Washington DC March 12–18 Itinerary with Cherry Blossoms and Museums

Morning: Arrive and Settle In

Arrive at Washington Union Station in the morning and allow about an hour for luggage, the station’s impressive main hall, and getting oriented. Phoenix Park Hotel is roughly a 10-minute walk away along Massachusetts Avenue, though a rideshare is worthwhile with bags—especially if the weather is chilly. Ask the hotel to hold your luggage if your room is not ready. For breakfast supplies later, Whole Foods Market H Street is a convenient, safe-area option near the hotel, with fruit, yogurt, sandwiches, and clearly labeled gluten-free items.

Walk about 15 minutes south to Eastern Market for an easy first look at Capitol Hill. The market and surrounding shops are generally open from morning into the afternoon, but hours vary by vendor and weekday; check the official schedule before traveling. Browse the indoor market and nearby Barracks Row streets rather than trying to make this a full meal stop. Pick up coffee or a snack here, then continue west toward the Capitol—about a 20-minute walk, mostly along pleasant residential streets.

Afternoon: Capitol Hill’s Landmark Interiors

Allow extra time at the United States Capitol Visitor Center, where your reserved Capitol tour begins. Tours are typically free but timed, and you should arrive at least 30 minutes early for security screening; large bags, food, and liquids may not be permitted. The visitor center is underground on the east side of the Capitol, so follow the reservation instructions rather than relying only on a map pin. After the tour, walk roughly 10 minutes to the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. Timed-entry passes are normally required, and the Main Reading Room overlook and Great Hall are the highlights; check same-day access rules because schedules and exhibit hours can change.

Evening: Indian Dinner in Penn Quarter

From the Library of Congress, take a rideshare to Rasika in Penn Quarter—usually 10–15 minutes, traffic permitting—or use the Red Line from Capitol South to Gallery Place, followed by a short walk. Order several small plates to share, such as palak chaat, dal, and grilled dishes; the staff can guide you through gluten-free choices, but mention the allergy or dietary need clearly because Indian kitchens may share preparation areas. Budget about $25–40 per person before drinks and tip. After dinner, stroll around Penn Quarter or return to Phoenix Park Hotel by rideshare; save a longer evening walk for another day when everyone is rested.

Morning

Leave Phoenix Park Hotel around 8:00–8:30 a.m. and walk west through Capitol Hill toward the Washington Monument; allow 25–30 minutes, including time to pass through the National Mall grounds. The Washington Monument opens at 9:00 a.m.; timed elevator tickets are strongly recommended and usually cost about $1 per person when reserved through the official recreation website. If tickets are unavailable, spend the time outside taking in the views toward the U.S. Capitol and Lincoln Memorial. From there, walk west along the Reflecting Pool to the World War II Memorial, then continue to the Korean War Veterans Memorial—both are free and open 24 hours. Plan on roughly 30 minutes at each, and bring water since the Mall has limited shade and few convenient places to buy drinks.

Midday and Afternoon

Continue a few minutes to the Lincoln Memorial, where the chamber and broad steps make a natural midday pause; the memorial is open 24 hours, though it is generally less crowded before lunch. Then walk back slightly east to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, allowing about 45 minutes to follow the wall and see the Three Servicemen statue. For lunch, pick up something simple near Foggy Bottom or Downtown rather than eating at a costly Mall concession; Sweetgreen on 19th Street NW has clearly marked gluten-free choices, while Chopt is another practical option for salads and bowls with both gluten-free and standard add-ons. Expect about $12–18 per person, and use a rideshare only if anyone is tired—the full memorial loop involves several miles of walking.

Evening

For dinner, walk or take a short rideshare to Old Ebbitt Grill, near the White House, where a historic interior and substantial menu make it a good final stop without needing another major attraction. Dinner is generally $20–35 per person before drinks and tip; ask the server about gluten-free substitutions, and note that kitchen cross-contact is possible. Reserve ahead if you can, especially for three people, and aim for an early dinner around 5:30–6:00 p.m. Afterward, take a relaxed look at the White House exterior from Lafayette Square before returning to Phoenix Park Hotel by Metro from Federal Triangle or by a roughly 10–15-minute rideshare, depending on traffic.

Morning

Start around 9:30 a.m. at the National Museum of Natural History, an easy walk from the hotel through Capitol Hill and the National Mall. Admission is free, and the museum generally opens at 10:00 a.m.; allow about 2½ hours for the dinosaur halls, gem collection, and ocean exhibits. Go first to the popular David H. Koch Hall of Fossils and the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals, then take a short break in the atrium café or nearby National Mall grounds. Smithsonian museums can be busy in March, so check the official website shortly before your trip for any timed-entry requirements.

Afternoon

For lunch, pick up something simple nearby rather than losing time to a full sit-down meal—Immigrant Food at the Smithsonian has bowls and tacos with vegetarian and gluten-free choices, while its menu also includes regular options. Then walk about 8 minutes to the Smithsonian Castle, where the historic building, information displays, and gardens make a pleasant 45-minute stop. From there, continue roughly 10 minutes east to the National Museum of American History for about 2½ hours. Prioritize the transportation and innovation galleries, plus the American culture exhibits; admission is free, though the museum’s hours and any special exhibitions should be confirmed before leaving.

Evening

After the museum, walk south and east along Independence Avenue toward The Wharf—about 20–30 minutes, with pleasant views as you approach the waterfront. If everyone is tired, use a Metrobus or a short rideshare instead; expect roughly 10–15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Spend an hour wandering the riverfront promenade and piers, especially around District Wharf, where the lights and Potomac views are nicest near sunset. Have dinner at Mi Vida, a relaxed Mexican restaurant with clearly marked gluten-free choices, including tacos, enchiladas, and other substantial dishes; regular options are available too, with dinner usually around $20–35 per person before drinks and tax. Save room for dessert at Hank’s Oyster Bar or browse the sweets and cafés around the waterfront, then rideshare back to Phoenix Park Hotel if the walk or Metro feels too long.

Morning

Leave around 8:00 a.m. from Phoenix Park Hotel and walk or take a short rideshare to L’Enfant Plaza. Take the Blue Line toward Franconia–Springfield and get off at Arlington Cemetery; allow roughly 25–35 minutes from the station, plus time for security at the cemetery entrance. Begin at Arlington National Cemetery, where the scale is larger than it appears on a map—comfortable shoes and water are essential. Spend about two hours walking among the hillside graves and viewing the city perspectives before continuing uphill to Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial. The house and grounds generally open around 9:00 a.m.; admission is free, though hours and access can change.

Midday and Afternoon

Continue to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the changing-of-the-guard ceremony, traditionally held hourly in the daytime, weather and military scheduling permitting. Arrive 15–20 minutes early for a clear view and maintain the requested quiet and respectful atmosphere. Afterward, take the official Arlington National Cemetery tram tour, a useful choice for three people because it saves the long walk between the cemetery’s distant sections; budget about 1½ hours and check same-day departure times at the visitor center. The tram may not stop everywhere for long, so keep the walking portion flexible.

When the tour finishes, use a rideshare from the cemetery’s visitor-center area to the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Rosslyn—usually 10–15 minutes, traffic permitting. The enormous Iwo Jima sculpture is especially striking in late afternoon, with open views toward the capital; allow about 45 minutes. If everyone wants a quick break before dinner, Gateway Park nearby has benches and space to rest, though it is better suited to a pause than a full meal.

Evening

Take a short rideshare or walk about 20 minutes to Ambar Clarendon in Clarendon for dinner. Its Balkan small plates work well for sharing, and the menu includes several naturally gluten-free choices; tell the server about the allergy or dietary need, since preparation details can vary. Expect approximately $25–40 per person before drinks and tip. Clarendon is lively but easy to navigate, with a Metro station nearby for the return trip: take the Orange or Silver Line toward downtown and transfer as needed, or use a rideshare back to Phoenix Park Hotel if everyone is tired. Check the cemetery tram schedule, ceremony timing, and restaurant reservation availability shortly before the day, since March hours and military events can change.

Morning

After Arlington, take an Uber or Lyft to The White House—allow roughly 10–20 minutes, though traffic can stretch that during the morning rush. Ask to be dropped near Lafayette Square, where you can view the north façade, surrounding historic buildings, and the statues in the park. Plan about an hour; public access around the complex can change because of security closures. Interior tours require advance arrangements through your congressional representative, so treat this as an exterior visit unless you already have tickets.

Walk about 10 minutes north to the National Geographic Museum on M Street NW. Its rotating photography and exploration exhibitions typically take 60–90 minutes. Check the current exhibition and hours before leaving, since this museum’s schedule and ticketing can change; budget approximately $10–20 per person if admission is charged. For an inexpensive lunch afterward, Roti Mediterranean Bowls near Farragut Square offers customizable rice, salad, chicken, and falafel plates, including easy gluten-free choices, usually around $12–18 per person.

Afternoon and Evening

Use a rideshare or take a leisurely 25–35-minute walk west along M Street NW to Georgetown Waterfront Park. Spend an hour by the river, watching the boats and looking across toward the Kennedy Center; early spring can be breezy, so bring an extra layer. Continue into Georgetown for Georgetown Cupcake, where a cupcake is generally $4–5. Gluten-free flavors vary by day and may have shared-kitchen limitations, so ask before ordering if cross-contact matters.

From the cupcake shop, walk or rideshare about 10 minutes to Dumbarton Oaks Park. The wooded paths and small streams make this a much quieter change of pace than central Georgetown. The park is usually open during daylight hours, but March paths can be muddy; wear shoes with traction and allow about an hour. Finish with dinner at Chaia Tacos in Georgetown, where vegetable-forward tacos are served on corn tortillas and the staff can identify gluten-free options. Expect roughly $15–25 per person; check the current menu for meat choices and possible cross-contact, and arrive before the dinner rush because seating is limited.

Morning

Leave Phoenix Park Hotel around 8:00 a.m. for Smithsonian’s National Zoo. From Union Station, take the Red Line to Woodley Park–Zoo/Adams Morgan, then walk about 15 minutes uphill to the zoo entrance; allow roughly 30–40 minutes total and check WMATA for 2027 weekend service changes. The zoo is free, but timed-entry reservations are generally required. Arrive near opening for cooler temperatures and more active animals, and plan on 3½ hours of walking—comfortable shoes and water matter here. The steepest paths are around the elephant and great-cat areas, so use the zoo map rather than trying to see every trail.

Lunch and Afternoon

For a relaxed late lunch, walk back toward Woodley Park to Duke’s Grocery, where burgers, sandwiches, and salads usually run about $15–25 per person. Ask staff about gluten-free bread or substitutions; cross-contact is possible, so diners with celiac disease should confirm current preparation procedures. After lunch, take a short rideshare or Metrobus trip to Meridian Hill Park in Columbia Heights—about 10–15 minutes depending on traffic—and spend 45 minutes around the formal terraces and cascading fountain. The park is a pleasant place to slow down, but keep valuables close and stay on the busier central paths.

Evening

Continue by rideshare or Metrobus toward La Cosecha near Union Market, allowing about 15–25 minutes. This Latin American marketplace is ideal for browsing without committing to a formal meal; several vendors offer sit-down seating, Mexican and broader Latin American dishes, and a mix of gluten-free and conventional choices. Check the market’s 2027 hours before leaving, since individual vendors may close earlier than the main hall. Finish at Junction Bakery & Bistro on Capitol Hill, reached in roughly 10 minutes by rideshare or about 20–25 minutes by Metrobus. Its casual breakfast-style plates, salads, and sandwiches work well for a budget dinner—typically $15–25 per person—and you can request gluten-free adjustments. If you still want something sweet afterward, pick up a pastry or dessert there rather than adding another cross-town stop.

Morning

Take the Red Line from Woodley Park–Zoo/Adams Morgan toward Glenmont and change at Gallery Place–Chinatown for the Yellow or Green Line to L’Enfant Plaza—allow about 25–35 minutes total, plus a short walk. Aim to arrive at the International Spy Museum around 9:45 a.m.; it usually opens at 10:00, and timed tickets commonly run about $30–$35 for adults and less for teenagers. Allow 2½ hours for the hands-on exhibits, including the undercover identity and intelligence-history sections. The museum is excellent for a 15-year-old, but the galleries involve a fair amount of standing, so take the occasional break.

Lunch and Afternoon

For lunch, walk or take the Yellow Line one stop toward Archives–Navy Memorial and eat in Penn Quarter before heading to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. RASA near The Wharf is a good-value Indian option with customizable rice bowls and clearly marked gluten-free choices; a short rideshare is easiest if everyone is hungry. Reserve timed-entry passes for the museum in advance—admission is free—and plan roughly three hours. Its lower-level history galleries are especially absorbing but emotionally demanding, so leave yourselves flexibility rather than trying to rush every floor.

Walk about 10 minutes along Independence Avenue to the National Air and Space Museum for a late-afternoon timed entry. The museum is free, but timed passes are required; two hours is enough for highlights such as the Wright Flyer and spacecraft galleries. Some galleries may have limited access during continuing renovations, so check the official exhibit list before the day. From there, a 10–15-minute rideshare or approximately 20-minute walk north brings you to the Museum of Illusions downtown. This is a compact, playful stop—allow about an hour—and it is best for photos and interactive demonstrations rather than a traditional museum visit.

Evening

Have your final dinner at The Hamilton, a short walk from the Museum of Illusions. Its broad American menu makes it practical for a group, with gluten-free adjustments available when confirmed with the server; expect roughly $25–$40 per person before drinks and tip. After dinner, take a rideshare or the Red Line back toward Union Station and stop at Whole Foods Market in Foggy Bottom on the way if energy allows, using it for breakfast items and train snacks for departure. Keep the grocery stop to essentials—fruit, yogurt, packaged gluten-free options, and drinks—and check closing hours, as they can change seasonally.