What to see in a weekend trip to washington, d.c.

The best things to see in washington, D.C. in one weekend

Washington, D.C. is the capitol of the United States of America and the epicenter of American history. This city offers it all, including architecture, art, history, natural beauty, entertainment, and affordability, just to name a few. There are plenty of amazing dining options and places to sit and relax between sightseeing. Transportation is well-laid out and easily accessible from any part of the city, making it easier than ever to visit multiple attractions in a short time. The sheer amount of things to see and do might seem overwhelming at first, so let’s break it down. Here’s what I did in one weekend on a solo trip to Washington, D.C.

getting there

Flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are often and inexpensive. Rather than drive the 8 hours from Maine to D.C., I opted for a quick 1.5 hour flight. It was an easy up and down and before I knew it, my red backpack and I were on the ground ready to explore. As I do before any trip, I researched transportation from the airport to my hotel and found that the D.C. metro was the cheapest and fastest. Riding the metro is simple with the SmarTrip App (your metro card) and the Mapway App (maps and route planning).

Where to stay In washington, d.c.

I’ll admit it, I’m usually an AirBnb girl. I rarely stay in hotels simply because the cost seldom makes sense for a solo traveler. However, if you are going to D.C. for a weekend trip, I highly recommend staying in one of the many amazing hotels the city has on offer. For my trip, I chose CitizenM in the business district, only a few minutes’ walk from L’Enfant station. This eclectic hotel was great for a solo traveler and the staff was top notch. My room was very comfortable and modern, including everything I needed and nothing I didn’t. The location was ideal, within 15 minutes walk to many Smithsonian museums to the north and impressive restaurants along the riverwalk to the south.

It is not hard to find a great place to stay in this city, but here are some ideal neighborhoods to settle in:

• The National Mall. This is the area where you’ll find the Washington monument, reflecting pool, Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, and much more. If you’re a history buff, this is your place.
• Capitol Hill. This area has a lot of restaurants, important political buildings, and the Library of Congress. Stay here if you are a foodie!
• Foggy Bottom and Georgetown. These historic neighborhoods are well-preserved and give a European feel. Built in the 18th and 19th centuries, walking down these streets will take you back in time. These are ideal spots for families and luxury travelers to stay.
• Waterfront. The waterfront district of Washington, D.C. is made up of five star hotels, hip hangouts, live music venues, and of course, water views. Also, the dining here leaves nothing to be desired!

attractions in washington, d.c.

how do you choose what to see in a weekend?

So, how do you choose? D.C. offers hundreds of significant historical sights including museums, open air monuments and memorials, and more. For this trip, I highly suggest choosing a central location as a starting point to choose what you will see. For example, I chose the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. From there, use Google Maps to explore the surrounding area and save your points of interest in a list. Be sure to save everything you might be interested in, including restaurants, cafes, bars, book shops, etc.!

The National Mall

I checked into my hotel, freshened up from my travel day, and laced up my walking shoes. I was determined to see as much of our nation’s capitol as I could fit in 48 hours. So, I started with the National Mall. The Mall is a long stretch of green space, lined with perfectly manicured trees and walking paths. It is a place where people gather to be heard in peace and protest, to have a picnic, and to pay respects at the many memorials which shaped American history. On the walk from CitizenM to the Lincoln Memorial, I discovered the diverse garden grounds of the Smithsonian Castle. The castle itself is closed for renovations, but the grounds are open to the public and well worth a visit. Flowers, plants, and trees from every corner of the world grow around the castle, each with its own name tag.

I passed the iconic Washington Monument, the WWII Monument, the reflecting pool, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial before arriving at the Lincoln Memorial. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. Best known for abolishing slavery, he set the wheels in motion for others to continue his work, ensuring that every American knew freedom, citizenship, and suffrage. Witnessing his immortalization in this memorial stirred a feeling of pride to be a US citizen, free because of what others had done. It is because of leaders like President Lincoln and so many others that I am able to travel the world today.

A history lover’s playground

After spending some time at Lincoln Memorial, I decided it was dinner time. I walked along the river toward CitizenM, where I had spectacular views of the Washington Monument and Thomas Jefferson Memorial as the sun was setting. Overall, the National Mall is a fantastic place to spend a few hours or an entire day sightseeing especially if it is your first time in D.C. When I return to the city, I will likely start back at the National Mall again.

smithsonian museums

In my opinion, the best (and most weatherproof) thing to do in Washington, D.C. is to go to the Smithsonian museums. Surprisingly, a little known fact is that they are all free to enter. This city keeps getting better and better! The Smithsonians have something for everyone, wether you are a solo traveler, a couple, or a family. Interests such as art of every kind, natural history, political history, science, and even US Postal history can be found here.

Natural History Museum

I am a nature lover, so the first Smithsonian I visited was the Natural History Museum. Here you can see taxidermied specimens from every climate, continent, and era. There is aquatic life exhibits, desert exhibits, geological exhibits, and even insects and bats. Before you come here, you should know it is an enormous building and you could easily spend an entire day exploring this museum. Also, it is one of the top attractions for families, so there are a lot of children and it is very loud inside. However, this did not detract from my solo experience, as I’m fascinated by nature in every form.

Postal Museum

Another museum that caught me by surprise was the Postal Museum. I never knew I was interested in the inner workings and history of our country’s postal service until I entered this historic building. The United States Postal Service began with humble means, using horses and dogs to transport mail. The exhibits take you through time and display how communication in the United States evolved, later incorporating trains, cars, ships, and airplanes. Did you know that the US Postal Department issued official Cipher codebooks to Postal Inspectors to use when sending sensitive information by telegraph? Now I do!
My favorite exhibition highlighted a small dog called Owney, now known as the US postal mascot. Owney lived during the late 1800s and traveled on mail trains across the entire country and even to parts of Canada. Railway mail clerks attached tags and medals to his harness, marking all of his destinations. Owney became famous and is a unique and important part of US postal history today, immortalized inside the Postal Museum.

other smithsonians in washington, D.C.

Sadly, I could not get into the highly recommended Air and Space Museum. This collection includes Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 space suit, a 1903 Wright Flyer, the cabin of “Explorer II,” and much more. It even has a model of Starship Enterprise from the iconic show “Star Trek.” Some museums are extremely popular and require a free timed-entry pass. If you are planning a trip to Air and Space, make sure to book ahead of time.
Others in the Smithsonian collection are: African Art Museum, American Art Museum, American History Museum, the Hirshhorn, and the National Zoo. Check out the official Smithsonian website for information.

Where else did I go?

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

I am the granddaughter of a WWII veteran. WWII history is brutal and dark. However, it is a period in American history that needs to be talked about and remembered. The Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. is different from other WWII memorials I have visited in other cities because of its approach. I appreciated the informative nature of the exhibits which not only memorialized the victims but educated onlookers of their circumstances. One thing that I will never forget is the two Holocaust survivors sitting at a table dedicating their time to sharing real life stories and answering questions. I hung on every word, straining to remember their voices and what they looked like. This man and woman had experienced unthinkable loss, witnessed brutality and seen so much death, and yet they understood the historical significance of sharing their stories.

The heaviness of this experience is necessary, in my opinion. Every American should learn the details of the gruesome past during WWII. Overcoming the human brutality toward one another that took place during WWII has, in many ways, united us in humanity. The importance of having museums and memorials such as this is unparalleled.

Botanical Gardens

Another free and popular attraction near Capitol Hill is the United States Botanic Gardens. This particular botanic gardens is special because it contains a sizable number of mature Corpse Flowers. This flower is endangered, with less than 1,000 individuals remaining in the wild. The Corpse Flower only blooms when it has stored enough energy to do so. This does not take place in a cycle and can take years or even more than a decade. It can grow up to 8 feet tall and requires very special conditions to survive. Other than the Corpse Flower, the gardens offer both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Prominently, the tropics room with its 93 ft high glass ceilings and misty air houses a canopy of plant life that supports more biodiversity than any other habitat. The outdoor gardens are host to wildflowers and native species which attract vital pollinators.

National Archives Museum

The National Archives Museum is where Nicholas Cage famously stole the Declaration of Independence. Just kidding, it’s still in there and I saw it! Photography is strictly forbidden inside, (thanks Nick!), so I have no photos of these important documents. The museum houses our country’s most important documents written by our founding fathers, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The pages are enormous- 29 and 3/4″ by 24 and 1/2″ and extremely worn, the ink faded and barely legible. Regardless of readability, I could have stood there and stared at the faded signatures all day.

The museum’s collection also includes important documents such as the Magna Carta, my personal favorite. This 13th century European document served as inspiration to the first American settlers as an attempt of Democracy. It states, “No freeman shall be taken, imprisoned, disseised, outlawed, banished, or in any way destroyed, nor will We proceed against or prosecute him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.” The beautiful handwritten script on calfskin is revered as one of the most important historical documents of Democracy.

Dining in Washington, D.C.

There is no shortage of dining options in D.C. Wether you grab a bite from a food truck, slow down at a cafe, or make a dinner reservation complete with Michelin stars, D.C. is a city full of amazing food. Since I was only doing a weekend trip, I decided to treat myself a bit.

My first stop was a Lebanese restaurant near the waterfront called Ilili. You need to try the charred octopus and moussaka here! The staff was so sweet and welcomed me as a solo traveler.

Hank’s Oyster Bar is a great lunch spot for one of my favorite pairings, beer and oysters. The oysters are fresh, the service is prompt and professional, and the beer is cold. Hank’s is located on the waterfront and is a great stop if you are exploring this area.

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana transported me to Mexico with its authentic flavors. The chef’s tasting included several courses of traditional Oaxacan style dishes, each one more delicious than the last. The dessert came home in a box with me, and I left happy.

Camp Wharf at the Firepit is something every city should have. This tiny camper sells all the s’mores fixings and you sit around a fire pit for a good old fashioned campfire. Laugh. Make friends. It’s genius.

what to bring to washington, D.C.

Essentials you need to pack for a weekend trip in D.C.

• Comfortable walking shoes- I walked about 20 miles in 48 hours
• Water bottle- I was in D.C. in July. It is HOT and very humid in the summer!
• Camera
• Day bag
• Note pad & pen- I did not think I would need this. I used it to make a list of attractions I could absolutely not leave without seeing and checked them off as I went.
• Light clothing, preferably moisture-wicking
• Sunscreen
• Downloaded Apps so you’re ready to get around
• Sunglasses if you go in the summer
• WWR Travel Guides for reading on the plane

a city for america, by americans

my perspective of Washington, D.C.

I still have a whole lot to see in this city. This solo trip helped me rediscover my love for history and where I come from. My ability to book a flight and be in another place freely is because of those who came before. I am grateful to those who cared enough to advocate for the betterment of humankind as a whole. D.C. is without a doubt one of my favorite cities and I can’t wait to return. The United States is a young country and also one that has traveled an unmistakably rocky road to arrive to where we are today.

My takeaway from this trip is that kindness will always persevere and rise up above oppression, above hatred, above malice, above discrimination. Every human deserves love, happiness, fairness, and to be treated with kindness. It is the sole responsibility of each and every person to choose kindness every day in every way. In this way, on this day, I am proud to be an American.