20 Common Washington DC Tourist Mistakes

Avoid these extremely common mistakes and you’ll have a better time in Washington DC. I'm joined in this video by Rob, a Washington DC tour guide and host of the Trip Hacks DC KZbin channel. Learn from others and you don’t have to make the same mistakes! Washington DC is a really unique destination with amazing museums, monuments, and food. Make sure you do Washington DC right!
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[@YellowProductions]

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[@TripHacksDC]

Thanks, Chris! It was super fun to make this video.

[@kiransharma7848]

Oka! Yess! Ur honor!

[@dariamancini963]

Umbrellas would be good to keep the sun off in the summer too

[@markcummings3146]

Visited DC a few years back and this is good advice as always Chris! We stayed near the WhiteHouse, the centre of DC was super clean although there were a few homeless around in the parks. I did feel 2-3 days was enough to see everything in DC though. We did all the museums, monuments, white house and a few restaurants (We are from UK).

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Mark!

[@NothingMaster]

Thanks Chris! This was not only highly useful, but also incredibly timely, as I’m planning for a DC trip in the coming weeks.

[@YellowProductions]

Awesome Alex!

[@brrruski8436]

So nice of you guys. Just found I didn't make reservations for those famous tourist attractions! Thank you guys!

[@kiransharma7848]

Woww! Great video. A must watch. Thanks a ton Chris & Rob for all the insights...❣

[@YellowProductions]

Double thanks Kiran!

[@kiransharma7848]

@@YellowProductions ❣🥰❤

[@Jumboo364]

I’ll be heading there soon. Thanks for the info!

[@paulstein916]

Great content! I visited Washington DC in June and it was oppressively hot and humid. We spent a week there and got to see a lot and made it to Mt Vernon on the bus tour. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda right on the Metro line and never rented a car. Metro was great; took it to DCA for the flight home.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Paul! Yes. The humidity and heat in June is rough!

[@JoyArchariya]

You’re so right! I’ve lived here for 4 years I still made some of these mistakes!

[@KuiniMary]

I visited DC for the first time with my son last year on his football tournament away games. And those are only 2 days long. So we used whatever time we could to visit the important places I wanted to visit. Thankful for the electric scooter in town, it got us around faster as we had to chase time to catch our flight. But I am planning to go back and explore more and these tips are helpful. Thanks for sharing! ❤️

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Mary!

[@patriciamayorga1294]

Thank-u so much, Chris and Rob!!!! 😀😀

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Patricia

[@thomascropper2865]

Numbers 14 and 15 can’t be stressed enough ,thanks for mentioning them 👍🏻

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Thomas!

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Rob is a DC legend. Thanks for the great info!

[@juicy202]

Great collab! Great advice!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks JC!

[@jameshiga8077]

Hi Chris. Thanks for the great info. Take care and have a great 4th of July holiday.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks James! You too!

[@jw4244]

Mistake number one: not book Rob’s guided tour. I had the most amazing tour with Rob today. He’s totally awesome. I highly recommend to book his tour as your first guided tour in DC

[@YellowProductions]

Awesome to hear jw!

[@Mars-ev7qg]

Mistake number 21 taking a cab or Uber from the airport or train station during the day. Metro's blue and yellow lines both stop at Washington National Airport, and BWI Airport is served by Amtrak and MARC trains for trips to Washington DC and the Baltimore light rail for trips into Baltimore. Dulles airport is finally served by the new 6 billion dollar silver line extension. For trips into Washington dc and the county bus system for shorter trips. Union Station is served by Metro's red line, the Washington circulater, and metro bus systems. Unless you arrive in DC after 11 p.m., you can't wait until 6 AM for the metro to get fully operational for the day. There's really no reason to call a cab or open the Uber app. The train grantees you will get to your destination way faster and for a lot less money.

[@kristina_kruglova]

Great video with you two teaming up! I've been to DC twice, once during a 24 hr layover (summer) and another time for 3 days (late fall). I would say that we didn't do any of the mistakes mentioned in this video which feels awesome, except for the hotel one. We had a Hilton that was right by Dulles, but it was a pain getting into DC from that hotel. Even though the metro was super close and convenient, it took about an hour. Next time I go to DC, I definitely want to look more closely into the hotel locations! Despite that, I really love going to DC, it has this feeling that you won't feel anywhere else in the US

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Kristina! Yeah. Dulles to DC is quite a haul!

[@JhonnyBoi]

Next time fly into National instead of Dulles.

[@richardroberts4979]

You forgot Bens, Chilly bowl, Oh Horace& Dickies is Great if you Like Sea Food 🍱, Georgetown is cool, Union Station was I don’t know if it’s still the hangout spot, Had great Restaurants and a Movie Theatre

[@scottman895]

I've only been to DC for brief visits in the past mostly due to work. I do need to head there sometime to really explore the city. That's a good tip about finding food. I remember not seeing much of anything at the National Mall.

[@YellowProductions]

DC has alot of great stuff to see for sure Scott!

[@jordanfiggins2800]

Awesome video, Chris. We live about an hour west of DC, and we STILL haven’t been able to do everything. Loving the content :)

[@TripHacksDC]

Not surprised. There is a LOT to do!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Jordan!

[@sweeney0558]

THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Linda!

[@californiathroughmylens]

I just got back from DC a few days ago, I for sure tried to do too much in the two days I was there haha!

[@YellowProductions]

Two days... oof! Hopefully you still had a good time Josh

[@markallen8226]

Thanks Chris, Rob, didn't know about the rain or mozzies.

[@richardroberts4979]

Haines Point, By the Water is a Cool Place, Should drive, Park and walk around!

[@evansimmons354]

I like Tony Chengs Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown

[@Janelletravels204]

Fantastic video now I wanna plan a trip

[@YellowProductions]

Awesome Janelle!

[@roddiesimmons8773]

I used to live in Washington DC and Maryland. This was really, really good. You had lots of stuff that other tour vireos do not.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Roddie!

[@johnredmond8899]

GREAT TIPS Guys..

[@Ali07479]

I visit in a couple days and am proud to say I did all my research. We’re staying a street down from the national mall and I got tours for the monument, Capitol, and White House. I Just finished planning out restaurants and so far I’m gonna try mumbo sauce from a carry out, half smokes, and Ethiopian food at chercher. IM SO EXCITED HEHE

[@YellowProductions]

Awesome A!

[@marielainfinity]

Hi, How do you get passes to tour the White House?

[@Menirules]

I was recently in DC for 2 days and I managed without stress Lincoln Memorial, WW2 Memorial, White House, Capitol and even National Archives Museum. I was in the US on business and added 2 days of vacation, I'm from Germany. My absolute biggest tip for DC: Borrow the Lime electric scooters that are everywhere around. You can get to the various locations so quickly and easily, there are bike lanes everywhere that you can use and if you book a package, the price is also really unbeatable.

[@maddog6620]

Awesome 😎

[@richardroberts4979]

Love Mizunos, Classic Running Shoes 👟

[@bountiful68]

Awesome video! While Dulles is a pain to get to/from right now, did you know that they are expanding the Metro Silver line to Dulles this fall? It’ll still take almost an hour to get to Metro Center, but hey, it’s a lot better than the way it is right now!

[@YellowProductions]

Hi Tom. That'll definitely make Dulles more convenient. It's too bad they didn't add like an airport express option for the train. An hour is a long time

[@bountiful68]

@@YellowProductions Agreed! A Dulles to Metro Center express train would be awesome!

[@robertpavey5615]

Im going to the U.S for the first time in November, travelling there from London Stansted via Reykjavik. The first place im staying in is D.C for....3 nights haha! I'll take some ecstasy, that'll help me take it all in!

[@Anon1mous]

I stayed at Crystal City and Uber'd to DC. Never too bad with traffic. Most of the Smithsonians were a big disappointment IMO. Also with all the security measures taken within the past few years, you cannot get as close to the WH or Capitol as you used to. I also agree on GOOD walking shoes. The food place in the Natural History Museum was #1!!

[@YellowProductions]

Crystal City is usually my sopt of choice

[@Zetharion1]

@@YellowProductions That area was probably where I was gonna stay during my nine day trip this April but when I read there was subway work being done and the timeline end was real close so I opted for Hotel Harrington. I don't need super fancy so hopefully it suites my needs. About to but some new shoes soon to make sure they are properly broken in.

[@JeffSchwenke]

I'm still amazed at how much of D.C. we did and saw in just one weekend when I went there with my 8th grade school trip. It doesn't seem logistically possible for a group of 50 teens to do all that, especially since we stayed out in Virginia by Tysons Corner. Last time I went to D.C. I stayed by DuPont Circle. I thought that was a great location.

[@YellowProductions]

I like Dupont circle too!

[@TripHacksDC]

8th grade trips pack a ton into a small itinerary but the experience is very shallow. I saw a field trip itinerary recently that allocated 1.5 hours for "Smithsonian museums" and nearly fell over laughing.

[@hollyshaw327]

As a native Washingtonian, I thought this was very informative… and as a Native, it's actually been ages since I did the tourist thing (last did the Washington Monument when I was 6, for example) so I was unaware of ticket requirements… I'd tack on one thing… #3, doing the Mall in one day… The misconcencepton “The Smithsonian” is A museum. Used to work on the mall (like 20-25 years ago), it was a Summer job, so yes, TONS of tourists, who would ask (pre-smartphones), “Where is the Smithsonian?” I'd then ask, “What are you trying to see?” and would get back… “the moon rock… and the Hope Diamond and several other things. People would than wilt in the heat when I would say over that was is Air & Space over there and in the opposite direction for the Natural History Musem, separate from the American History Museum… (Hit the nail on the head with Metro escalator rules!!! Few things define a native Washingtonian, so the joke goes, will cause ones blood boil more than someone standing on the left!!! *Especially* when the entire way up, everyone is standing on the right, and they fail to notice that right behind is a growing line of people waiting.)

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Holly! Yeah. "The Smithsonian" is definitely how many people think of it

[@itssandracontreras]

Are umbrellas allowed in museums? Don't want it taken away if I carry one to help eliminate too much sun.

[@qumqats]

I would consider standing to the right on an escalator or moving walkways at airports standard etiquette everywhere in the US, not just DC, walkers to the left, standers to the right!

[@WaluyaDar]

Washington DC ❤

[@kennywong544]

Chris make sure you stop by sushi taro when in DC

[@YellowProductions]

Great tip Kenny... Sushi Taro is legit

[@KingDavid5934]

I live in DC. I can safely compare the amount of walking you have to do in DC with the amount of walking you do when you visit Orlando (Disney World, Universal, etc) those maps showing the Washington Monument next to the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, lol, those maps are not to scale.

[@YellowProductions]

For sure. A visit to DC is a ton of walking

[@sridharsrinivasan3714]

Most of them I agree but not all sir.. If you having car then go to National Mall at late night or early morning to visit all monuments.. No need to walk you can park very close to each monument.. Hardly 5 to 10 people will be there and as it’s DC it’s secure at night.. I visited Lincoln memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, World War 2 Memorial & Peace Square.. All these open 24x7.. So if you go around 2AM then you will really enjoy your DC Trip..

[@carriehenderson1352]

What is a sightseeing pass and is it worth buying one

[@michelletodd4893]

Cute about humidity, mosquitoes abd umbrella. I live in s. Florida. It's a swamp in florida and Dc is wetlands.

[@getcrazyproducts1]

Great

[@vincentwesolowski459]

Inner city hotels can be very expensive. I like to stay at hotels close to a Metro stop.

[@YellowProductions]

Good point Vincent!

[@callicordova4066]

I would add "Don't be an escalump." That means getting off the Metro escalator and immediately stopping and blocking other riders while you figure out where to go next.

[@76tennboy]

I know I am currently scheduled to make mistake number one. I am staying in a Days Inn in Arlington. HOWEVER, the only reason why I did that was so that I could NOT make mistake number two! I am currently scheduled to stay for 14 full days. I stayed a week in New York City wasn’t nearly enough time so I figured I’d double it but there’s no way in HE double toothpicks that I could stay for two full weeks in someplace in town PLUS I need the roll in shower with two beds in the room and according to my research, I may be wrong. Somebody may be able to find something else, but the only two places that I can find that has both roll in shower AND two beds in the one room, is they Holiday Inn express right in the center of town which is $5000 or more OR the days in Arlington which is between $930 and $1100 depending on if I do nonrefundable which I went refundable

[@chinleybrewer]

Is the Metro wheelchair accessible? Are there elevators as well as the escalators?

[@YellowProductions]

Yes. But the elevators are often broken. Check the status here before you ride: www.wmata.com/service/elevators-escalators/Elevator-Escalator-Service-Status.cfm

[@maddog6620]

You are cool 😎

[@coolman-1]

Where are some high buildings I can go to (no tickets required) instead of the Washington Monument, it is way to hard to get tickets.

[@TripHacksDC]

Old Post Office Tower.

[@coolman-1]

Thank you!!! Just at the nick of time, tomorrow is when I go to DC. I have watched Trip Hacks DC and prepared myself for my exciting trip.

[@davidsong7251]

My gf and I are going to be driving in from NYC with our dog! Is that bad?

[@richardmercer2337]

Guess I did it right... 6 days within walking distance of the Mall! (yes north!)

[@TripHacksDC]

You nailed it!

[@YellowProductions]

Nice Richard!

[@Pengu1n111]

You need at least a week in DC!!

[@YellowProductions]

A week is definitely great if you've got it!

[@Cenlalowell]

I'm staying in Herndon VA in a Airbnb so pray for me

[@JhonnyBoi]

How’d it go?

[@pennyarizzio2824]

Is the Convention Center a good spot to be?

[@YellowProductions]

Yeah.. it's near Chinatown. So I think it's a good spot

[@ernstgenzs7456]

Tips For November?

[@YellowProductions]

Bring a warm jacket 😉

[@Princess-lt9oj]

I booked a hotel near ronald regan /pentagon...is that too far away?

[@YellowProductions]

It's a pretty short metro ride in to DC from there. So I think it's OK

[@Princess-lt9oj]

@@YellowProductions taxi will be quicker right?

[@CasonWallaceEnjoyer]

How often does it rain in September and October in dc?

[@YellowProductions]

It rains in DC often all the time :)

[@CasonWallaceEnjoyer]

@@YellowProductions oh ok

[@KPT437]

I am traveling to dc with small kids. Would traveling in Uber be easy?

[@YellowProductions]

Depends if you kids need car seats as most ubers don't have car seata

[@aubsta1]

Mistake #21: not going to Old Town Alexandria

[@YellowProductions]

Old Town Alexandria is pretty neat!

[@RekitRachel]

I've lived in Maryland just 30 mins outside of DC for 10 years. I love driving in and parking for free on the street on SUNDAY (there are some spots behind office buildings south of the mall) I take my two large dogs and walk the entire mall in about an hour. 5 days feels like it may be too long BUT the museums are worth it!! National History and National Gallery of Art (not the portrait gallery) are my favorites. It would be a very expensive trip for 5 days. I say it would only take 3 max but you have to pick and choose what you want to see.

[@YellowProductions]

Great tip on Sunday free parking

[@dr.baotran8448]

Where can I stay within walking distance to see Cherry Blossom?

[@JhonnyBoi]

In the West End (Foggy Bottom or Georgetown). Very expensive though, can only imagine how much it is during the festival. But if money is no issue, the Watergate is probably the closest.

[@freelancerconverse4413]

I can proudly say I didn’t do any of those mistakes during my visit to DC.

[@YellowProductions]

Great!

[@dariamancini963]

I thought tatte was the only good restaurant I ate at in 4 days

[@jessicarobinson4563]

Ugh I have 1 full day

[@stargazer5073]

Where to stay in DC???? WALKABLE to sites, museums?????? BEST month, don't like humidity.

[@YellowProductions]

I like the Hyatt Place Washington Dc/White House

[@RekitRachel]

The best months to come are fall or spring, March and April are the best but can be busy due to Cherry Blossom tourists. Winters are very mild and we only get snow maybe 3 times, so the Winter can also be a good time to come.

[@delanorrosey4730]

In September, they have Cars at the Capitol. Each week at the National Mall, a new car is featured. Last year, they featured the DeLorean from Back to the Future and 8 other Deloreans.

[@JhonnyBoi]

BIGGEST TIP: don’t go to DC just for the monuments and museums. There’s the entire city, plus Baltimore, and 2 states to see while there.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Jhonathan!

[@jaygarrett3098]

My advice is stay away from South East D.C. at night, you May not make it out!

[@vincentwesolowski459]

Walking up the Washington Monument is for teenagers, trust me.

[@Lil_Angry_Bitch]

Don't eat at Comet Ping Pong.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks for the tip LAB

[@BernadetteGaskin]

Comet Ping Pong is a great pizza place and they have ping pong tables you can play at, so it's great for kids/famillies! If you have a complaint about Comet Ping Pong, you could explain it instead of just saying don't eat there. Comet and 2 Amy's are highly recommended pizza places.

[@JhonnyBoi]

@@BernadetteGaskin isn’t Comet the place that’s part of a conspiracy theory?

[@jerick.rodriguez]

Minute 1:28: "if you are coming from west coast, or Europe or further away...." so you think the Latinos we are not able to pay a trip to DC, this guy is so wrong

[@JhonnyBoi]

Lol you wanted him to name every continent?

[@dstuart2918]

I love that the biggest monument (Washington) celebrates, among other things, his owning 600 slaves. Great guy. Let's tear the monument down.

[@justadjimmi6613]

Communists like you want to erase history to more easily create a nightmare dystopian leftist nightmare. No thanks.

[@bubandlisa]

1 - 20 DO NOT GO ITS A DUMP

[@JhonnyBoi]

You prob just can’t afford to live here.