Things to Do in Washington, D.C.: Tours, Tickets & Day Trips
Wondering what to do in Washington, D.C.? Almost everything worth seeing is free — the Smithsonian museums, the monuments, the Capitol, the Archives and Arlington — so the question is how to cover the distances. Day one: the National Mall by guided trolley, bike or electric cart (about $40–60), from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, then the monuments again after dark when they are lit and empty. Day two: the Capitol and the Library of Congress in the morning (timed passes, or a tour with reserved entry), two Smithsonian museums in the afternoon. Day three: Arlington’s Changing of the Guard, Georgetown and a Potomac cruise, or a day trip to George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria, half an hour south. Three days is right for most visitors; four lets you add Gettysburg or Annapolis. Compare every D.C. tour and ticket below by rating and price, most with free cancellation.
763 tours · prices per person, book with partner
Washington Dc
DC Monuments Night Tour with 10+ Stops, National Mall, Tickets
from$63/ person
via Viator
Washington Dc
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour
from$105/ person
via Viator
All experiences in Washington DC — FAQ
What are the top things to do in Washington, D.C.?
By traveller reviews: a National Mall monuments tour by trolley, bike or cart, the monuments by night, the US Capitol and Library of Congress, the Air and Space and Natural History museums, the National Archives, Arlington National Cemetery and the Changing of the Guard, a Potomac River cruise, Georgetown, the International Spy Museum and a Mount Vernon day trip. All of them are compared below.
How many days do you need in Washington, D.C.?
Three days: the Mall and monuments (day and night) on day one, the Capitol and two Smithsonian museums on day two, Arlington, Georgetown and the river on day three. Add a fourth day for Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria, or Gettysburg and Annapolis further out. Museum lovers can easily fill five days.
What can you do in Washington, D.C. for free?
All 17 Smithsonian museums (Air and Space needs a free timed pass), the National Zoo, the National Gallery of Art, every monument and memorial on the Mall, the US Capitol tour (free timed passes), the Library of Congress, the National Archives with the Declaration and Constitution, Arlington National Cemetery, the US Botanic Garden, the Kennedy Center’s free 6 p.m. Millennium Stage shows and the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin in spring.
Do Washington, D.C. tours offer free cancellation?
Most experiences listed here can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time. The policy is shown on each tour before you book.