Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States of America and one of the most famous cities in the country. It was created a little more than two centuries ago on the border between two states, Virginia and Maryland, and in fact it does not belong to any of the 50 states, but is a federal district.
Walking around Washington you realize that it is the perfect city to be the American capital, but it is not by chance. The city was built from nothing for that purpose. Everything was planned and designed to become the center of the country and the world.
Is it possible to visit Washington D.C in a weekend?
It is relatively easy to get around the must-see Washington in a weekend, because most of its monuments are located on the National Mall, an esplanade that stretches from the Abraham Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol. Although the distance between the extreme points is only 4 km, it is a walk that will require a day because of the number of monuments, gardens and interesting museums that you can visit.
The best way to move around Washington D.C is by bike: Capital BikeShare - you can buy a 24hr day pass for 8$ and move around the city with multiple stations to leave the bike.
Where to sleep in Washington?
In Washington, as in the larger cities on the East Coast of the United States, lodging tends to be quite expensive. However, you will be able to find reasonable options. We stayed in the business district which was very calm during the weekend. However, in this area there are not many restaurants or bars around. But, we where very close to the National Mall and the The Wharf.
Our hotel: citizenM Washington DC Capitol hotel
Where to eat in Washington?
On the National Mall, you won't find any restaurants but many food trucks with different types of food. Although they are quite expensive, it is a good option for not having to go far from the area.
For dinner we went to Jaleo By Jose Andres, a Spanish restaurant: 480 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
The last day we ate in Chinatown in a very recommendable place:
WASAI - 716 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
The noodles were delicious! A quick and cheap option.
What to see in Washington DC in one weekend
1. National mall, one of Washington D.C.'s most visited places
The National Mall is the name given to the large garden area surrounded by museums and monuments that stretches from the Washington Monument to the Capitol.
In addition to the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, the National Mall is home to other important sites such as the Smithsonian, the world's largest museum complex, the Botanical Garden and various war memorials.
2. The Capitol, a must see in Washington D.C.
The Capitol is one of the must-see sites in Washington DC. It is not only a symbol of the city, but of the entire United States, so you can't miss it. It houses the two chambers of the U.S. Congress, the Senate (in the north wing) and the House of Representatives (in the south wing).
Of a pristine white and neoclassical style, it was one of the first buildings built in the city and it was George Washington, the first president of the United States, who laid the first stone in 1793. It stands out, above all, its majestic dome, which reaches 88 meters high, making it one of the tallest buildings in the city and visible from almost any point.
In addition to having a lot of political and historical symbolism, and being one of the main places of interest in Washington D.C., there are free guided tours every day from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. that depart from the visitor's center. Reservations are required.
3. Washington Monument, an important monument to see in Washington D.C.
The Washington Monument is located on the National Mall, between the Capitol and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, and located in front of the White House. This 169-meter-high white obelisk was between 1884 and 1889 the tallest structure in the world. It is made mainly of marble, granite and sandstone, and today it can be seen from almost any point in the city.
Although its construction was decided 10 days after the death of former President George Washington and in his honor, it took almost 40 years to complete due to lack of funds caused by the Civil War.
The entrance is free and although it is not necessary, if you want to secure your place it is highly recommended to reserve here. If not, you can do the queue every morning from 7am to try and get tickets.
4. Washington National World War II Memorial
The National World War II Memorial is also located on the National Mall, between the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument, so you will pass by it almost unintentionally.
To me, outside of the significance that this monument has, dedicated to Americans who died in World War II, I find it one of the most beautiful monuments to see in Washington D.C.
It stands out for having 56 granite pillars of 5 meters each with the name of one of the 48 principal states, territories and associated free states that make up the United States arranged in two semicircles facing each other and separated by an oval pool.
In the middle of each semicircle there is a 13-meter triumphal arch on which one can read "Atlantic" in the northern semicircle and "Pacific" in the southern semicircle.
5. Abraham Lincoln Memorial, a place to visit in Washington D.C.
At the other end of the National Mall and with the Potomac River behind it, is the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, one of the main monuments to see in Washington D.C.
It began construction in 1914 in a style reminiscent of the Doric temples of ancient Greece, with 36 columns 10 meters high. Mostly limestone and marble were used to maintain the same opulent white appearance as the rest of the city's official buildings. Inside, a 6-meter-high sculpture shows Abraham Lincoln seated.
6. The White House, one of the country's most emblematic buildings
Among the sites to visit in Washington D.C., the White House requires a little more planning, as you will need to make a request to visit between 3 months and 21 days before the scheduled date.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need to contact a member of Congress from your state here. In any case, you must send by email this information for all those who are going to visit the White House: full name, date of birth, address of residence, sex, citizenship, date you want to visit the White House and passport. If you are an American citizen you must also provide your Social Security number and, if you are a foreigner, the address where you will be staying in Washington DC.
There are a limited number of visits per day, so the earlier you request it, the easier it will be to be available on the day you have chosen. Visiting hours are from 7:30 am to 11:30 am from Tuesday to Thursday and from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. If your application is approved, you will be given specific visiting hours and be sure to arrive at least half an hour early, as you will need to go through security.
7. Thomas Jefferson Memorial, another monument to visit in Washington D.C.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is another of the most popular places to visit in Washington D.C.. This monument dedicated to the third president of the United States, and one of the Founding Fathers of the Nation, has a neoclassical style that matches the rest of the monuments in Washington D.C., where pristine white prevails. It stands out for its marble steps and its dome that reaches 39 meters high, which can be seen from the National Mall, on the banks of the Tidal Basin. In particular, it is aligned with the Washington Monument and the White House.
Inside there is a 6-meter high statue of Jefferson and different engravings on the walls, which are fragments of the writings of the former president.
8. Martin Luther King Memorial, a must-see in Washington D.C
The Martin Luther King Memorial is one of the few monuments on the National Mall not dedicated to a president. It is located in West Potomac Park, very close to the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, right on the spot where he delivered his much-acclaimed "I have a dream" speech in 1963.
Recommendation: Rent a bike and cycle through the Potomac Park with amazing views of the lake and the National Mall.
9. National Museum of Natural History, a museum to see in Washington D.C
The National Museum of Natural History, also on the National Mall, is another of the most popular museums to visit in Washington D.C.. If you want to visit it, go a while before it opens, as there are usually long lines. The best thing is that all museums are free!
In the museum you will see an impressive collection of stuffed animals, usually in a setting that simulates the natural habitat where that species is found.
10. Ford Theater, the place where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated
Ford's Theatre has been offering performances since 1860. But, without a doubt, it has become one of the main places to visit in Washington D.C. for being the place where the then President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, when the American Civil War was coming to an end.
It is well worth a visit to understand what happened that night. There is also a ranger who explains perfectly all the details. You can even see the area where he was killed inside the theater. You can also visit the house across the street, where Lincoln was taken and where he died hours later.
11. Chinatown
The city's Chinatown is accessed through the Friendship Arch, a very typical door of these neighborhoods. As in all American cities, Chinatown is a world apart with stores that have signs only in Chinese and is also a good place to eat well and cheap.
12. The Wharf
Home to the nation's oldest continuously operating outdoor fish market, The Wharf has been transformed into one of DC's most exciting waterfront destinations. Entertainment, restaurants and sustainable retail connect the rest of the District to Southwest and The Wharf.
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