Cidade Turismo
the United States

Before you go

Your trip to Washington (D.C.).

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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Washington (D.C.) – Washington (D.C.) Destination Washington Capital

How to get there

  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Arlington · 8 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before purchasing. DCA links to downtown via the metro lines; from IAD, use the Silver Line. Union Station is the rail arrival point for the Northeast.

How many days

Three or four days allow you to spread out visits to the museums and memorials without crossing the Mall repeatedly.

When to go

April, May, September and October are usually suitable for outdoor circuits on the Mall; in the humid summer, alternate museums and gardens.

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

Do you need a car?

Metro and walking serve the urban visit. Save your legs for the memorials, which are spaced out at the western end of the Mall.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Washington (D.C.)
  1. Morning
    National Mall

    Devote the start of the itinerary to the National Mall. Prioritize the main part of the visit and your arrival time, leaving a break before continuing in Washington (D.C.).

  2. Afternoon
    Lincoln Memorial

    After the break, proceed to the Lincoln Memorial. Check access and tour the site without turning your Washington (D.C.) afternoon into a sequence of transfers.

  3. Late afternoon
    Return via the National Mall sector

    Finish your walks in the sector of Washington (D.C.) already visited and return to your lodging before planning another outing. Light and weather can change the duration of this stage.

  4. Evening
    Evening free in Washington (D.C.)

    Dine near your base in Washington (D.C.) and keep the evening free to rest after touring the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial.

2 days in Washington (D.C.)

Day 1

  1. Morning
    National Mall

    In this 2-day plan, on day 1 of the 2-day Washington (D.C.) itinerary, start at the National Mall; in the 2-day plan, arrival at the National Mall should respect the access reserved for day 1 of the 2-day plan.

  2. Afternoon
    National Mall circuit

    In this 2-day plan, continue the National Mall visit on day 1; if time and energy remain, the Washington Monument can round out the session, depending on available access.

  3. Late afternoon
    End of day 1

    In this 2-day plan, conclude the National Mall session on day 1 and arrange the return to your base in Washington (D.C.), leaving leeway for the next stage of the 2-day itinerary.

  4. Evening
    Break after the National Mall

    In this 2-day plan, keep night 1 close to your lodging in Washington (D.C.); the 2-day plan spreads the effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Lincoln Memorial

    In this 2-day plan, on day 2 of the 2-day Washington (D.C.) itinerary, start at the Lincoln Memorial; in the 2-day plan, arrival at the Lincoln Memorial should respect the access reserved for day 2 of the 2-day plan.

  2. Afternoon
    Lincoln Memorial circuit

    In this 2-day plan, continue the Lincoln Memorial visit on day 2; if time and energy allow, the United States Capitol can complete the session, depending on available access.

  3. Late afternoon
    End of day 2

    In this 2-day plan, conclude the Lincoln Memorial session on day 2 and arrange the return to your base in Washington (D.C.), leaving leeway for the next stage of the 2-day itinerary.

  4. Evening
    Break after the Lincoln Memorial

    In this 2-day plan, keep night 2 close to your lodging in Washington (D.C.); the 2-day plan spreads the effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

3 days in Washington (D.C.)

Day 1

  1. Morning
    National Mall

    In this 3-day plan, on day 1 of the 3-day Washington (D.C.) itinerary, start at the National Mall; in the 3-day plan, arrival at the National Mall should respect the access reserved for day 1 of the 3-day plan.

  2. Afternoon
    National Mall circuit

    In this 3-day plan, continue the National Mall visit on day 1; if time and energy remain, the Washington Monument can round out the session, depending on available access.

  3. Late afternoon
    End of day 1

    In this 3-day plan, conclude the National Mall session on day 1 and arrange the return to your base in Washington (D.C.), leaving leeway for the next stage of the 3-day itinerary.

  4. Evening
    Break after the National Mall

    In this 3-day plan, keep night 1 close to your lodging in Washington (D.C.); the 3-day plan spreads the effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Lincoln Memorial

    In this 3-day plan, on day 2 of the 3-day Washington (D.C.) itinerary, start at the Lincoln Memorial; in the 3-day plan, arrival at the Lincoln Memorial should respect the access reserved for day 2 of the 3-day plan.

  2. Afternoon
    Lincoln Memorial circuit

    In this 3-day plan, continue the Lincoln Memorial visit on day 2; if time and energy allow, the United States Capitol can complete the session, depending on available access.

  3. Late afternoon
    End of day 2

    In this 3-day plan, conclude the Lincoln Memorial session on day 2 and arrange the return to your base in Washington (D.C.), leaving leeway for the next stage of the 3-day itinerary.

  4. Evening
    Break after the Lincoln Memorial

    In this 3-day plan, keep night 2 close to your lodging in Washington (D.C.); the 3-day plan spreads the effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

Day 3

  1. Morning
    Washington Monument

    In this 3-day plan, on day 3 of the 3-day Washington (D.C.) itinerary, start at the Washington Monument; in the 3-day plan, arrival at the Washington Monument should respect the access reserved for day 3 of the 3-day plan.

  2. Afternoon
    Washington Monument circuit

    In this 3-day plan, continue the Washington Monument visit on day 3; if time and energy remain, the White House and President’s Park can complete the session, depending on available access.

  3. Late afternoon
    End of day 3

    In this 3-day plan, conclude the Washington Monument session on day 3 and arrange the return to your base in Washington (D.C.), leaving leeway for the next stage of the 3-day itinerary.

  4. Evening
    Break after the Washington Monument

    In this 3-day plan, keep night 3 close to your lodging in Washington (D.C.); the 3-day plan spreads the effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get to Washington (D.C.) and start the visit?

DCA serves the capital by metro; IAD uses the Silver Line.

How many days to set aside for Washington (D.C.)?

Allow three or four days for museums and memorials.

How to get around during a stay in Washington (D.C.)?

The subway/metro handles connections; the Mall requires walking.

Do Washington museums require reservations?

It depends on the institution: some issue timed-entry tickets even when free. Choose the museums you want first and arrange reservations before your walks.

Back to Washington (D.C.)