“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
– Abraham Lincoln
The White House is the most popular attraction in Washington, DC. It’s home to the nation’s President and his family. The nation’s capital offers visitors countless historical attractions, world-class art galleries and more museums than you can count. Many of the city’s museums, galleries, historical monuments and tours of government offices are free to the public.
Fun Washington DC Attractions
Washington, DC is home to the Smithsonian, the world’s largest museum complex and research organization. It features 19 museums, nine research centers and the National Zoo. Admission is free for all Smithsonian museums and the zoo. Other fun DC attractions include: The National Archives, Arlington National Cemetery, Supreme Court, Union Station, and the U.S. Botanic Garden (one of the nation’s oldest botanic gardens), featuring orchids and rare and endangered plants.
Washington, DC Museums
Here are some of our favorite Washington, DC museums:
- Archives of American Art
- Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
- International Spy Museum – well worth a visit
- National Air & Space Museum – the most visited museum in the world
- National Gallery of Art
- National Museum of African American History & Culture
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of the American Indian
- National Portrait Gallery
- National Postal Museum
- Newseum – the world’s most interactive museum
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The White House, U.S. Capitol and the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives
Tour the U.S. Capitol. Visit the Crypt which houses 13 statues, representing the 13 original colonies, and see a replica of the Magna Carta. Marvel at the Rotunda, the large, domed, circular room located in the center of the U.S. Capitol and visit the National Statuary Hall. Request tours of The White House, and the Galleries of the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives through your Member of Congress. The Supreme Court is also open to the public.
Washington, DC Monuments and Memorials
Washington DC’s monuments and memorials include: Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, MLK Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, and the Washington Monument.
Book Washington, DC Sightseeing Tours, Day Trips and Fun Things To Do
Take a Best of DC Sightseeing Tour. Get special access to the U.S. Capitol, the home of Congress. Then visit the National Archives Building and see where the original Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution are all on display. Enjoy a narrated Washington, DC Monuments by Moonlight Tour by open-air Trolley. See the city’s illuminated sights and monuments on this fun night tour. Take a Hop-On-Hop-Off Big Bus Tour and see all DC’s top attractions at your own pace. Or visit historic and iconic landmarks on a Guided Walking and Riding Sightseeing Tour. Watch the Changing of the Guard on a Walking Tour of Arlington National Cemetery. Visit the grave sites and memorials of famous politicians and war heroes.
Day Trips to Mount Vernon and Gettysburg
Take a fun Day Trip to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens. Or venture off the beaten track with a Day Trip to Gettysburg and see where Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.
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The Best Time To Visit Washington, DC
Spring and Fall are the best times to visit Washington, D.C. when the temperatures are mild. Summer tends to be very hot and humid and Winters are cold.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Springtime in Washington, D.C. is a beautiful time of the year. The Japanese cherry trees are usually in full bloom in late March or early April and the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing. Celebrations include free concerts in downtown parks, fashion shows, the Cherry Blossom Ball, an annual Marathon Race and the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade.