…
Washington, DC
One of the icons of Capitol Hill, this roofed bazaar sprawls with delectable chow and good cheer, especially on weekends. Built in 1873, it is the last of…
Washington, DC
Anchoring the National Mall's west end is the hallowed shrine to Abraham Lincoln, who gazes across the Reflecting Pool beneath his neoclassical, Doric…
Washington, DC
The world's largest library – with 164 million books, manuscripts, maps, photos, films and other items – awes in both scope and design. The centerpiece is…
United States National Arboretum
Logan Circle, U Street & Columbia Heights
The greatest green space in Washington unfurls almost 450 acres of meadowland, sylvan theaters and a pastoral setting that feels somewhere between bucolic…
Washington, DC
The Smithsonian-run Postal Museum is way cooler than you might think. Level 1 has exhibits on postal history from the Pony Express to modern times, where…
Georgetown
Here’s what’s going to happen: you’ll be walking down M St and will see a gigantic line spilling out of a small shop: moms with kids, preppy students and…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Things to Know
With so many museums and landmarks to see, a trip to Washington, DC, requires a bit of pre-planning. Here are our tips.
Read articleBest Neighborhoods
After you’ve checked all the monuments off your list, spend some time in DC’s neighborhoods to find out what makes the city tick.
Read articleDay Trips
From charming towns to staggeringly beautiful parks, there are incredible day-trip options from Washington, DC. Here are six of our favorites.
Read articleMoney and Costs
Washington, DC, has a reputation for being expensive. Here are our tips for visiting on a budget.
Read articleTransportation
Find your way around Washington, DC, with this guide to transit options in the US capital.
Read articleFree Things to Do
Washington, DC is an expensive city but there are plenty of free things to do if you know where to look. Here are 19 of our favorites.
Read articleTraveling with Kids
All the insider tips on how to make the most of a family trip to Washington, DC, whether you're traveling with toddlers or teens.
Read articleArticles
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