DC IN A DAY

How to Explore Washington D.C. in a Weekend

One of the best parts about the East Coast is how easy it is to go on a weekend getaway! You can easily get to several different cities within a few hours, and each city has its own rich history and culture. From Washington DC you can reach New York City, Philadelphia, and even popular beach towns like Ocean City and Rehoboth Beach in just a few hours! This ability to get to so many places in such a short time makes the East Coast a wanderer's dream destination.

If you live on the East Coast, you can take advantage of wandering where you live with several options for day trips or a full weekend getaway. On my recent Washington DC getaway, I met a woman who lived in Maryland and had taken the train to Washington DC for the day with her 3 kids. She told me she couldn't live so close and not take advantage of showing her kids the museums.

If you are traveling to the East Coast from afar, you can still take advantage of weekend style trips to different cities. This allows you to see more of the East Coast in one trip. Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and even New York City are all within a few hours of each other.

The Best Washington DC HotelS

Where you stay in Washington D.C. really depends on what you want to see. If your focus is to see the National Monuments and/or the Smithsonian Museums - I recommend staying on or near Connecticut Avenue. When I planned this 24 hour tour, I stayed at the Tabard Inn. It was the perfect location!

The Tabard Inn is the oldest hotel in the Capitol. It is located one block off of Connecticut Avenue - which makes it the perfect location for a short stay in the city. Plus, the price is exceptionally reasonable for its prime location. One of my favorite parts of a weekend getaway is staying at boutique hotels. I find it adds to the travel experience - especially if you are staying close to home. The Tabard Inn is the perfect example of how a boutique hotel can add to the overall experience of a weekend getaway.

Whether you are staying for one night or several, take the first afternoon/evening to settle into the city. On this recent trip, I checked into the hotel at 4:00 p.m. and did some light wandering around the Dupont Circle area near the hotel. This allowed me to see another part of the city, in addition to the full day of touring I planned for the next day.

Washington DC Itinerary

A day of wandering ALWAYS begins with coffee for me! The Tabard Inn offers breakfast and coffee that you can enjoy before heading out. There is also a cute French Bakery on the corner of Connecticut avenue. With an outdoor patio, it's a great way to enjoy a leisurely morning before setting out to wander. I wanted to get the most of my day on this trip, so I got my coffee and pastry to go before heading down Connecticut Avenue.

Once you have your caffeine and breakfast of choice - let the tour begin!

Connecticut Avenue is on a hill, so wherever you begin - whether at the bakery or somewhere else on Connecticut Ave., just start walking down the hill! The walk along Connecticut Avenue is a tour of D.C. on its own. Even after several trips to Washington D.C. I still appreciate the views and architecture along this street.

For the best view, keep buildings on the left closest to you. You will know you are going the right direction when you start to see the Washington Monument in the distance.

Points of Interest along Connecticut Avenue:

Farragut Square Park

The Renwick Gallery

Eisenhower Executive Office Building

The White House

If Pennsylvania Avenue is open, you can walk down the street to see it. If the road is blocked off (sometimes it will be), you can see it from a different further down the road.

Self Guided Tours of Washington DC Monuments

The further you walk down Connecticut Avenue, the closer you will get to The Washington Monument . Cross the street at the light of Connecticut Avenue and Constitution Avenue.

Don't go to the Washington monument just yet though! The Washington Monument will actually be the END of your self-guided tour of the Washington D.C. Memorials.

Cross Constitution Avenue and TURN RIGHT - heading down the sidewalk that runs between Constitution Avenue and the large park.

If you stay for a second day - take the same walk to begin and then turn LEFT to go to the National Mall and the Smithsonian Museums .

Visiting the Vietnam and Lincoln Memorial Memorials

Whether you scooter it or walk, when you get to the far end of the park and Constitution Avenue, turn left and walk into the park. The first memorial you'll see is the Vietnam Memorial on your left. Keep walking, and you will walk straight into the Lincoln Memorial.

Once you've explored The Vietnam and Lincoln Memorials, head towards the reflecting pool. Rather than walking back up the main street, walk along the reflecting pool towards the Washington Memorial. Off to the left you will see the Jefferson Memorial. If you are up for the extra jaunt, take a detour and head off to see the Jefferson Memorial up close. You can also choose to gaze from a distance.

Visiting the World War II Memorial

At the end of the reflecting pool is the World War II Memorial. If you are able to plan your travel during warmer months, I suggest doing it simply for this memorial. The first time I saw this memorial it was winter and the water was turned off. While it's a beautiful memorial regardless, there's something about the water that truly adds to the overall effect.

Visiting the Washington Monument

After the World War II Memorial, it's time to walk around the Washington Memorial! Cross the street and take your time walking around the base of the monument. Take your time to appreciate the amazing views of the other monuments, the Capitol Building, and even The White House, as you walk around. If you plan to go up in the monument you will need to plan that ahead of time. Fees & Passes - Washington Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

Where to Eat in Washington DC

At this point in the day - you are probably ready for food! If you have time and want to relax, follow the music to the food trucks! Just head back towards Constitution Ave. and head the opposite direction from the memorials. 

You will see a dozen or more food trucks lining the street along The National Mall. (I found these to be reasonably priced, especially for a tourist destination.)

If the weather is nice, grab some food and sit on the grass or a park bench. Depending on the day of the week and time of day you may see people out playing kick ball or flag football after work.

The National Mall is the start of the Smithsonian Museums. If you want to visit the museums, plan for a second day. You truly need at least two days to enjoy both the monuments and museums!

Depending on how your feet are feeling, your walking tour of Washington D.C. may end here. Feel free to grab a Lyft back to the hotel, or to grab food at a restaurant nearby. If you are up for a bit more wandering, head back towards Connecticut Avenue!

If you want to explore the other side of the street, there are several more buildings that are beautiful to walk by. If you want a view of The White House, head back on Connecticut Ave the same way you walked earlier. Take a little detour into the park just before The Eisenhower building. Walk through the park and keep an eye out for a view of The White House.

annnnd...If you are done with the walking, just grab yourself a Lyft! Pick up your bags, and head out! You can now say "I've been to Washington, D.C.!"