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So you’ve booked your first-ever trip to Washington DC. It’s an exciting time! Seeing the nation’s capital for the first time is thrilling – but it can also feel a bit hectic and overwhelming. After all, there’s so much to do! That’s why we’re here to help. Here are the top 20 Washington DC attractions that should be on the itinerary for every first-time visitor!
Let’s start with the things that bring just about everyone to Washington – the city’s famous monuments and memorials. Of course, there are quite a few, so we narrowed down the list to the ones that absolutely no one should miss.
Perhaps the most imposing monument in all of DC, the Lincoln Memorial looms majestically at the western end of the Mall. Few are unfamiliar with its iconic columns and statue of a seated President Abraham Lincoln. However, there’s nothing like climbing the steps and seeing it with your own eyes. Some of Lincoln’s most influential words are carved in the stone walls for generations of Americans to reflect upon. After honoring this great leader, turn around and enjoy the incredible views back down the Mall toward the Capitol.
The terrible toll of the Vietnam war is all too plain for visitors to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This two-acre site along the National Mall is dominated by the famous black granite wall, which lists the name of each and every US service member killed in the Vietnam War. It’s a poignant reminder of the human costs of the war, with each name receding into an almost overwhelming mass of text. It’s also among the most emotional memorial sites in DC, as many living Vietnam veterans visit to pay tribute to their fallen comrades.
Across the Reflecting Pool from the Vietnam memorial lies another haunting reminder of an often-overlooked American conflict – the Korean War. The monument is centered around 19 steel statues depicting American service members on patrol. Some say that no matter where you stand around the memorial, you’ll always be in the line of sight of one of these statues. The site is also rumored to be foggy even on clear DC nights, reflecting the terrain of Korea. Nevertheless, it’s a monument unlike any other that’s certainly worth a stop.
Across the Potomac River from Washington in Arlington, another visitor-favorite memorial honors the Marines, one of the military’s most famous branches. Recreating the famous photograph of Marines raising the American flag over Iwo Jima during World War II, the memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have died in American wars stretching back to their establishment in 1775. The memorial grounds also afford breathtaking views of the National Mall and the rest of DC.
What would a trip to Washington be without a visit to the home of the city’s most notable resident? Most visitors will need to admire this impressive executive mansion from behind the fence along Pennsylvania Avenue or E Street, which still offers excellent views of the main building, as well as the East and West Wings. However, if you’d like to see the inside, contact your member of Congress, and (if you’re lucky) you may receive tickets for a rare glimpse into the President’s home and office.
A trip to DC is also a chance to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for their country, with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, just across the river in Virginia. Since the Civil War, the rolling hills and quiet lanes have held the bodies of American military members from all branches, races, and religions. Those interred there include President John F. Kennedy, whose grave is marked by an eternally burning flame. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the US Army keeps a 24-hour vigil in heat, rain, snow, and other elements, and the Lee Mansion are among the most popular attractions to visit in the cemetery.
DC is also famous for its museums – primarily, the extremely fascinating and, better yet, free Smithsonian. But there are also other museums worth a trip during your time in the nation’s capital, each filled with unique exhibits and information you can’t see anywhere else.
If you’re looking for the most popular museum in Washington, this is it. And once you’ve explored its exhibits – from humanity’s origins to geology to incredible fossils and preserved animals – you’ll understand the appeal. With nearly 150 million artifacts in its collection, it’s a favorite of both kids and parents for its fascinating but family-friendly presentation of earth and its varied inhabitants. Even the building itself is a fascinating architectural marvel!
The history of flight is right at your fingertips at this extremely popular Smithsonian. It’s a favorite of younger visitors – along with the young at heart. You’ll marvel at exhibits like the Wright Brothers’ first successful plane, Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, which carried him across the Atlantic for the first time, or the Apollo 11 command module that first touched down on the moon. Aside from the well-known facility on the Mall, the museum also operates the Udvar-Hazy Center in northern Virginia, which offers a chance to view even more famous flying machines, like the space shuttle or the plane that dropped the atomic bomb.
Want to learn about the amazing and exciting history of America through the objects that helped define the nation? Then head over to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. From the original Star-Spangled Banner flag to Dorothy’s red slippers from The Wizard of Oz, everyone will enjoy this look at America’s historical and cultural legacy. Other exhibits focus on transportation, politics, American industry, the First Ladies, and so much more. It’s a great place to start your DC museum adventure.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum may be a sobering stop amid Washington, DC’s fun and excitement. But it’s one of the city’s most powerful museums and memorials and plays a crucial role in shining a light on the horrors of the Holocaust and other modern genocide. Visitors follow the path of the Holocaust chronologically, showing how a political movement slowly developed into mass murder. From replicas of boxcars used to take victims to concentration camps to the soaring Tower of Faces honoring individuals who lost their lives, it’s an emotional and essential experience for any visitor to the nation’s capital.
Is there any more iconic symbol of the nation’s capital than the soaring stone obelisk honoring the country’s first president? At more than 555 feet tall, it’s by far the tallest structure in otherwise low-rising DC. Set on a hill roughly in the center of the National Mall, it welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It was completed in 1884, though construction was interrupted for more than two decades after its start in the 1840s, leading to the slight difference in the shade of stone used on the upper and lower sections. Plan ahead and reserve tickets to ride to the top for views of Washington that you can’t get anywhere else!
One of the District’s most recently completed memorials, this imposing monument pays tribute to the most influential civil rights leader in American history, just a short walk from where he gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. In addition to the striking statue of King, visitors can reflect on some of his wisdom carved into nearby memorial walls. It’s a perfect way to honor King’s legacy of equality while also enjoying one of DC’s most unique monuments.
The product of decades of work and advocacy, the World War II memorial was opened in 2004 to much fanfare. Centered around a memorial fountain, each state and US territory that sent service members to the war is honored with a granite pillar. With decorative arches commemorating the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of war, it’s a poignant and beautiful reminder of the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation. Stop by at night for especially impressive views of the dramatically lit monument!
The monument honoring our nation’s third president may be a bit removed from others along the National Mall, but it’s more than worth the trip. Inside an impressively ornate marble building, you can admire a bronze statue of Jefferson and reflect on passages of his most influential work – the Declaration of Independence – among others, carved into the walls. This breathtaking memorial is located across Washington’s Tidal Basin, a man-made body of water along the National Mall. In springtime, you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of the blooming cherry blossoms along the opposite side of the Tidal Basin, a sight that draws thousands every year.
Just down Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House lies another center of power in Washington – the Capitol building. Take a stroll around the grounds and admire this incredible architectural structure, and reflect on the many historic and world-changing events that happened inside. The grounds themselves are a worthwhile attraction, with beautiful landscaping and great views of the Capitol and the Mall. Contact the Capitol Visitor Center for information on tours of the inside, including the House and Senate chambers themselves!
If you’ve seen many memorials or museums, you’ve undoubtedly seen the National Mall already. But it’s a lot more than just an easy way to get between sights – the so-called America’s front lawn is worth spending some time exploring on its own. Stroll the peaceful paths, enjoy shady spots under plentiful trees, and take in the Washington vibes. It’s also a great place for people watching – you never know whom you might see on a jog or evening stroll!
Get in touch with your wild side at the National Zoo, home to dozens of cute, creepy, and otherwise unique animals. This free attraction is a kids’ favorite, with plenty of fun activities and exhibits for them to enjoy. The stars of the show are, of course, the giant pandas, which draw tens of thousands of visitors a year to view these rare, endangered, and adorable creatures. From behemoths like elephants to tiny reptiles and bugs, you can get a glimpse of pretty much the entire animal kingdom here, set amidst the gorgeous greenery of Rock Creek Park.
Georgetown is much more than just a neighborhood. In fact, it predated the establishment of Washington, DC, by decades! These days, it’s home to no shortage of things to do, from enjoying dinner along the waterfront to strolling the gorgeous Georgetown University campus to shopping at the high-end stores and boutiques along M Street. With some of the city’s best restaurants and hotels, as well as gorgeous historic architecture, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the city’s most notable neighborhoods.
It’s an unfortunate reality that the African-Americans in America haven’t enjoyed the promise of America for much of the country’s history. But the country’s thriving, culturally rich Black experience is highlighted and celebrated here at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. From the horrors of slavery and segregation to the incredible cultural contributions to music, art, and more, this top-rated museum tells the story of African Americans in the United States in a way unlike any other museum in the city or the country.
It’s true – the International Spy Museum is a rarity in DC, in that you’ll have to pay for admission. Still, visitors typically find the cost well worth it – especially families. You’ll learn about the history of espionage from its earliest days through the modern CIA and its foreign counterparts. Even better, the learning comes via fascinating and interactive exhibits spread throughout the museum’s recently relocated facilities. It’s a great way to spend a few hours shedding light on some of our most shadowy histories. You may never look at that person walking behind you on the street the same way again!
As you can see, Washington DC has so much to do and see for new visitors. From museums to monuments to other incredible attractions, there’s always something to do in the nation’s capital.
But if your head is spinning trying to figure out how to fit it all in, don’t worry. Private DC Tours has you covered. We’ll help you design the perfect itinerary to ensure you see all of your most-anticipated attractions, and on your schedule – not some one-size-fits-all tour that many people book. It’s truly the best way to see all the best Washington has to offer the way you want to, at your pace.
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