One day in Washington DC
- Laura Bruckmann
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
If you had one day in Washington, DC what would you do? With 78 historical landmarks, including the Capitol, Library of Congress, 17 Smithsonian museums, which should you choose? You could easily spend two weeks in Washington DC and still not see it all. But if you had 24 hours to see Washington DC, it may be hard to narrow it down to the essential highlights. Here is our advice for how to spend 24 hours in DC and get the most out of that time.
What to do with one day in DC
Watch the sunrise at the Tidal Basin near the Washington Monument
First, start your one day in Washington DC by getting up early and watching the sunrise. One of our favorite early morning spots is the Tidal Basin. This can be an off-the-beaten-path spot if you get there early in the morning. You will get to see several sites at this location. Capture that morning glow in all your pictures as the sun rises behind the Capitol. Bring a grab and go breakfast and arrive at the Jefferson Memorial just before sunrise.
From the steps of the Jefferson Memorial you’ll have a perfect view of the White House and the Washington Monument will be in your view throughout the walk, so you can check those sites off your list first thing in the morning. Then, walk to the east, towards the paddle boats and loop all the way around the Basin taking the MLK Memorial, strolling through the FDR Memorial and ending up at the George Mason Memorial. This quick two mile morning walk will give you a chance to enjoy the peace of our parks and monuments before the city wakes up.
Check out the Capitol in Washington DC
Start your official day at the United States Capitol, one of the top attractions on every visitor’s Washington, DC wish list. Our Capitol Hill tour will get you into the Capitol and through the highlights with pre-arranged tickets and expert guides to answer all of your questions. While the Capitol complex offers endless history and art, this survey of the main highlights is perfect for a visitor who has limited time.
The tour finishes with a perfectly timed entry to the Library of Congress, possibly the most beautiful building in Washington, DC. Your guide will share the history of the building, the stories behind its decoration and the details on how to use the world’s largest library. In just three hours, you will see two of the most popular attractions in the city.
Enjoy a Lunch Bunch of Celebrity Chefs
We recommend grabbing a quick lunch in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of DC. This area, between Chinatown and Federal Triangle, is home to many celebrity chefs (including José Andrés), fun eateries and local favorites. Its proximity to many government agencies means there are lots of great lunch choices for you and the DC regulars.
Explore Smithsonian Museums
After the lunch of your choice, stop by the Welcome Center for Unscripted Tours in the heart of Penn Quarter at 400 7th St, NW. That’s where you will join our Smithsonian Highlights tour. On this tour, you will see the most iconic items in the three most popular Smithsonian Museums: the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of American History and the Air & Space Museum.
In just three hours, you will have photos of everything that your friends and family will ask about when you get home. Plus, you will have learned the stories behind the development of the world’s largest museum and its wondrous collection. Finally, we have pre-arranged the tickets you’ll need and timed everything so all you have to do is enjoy.
Dine at DC’s historic restaurants
After all of that walking, you deserve a break at one of DC’s most recognizable restaurants. Old Ebbitt Grill, for example, is a great choice. Have dinner and drinks near the White House so you’re fueled for the end of your day. There are lots of places to choose from where the movers and shakers of the city meet at the end of a busy day in Washington. You can always ask your guide for recommendations during your tour.
Night Monument Bus Tour
We saved the riding for last as you enjoy a bus tour of the monuments with our friends at USA Guided Tours. You will see the major sites arrayed along the National Mall while enjoying commentary about the development of Washington and its stunning landscape. As you take in the beautifully lit memorials, you can say good night to the Washington Monument and the perfect day in Washington, DC.
Party in the capital of the USA
If you have the stamina to keep the evening going, you can explore the DC night life. Check out our St. Patrick’s Day post for a look at some of our favorite Irish inspired hangouts. You can also ask your tour guides for referrals. One of the secondary benefits of taking tours is using your guide’s local knowledge to sniff out the perfect place for a nightcap.
Our Top Insights for your one day in Washington DC
To get the most of your one day in DC, we recommend following these top three tips. They can save you time and energy in order to make the most of your trip.
Book a tour to save time
One day in DC will be busy, but it is possible to see a lot of the best sites if you plan your time carefully. Guided tours are highly recommended because you won’t waste a minute trying to figure out the map, waiting in line at the information desk, or discovering that you don’t have tickets to the most popular attractions. With your tours arranged you can both make the most of every moment and eliminate the stress of figuring it out on your own.
Stay in the right neighborhood
With a short time table, it’s important to stay in a convenient location and perhaps a neighborhood that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to see. Georgetown or the Wharf are great choices to supplement your itinerary. For more on where to stay, see our blog post here.
Take the Metro
Finally, consider your transportation options. DC is a thriving city with heavy commuter travel. Get a SmartTrip pass and use it for the Metro and bus. Think about using the Metro system as the trains avoid congested roads and run frequently during the busiest hours. Bikes or even walking can often be the quickest ways to travel, while rideshare can be expensive and time consuming during rush hour. With limited time, traveling like a local will give your trip some authentic flavor and save you time.
More things to do in Washington DC
If you love these ideas, but would like to spend a little more than one day, keep an eye out for upcoming posts about how to spend 2 or 3 days in Washington DC. These longer options will still cover the sites that you loved from here, but add some extras that will take you further from the Washington Monument and into some hidden gems and DC insider stories. For assistance with planning your particular trip, email us at info@unscripted.city and we can put together a customized itinerary that fits your party and makes the most of your time.
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