Cidade Turismo
the United States
Washington

Washington (D.C.) · Virgínia · the United States

Washington

Museums of the National Mall, memorials and the capital’s architecture, with Arlington, Alexandria and the heritage of Charlottesville.

Washington e o Meio-Atlântico

In the photo: National Mall, Washington

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Washington (D.C.) is organized around the National Mall, the strip of gardens between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. The Smithsonian museums let you alternate natural history, aviation and art with walks among the memorials. Distances look shorter on the map than they do under the summer sun.

On the other side of the Potomac, Arlington has the national cemetery, while Alexandria preserves brick streets, old houses and a riverside promenade. Both are reachable by metro, with walks or local transport to complete the route.

Charlottesville requires a separate stop, with Monticello and the University of Virginia. The town is too far to fit in after a morning of museums in the capital: it’s worth staying overnight there or reserving a full day on the road. In spring the gardens stand out; in winter days are short and it often gets quite cold.

This destination brings together 4 cities: Washington (D.C.), Arlington, Alexandria, Charlottesville.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Washington is
Washington (D.C.)CharlottesvilleArlingtonAlexandria

Limites: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (domínio público). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Washington

✈ Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), in Arlington · 8 km to Washington (D.C.)

Confirm before booking. DCA has a metro; IAD connects to the capital via the Silver Line. Union Station serves trains on the Northeast Corridor.

Suggested arrival point: Washington (D.C.)

The local experience

Things to do in Washington

Cemitério Nacional de Arlington
Arlington · Virgínia · Memorial

Cemitério Nacional de Arlington

Memorial on the Arlington route: Arlington National Cemetery occupies a tree‑covered slope in Virginia, facing Washington

Monticello
Charlottesville · Virgínia · Historic house

Monticello

Historic house on the Charlottesville itinerary: Monticello is Thomas Jefferson’s historic estate in the hills of Charlottesville, with a domed house, gardens, and work areas preserved or interpreted

National Mall
Washington (D.C.) · Washington (D.C.) · Urban park

National Mall

Urban park on the Washington (D.C.) itinerary: The National Mall is the axis of gardens and public spaces that organizes Washington's monumental core

Old Town Alexandria
Alexandria · Virgínia · Historic centre

Old Town Alexandria

Historic center in the Alexandria itinerary: Old Town Alexandria grew around the Potomac port and retains a street layout with brick houses, sidewalks and historic façades

See 12 more places in Washington
Memorial de Lincoln
Washington (D.C.) · Washington (D.C.) · Memorial

Memorial de Lincoln

Memorial on the Washington (D.C.) itinerary: The Lincoln Memorial occupies the western end of the National Mall, in a columned building of classical inspiration

Universidade da Virgínia: Rotunda e Academical Village
Charlottesville · Virgínia · Historical heritage

Universidade da Virgínia: Rotunda e Academical Village

Historic heritage on the Charlottesville itinerary: The Rotunda and the Academical Village form the historic core of the University of Virginia

Monumento a Washington
Washington (D.C.) · Washington (D.C.) · Monument

Monumento a Washington

Monument on the Washington (D.C.) route: The Washington Monument is the stone obelisk that marks the crossing of the National Mall's main axes

Capitólio dos Estados Unidos
Washington (D.C.) · Washington (D.C.) · Architecture

Capitólio dos Estados Unidos

Architecture on the Washington (D.C.) itinerary: The United States Capitol closes the eastern perspective of the National Mall with its dome and terraces

Casa Branca e President’s Park
Washington (D.C.) · Washington (D.C.) · Historic complex

Casa Branca e President’s Park

Historic complex on the Washington (D.C.) route: The White House occupies a landscaped site north of the National Mall

Museu Nacional do Ar e do Espaço
Washington (D.C.) · Washington (D.C.) · Museum

Museu Nacional do Ar e do Espaço

Museum on the Washington (D.C.) itinerary: The National Air and Space Museum sits on the south side of the National Mall and brings together aircraft, space objects and exhibitions on the history of flight

Museu Nacional de História Natural
Washington (D.C.) · Washington (D.C.) · Museum

Museu Nacional de História Natural

Museum on the Washington (D.C.) itinerary: The National Museum of Natural History brings together collections of paleontology, minerals, biodiversity and human cultures on the National Mall

National Museum of American History
Washington (D.C.) · Washington (D.C.) · Museum

National Museum of American History

Museum on the Washington (D.C.) itinerary: The National Museum of American History displays objects related to everyday life, transportation, work and culture in the United States

National Gallery of Art
Washington (D.C.) · Washington (D.C.) · Art museum

National Gallery of Art

Art museum on the Washington (D.C.) itinerary: The National Gallery of Art distributes its collection between two buildings on the north side of the National Mall

National Museum of African American History and Culture
Washington (D.C.) · Washington (D.C.) · Museum

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Museum on the Washington (D.C.) itinerary: National Museum of African American History and Culture presents African American historical and cultural experiences on the National Mall

Memorial de Jefferson
Washington (D.C.) · Washington (D.C.) · Memorial

Memorial de Jefferson

Memorial on the Washington (D.C.) itinerary: Thomas Jefferson Memorial occupies a shore of the Tidal Basin in a domed, columned building

Biblioteca do Congresso: Thomas Jefferson Building
Washington (D.C.) · Washington (D.C.) · Historic library

Biblioteca do Congresso: Thomas Jefferson Building

Historic library on the Washington (D.C.) itinerary: Library of Congress: Thomas Jefferson Building combines monumental architecture and exhibitions in a building near the Capitol

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

April–May and September–October usually favor walking. June–August are hot and humid; December–February are cold with short days.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Five to seven days: three or four in the capital, one for Arlington and Alexandria, and one or two in Charlottesville.

Which city to stay in

Downtown and Penn Quarter make museums and the metro convenient; Dupont Circle has restaurants. Old Town Alexandria works as a riverside base. In Charlottesville, the downtown and university area shorten local travel.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Washington

How to organize arrival in Washington?

DCA and IAD have rail links to the city; Union Station serves Northeast Corridor trains.

How much time to allocate for Washington?

A week allows separating the capital, the Potomac shore and Charlottesville.

Which months to visit Washington?

Spring in April and May or autumn in September and October usually favor outdoor itineraries.

Is it worth renting a car to see Washington?

Skip the car in Washington; it helps for Charlottesville, which also has train service.

How to fit Washington into a larger trip?

Washington pairs with New York and Philadelphia along the rail corridor; Charlottesville shifts the itinerary toward Virginia.

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