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3-Day Washington DC Itinerary – FAMILYTRAVELSUSA

If you have read our guide to visiting Washington DC, it’s time to start planning your trip! In a city filled with historical memorials around the National Mall, the iconic Washington Monument, and the fabulous free Smithsonian museums, it’s hard to know what to see first or when to visit. Here’s an itinerary perfect for a long weekend getaway or a mid-week family vacation that draws on our personal experiences exploring DC over many years.   

*This post contains affiliate links; if you purchase something familyTravelsUSA may receive a small commission. As always, opinions are my own. 

How Many Days Do You Need In Washington DC?

Over the years, we have taken many a day trip to Washington DC both as a family and without the kids. We’ve explored museums and historical sites and discovered hidden gems around town. You can find much of this information captured in our Guide to Washington DC, along with other activities you might want to include in your itinerary. You can also find tips for visiting during the Cherry Blossom Festival and things to consider before taking a guided tour. 
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A 3-day Washington DC itinerary allows you to enjoy several museums, take a walking or bus tour, and visit must-see places like the National Gallery, the National Museum of Natural History,  and Arlington National Cemetery. You can adapt this kid-friendly itinerary for an adult getaway by including other places of interest like Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, or a trendy bar for drinks. This plan builds in time to visit one of DC’s historic markets and stop at one of my favorite places, the Enid A. Haupt Garden, behind the Smithsonian Castle. For all indoor tours and attractions, it’s best to double check for hours of operation just prior to your visit. Several of the attractions listed below require advance reservations, as noted in the details. 
Overview of 3-day Itinerary

Day 1: Explore one or two of the Smithsonian Museums (suggestions below) | Get to know the National Mall, either
on your own or with a guided walking tour | Dinner in DC

Day 2: Early morning visit to Arlington National Cemetery | Visit Ford’s Theatre | Explore the Portrait Gallery or American Art Museum | Dinner in Georgetown | Ghosts of Georgetown Walking Tour

Day 3: Tour the U.S. Capitol Building  | Explore the Jefferson Building at the
Library of Congress | Walk to Eastern Market | Metro back to the National Mall to spend some time in the National Gallery of Art (view the Leonardo da Vinci piece) or for a more kid-friendly experience, take the Metro to
L’Enfant Plaza to visit the International Spy Museum 

Alternative Day 3: Explore Washington National Cathedral | Visit the National Zoo  | Metro back to the National Mall to spend some time in the National Gallery of Art (view the Leonardo da Vinci piece) or for a more kid-friendly experience, take the Metro to L’Enfant Plaza to visit the Spy Museum 

Download your Washington DC Bucket List here

Day 1 – Washington DC Itinerary

Start with a visit to one of the free Smithsonian Museums near the National Mall. You can’t go wrong with the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum, or the National Museum of African American History and Culture (timed-entry tickets are required for the last two). The Natural History Museum is a favorite for kids and adults with exciting exhibits like the Sant Ocean Hall and the new fossil hall. During the summer, the museums are typically less crowded in the morning or late afternoon. However, in mid-summer, you may be better off in an air-conditioned museum during the hottest part of the day.  
After lunch, take a stroll through the Enid A. Haupt Garden next to the Smithsonian Castle complex and see what is in bloom. It’s just one of DC’s beautiful gardens. The saucer magnolias usually bloom just ahead of peak Cherry Blossom season and are quite stunning. After the garden, plan some time to walk over to Lafayette Square for a view of the White House. It’s not far from the Renwick Gallery, which often hosts unique exhibits.  
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Spend the afternoon back on the National Mall. It’s home to many of the popular memorials that make DC special. The Washington Monument is a great place to start, especially if you are using the National Mall Half-Day Tour included in the free National Parks App. Highlights of the tour include the World War II Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial. Another option is to reserve a walking tour with DC by Foot. I love their pay-what-you-want model and have enjoyed tours in several cities. 

Here’s a few National Mall tips: 

  • Don’t miss these bas relief art that fills the panels at the World War II Memorial as you enter from 17th Street. The details in the scenes depicted are incredible! 
  • Grab tickets ahead of time if going to the top of the Washington Monument is on your list. An alternative is the observation deck in the Old Post Office Tower (12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue). The National Park Service offers free tours of the tower. 
  • Download the National Park Service app for handy reference for the National Mall and other park units in the DC area, as well as the walking tour I mentioned above.
  • Use this helpful museum map as you explore the area.  

Read more details in our Guide to Visiting Washington DC

DAY 2 – WASHINGTON DC ITINERARY

Head out early for a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. The Metro has a convenient stop on the Blue Line just outside the cemetery gates. There is also fee-parking available in a garage near the Welcome Center. Consider getting tickets for a tram tour, which allows visitors to hop on and off at several places, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Take some time to explore the Military Women’s Memorial. Expect a security screening and ID check upon entering.  
From Arlington Cemetery, take the Blue Line train to Metro Center, then head over to 10th Street, N.W. to visit historic Ford’s Theatre. There are several places to visit at this site, including the theatre where Lincoln was shot, the museum, the Peterson House where Lincoln died, and the Aftermath Exhibits. It’s best to reserve tickets ahead of time. Once you finish touring, it’s just a few blocks walk to the  Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum. Pick one to explore and then enjoy a peaceful break in the Kogod Courtyard that connects the two buildings.  Afterwards, walk over to 7th and H Streets, N.W. to see the colorful Friendship Archway Chinatown Arch.  

For an interesting activity, reserve tickets ahead of time for an evening ghost tour. We enjoyed the DC by Foot Ghosts of Georgetown walking tour,  filled with history and interesting stories. Plus there are tons of great restaurant choices scattered around Georgetown to enjoy dinner before the tour.  Another nice evening activity is taking a guided ride to see the monuments lit up at night. 

DAY 3 – WASHINGTON DC ITINERARY

Spend the morning touring the U.S. Capitol Building and Library of Congress. On the way, make a pitstop in the U.S. Botanic Garden. Stroll through the outdoor garden, and if you arrive after 10 a.m., head into the Conservatory. There you will find a range of gardens from tropical to Mediterranean. They often have special exhibits in the Conservatory, including the popular Season’s Greenings during the holiday season. 

Enter the U.S. Capitol on the east side through the underground Visitor Center. Passes are required and tours should be scheduled in advance, either on your own or through a Representatives or Senator from your state. It is free to enter the Capitol Visitor Center. When you are done, head across the street to the Library of Congress, which dates back to 1800. Currently, you need to book a time slot in advance to get into the Jefferson Building. You’ll be amazed at the splendor of the Great Hall and the murals as you walk around the building. Note: The Capitol Visitor Center is only open Mondays – Fridays. See alternative morning itinerary below. 

From the Library of Congress, it’s about a 10-15 minute walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E. to reach the historic Eastern Market (you can also access via the Orange, Silver, or Blue Line Metro). On weekends, you’ll find a year-round outdoor flea market, with a diverse collection of vendors. Eastern Market has been operating since 1873 and is a National Historic Landmark! Pick up fresh fruit, flowers, baked goods, or a variety of cheese to snack on later!  The indoor market is currently open Tuesday through Sunday. 

When you are done exploring this fun neighborhood, take the Metro back into the city to the Smithsonian stop. Spend the rest of the afternoon in any of the wonderful free museums or art galleries. The Freer Gallery of Art and the Hirshhorn are often overlooked by first time visitors. Or wander through the National Gallery of Art, where you can lay eyes on a work of art by Leonardo da Vinci. If you would rather spend a few hours in the International Spy Museum, hop off at L’Enfant Plaza. Just be sure to reserve tickets in advance. The museum is on our list of other museums worth a visit outside of the Smithsonian which also includes the United State Holocaust Memorial Museum and Planet Word. 

As an alternative for the morning, visit the stunning Washington National Cathedral. Reserve tickets ahead of time for entry and/or a guided tour, or spend time admiring the architecture and interesting features from the grounds. From the cathedral, it’s a short ride to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, where you can see the giant pandas (reserve a free, entry pass ahead of time). Then spend the afternoon in a museum.  

How to Get Around During Your 3 Days in Washington DC

Relying on the Metro system is an easy way to get around town. Use the trip calculator to figure out fares, or purchase passes on-line ahead of your visit. Currently, on weekends, there is a flat one-way fare ranging between $2.25 and $2.50. During the week, fares vary depending on the time of day and distance traveled. You’ll find a handful of user-friendly machines at each station to purchase passes. The Metro offers service to downtown DC from both Ronald Reagan Washington National and Dulles airports. 

Even if you traveled to DC by car, using public transportation will still make it easier to get around. The Metro is convenient to Arlington National Cemetery, Eastern Market, and the National Zoo, if you add that to your trip.  The Smithsonian, Federal Triangle, and Archives Metro stops will put you close to the National Mall, with Metro Center and Gallery Place taking you near places like Ford’s Theatre and Chinatown. 

Thinking about parking in DC? Parking around the National Mall can be hard to come by, especially during the busy spring and summer tourist season. Getting started early in the morning will help.  Check out this helpful parking information from the National Park Service. Most of the spots are primarily on Jefferson and Madison Drive on the National Mall, and along Constitution Avenue and are limited to 3 hours. The system uses Parkmobile, so it’s helpful to have that app available or a credit card (no cash). There is some free parking on Ohio Drive in East Potomac Park but you can’t rely on that being available. Just keep in mind that traffic is heavy, especially during the spring and summer.

​ Where to Eat During a Visit to Washington DC

There are many diverse cuisines to explore around Washington, DC. I always recommend doing your own food research ahead of time, especially if a reservation is required. For lunch choices while sightseeing,  there are usually food trucks on Constitution Avenue near the museums, but I haven’t personally tried any of them. Several of the museums have cafes that lean into regional cuisines, like the Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe in the National Museum of the American Indian and the Sweet Home Cafe at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (timed-entry ticket required). Food options at the National Gallery of Art include the Pavilion Café with views of the Sculpture Garden. It’s a nice place for an outdoor stroll after lunch. Otherwise, head up the numbered streets like 7th Street to find restaurants including the casual Hill Country BBQ. Around town there are two Pizzeria Paradiso locations. If near the National Portrait Gallery, grab a reservation at the Instagram-worthy Urban Roast, decked out for the seasons. We stopped in for breakfast during the holidays to see the over-the-top decorations, and enjoyed the Breakfast Platter. ​
If you need doughnuts to start your day, consider Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken (Breakfast or lunch). I recently discovered Western Market, a modern food hall near the Foggy Bottom metro. Popular local favorites there include Andy’s Pizza, Roaming Rooster, and Duke’s . And for a bit of history, check out Ben’s Chili Bowl, where they have been serving half-smokes since 1958 (the U Street Corridor is great for mural lovers!). Other places with consistently positive reviews include Ted’s Bulletin (2 locations including Capitol Hill), Farmers Fishers Bakers (outside dining by the water in Georgetown), and The Capital Burger (near the DC Convention Center). 

You can also find over a half dozen suggestions for where to stay during your visit here, or check out this travel guide from Expedia to explore hotels.