United States
Washington, DC
There's only one place where you can walk to brunch through America's oldest urban national park, where you can see a show in a living presidential memorial, and where you can enjoy a nightcap with a view of some of the USA’s most important monuments…That place is the country’s epic capital Washington, DC – the political heart of America with its incredible culture and history.
No destination in the country can compete with DC’s sheer number of monuments, memorials, and museums. As well as the venues mentioned in this guide, other highlights are the National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, National Gallery of Art, including works by Da Vinci and Van Gogh, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
But these venues are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the incredible things to see and do in dynamic, multi-cultural, ever-changing DC, which is also a world-class city when it comes to arts, culture, sports, theatre, outdoor activities, green spaces, shopping, dining, and nightlife. One fantastic thing to do is catch a sports game by one of DC’s four native sports teams: DC United, Washington Commanders, Washington Wizards, or Washington Capitals. And it’s worth noting that among this unmatched list of experiences are a huge number of free things to do.
Summer
29°C
Autumn
20°C
Winter
8°C
Visit the huge array of Smithsonian museums
This world-famous museum and research complex brings together 17 cultural venues covering everything from the origins of humankind (Natural History Museum) to the future of space exploration (Air and Space Museum). Incredibly, the Institution’s combined total of 150 million objects, works of art, and specimens can all be viewed for free.
Take a stroll around the National Mall
Nicknamed ‘America’s front yard’ as well as being home to several monuments and memorials honouring American forefathers and other heroes, including the Lincoln Memorial, this park is a national stage where movements and celebrations have taken and continue to take place, including Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.
Grab a half-smoke at Ben’s Chili Bowl
Grab a half-smoke (spicy hot dog; see Five Must-try Dishes) at Ben’s Chili Bowl and soak up the history at this neighbourhood institution and a staple of the U Street community – a historically black-owned business that originally opened in 1958 and is still run by the Ali family.
See a show in a living presidential memorial at the Kennedy Center
President John F. Kennedy loved and promoted the arts, and President Lyndon B. Johnson laid the cornerstone for this venue shortly after he was assassinated in 1964 (it opened in 1971). A performing arts powerhouse, it hosts around 2,000 performances a year.
See and photograph the spring cherry blossoms
See and photograph the spring cherry blossoms from the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial on the banks of the Tidal Basin or from a two- or four-person paddleboat out on the water, giving you wonderfully immersive views of the blooms.
Try an authentic Gin Rickey
Unique to the city, DC’s own cocktail the Gin Rickey (gin, lime juice, and soda) was invented in Shoomaker’s bar in the late 1880s which, despite being a dive, was the place to drink in DC. Originally made with bourbon, the drink is even mentioned in F. Scott Fitzgerald‘s 1925 classic The Great Gatsby.
Sample Ethiopian Cuisine
The highest population of Ethiopians outside of Ethiopia makes Washington, DC a great place to try the African nation’s cuisine. Among the best places to sample classic dishes such as yemsir wot (a spicy red lentil stew) are Das Ethiopian in Georgetown and farm-to-table Letena in Columbia Heights.
Visit Ben's Chili Bowl
The dish of the city, best sampled at Ben’s Chili Bowl, is the half-smoke. Bigger and spicier than regular hot dogs, with more coarsely ground meat (usually half-pork and half-beef), it’s smoked and served with herbs, onion, and chili sauce.
Explore the Maine Avenue Fish Market
The Maine Avenue Fish Market – operating non-stop since 1805, making it the oldest continuously functioning fish market in the USA – is a great place to try local seafood, including blue crab, shucked oysters, clams, and shrimps.
A plethora of brunch spots
Bottomless mimosas or drag queen performances with a side of eggs. These are just some of your brunch options in DC. Choose from ricotta pancakes, frittatas, homemade pop tarts, and plenty more at venues, including Café du Parc with its terrace with views of the Washington Monument and nearby sights.
March-April
Washington, DC is especially magnificent during the cherry blossom season, when its 3,000 Sakura trees hit peak bloom – and are celebrated with a lively festival packed with events, activities, and cuisine to suit everyone, including a giant parade with elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, and celebrity entertainers.
Summer
Sunny days, lots of free things to do, and a cultural scene that doesn’t take a summer break make Washington, DC a cool place to be even in the hotter months. Free festivals and museums lure people to the National Mall, and there’s also thrilling baseball action at Nationals Park and activities, including kayaking and paddleboarding at waterfronts in different neighbourhoods, along with tempting riverfront restaurants.
Autumn
The fall foliage makes this a lovely time to come to Washington, DC, with colourful trees providing a wonderful backdrop as you stroll the National Mall or along the Tidal Basin. There are also festivals and brilliant Halloween events, and the weather is usually mild here until Thanksgiving.
Christmas
December sees fewer crowds in DC. During this time, expect sparkling decorations all over the city and plenty of special events, including illuminations, parades, and pop-up bars. There’s also the Downtown Holiday Market which, as well as eclectic artisan shopping and seasonal music, offers local treats ranging from mini donuts to Christmas cocktails.