As the capital of the United States, Washington DC is well known for its iconic sights such as the White House and Lincoln Memorial, but there is so much more to this city! From charming neighbourhoods to beautiful gardens, fascinating museums and world class restaurants, the city is well worth at least two days on your East Coast itinerary. Read on for my guide to making the most of 2 days in Washington DC.

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Day 1

Get your walking shoes on, because the best way to see Washington DC is on foot! There are over 100 unique monuments and memorials within the National Mall and Memorial Parks, but the must-sees helpfully form a loop that can easily be completed in a day. The total distance is roughly 4 miles, but with lots of stops along the way it can be taken at a leisurely pace. If the walk seems too much, there is also a bike tour, or consider a more unique perspective aboard a small electric vehicle in Washington DC Unveiled – an eco-friendly tour with Urban Adventures. Run by knowledgeable local guides, this is a great way to gain extra insight into the history of the area. Alternatively opt for their Monuments by Night tour to experience some moonlit magic!

We’ll start our 2 days in Washington DC at perhaps the most iconic sights, the Washington Monument. Built to commemorate to the first President of the United States, the monument was once the tallest building in the world, and is still the world’s tallest stone obelisk. If you’ve got a head for heights, the 500 foot (152m) high observation deck gives a great birds eye view of the nations capital. You’ll need a ticket to go inside; these must be obtained on the day and are usually all distributed by 9am, so it’s good to get here early.

 

From here head south towards the Tidal Basin, and follow the path around the waterside to the Jefferson Memorial. This marble domed structure is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture, paying tribute to another of Americas founding fathers. At night time the white marble is lit up and shines impressively across the Basin.

Continue along the waters edge to reach FDR’s memorial, inscribed with his famous quotes. Roosevelt was a great fan of the outdoors, and this is reflected in the natural rock formations and waterfalls of this memorial.

Further along the path is the colossal marble statue of Martin Luther King Jr., one of the newest memorials, having been completed in 2011. Named the Stone of Hope as a nod to his famous ‘I have a dream’ speech, its 30 foot height reflects the enormous impact and legacy of the man. Next we head to the location of this speech itself: the Lincoln Memorial. Leave the Tidal Basin path and veer left, passing the Korean War Memorial on the way.

 

Lincoln sits on an enormous marble throne, enclosed in a Greek style temple with 36 columns, representing the 36 States of the US at the time of his death. The imposing statue is 19 feet tall, and etched into the wall beside it is the entirety of the Gettysberg Address, his most famous speech. The monument marks the Western end of the National Mall, and towers over the shimmering water of the Reflecting Pool; it’s no wonder this grand structure has been the site of so many speeches and featured in many films. It is definitely a must-see for every visitor during your 2 days in Washington DC.

To complete your tour, take the path past the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, which lists the 58,307 names of Americans who died in Vietnam. A little further along is the Constitution Gardens, a lovely park area located within the boundaries of the National Mall. A leisurely stroll through this area brings you to the World War II Memorial at the Eastern end of the Reflecting Pool. The Memorial itself consists of a large fountain surrounded by 56 pillars for each US State and territory, and the views from here back down to the Lincoln Memorial to the West and the Washington Monument to the East are absolutely stunning.

 

This brings us to the end of the monuments and memorials walk, but there’s one last sight on todays itinerary…

The White House: home of the President of the United States, and perhaps the most famous house in the world. Tours can be requested up to 3 months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance, and must be submitted via the UK Embassy in Washington DC. There is also a Visitor Center with almost 100 Presidential artifacts on display, which is free to enter without advanced reservations.

 

Day 2

On the start of your second day in Washington DC, we hit the Mall! Don’t worry, I’m not talking about a shopping spree, this Mall is lined with some of the nation’s top museums and is home to the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex. 10 of the Smithsonian’s 19 museums, galleries and gardens are located along the National Mall, covering a huge range of art, history and culture.

For families, the Air and Space Museum is highly recommended, with interactive aviation, spaceflight and astronomy exhibits as well as an IMAX theatre and flight simulators for out-of-this-world adventures! If you have spare time consider heading out to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles Airport, which houses yet more artifacts in 2 large hangars, including the Space Shuttle Discovery and a Concorde.

 

As well as the Smithsonian collection, other attractions close by include the National Archives Museum which houses the original US Constitution and Declaration of Independence, and the family oriented International Spy Museum offering interactive exhibits relating to all things espionage.

When you’ve had your fill of the National Mall and its wealth of fascinating knowledge and astonishing artefacts, continue on to the United States Capitol, an iconic building and symbol of American democracy. Tours are available and if Congress is in session you may even be able to get gallery passes to witness history being made! Behind the Capitol Building is the Library of Congress, a must-see for bibliophiles, while the United States Botanic Garden has been promoting the importance of plants to the well-being of humans for 200 years.

 

If museums aren’t your cup of tea, head out to the Smithsonian National Zoo which houses 2,700 animals of more than 390 species, including the endangered giant pandas. You can even tune in to the zoo’s animal webcams to watch lions, elephants or the new cheetah cubs, born in April 2020! Alternatively, the National Arberetum is a lesser known attraction with a stunning 446 acres of gardens and botanical exhibit, perfect for a more relaxing afternoon following your busy day of walking the monuments yesterday. If it’s sunny this is an idyllic spot for a picnic.

To finish the day, head out to Georgetown, a charming historic neighbourhood with cobblestone streets, boutique shops and upmarket restaurants, as well as a riverside promenade. From local hidden gems to world-renowned eateries, this is a perfect spot for dinner, or to simply relax and unwind with drinks and live music overlooking Washington Harbour.

 

Whether you’re a sightseer, nature lover, animal lover or history buff, Washington DC has something for absolutely everyone. And best of all? All the museums and attractions discussed here are absolutely free!

“2 Delightful Days in DC” was originally written for Trailfinders: Tales from the Trail