Are you spending 2 days in Washington DC and wondering what there is to do? We’ve got you covered!
Washington D.C. is an amazing city with a ton of history and culture to offer visitors.
It is the capital of the United States of America since 1790 and the exact spot was chosen by President George Washington himself.
DC played a major role in the independence and the creation of the nation as well as during the civil rights movements so if you are a history lover, you will be in for a treat!
It’s also where the US president lives and there are many landmarks to check out!
If you’re planning a weekend in D.C., this 2-day Washington DC itinerary will be perfect for you.
It will allow you to see all of the major attractions in the city, and it’s perfect for first-timers.
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How to get to Washington DC
The main airport in DC is Ronald Reagan National Airport. You can find loads of domestic and international flights to this airport and it’s the closest one to the city.
Once you get there, you can easily take the metro or a taxi to get to your hotel.
Click here to see the flights to DC.
If you are somewhere on the East Coast, you can also opt for a bus. They are pretty cheap and arrive at Union Station which is very handy.
Click here to see the buses to DC.
Finally, you can also opt for a train.
Where to stay in Washington DC for 2 days
There are many different areas to stay in D.C., but we recommend picking a place near the National Mall so that you are close to all of the main attractions.
The National Mall is the long, wide avenue between the Capitol building and the Lincoln Memorial. Most of the Smithsonian museums are located here as well as other famous landmarks such as the White House.
Another great place to stay is Georgetown. This is one of the cutest areas in DC and you can easily take the metro from Foggy Bottom or even walk to the National Mall.
Here are some recommendations:
- Budget: Sonder Georgetown C&O is a gorgeous apart hotel in Georgetown. It’s very well located and the apartments are stunning.
- Mid-range: The St Gregory Hotel Dupont Circle Georgetown is located between Georgetown and Dupont and is a great option.
- Luxury: JW Marriott Washington, DC is ideally located on Pennsylvania Avenue and is very close to the White House.
How to get around Washington DC
The best way to get around DC is definitely by metro. It’s super easy to use, very cheap, and it will take you pretty much anywhere you need to go.
You can buy a 1-day or a 7-day pass depending on how long you are staying.
If you follow this Washington DC 2-day itinerary, you will be walking a lot so your main transport will be your own feet however, it’s always good to know that the metro is a great option as well.
The Ultimate Washington DC Itinerary 2 days
Now is time to get down to business and discover exactly how to spend your two days in Washington DC.
Before we get started, it’s important to note that this is a pretty full-on itinerary which means that we packed as much as we can into these 2 days.
By doing that, you will get to see a lot but it also includes a fair bit of walking so if you feel like it’s too much for you, feel free to skip some steps.
It’s also important to note that you won’t be able to visit all the museums mentioned in two days, however, you can visit one or 2 and the others are still interesting to see from the outside.
Washington DC Itinerary Day 1: National Mall, White House and Museums
Start your first day in D.C. with a bang by visiting some of the most famous landmarks and attractions in the city!
First thing first, you will need to go to the Capitol. This is the most famous landmark in DC.
It’s very easy to get there since it’s within walking distance from Union Station and Capitol South Metro station.
While everything below can be done on foot, it’s important to understand that there is quite a bit of walking involved and if you want to save some time (and spare your feet), you should consider going on one of these tours:
- Coach tour including priority entry to the Capitol
- Capitol Hill and DC Monuments Tour by Electric Cart
- Segway tour of Washington DC
Stop 1: United States Capitol
The US Capitol is one of the most recognizable buildings in Washington D.C. and it’s where the US Congress meets.
You can go on a tour of the Capitol building, which takes about 45 minutes.
If you’re interested in doing so, make sure to book your tickets in advance as they do tend to sell out quickly!
PRO TIP: If you’ve opted for the DC coach tour, the entrance will be included.
If you decide not to go inside, you should still stroll around the Capitol grounds and go to the pool in front of the Ulysse S. Grant Memorial. It’s a great spot to take photos!
UPDATE: The Capitol is currently not running tours.
Stop 2: United States Botanic Garden
The United States Botanic Garden is located right next to the Capitol building.
It only takes a couple of minutes to get there from the pond.
It’s a great spot to take a break from all the walking and it’s also free to enter!
Here you will find all sorts of exotic plants as well as a beautiful conservatory and a butterfly garden.
The garden is pretty small but it’s very pretty so it’s definitely worth adding it to your list of must-sees in Washington DC in 2 days.
Once you are done, make your way back to the National Mall.
Stop 3: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Your first stop on the National Mall is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
This is one of the most popular museums in D.C. and it’s definitely worth a visit if you love everything that has to do with aviation!
Here you will find the world’s largest collection of aviation and space artefacts. It is a pretty big museum so you could easily spend a couple of hours here.
Make sure to check out the Wright brothers’ plane, the Apollo 11 command module, and SpaceShipOne.
If you’re interested in visiting, it’s entirely fine, you won’t be able to do all of them today anyway but it’s still good to see from the outside.
UPDATE: The National Air and Space Museum is currently closed for renovation.
Stop 4: National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is located right across the street from the Air and Space Museum.
It’s one of the largest art museums in the world and it houses a collection of paintings, sculptures, and other artefacts from all over the globe.
Some of the must-sees here are Woman Holding a Balance by Johannes Vermeer, Ginevra de Benci by Leonardo da Vinci, Annunciation by Jan van Eyck but also several pieces from Claude Monet, Raphael, Vincent van Gogh, Gilbert Stuart and Edgar Degas.
Best of all? Admission is free!
The museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM every day so feel free to pop by and go see the main pieces or spend more time inside. It’s entirely up to you!
WANT TO KNOW MORE? You can join the guided tour of the National Gallery of Art. Prices here.
Make sure to also check out the sculpture garden right by the National Gallery of Art. It’s very pretty and you can find fountains, a cafe and even an ice rink in winter.
Stop 5: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden are located opposite the National Gallery of Art.
It’s a smaller museum but it still houses a lot of interesting art, especially if you’re interested in contemporary art.
Some of the artists that are featured here are Auguste Rodin, Yoko Ono and Jeff Koons.
Don’t forget to also head to the sculpture garden. It’s such a lovely place and you will find some more pieces there.
It’s free to visit the museum and there is no need to book. You can simply walk in.
The museum is closed on Mondays but rather than that is open from 10 AM to 5:30 PM. The sculpture garden closes an hour earlier.
Stop 6: Smithsonian Castle
The Smithsonian Castle is located on the National Mall, right next to the Hirshhorn Museum.
This is the first building that was constructed for the Smithsonian Institution and it now serves as a visitor centre.
It’s not often that you get to see this kind of architecture. There aren’t many 19th century castles in the USA so make sure to take a few moments to go inside and have a quick look around.
There are also a couple of cafes and restaurants inside.
Stop 7: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is one of the most popular museums in D.C.
It may not be as famous as the American Museum of Natural History in New York City but it’s still an excellent place to visit, especially if you are spending your 2 days in DC with kids.
Here you will find exhibitions on dinosaurs, fossils, animals, plants, and even human cultures.
There is so much to see here that you could easily spend a couple of hours (or even more) exploring all the different galleries.
Some of the highlights include the Mammoth, the Hope Diamond, the coral reef exhibit and the Egyptian mummies.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? You can join the guided tour of the National History Museum. Prices here.
Stop 8: Smithsonian National Museum of American History
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History is located on the National Mall, right next to the National Museum of Natural History.
This museum is all about American history, from the early days until today.
You will find exhibitions on the American Revolution, the Civil War, the American Presidents, and much more.
This is an absolute must-do if you are a bit of a history buff. Washington DC and Philadelphia are two of the best places to learn about the history of the United States and by visiting the museum, you will also understand better what the memorials are about.
Once again, this is a free museum so that’s perfect for people on a budget. You do not need to book anything.
The museum is open every day (except on Christmas day) from 10 AM to 5 PM.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? You can join the guided tour of the Museum of American History. Prices here.
Stop 9: National Museum of African American History and Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is one of the newest museums in D.C.
It opened its doors in 2016 and it’s already one of the most popular attractions in town.
Interesting fact: The inauguration was led by President Barack Obama.
It is located on the National Mall, right next to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
The museum covers topics such as the civil rights movement, WWII, Black Lives Matter and more contemporary issues.
There are also some excellent exhibitions on African American artists, athletes, and entertainers.
Please note that the museum is free to visit and open every day however, you will need to book a free timed entry in advance.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? You can join the African-American History tour of DC that includes the museum. Prices here.
Stop 10: Washington Monument
Right next to the museum, you will find the Washington Monument, one of the most iconic landmarks in D.C.
It’s a massive obelisk that was built to honour the first President of the United States, George Washington.
The monument is 555-foot tall and entirely made of marble. It’s a very visible piece and you can see it from many places in the city.
It’s also important to note that this is the highest structure in Washington DC. No other building can be higher than the Washington Monument and that’s the reason why houses and commercial buildings are actually pretty low here.
If you’ve visited NYC before, you might have noticed the difference. This is why!
The Washington Monument is looked after by the National Park Service.
It’s also the best place to get amazing views of the city. You can go up to the observation deck if you want to!
This is another free activity in DC. In order to get tickets, you need to either book them in advance or go to the monument lodge at 8:45 AM on the same day.
Once you are done, head towards the White House. You will have to cross Constitution Ave for that but it will give you a chance to see the Lockkeeper’s house which is very cute.
Stop 11: The White House & Lafayette Square
Alright, now is time to check that huge item from your Washington DC bucket list: seeing the White House!
This is probably the most famous address in the United States: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C.
It’s the home of the President of the United States and it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in DC.
You can’t go inside but you can take a picture behind the gates.
This can be done in two spots. The first one is from Ellipse Park. Unfortunately, you will be a bit far away (this is for security reasons) and it’s not a great photo spot but it will give you the chance to the President Park and the stunning balcony of the White House.
Once you are done here, walk all the way around (via the 17th or 15th St NW) to Pennsylvania Ave.
Once you are in front of the gates, you should be able to get a better view.
PRO TIP: Don’t stay in front of the gates but walk up to Lafayette Square. It’s slightly higher up which means you can take better photos from there.
Stop 12: Black Lives Matter Plaza
From Lafayette Square, keep walking up onto 16th Street NW.
The two first blocks of this street were renamed by the Mayor Black Lives Matter Plaza in 2020.
You can find here a permanent installation consisting of the sentence ‘Black Lives Matter’ painted on the ground.
It’s pretty impressive and a great way to create a memorial in a modern way.
You may also notice that the sign on this street is black instead of green. This is because it is a historic street.
Stop 13: 14th Street NW
From Black Lives Matter Plaza, keep walking another 5 minutes until you reach 14th Street.
14th Street is one of the coolest streets in the city with a lot of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
This is a great spot for dinner since there are some amazing restaurants and all sorts of food are available.
You will also find many bars so it’s a great place to end your day, enjoy the happy hour and eat some delicious food.
Here are some recommendations:
- Bresca. An international restaurant with different types of dishes made with seasonal ingredients.
- Tico. A cute cantina to get yummy tacos.
- Lupo Verde. Perfect for people who love Italian food.
Washington DC Itinerary Day 2: Waterfront, Memorials, Georgetown and Adams Morgan
Today will be a bit more about discovering cute neighborhoods and less about museums.
You will also discover some more memorials and parks.
It’s important to note that there will be quite a bit of walking involved however, you can reduce the walking by taking the metro in some places.
So, are you ready to discover what’s next on your Washington DC 2-day itinerary?
Stop 1: The Warf Waterfront
You will be starting your day at the Warf Waterfront. Located a bit south of the National Mall, this is a great place to go for a walk and get a coffee.
You will find here some very cute cafes with outdoor seating such as the Easy Company or Toastique (smoothies). There are loads of breakfast places as well so it’s a great place to start your day with a bang.
You can walk along the Potomac River and enjoy the views as well as the chilled vibe.
Make sure to also walk to the District Pier at The Wharf for beautiful photos.
You can then keep going and check out the market docks before arriving at the fish market.
This is one of the best fish markets in the city and that’s a great place to buy seafood.
Obviously, you may not be tempted by raw fish right now but they also have some cooked crabs that you can buy. It’s quite cheap and is amazing value for money.
Once you’re done, keep walking along the Maine Avenue SW and go around the Potomac before crossing the bridge and entering the park where the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is.
PRO TIP: If you are visiting during the spring, this is one of the best places in DC to see the cherry blossom.
Stop 2: Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a great place to learn more about one of America’s Founding Fathers and the author of the declaration of independence.
The memorial is located by the Tidal Basin which is a large body of water where you can often see paddles and kayaks.
It was built under Franklin D. Roosevelt and inaugurated in 1943.
The memorial itself is quite impressive. It’s a circular structure featuring 26 columns and marble stairs.
It’s free to enter so make sure to walk inside and discover the statue as well as the extract from the declaration of independence.
There is also a museum inside which is great if you want to learn more about Jefferson.
After visiting the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, keep walking along the Tidal Basin.
You will soon reach the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial which is also located by the water.
Stop 3: Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is one of the best memorials in Washington DC. It’s much quieter than the others and is set in a beautiful garden with lush vegetation.
It was inaugurated in 1997 and is located on a 7.5-acre land.
The memorial has four open-air ‘rooms’ describing the different stages of Roosevelt’s life as well as his time as President of the United States during WWII.
Each area features quotes, sculptures, and waterfalls.
The memorial is open 24-hour a day and is also free.
Stop 4: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is located a few minutes walk from the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (you just need to keep walking along the same path to find it).
It was inaugurated in 2011 and is a beautiful memorial made of granite.
It commemorates Martin Luther King, Jr, his legacy as well as the modern civil rights movement.
This is such an important landmark in the city especially since it’s only the 4th monument honoring someone who wasn’t a president of the United States.
It’s particularly pretty in the spring since there are all the cherry blossoms around.
Stop 5: World War II Memorial
Once you are done with MLK memorial, keep walking around the Tidal Basin along the path until you reach the World War II Memorial.
The World War II Memorial is located on the National Mall between the Lincoln and Washington Monument, right at the end of the reflecting pool.
It was built to honor the millions of people who served in the US armed forces during WWII as well as the ones who died.
The memorial is huge and composed of 56 pillars (one for each state and other territories).
There are also waterfalls and fountains as well as statues.
This is one of the most impressive monuments in DC and it’s definitely worth a visit!
Stop 6: Vietnam Veterans Memorial
You can then head toward Lincoln Monument (alongside the reflecting pool) until you reach the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
It was built in 1982 and is composed of 3 parts: the wall, the statues, and the women’s memorial.
The wall is the most famous part of the memorial as it’s covered with the names of more than 58,000 soldiers who died during the Vietnam War.
It’s a very moving place and you can often see people leaving flowers or other items at the base of the wall.
Although this is the part where everyone rushes, it’s also great to check the other parts of the memorial because they are just as important.
Stop 7: Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most iconic monuments in Washington DC.
It’s located at the end of the National Mall, right next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
It was built to honor Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States.
The monument is composed of a large marble structure featuring a statue of Lincoln as well as his famous Gettysburg Address engraved on the walls.
The statue is absolutely huge and you will be very impressed!
Make sure to also spend some time reading the quotes on the wall.
You can get great views of the National Mall from the top of the stairs as well as the exact spot where MLK gave the famous ‘I have a dream’ speech.
Stop 8: Korean War Veterans Memorial
The Korean War Veterans Memorial is located just next to the Lincoln Memorial and will be the last memorial you discover during your weekend in DC.
It was built in 1995 and is composed of statues representing soldiers from the US army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guard who served during the Korean War.
Stop 9: Georgetown Waterfront Park & Washington Harbour
After all these memorials, you probably want to relax a little bit!
Georgetown Waterfront Park is the perfect place for that.
It’s located right on the Potomac River and offers great views of the city.
There is a walking path that goes along the Potomac River and will bring you there in less than 30 minutes on foot.
If you feel a bit tired and don’t want to walk that much, you can catch a quick taxi ride or even take one of the city bikes.
Once you get to Georgetown Waterfront Park, you will find a lot of restaurants and cafes where you can grab a bite.
Farmers Fishers Bakers serve delicious food and is a great spot for a break.
You can enjoy a leisurely stroll or even explore the harbour with one of the Capitol River Cruises.
Stop 10: Georgetown
After you’ve had a break and are feeling refreshed, it’s time to explore Georgetown!
Georgetown is one of the oldest neighborhoods in DC and is absolutely gorgeous.
There are a lot of great shops and restaurants as well as historic buildings.
Make sure to walk around M Street and Wisconsin Avenue to do some shopping.
If you want to discover some historical landmarks, you can check out the Old Stone House which is one of the rare examples of pre-revolutionary colonial architecture.
For those who love music, the Blues Alley is an interesting place to check out since it’s a famous jazz club that was founded in the 60s.
Finally, head to Georgetown Lutheran Church which is a beautiful church built in 1769 by german immigrants. It’s absolutely stunning.
You can then slowly make your way to Montrose Park.
Stop 11: Montrose Park
Montrose Park is a park in Georgetown that goes along Rock Creek, all the way to Adams Morgan.
It’s the perfect place to take a break from all the urban discoveries.
There are plenty of benches where you can sit down and relax.
You will also find some interesting sites such as the Ropewalk, Summerhouse or the Boxwood Gardens.
There are canopy trees everywhere and it’s very lush.
The area is very residential and quiet.
Please note that if you do not want to do this bit of walking, you can also take a taxi from Georgetown to Adams Morgan.
Stop 12: Adams Morgan
Adams Morgan is a neighborhood that is well known for its nightlife and street art.
It’s such a fun area and the perfect place to end your 2 days in DC.
Firstly, you will find loads of shopping opportunities here. There are many cute boutiques where you can buy vintage clothes or unique souvenirs from your 2 day trip to Washington DC.
It’s also a great place to take photos since you’ll find loads of colorful houses and murals.
There are a lot of great bars and restaurants as well as live music venues.
Federalist Pig, Tail Up Goat, Jack Rose Dining Saloon, Super Tacos & Bakery and Reveler’s Hour are all great options for food.
If you want to keep going for a bit longer, make sure to check out Bossa. It’s a Brazilian restaurant and they have live music on most nights.
Washington, D.C. is a city full of history and culture. There are memorials and museums to visit, as well as great places to eat and shop. With this itinerary, you will be able to visit Washington DC in 2 days, see all the major attractions and discover some hidden gems too.
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