The Best Washington DC 3 Day itinerary

This 3 day Washington, DC itinerary is the perfect opportunity to see all of the major sites and admire the beautiful landmarks DC has to offer. September was a great time for me to visit my brother since it was his birthday weekend, and the weather was ideal.

I have visited the nation’s capital before, but I was too young to remember the museums, monuments, and the charm of Washington, DC. This trip was so much fun, and I loved exploring the district that is deeply connected to past and present American history.

Planning a Washington DC 3 Day Itinerary

Getting to Washington DC

Washington DC Airports

Driving to DC

If driving into DC, be prepared for traffic, double-check the routes, and try not to arrive during rush hour.

Getting Around Washington DC

• DC Sightseeing Tours
  • Even though this is a super touristy option, it is efficient and informative. If you are traveling with a group that does not enjoy a lot of walking, then I would heavily consider spending the extra money for this tour.
  • The sightseeing tours will take you to all the major attractions and provide some background information and history.
    • Big Bus
      • When my grandma and aunt visited my brother, we opted for the Big Bus since we knew that the amount of walking would be limited. It was nice to sit back and listen to the background information while driving the Washington DC.
    • Water Taxi
      • The Potomac River is integral to the formation of Washington DC. The sightseeing cruise is a unique option where you will get a unique perspective of monuments and landmarks.
• Metro
  • If you feel comfortable navigating the metro lines and are willing to get your steps in, then taking the metro is the most cost-friendly and efficient option to explore the city. I suggest looking at a map of the metro before visiting to help plan your trip.
    • You can purchase day passes for $13.50 per person or a 3-day pass for $33.75. We walked right up to the kiosk in the metro station, bought our tickets, and were on our way!
• Driving
  • I would only suggest this option if you are staying in a centralized area or are with someone familiar with DC. Even though DC is nothing like driving around New York City, it can get busy and parking can be sparse and expensive.

Where to Stay in Washington DC

Arlington

• If you are looking for a cheaper option and don’t, mind being outside of DC, I suggest staying in Arlington. Here are a few different options at different price ranges:
  • Budget
    • Holiday Inn Arlington at Ballston
      • Budget-friendly option located only 3 blocks from the metro.
  • Mid-Range
    • Homewood Suites Arlington
      • This is where we stayed and it was the perfect location for us. My brother lives within walking distance of this hotel and we were within walking distance of the metro.
  • Pricey
    • Le Meriden
      • Within walking distance of Georgetown and the metro station.

Foggy Bottom

• Foggy Bottom is a great location in DC because you are super close to Georgetown and other attractions, but also have a metro station close by to get to the other DC landmarks.
  • Budget
    • ARC Hotel
      • Within close vicinity to major stops around Foggy Bottom and the metro station.
  • Mid Range
    • Hilton Garden Inn
      • Within 10 minutes of walking to Foggy Bottom metro and is within 2 miles of Georgetown and Dupont Circle.
  • Pricey
    • Hotel AKA Washington Circle
      • A boutique hotel that accommodates short and long-term stays. Within steps of the metro station and close to Georgetown and Dupont Circle.

Downtown

• The closer you get to the city center, the more expensive hotels are. This is the price you pay for convenience, but can be worth it!
  • Budget
    • Hampton Inn
      • Cost-friendly option that also allows you to be within walking distance of the White House, National Mall, and other major sites in the area.
  • Mid Range
    • Hotel Washington
      • Situated right on the edge of the White House lawn, you will not be disappointed with the location!
  • Pricey
    • The Riggs
      • Located across from Ford Theater, a couple of blocks from the National Mall, and the White House. The Riggs is a boutique hotel option that has been beautifully designed.

How much time do you need in DC?

I believe three days is enough to see the major attractions, but as I am researching for this post, I already want to go back and visit. While writing this, there are 82 museums in DC so it would be impossible to visit every single one without living there.

Listed below is how I would plan for a Washington DC 3-Day Itinerary.

Washington DC 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Start Your Day in Alexandria Old Town

Begin your Washington DC 3-Day Itinerary by exploring Old Town Alexandria. There is so much history as this was George Washington’s town. You will not be disappointed by the colonial-style homes, independent shops, and wide range of restaurants.

Old Town is right up my alley as I loveee quaint towns with character. If you want a deep dive into the city and the attractions, read my Complete Guide to Old Town Alexandria. Listed below is everything I would do while exploring Old Town Alexandria.

Old Town Waterfront

The waterfront is great to admire the boats cruising along the Potomac or to grab a bite to eat. While strolling around the waterfront, you can see the capital building in the background, which is a great way to be welcomed into the DC area!

King Street Mile

This is the infamous street in Old Town with hundreds of shops and restaurants. If you are looking for some souvenirs or unique gifts, Old Town Alexandria is great for satisfying your shopping needs.

Grab a coffee or quick breakfast/lunch and enjoy the allure of the quaint street.

Wander the streets and admire the architecture

Old Town Alexandria was established in 1749 and the city has done a great job at preserving the colonial architecture. Here is a list of the must-see houses that encompass the charm of Old Town.

• Spite House: 523 Queen Street
• Carlyle House: 121 N Fairfax St
• Murray Dick Fawcett House: 517 Prince Street

Next Stop: Georgetown

In my opinion, Georgetown has a similar vibe to Alexandria, but a little bit more upscale. With the university, National Cathedral, Embassy Row, and colonial architecture, this is a great spot to spend an afternoon.

Listed below are the main attractions in the area:

National Cathedral

The National Cathedral is absolutely beautiful. While walking through the church, I felt like I was in a European city as the architecture is breathtaking. There are different levels of the cathedral to explore, some costing extra in admission. While visiting, we were able to explore the crypt, main level, and the observatory deck all under the same ticket.

Wander the Georgetown Streets

• Architecture
  • As I mentioned, Georgetown has a very similar architectural style to Alexandria because they were founded around the same time.
• Shopping
  • Walk along M Street to satisfy all of your shopping needs. There is a mix of independent and big-box.
• Ice Cream
  • Thomas Sweet Homemade Ice Cream

Georgetown Waterfront Things to Do

Watching the boats stroll by on the Potomac makes for an idyllic evening, especially if you can catch a pretty sunset. Listed below are some Georgetown waterfront activities to enjoy.

• Watch the Sunset over the Potomac
  • You can easily sit along the boardwalk, but there is also a green space in the Georgetown Waterfront Park where you could bring a picnic and enjoy the sunset.
• Dinner and drinks
  • There are tons of restaurant and bar options along the waterfront, so you can’t go wrong here.
• Rent a paddleboard or kayak
  • You can purchase rentals by the Key Bridge Boathouse. Visit Boating in DC Rentals for more information.

Day 2

Start your Day at the Arlington National Cemetary

Begin day 2 of your 3-day Washington DC itinerary by stopping at the Arlington National Cemetary. The Cemetery itself is 633 acres, which is huge! Use Arlington Cemetery’s travel brochure to help with your stops. Listed below are the main sites:

• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Changing of the Guard
• John F Kennedy’s gravesite
• Iwo Jima Memorial
• Arlington House

Cho0se a Couple Museums that Pique Your Interest

It only makes sense that the nation’s capital has some amazing museums. It would be impossible to visit every single museum in one visit, but to help you guide your decision, below is a list of museums by cost and a brief description:

NOTE: To fit all of the major DC sites and attractions in this itinerary, I suggest limiting to two or three museums.

Best Free Museums in Washington DC

The amazing thing about the Smithsonian Museums is that they are FREE. Eliminating the cost factor is great, but you may need to make reservations before visiting.

National Gallery of Art

• I have always been interested in art so it just made sense for me to go to the National Gallery. If you are interested in seeing works by Monet, Da Vinci, Titian, Jan Van Eyck, Rembrandt, Cezanne, and Degas, I would heavily consider the National Gallery of Art.
• I do like art, but I am not an aficionado, so when visiting the museum I asked the front desk to circle the highlights. I think this is the best way to see the main pieces while also not feeling stretched for time.
  • You can spend as much time as you’d like so do your research before to understand where you want to delegate your time.
• No reservation is needed for the National Gallery of Art

Air and Space Museum

• The Air and Space Museum has been newly renovated and was really cool to see some major artifacts such as the Wright Brothers’ plane, Apollo aircraft, and Evel Knievel’s motorcycle.
• You need a reservation before entering, but admission is free.

US Holocaust Memorial Museum

• The holocaust museum encompasses so many different emotions while touring the various exhibits. As we all know, this was an extremely sad time in history and you will feel these emotions walking around the museum.
• Reservation is needed for the Holocaust Museum.

National Museum of Natural History

• You could allocate a whole day to this museum because it is so large. some of the notable exhibits include the Hall of Human Origins, National Fossil Hall, Ocean Hal, Hope Diamond, mummies, Insect Zoo, and Butterfly Pavilion
• Reservations are not required for the Museum of Natural History.

National Museum of American History

• Another Smithsonian museum that is super fitting while in DC. There are over 1.7 million objects pertinent to American history available for your viewing.
• Reservations are not required for the Museum of American History.

National Portrait Gallery

• Unique museum that houses all of the portraits of past presidents and political figures. I was not able to visit this museum during my time, but it is now on my list for the next visit!
• Reservations are not required for the National Portrait Gallery.

National Archives

• It only feels right to visit the National Archives to see our nation’s founding documents. When visiting this museum, you will be able to see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

Day 3

Eastern Market

Begin the final day of your 3-day Washington DC itinerary by going to the Eastern Market. Grab a coffee and bagel from Bull Frog Bagels and peruse the various tents with merchants selling unique items. Inside the building, there is a full-blown market with produce, meats, flowers, and other products.

Capital Hill Books

If you are into books and love cute little shops, then I would definitely stop into Capital Hill Books. They have a wide selection of new, used, and rare books.

Library of Congress

This was the highlight of my trip. Based on the pictures, I thought that it looked cool, but I was in awe of the architecture and the exhibit of all the cool stuff the library stores. DEFINITELY add this to your itinerary, no matter how long you are in town.

Admission is free, but you need to reserve a timeslot before entering.

Monuments and Landmarks

From the Library of Congress, you are also very close to the Capital Building and the Supreme Court of Justice. I would take a look at these beautiful buildings and begin your monument tour. If you are interested in touring the inside of the Capital, you can do that as well.

1. Capital to the Washington Monument
   • Walking: You will have to walk 2 miles to get to the Washington Monument from the US Capitol.
   • Bus: The Big Bus is another option from the Capital to the Washington Monument.
   • Metro: Take the Silver Line from Capital South to Federal Triangle. No Metro stops after the Federal Triangle to reach other monuments and memorials.
2. Washington Monument to Thomas Jefferson
   • Walking: .8 miles
   • Big Bus: There is another big bus stop from the Washington Memorial to Thomas Jefferson.
3. Thomas Jefferson to Franklin Roosevelt
   • Walking: .6 miles
   • Big Bus: Take the Big Bus to explore Thomas Jefferson and MLK. This bus stop has grouped these two memorials.
4. Franklin Roosevelt to Martin Luther King Jr.
   • Walking: .2 Miles
5. Martin Luther King to Korean War Memorial
   • Walking: .2 miles
   • Big Bus: Take the Big Bus to Lincoln Memorial from MLK.
6. Korean War Memorial to Lincoln Memorial
   • Walking: 450 feet
   • Because they are so close together, the Big Bus stop has combined the Lincoln Memorial and the Korean War.
7. Lincoln Memorial to Vietnam War Memorial
   • Walking .1 miles
   • Bus: Must explore the Vietnam War memorial while also admiring Lincoln as there is not a separate stop. From the Lincoln Memorial, take the bus to WWII.
8. Vietnam to WWII
   • .4 miles
   • Bus: From WWII you can now hop on the big bus to take you wherever your next destination is. You have completed the memorial loop.

THANK YOU

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts about Washington DC and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.

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