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Home/Destinations/Washington DC/Washington, D.C. in 2 days
2 days · Washington DC itinerary

Washington, D.C. in 2 Days: The Ideal Itinerary

Two days in D.C. add the Capitol and Arlington. This 2-day itinerary covers the monuments, the Smithsonian and a Potomac cruise — with the top-rated tours to book.

At a glance

  1. 1Day 1: Mall & monuments
  2. 2Day 2: Capitol & Arlington
  3. 3Smithsonian
  4. 4Potomac cruise

Day 1: the Mall

Monuments and Smithsonian museums.

Day 2: Capitol & Arlington

Government buildings and the cemetery.

Extra: cruise

A scenic Potomac River cruise.

Book the experiences in this itinerary

Top-rated tours for exactly what this plan recommends in Washington DC — prices per person.

Private Pedicab Tour of DC Monuments and Memorials
Washington Dc
Private Pedicab Tour of DC Monuments and Memorials
5.0(104)·1 hour
from$270/ person
via Viator
DC: US Capitol & Library of Congress / Supreme Court Guided Tour
Washington Dc
DC: US Capitol & Library of Congress / Supreme Court Guided Tour
5.0(249)·3–4 hours
from$65/ person
via Viator
Arlington Cemetery & Changing of the Guard Exclusive Guided Tour
Washington Dc
Arlington Cemetery & Changing of the Guard Exclusive Guided Tour
5.0(154)·2h 30min
from$55/ person
via Viator
Classic Monuments & Memorials Tour
Washington Dc
Classic Monuments & Memorials Tour
5.0(83)·3 hours
from$554/ person
via Viator
Skip-the-Line National Archives VIP ALL ACCESS Tour Semi-Private
Washington Dc
Skip-the-Line National Archives VIP ALL ACCESS Tour Semi-Private
5.0(220)·1h–2h 30min
from$69/ person
via Viator
Veteran-Led Arlington National Cemetery Walking Tour
Washington Dc
Veteran-Led Arlington National Cemetery Walking Tour
5.0(89)·3 hours
from$54/ person
via Viator
Small Group National Mall Tour with Washington Monument
Washington Dc
Small Group National Mall Tour with Washington Monument
5.0(79)·2h 30min
from$55/ person
via Viator
National Archives Skip-the-Line Express Guided Tour
Washington Dc
National Archives Skip-the-Line Express Guided Tour
5.0(121)·1 hour
from$59/ person
via Viator

Washington, D.C. in 2 days — FAQ

Is 2 days enough for Washington, D.C.?
Two days lets you see the Mall, monuments and a Smithsonian on day one, and the Capitol and Arlington Cemetery on day two, with a Potomac cruise to round it off.
What should I not miss in 2 days in DC?
The National Mall monuments, a Smithsonian museum, the US Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, and the memorials by night.
Is Arlington Cemetery worth visiting?
Yes — the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Changing of the Guard and the Kennedy gravesites make Arlington a moving and memorable visit.

Explore more in Washington DC

Monuments & MemorialsCapitol & ArchivesSmithsonian MuseumsMonuments by NightPotomac CruisesArlington Cemetery