Washington, D.C., the United States capital since 1800, is a city of ideas made visible—marble memorials, neoclassical domes, and museums that tell the nation’s story. From the Washington Monument piercing the skyline to the stirring words etched at the Lincoln and MLK Memorials, the National Mall is both civic stage and contemplative parkland.

Beyond the monuments, D.C. hums with neighborhoods: Georgetown’s Federal-era brick, U Street’s jazz legacy, H Street’s indie grit, and The Wharf’s gleaming waterfront. Food here reflects embassies and migrations—Ethiopian injera, Korean ssam, Palestinian spreads, Chesapeake oysters, and the city’s signature “half-smoke.”

Practical notes: Spring cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are glorious but busy; fall is crisp and museum-friendly. Many Smithsonian museums are free, though some (like the Air & Space and African American History & Culture) often require timed entry. Pack comfortable shoes, carry a SmarTrip card for Metrorail/buses, and expect security screening at federal sites.

Washington, D.C.

D.C. is compact and walkable, stitched together by wide avenues, pocket parks, and the Potomac River. You’ll explore the National Mall’s monuments, dive into the Smithsonians, and detour into neighborhoods where locals line up for bagels, barbecue, and Ethiopian coffee ceremonies.

• Top sights: U.S. Capitol & Library of Congress, Washington Monument, Lincoln/Jefferson/MLK/FDR Memorials, Smithsonian museums, National Gallery of Art, Arlington National Cemetery, Georgetown waterfront.
• Why now: Revitalized waterfronts (The Wharf, Navy Yard), newly refreshed galleries at the National Air & Space Museum, and a dining scene that rivals bigger cities.
• Insider tip: When possible, book timed-entry museum passes and monument tickets in advance; go early for quieter galleries and softer light at memorials.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• The Hay-Adams (classic, across from Lafayette Square): Check availability
• The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. (West End polish): Check availability
• Omni Shoreham Hotel (grand, leafy Woodley Park): Check availability
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington D.C. Georgetown (spacious, family-friendly): Check availability
• Hotel Hive (micro-rooms, rooftop, walkable to the Mall): Check availability
• Pod DC Hotel (budget-smart, Chinatown/Penn Quarter): Check availability

Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Washington, DC | VRBO – Washington, DC

Getting in: Fly into DCA (closest), IAD, or BWI. Search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: NYC ~1h15m; Chicago ~2h; Miami ~2h30m; LAX ~5h. Rideshare/taxi from DCA to downtown runs ~15–20 minutes; Metro adds value and predictability. From IAD, the Silver Line Metro takes ~1 hour to the city; taxis are ~45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Lafayette Square, and Monuments by Moonlight

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off transit with a stroll through Lafayette Square to view the White House from the north fence; stop by the White House Visitor Center for context panels and artifacts. Coffee at Peregrine Espresso (Penn Quarter) for a bright, balanced cappuccino or a seasonal espresso tonic.

Evening: Early dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill, a 19th-century saloon favored by journalists—order Chesapeake oysters and the trout Parmesan, or go classic with a crab cake. Then see the capital glow on the National Mall Monuments Night Tour with 10+ Stops (about 3 hours; climate-controlled coach, expert narration). You’ll pause at the Lincoln, MLK, and WWII Memorials—fewer crowds, dramatic lighting.

Day 2: Capitol Hill, Library of Congress, and the Washington Monument

Morning: Fuel up at The Market Lunch counter inside Eastern Market (blueberry buckwheat pancakes, grits, or a crab cake sandwich later in the morning). Join the Small-Group Guided Tour inside US Capitol & Library of Congress. A savvy guide streamlines security and weaves in the politics and architecture—don’t miss the Capitol Rotunda and the Library’s Jefferson Building with its gilded Great Hall.

Afternoon: Grab lunch nearby at We, The Pizza (hand-tossed slices, black cherry soda on tap) or Good Stuff Eatery (juicy burgers, rosemary fries)—both from chef Spike Mendelsohn. Then head to the Washington Monument using No-Wait Direct Entry Tickets to ride the elevator to panoramic views aligning the Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool, and Capitol dome.

Evening: Wander to The Wharf for a waterside sunset. Dinner at Del Mar (José Andrés’ coastal Spanish—whole branzino a la sal, arroz de mariscos) or Mi Vida (festive Mexican, excellent esquites and carnitas). Nightcap at Officina’s rooftop for amari and skyline views.

Day 3: Smithsonian Day and Penn Quarter Eats

Morning: Breakfast at Seylou Bakery in Shaw—100% whole-grain sourdoughs and legendary kouign-amann, milled and baked in-house. On the Mall, split time between the National Museum of American History (Star-Spangled Banner, First Ladies’ gowns) and the National Museum of Natural History (dinosaur halls, the Hope Diamond).

Afternoon: Lunch at Mitsitam Native Foods Café (Museum of the American Indian), where regions of Native cuisine shine—bison chili, wild rice bowls, squash sides. Then the National Gallery of Art: Old Masters in the West Building, modern and contemporary in the I.M. Pei–designed East Building; don’t skip the light-filled underground concourse with Leo Villareal’s LED installation.

Evening: Dine in Penn Quarter: Zaytinya (mezze like crispy Brussels sprouts with barberries; airy room, quick service) or Daikaya (Sapporo-style ramen with a miso-rich broth). For a pre- or post-dinner cocktail, slip into The Denson (basement bar with vinyl and bitter-forward classics).

Day 4: Georgetown’s Canals, Federal Houses, and Jazz

Morning: Coffee and oversized cupcakes at Baked & Wired (locals’ favorite; the “Texas Sheetcake” is a chocolate lover’s dream). Walk the C&O Canal towpath and pop by the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Visitor Center; continue to Healy Hall at Georgetown University for collegiate Gothic grandeur.

Afternoon: In warm months, rent a kayak from Key Bridge Boathouse for Potomac views of Roosevelt Island and the Kennedy Center; in cooler weather, tour Tudor Place, a 1816 Federal mansion with gardens. Lunch at Martin’s Tavern (booth lore and club sandwiches) or plant-forward tacos at Chaia (try roasted mushroom with feta and mint).

Evening: Seafood supper at Fiola Mare on the waterfront (house-made pastas, raw bar, the gran crudo is a standout). Cap the night at Blues Alley, a storied brick-walled jazz club since 1965—arrive early for the best sightlines.

Day 5: Day Trip to Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria

All day: Step beyond the Mall on the Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Day Trip. Walk George Washington’s riverside estate—mansion, blacksmith shop, and poignant enslaved memorial—then explore Alexandria’s cobbled King Street, the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and 18th-century lanes.

Lunch ideas: Virtue Feed & Grain (rustic-chic, fish and chips, ciders) or The Warehouse (Louisiana touches—gumbo, shrimp and grits). Sweet stop: Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream for a nostalgic scoop.

Evening (back in DC): Casual dinner at The Salt Line (Navy Yard)—lobster rolls, crudos, and a strong New England beer list; or All-Purpose Pizzeria nearby for Roman-style pies and crunchy fried mozz sticks.

Day 6: U Street, Shaw, Dupont, and Michelin-Favorite Dining

Morning: Start at Compass Coffee (Shaw flagship) with a nitro cold brew and a warm croissant. Pay respects at the African American Civil War Memorial and stroll U Street’s murals; peek into the historic Lincoln Theatre marquee.

Afternoon: Lunch at Ben’s Chili Bowl—order a half-smoke with mustard, onions, and chili; it’s pure D.C. Then hop to Dupont Circle. The Phillips Collection rewards art lovers (Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party,” intimate galleries). Browse Kramers bookstore-café for a latte and staff picks.

Evening: Choose between two of the city’s most celebrated kitchens. The Dabney (Blagden Alley) cooks Mid-Atlantic ingredients over open flame—smoked oysters, embered sweet potatoes, hearth-roasted proteins. Or Maydan (off 14th Street), where a blazing hearth anchors Levantine feasts—lamb shoulder, house-baked flatbreads, zesty condiments. Drinks after at Service Bar (inventive cocktails; the fried chicken sandwich is also famous if you’re peckish).

Day 7: Tidal Basin Stroll, Eastern Market Brunch, and Departure

Morning: Circle the Tidal Basin for reflective views of the Jefferson and FDR Memorials; in late March to early April, cherry blossoms frame the water in delicate pink. If time allows, cross the river to Arlington National Cemetery to witness the Changing of the Guard and pay respects at John F. Kennedy’s Eternal Flame.

Afternoon: Brunch at Call Your Mother (Capitol Hill)—a za’atar everything bagel stacked with pastrami and cream cheese, or the loaded “Sun City.” Pick up last-minute gifts at Eastern Market’s craft stalls, then transfer to the airport. Search return flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; aim for an afternoon departure to keep the morning free.

Optional upgrade for another evening: If you loved night photography, consider a different angle on a later night with the intimate Washington DC Monuments and Memorials Night Tour (small group, unrushed stops).

Dining short list to bookmark: Le Diplomate (French brasserie energy), Rose’s Luxury (no-reservation dining room; creative American), Tail Up Goat (Med-influenced, house-baked breads), Anju (Korean comfort with a modern edge), Maketto (Cambodian/Taiwanese hybrid on H Street), District Doughnut (fun flavors; Navy Yard and Wharf). All are current local darlings as of 2025—reserve where possible.

With this 7-day Washington, D.C. itinerary, you’ll balance the National Mall’s grandeur with neighborhood character, world-class museums with river breezes, and American history with a truly global table. Keep this guide handy—you’ll revisit it as you plan, wander, and discover new favorites across the city.