50 Things to Do When You Visit Washington DC

Washington, DC is an amazing city to visit because there are SO many things to see and do. This travel guide will help you identify 50 of the biggest and most popular sites and attractions. But this is hardly a comprehensive list! You could spend weeks in Washington, DC and still have plenty left to do.
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~Resources from this video~
How to tour the Capitol - • How to Tour the U.S. C...
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~Video Chapters~
0:00 50 Things to Do in Washington DC
0:49 3 branches of U.S. Government
2:08 Museums and Galleries
7:50 About Trip Hacks DC
8:21 Monuments and Memorials
12:14 Monuments with a View
12:52 Federal Government Sites
13:56 Parks, Gardens and Walks
16:30 Fun Activities
18:01 Professional Sports
19:07 Food and Drink

[@mattie4203]

Hey Rob! THANK YOU for the care and detail you put in each video! I’m a 23 yr old woman visiting DC in two weeks with a friend, and I have watch almost all of your videos! Super super helpful! Thanks so much for giving me the knowledge for an awesome DC trip!

[@TripHacksDC]

Have fun!

[@kennywilkins9460]

Hey Rob I can't wait for my tour in August that I just booked. Your videos has helped so much. See you in August

[@TheMeganDaily]

This is a video I wish I had before my last trip to DC. And a tour DEFINITELY makes every trip better!

[@TheMeganDaily]

I also need to get to that Einstein monument!

[@TripHacksDC]

Bring your nephew. It's good for kiddos!

[@phxhoward]

This is a wonderful video. Liked, subscribed, and added to KZbin favorites list.

[@TripHacksDC]

Welcome aboard!

[@jderksen4]

Great video with lots of tips for my visit in august

[@sethhomer1681]

a few years back while in the east coast we had a day trip to DC and part of that was the international spy museum , highly recommend

[@jorged316]

Thanks Rob!! Finally decided to be there next April. Can’t wait. Our best memory still was the tour we did with you April 2022. So much more left for us to see and do!

[@TripHacksDC]

Awesome! I have an unadvertised second timers tour if you are interested. Just send me a message in advance.

[@shirleycarlisle9339]

Thanks Rob! I realized that I need to come back and see all the ones that I missed on my last trip!

[@TripHacksDC]

There is so much!

[@pattidavis8043]

We did the Bible museum plus most of those in the video. You're videos were so helpful We stayed in a yurk at a campground called Cherry Hill. Such a great time.

[@AmySmith-yv1th]

50 things might take me all year! There are so many great places to check out and thanks so much for your videos and the tour we got last week!

[@TripHacksDC]

Doing all 50 is a long game for sure

[@jlthicksten85]

My husband and I watched every video that pertained to what things we needed to know. It was immensely helpful. One thing I found out my own was Senior Smart trip cards can only be purchased at Metro stores. We got ours at Rosslyn with the help of metro workers who let us ride free to get our cards. We started at Spring Hill, and before long we felt confident to go anywhere. Thanks for all your help.

[@kirschdiebin]

Great video! We’ve been in dc in May and will visit again in December because there’s still so much things to do and see, and we really enjoyed the history and the city in general! Can’t wait to see this amazing city in winter and with Christmas decorations 🤩

[@TripHacksDC]

Enjoy!

[@andrearodovskybruggeman4269]

Fantastic video... THANK YOU for your efforts. Much appreciated.

[@TripHacksDC]

You're welcome!

[@michelleallen251]

My family and I are heading up to DC from NC this week. I've been watching your videos for weeks! Amazing content and thank you so much.

[@TripHacksDC]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@kikisiggy]

Can’t thank you enough for all this helpful info!!

[@TripHacksDC]

Happy to help!

[@mmjj7685]

This makes me wanna go to Washington DC, love this.

[@TripHacksDC]

😀

[@gabrielcordova9382]

Great video!

[@chemistrydoctor]

Another excellent video, Rob. There's a good chance that I will be taking my parents on a DC trip in the relatively near future, and I look forward to reliving many of these experiences and giving them their first.

[@TripHacksDC]

Enjoy your trip!

[@Mars-ev7qg]

The DC war memorial is the closest thing the US currently has to a national World War One memorial. This is probably the least well-known monument on the national mall.

[@TripHacksDC]

There is a National WW1 Memorial. It opened in 2021.

[@jasonschwartz8507]

Solid list! Another great spot is Old Town Alexandria...very easy to get to with the Metro and free DASH buses!

[@TripHacksDC]

I am a fan of Old Town for a day trip

[@MichaelMah-ok1zi]

Great list Rob. Museum of the Bible is worth a gander. Also the rooftop terrace at the Kennedy Centre has amazing views. The boat locks and canal walk in Georgetown is a really nice stroll. Your fast casual recommendations weee great. You could add 90 Second Pizza to that list. 👍👍

[@TripHacksDC]

Thanks for the additions 👍

[@Puttycat]

I am working on fam trip (of 4) to DC. There are a lot of places! I got headache already making some lists. 😅

[@sfcr9310]

I really appreciate your videos!

[@TripHacksDC]

Thank you!

[@user-wh3sw5gi8w]

Rob you’re the best!! We moved from DC last December and we miss it! We will be back in October!

[@TripHacksDC]

Have fun!

[@kianlechner]

Thanks so much! This is such a valuable and appreciated resource!! My gf and I are replying on you as we plan a move. Thank you!!

[@TripHacksDC]

Best of luck!

[@lmadore8604]

I appreciate you!

[@st.m.3199]

Great video and very helpful, thank you! There's so much to see, it's really hard to decide. Can't wait for my visit in September! Greetings from Germany

[@kirschdiebin]

Oh have fun, I loved it over there. We’ll go again end of the year because there’s still so much stuff to do 😊 amazing city. Greetings from Hannover 🙂

[@st.m.3199]

@@kirschdiebin Thank you so much 🙂 I'm sure I'll enjoy it, I'm so excited! It will be my first visit but I'm pretty sure it won't be my last. Maybe next time during Christmas season 😊

[@karenbostwick1731]

Great video for when we go back for our next visit.

[@TripHacksDC]

Have fun!

[@SeanCakaBroncoFan623]

Awesome video! I'm 23 & I'll be flying up to DC for the day next Tuesday from Knoxville! This will be my first solo trip! I've been to DC multiple times before and have seen many of the monuments & museums. I'm a transit enthusiast, so I'll be riding the metro a lot when I go up. And I might meet a couple friends when I'm up there too!

[@TripHacksDC]

Sounds like a fun trip!

[@menawassef]

What a great informative video. Thanks a lot.

[@TripHacksDC]

You're welcome!

[@robertagallant3819]

I have visited Washington, DC, three times and loved what I saw. I toured the White House, the US capitol building, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the Smithsonian Institution, the Historical Society, and the Air and Space Museum. I also went to the Arlington National Cemetary in Arlington, Virginia. I enjoyed my time in the nation's capital!

[@TripHacksDC]

Happy to hear it

[@conniecrawford5231]

There are /actually 19 different Smithsonian’s of which the National Air and Space museum is one and the National Zoo is another, so it Say you visited “the Smithsonian museum” needs to have the individual museums named.

[@mathewmclean9128]

Awesome video. I will definitely be planning a trip. However there is one cool attraction that you did not mention. But this is geared more towards aviation enthusiasts like myself. Gravelly Point Park located near the end of runway 19 at Washington national airport. That's the best place to go plane spotting around DC.

[@LilianaMartinez-om2ij]

Thank you so much!!❤

[@TripHacksDC]

You're welcome 😊

[@AndyFeliciotti]

Amazing video!

[@TripHacksDC]

Thanks, Andy!

[@juliangarcia6835]

Man, I’ve been living 18 minutes from the National Mall for the past 16 years of my life and I’ve only done 5 or 6 (if that) of the 50 attractions on this list and I am seriously missing out on so much fun!!!!

[@lilian.bloom.petite.stylist]

You hit all the spots - I’ve been to most of them as living in NoVA. Always love to visit DC and visiting museums is a must as 90% is free thanks to Smithsonian Institution.

[@lizzympage]

Rob, I wish I would have gotten in touch when I was in DC. I am a digital nomad and I spent last winter in DC. Before I went and even after I arrived I watched so many of your videos! As a solo female traveler, you really eased my mind and gave me so many tips. Just want to say thank you very much! You're awesome!

[@TripHacksDC]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@jaykay1899]

Did you live out of a vehicle while staying in DC?

[@jsolderitch633]

I’ll be visiting DC in September, and I have Mount Vernon on my radar. Do you have any tips or advice? Love your videos, they are tremendously helpful!

[@johnkerrison6698]

love your videos! BUT I cannot find the video you made on using the silver line to get to the air and space hangers at Dulles(IAD). help!

[@HunterAllyn]

I've just moved to the area, so a video like this is excellent for me to get a ton of great recommendations in a nice succinct package! I've already made plans for the Kennedy Center and will be hitting up plenty of monuments and museums soon!

[@TripHacksDC]

Nice! What are you planning to see there?

[@HunterAllyn]

@@TripHacksDC There's a free screening of Jaws on the Reach video wall soon, and when I get a little more settled I'd like to see the Lion King!

[@TripHacksDC]

Awesome. Have fun!

[@davetv13]

If your into airplanes Gravely Point Park (north of the DCA/Regan National Airport along the GW Parkway) is a must for plane spotting. You can also get some photos of some boats on the water and also looking back into DC.

[@TripHacksDC]

Gravely Point is great for plane spotting.

[@splotzmann8627]

Hey Rob, Many thanks for those gem-like recommendations. I live in DC for almost 2 years and wasn't able to see half of the list yet. I don't want to imagine how tourists have to squeeze so many things into their schedule. One question. Did you order those sites according to their must see scoring or is it just a list of things that all are worth visiting. Dear tourists, please eat in one of those DC specific restaurants, either fast casual or full blown michelin star ones, but please please please, do not go to nation-wide chains when you visit DC. Exploring DC and it's culture means also to explore our food scene! You can eat at a McDonalds at home. DC offers lots of cheap eats local eateries as well. No need for McDonalds and co even if you are on a budget. Trust me

[@TripHacksDC]

No this is not ordered by importance. Pick and choose from the list what is most interesting to you!

[@TripHacksDC]

Washington DC Tourist Sites - Order of Importance?

[@skybluejay9473]

Great to see this content Rob, I wish you’d have done this 12 months ago when we were planning our visit! No mention of the Commanders though, next time I’m over on your side of the pond you can join me at a game 😂

[@TripHacksDC]

The only pro team I don't like 😬

[@skybluejay9473]

@@TripHacksDC new owner incoming which may change your opinions

[@sergioangel8]

Hello Rob, thanks for your videos. Question.... is there any Museum or any other place to visit regarding Alexander Hamilton around DC???

[@RolloHL]

I missed a reference to the Constitution Garden, otherwise a very nice, informative video. Warm greetings from Germany

[@dname1802]

Good thing I watched this. As a child I was a huge stamp enthusiast. Definitely will go to Postal Museum.

[@TripHacksDC]

Excellent!

[@dname1802]

@@TripHacksDC Thank you for the video!!!

[@pamelahowe7915]

Hi Rob, I know you can’t bring open drinks into the museums, but can we bring empty collapsible travel bottles or will they be tossed?

[@jasondirks6922]

Great video Rob. We're heading down from Alberta Canada at the end of July early August for the first time. We have a lot planned but might have to pace ourselves. When you mention happy hour specials. Are teens allowed to go into those places? Or do you need to be 21?

[@TripHacksDC]

Places have different rules but if parents are with them it should be OK most places.

[@markworkman6544]

MLK "I Have a Dream Speach" Plaque in front of The Lincoln Memorial is small and often over-looked. Also, in G'town Jackie's House where she lived and the house where she met JFK at a party.

[@gwhaas]

I've visited DC once before and was lucky enough to do something that most people can't do any more and that most District residents have never done: I go to ride the underground tram through the tunnels under the roads from my congressperson's office to the Capitol building.

[@stevenporter863]

Gravley Point Park

[@AlexYurchak]

Great video! Are the musuems requiring time entry admissions?

[@TripHacksDC]

Some do. Most don't. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2W1fYyQjNOgfKc

[@splotzmann8627]

Hey Alex, African American, Air and Space, Hirshhorn and Zoo still require timed entry passes. You have to book for some of them couple of weeks in advance, especially when you are about to visit them at a weekend. Weekdays might be available in shorter period of times

[@veniezerski3243]

Lincoln memorial seems petty cool

[@tanthiennguyen9308]

A guten Appetit

[@Zeiloth88]

Do u still need timed Tickets for some museums?

[@diacoder]

You must check out the Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens in the summer.

[@diacoder]

Ford's Theatre

[@diacoder]

Fredrick Douglas House

[@diacoder]

National Cryptologic Museum

[@diacoder]

Udvar Hazy Museum

[@cuverdisbaptiste399]

Is it easy to travel with a stroller on public transportation?

[@CHOEKRITHY990]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@chrisbarnes2552]

Do not forget the frederick douglas house

[@tanthiennguyen9308]

Wasser Energieversorgung & Wasser zum haben können bitteschön

[@TheMeganDaily]

This is a video I wish I had before my last trip to DC. And a tour DEFINITELY makes every trip better!