Begin your trip with a walk through the National Mall and Memorial Parks, a historic landmark that includes famous memorials such as the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Take a tour of the National WWII Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Visit the United States Capitol, where you can take a tour to learn about the history and functions of the U.S. Congress. Then, head to the Library of Congress, a research library that offers tours and exhibitions on American history and art.
Explore the quaint streets of Georgetown, where you can find historic homes and picturesque scenery of the Potomac River. Walk along the C&O Canal and enjoy outdoor activities such as kayaking, biking or hiking.
Take a tour of the famous Embassy Row, home to many embassies and historic homes. Visit the Phillips Collection, a renowned museum of modern art featuring works by artists such as Van Gogh and Picasso.
Explore the National Museum of African American History and Culture, a museum that presents the history and culture of African Americans in the U.S. through exhibitions, artifacts and interactive displays.
Visit The US Mint, where you can view how coins are produced and take a self-guided tour. Head to the Supreme Court, the highest court in the U.S., where you can attend lectures and visit exhibitions on law and justice.
Take a visit to Howard University, a historically black university that offers campus tours, exhibitions, and events. Finish the day with another visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture to see what you might have missed on your first visit.
Walk through the White House to get a glimpse of the home of the U.S. president. Visit the Smithsonian Castle, where you can learn about the Smithsonian Institution and its museums.
Explore the U Street Corridor, a lively neighborhood that houses jazz clubs, shops, and restaurants. Visit the African American Civil War Memorial Museum, which honors the soldiers and sailors who fought for the Union in the Civil War.
End your trip at the National Gallery of Art, where you can view works of art from around the world. The museum is divided into two buildings, each with exhibitions on European and American art, sculptures, and photography.
You can use public transit such as Metrobus, Metrorail, Capital Bikeshare, and ride-share or taxis to travel throughout Washington D.C. The cost for a Metro fare is $2.25-6.00, depending on the distance traveled. Capital Bikeshare has rates starting at $2.50 per trip, with a 30-minute ride time limit.
If time is an issue, it is possible to combine some of the attractions mentioned, for example, the Library of Congress could be paired with the U.S. Capitol visit since they are close together. Other attractions, such as Embassy Row and Georgetown, could also be visited together.
Washington D.C. has three airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) located 4 miles from the city center and has access to public transportation options, Baltimore/Washington International was 35 miles away, and Washington Dulles International is located 28 miles away from the city center with airport shuttle and rail services available.