3 Day Washington DC Itinerary

fA Long Weekend In Washington DC

Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States, located on the east coast along the Potomac River, bordered by Maryland and Virginia. It’s a federal district, not a state, which means it’s governed differently from other U.S. cities.

The Big Picture

Keep the map handy!

Your Day By Day Itinerary

* This is an estimated price which may vary with time. It doesn't include the cost of flight, food, cabs/public transport or personal expenses. It only gives a rough idea of price of your stay, inter-city transfers and activity costs included in itinerary.

Day 1

🚌 How to Reach

• Take a flight to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) or drive to Washington DC.

• Once you arrive at the airport, you have several options for getting to your hotel.

  • You can either take a taxi/cab. It will take ~20-30 mins. Price: ~20–30 USD

  • Or you can also take Metro(Metrorail). It is the best public transit option.Take the Blue Line or Yellow Line from Reagan Airport Metro Station(Washington National Airport). Ride to McPherson Square or Farragut West/Farragut North. Walk ~5–10 minutes to the White House area. Price: ~2–6 USD

🏨 Where to Stay

Here are some options to choose from. Book the stay for 2 nights.

• Hotel Washington
  4.4 ⭐ | 4.3k Google Reviews | ~200-250 USD/night

• Hilton Washington DC National Mall
  4.1 ⭐ | 1.6k Google Reviews | ~100-150 USD/night

• Club Qurters Hotel
  3.9 ⭐ | 1.7k Google Reviews | ~70-100 USD/night

🪂 What to Do

⏰ Afternoon

✅ Smithsonian National Zoo

• Home to over 2,000 animals from around the world, its famous for Giant pandas🐼. And trust me they are too cute to miss. Currently they have 1 male and 1 female Panda. You can check the live web cams for latest updates. Other animals are Lions, elephants, gorillas, red pandas, reptiles. You can easily spend 2-3 hours there.

• You must reserve a free timed-entry pass online via the official Smithsonian Zoo website. Price: FREE

⏰ Evening

✅ Georgetown

Walk through charming streets with historic townhouses and explore local shops and cafés. Price: FREE

✅ Georgetown Waterfront Park

A wide, paved riverside promenade perfect for walking, relaxing or enjoy the sunset by the river. Price: FREE

Must Try: Treat yourself to gelato at Gelateria Dolce Vita 🍴

Day 2 – National Mall, DC

The National Mall is a large open park and historic area in the heart of Washington DC, lined with iconic monuments and memorials.

🪂 What to Do

⏰ Full Day

You don’t need a car or taxi to visit the National Mall. It’s very easily walkable, and if you don’t like walking a lot, you can rent an e-bike or scooter or Segway instead.

✅ White House

• Its the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States and public tours are also available to the public rooms on the State Floor, which include the Blue Room, Red Room, Green Room, State Dining Room, Cross Hall, and Entrance Hall.

• White House tour requests should be made through your Member of Congress, which may be submitted 7 – 90 days in advance of the requested tour date. Check the website for details. Price: FREE

✅ Lincoln Memorial

A grand monument honoring President Abraham Lincoln, famous for its massive seated statue and powerful inscriptions. Price: FREE

✅ World War II Memorial

A moving tribute dedicated to Americans who served and sacrificed during World War II, featuring fountains and pillars. Price: FREE

✅ Washington Monument

• An iconic white marble obelisk built to honor George Washington, offering panoramic views of the city. Price: FREE

• You can also go at the top of the monument, you need to buy a ticket for that from the ticket counter in front of it. The queue for the ticket starts at 8AM or you can buy tickets for next day online at 1 USD.

✅ Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

A fascinating museum showcasing dinosaurs, gemstones, wildlife, and the natural world. Price: FREE

✅ Smithsonian Castle

The historic red-stone building that serves as the Smithsonian Institution’s headquarters and visitor center. Price: FREE

✅ International Spy Museum

It has Interactive exhibits on real spy missions. You need to buy tickets from the website. Price: 30–40 USD 💰

✅ Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

• A popular museum displaying historic aircraft, spacecraft, and exhibits on space exploration. Purchase timed-entry passes online. Price: FREE

Day 3

🪂 What to Do

⏰ Afternoon

✅ U.S. Capitol

Book a tour in advance from the website. Reservations are recommended, but not required. Price: FREE

✅ Library of Congress

Stunning architecture and historic reading room. Reserve free timed-entry tickets online before your visit to the Library. Tickets are available 30 days in advance. Free same-day tickets will be made available online each day at 9 a.m. ET. Price: FREE

⏰ Evening

The Wharf – Dinner

It is a Waterfront dining area with Seafood, international cuisine, live music. Perfect spot to end the trip!