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1 day · Washington DC itinerary

Washington, D.C. in 1 Day: The Perfect One-Day Itinerary

Only have one day in the capital? See the Mall and the monuments. Here is how to spend one perfect day in Washington, D.C. — plus the best-rated tours to book.

At a glance

  1. 1Morning Mall
  2. 2Capitol & Archives
  3. 3A Smithsonian
  4. 4Monuments by night

Morning: the Mall

The monuments and a Smithsonian.

Afternoon: Capitol

The Capitol and National Archives.

Evening: by night

The illuminated memorials.

Book the experiences in this itinerary

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

Tour notturno dei monumenti e dei memoriali di Washington DC
Washington Dc
Tour notturno dei monumenti e dei memoriali di Washington DC
5.0(281)·3 ore
da$89/ persona
via Viator
Festeggia il 250° : Tour del National Mall + Biglietti per il Monumento a Washington
Washington Dc
Festeggia il 250° : Tour del National Mall + Biglietti per il Monumento a Washington
4.9(222)·3 ore
da$68/ persona
via Viator
Monumenti e Memoriali Tour architettonico a piedi
Washington Dc
Monumenti e Memoriali Tour architettonico a piedi
4.8(19)·2 ore
da$48/ persona
via Viator
Tour notturno di Washington DC: luoghi iconici, monumenti SMALL GROUP
Washington Dc
Tour notturno di Washington DC: luoghi iconici, monumenti SMALL GROUP
4.7(61)·3 ore
da$45/ persona
via Viator
Tour notturno dei monumenti DC con 10 + fermate, National Mall, biglietti
Washington Dc
Tour notturno dei monumenti DC con 10 + fermate, National Mall, biglietti
4.6(5,504)·3 ore
da$63/ persona
via Viator
Tour guidato della città in minibus dei monumenti e dei memoriali DC
Washington Dc
Tour guidato della città in minibus dei monumenti e dei memoriali DC
4.5(24)·3 ore
da$49/ persona
via Viator

Washington, D.C. in 1 day — FAQ

Can you see Washington, D.C. in one day?
Yes — tour the National Mall monuments and a Smithsonian museum in the morning, the Capitol and Archives in the afternoon, and the illuminated memorials on an evening tour.
What is the best one-day DC tour?
A guided National Mall monuments tour combined with a Smithsonian highlights visit and a memorials-by-night tour is the perfect one-day plan.
Is one day enough for Washington, D.C.?
One day covers the Mall and monuments; add days for more Smithsonian museums, Arlington and a Potomac cruise.

Explore more in Washington DC

Monuments & MemorialsCapitol & ArchivesSmithsonian MuseumsMonuments by NightPotomac CruisesArlington Cemetery