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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.

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.