Washington, DC

USA

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book

© Grant Czerwinski

Cherry blossom season at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Why visit 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.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Washington, DC? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your United States (USA) trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Road Trippin' Across the American West

11 days / 10 nights

highlights

  1. 1 Riding a historic cable car to see the seals of San Francisco's Fisherman’s Wharf
  2. 2 Whitewater rafting along the thrilling South Fork American River
  3. 3 Hiking past Liberty Cap and Half Dome on a guided tour of Yosemite's highlights
from $5,780

per person

book this trip see trip details

Explore more trips

  • Hawaii's Big Island and Oahu's Big City in 8 Days
    The USA

    8 days / 7 nights

    Hawaii's Big Island and Oahu's Big City in 8 Days

    FROM $5,493

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • New York, New York: 7 Days in the Big Apple
    The USA

    7 days / 6 nights

    New York, New York: 7 Days in the Big Apple

    FROM $3,240

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • Alaska: Glimmering Glaciers, Brown Bears, and Fantastic Fjords
    The USA

    10 days / 9 nights

    Alaska: Glimmering Glaciers, Brown Bears, and Fantastic Fjords

    FROM $7,900

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • Lei'd Back Hawaii: Maui and Kauai
    The USA

    8 days / 7 nights

    Lei'd Back Hawaii: Maui and Kauai

    FROM $5,090

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • Easing up East: New York, Cape Cod, and Boston in 11 Days
    The USA

    11 days / 10 nights

    Easing up East: New York, Cape Cod, and Boston in 11 Days

    FROM $5,395

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • From Bayside to Coastside: California's San Francisco Peninsula in 10 Days
    The USA

    10 days / 9 nights

    From Bayside to Coastside: California's San Francisco Peninsula in 10 Days

    FROM $4,940

    per person

    See Trip Details
  • Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden
    The USA

    10 days / 9 nights

    Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden

    FROM $3,795

    per person

    See Trip Details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Top places to visit in Washington, DC

Discover the best attractions in Washington, DC from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Explore all

Travel Guides

Washington, DC travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

Packed with historical sites, incredible museums and endless options for food and nightlife, these are the top things to do in Washington, DC.

Read full article

Best Time to Visit

Here's your guide to the seasons in DC, from when to see cherry blossoms in bloom, to when to avoid the crowds.

Read full article

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 full article

Transportation

Find your way around Washington, DC, with this guide to transit options in the US capital.

Read full article

Day Trips

From charming towns to staggeringly beautiful parks, there are incredible day-trip options from Washington, DC. Here are six of our favorites.

Read full article

Money and Costs

Washington, DC, has a reputation for being expensive. Here are our tips for visiting on a budget.

Read full article

Traveling 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 full article

LGBTIQ+ Travel

Washington, DC, has the highest percentage of LGBTIQ+ residents in the United States, so you'll find ample options for making the most out of your trip.

Read full article

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Washington, DC