Washington D.C. Travel Guide
Facts and practical information
Washington D.C., formally known as the District of Columbia, stands as the capital of the United States and a city steeped in the nation's history and politics. It is a place where the American past and present converge, offering a multitude of attractions for visitors interested in the political, cultural, and historical aspects of American life.
The city is home to iconic landmarks such as the U.S. Capitol, where the nation's laws are crafted, and the White House, the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. The National Mall is a verdant expanse in the heart of the city, bordered by the Capitol on one end and the Lincoln Memorial on the other, with the towering Washington Monument standing as a central focal point.
Museums and galleries abound in Washington D.C., with the Smithsonian Institution offering a collection of free museums, including the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of Natural History. The National Gallery of Art and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum are also key cultural institutions that draw numerous visitors each year.
The city is not just about monuments and museums; it also boasts vibrant neighborhoods like Georgetown, with its charming cobblestone streets, boutique shops, and lively culinary scene. For those interested in performing arts, the Kennedy Center provides a venue for a variety of shows, including theater, dance, and orchestral performances.
Washington D.C. is also a city of green spaces and parks. Rock Creek Park provides an escape from the urban environment with its trails and recreational opportunities, while the Tidal Basin is renowned for its cherry blossoms that bloom spectacularly each spring, attracting tourists and locals alike.
Furthermore, the city's dining scene is as diverse as its population, with a range of international cuisines reflecting the myriad of cultures represented in the district. From upscale dining experiences to casual eateries and food trucks, Washington D.C. offers gastronomic delights to suit all palates.
Washington D.C. Attractions - What to See and Explore
Washington D.C. offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: White House, National Gallery of Art, Washington Monument, National Air and Space Museum. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.
Things to See and Do in Washington D.C. by Category
Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Washington D.C..
Culture
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Park Vernacular architecture Art gallery Washington Mall 
Ford's Theatre
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Historic performing arts venue
Museum History museum 
National Sylvan Theater
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Concerts and shows Theater Concert hall Washington Mall 
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Renowned performing arts arena
Memorial Theater Washington Mall 
Madame Tussauds DC
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Museum Art museum Art gallery
Shopping
Kramers
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Shopping Bookshop Dupont Circle National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Park Vernacular architecture Art gallery Washington Mall 
H Street
Northeast Washington, Washington D.C.Street Shopping district Shopping H Street-NoMa 
Maine Avenue Fish Market
Southwest Washington, Washington D.C.Shopping Market Flea market 
Mazza Gallerie
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Shopping Shopping centre
Entertainment
All Hallows Guild Carousel
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Amusement Amusement ride Amusement park Woodley Park 
Adams Morgan
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Entertainment district Nightlife Dancing Adams Morgan 
Carousel
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Amusement Amusement ride Amusement park Washington Mall
Active
Nationals Park
Southeast Washington, Washington D.C.Sport Sport venue Navy Yard 
East Potomac Park Golf Course
Southwest Washington, Washington D.C.Golf 
RFK Stadium
Southeast Washington, Washington D.C.Sport Sport venue Arenas and stadiums 
D.C. Armory
Southeast Washington, Washington D.C.Sport Sport venue Capitol Hill 
Capital One Arena
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Sport venue Sport Arenas and stadiums
Museum
White House
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Iconic home of America's president
Museum History museum Washington Mall 
National Gallery of Art
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.American and European art in 2 buildings
Museum Art museum Washington Mall 
National Air and Space Museum
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Exhibit-filled trip across the universe
Museum Science museum Washington Mall 
National Museum of Natural History
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Renowned collection of natural wonders
Museum Natural history museum Washington Mall 
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Southwest Washington, Washington D.C.Living remembrance of the Holocaust
Museum History museum
Park
National Mall
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Smithsonian museums and the White House
Park Washington Mall 
L'Enfant Plan
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Park Washington Mall 
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Acclaimed contemporary art showcase
Museum Art museum Washington Mall 
West Potomac Park
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Park Washington Mall 
National Zoological Park
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Renowned, free zoo with giant pandas
Park Zoo
Monuments and statues
Jefferson Memorial
Southwest Washington, Washington D.C.Classical Roman rotunda upon Tidal Basin
Monuments and statues 
Lincoln Memorial
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Marble monument to the 16th president
Memorial Greek Revival architecture Washington Mall 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Somber monument to U.S. service members
Memorial Monuments and statues Washington Mall 
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Homage to those who served in Korean War
Memorial Monuments and statues Washington Mall 
Statue of Freedom
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Monuments and statues Washington Mall
Church
Washington National Cathedral
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Gothic-style church with music and views
Church Gothic Revival architecture Woodley Park 
St. Dominic Church
Southwest Washington, Washington D.C.Church Sacred and religious sites 
Concordia German Evangelical Church and Rectory
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Church Italianate architecture Gothic Revival architecture 
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Church Romanesque architecture Dupont Circle 
Foundry United Methodist Church
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Church Gothic Revival architecture Dupont Circle
History museum
White House
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Iconic home of America's president
Museum History museum Washington Mall United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Southwest Washington, Washington D.C.Living remembrance of the Holocaust
Museum History museum 
National Portrait Gallery
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Art depicting historic American figures
Museum Greek Revival architecture 
Newseum
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Interactive museum devoted to journalism
Museum History museum 
National Museum of the American Indian
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Native American culture and history
Museum History museum Washington Mall
Memorial
Washington Monument
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Towering tribute to George Washington
Tower Memorial Washington Mall 
National World War II Memorial
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Memorial Washington Mall Lincoln Memorial
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Marble monument to the 16th president
Memorial Greek Revival architecture Washington Mall Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Somber monument to U.S. service members
Memorial Monuments and statues Washington Mall Korean War Veterans Memorial
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Homage to those who served in Korean War
Memorial Monuments and statues Washington Mall
Art museum
National Gallery of Art
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.American and European art in 2 buildings
Museum Art museum Washington Mall National Portrait Gallery
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Art depicting historic American figures
Museum Greek Revival architecture 
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.1868 museum also houses Portrait Gallery
Museum Art museum 
Freer Gallery of Art
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Museum Art museum Washington Mall 
National Museum of African Art
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Colorful African artwork and gifts shop
Museum Art museum Washington Mall
Historical place
Zero Milestone
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Memorial Historical place Monuments and statues Washington Mall 
Hillwood Estate
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Museum History museum Art museum 
Heurich House Museum
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Museum History museum Romanesque architecture Dupont Circle Ford's Theatre
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Historic performing arts venue
Museum History museum 
Arlington Memorial Bridge
South Arlington, Washington D.C.Bridge Historical place
Specialty museum
National Air and Space Museum
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Exhibit-filled trip across the universe
Museum Science museum Washington Mall United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Southwest Washington, Washington D.C.Living remembrance of the Holocaust
Museum History museum Newseum
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Interactive museum devoted to journalism
Museum History museum National Museum of the American Indian
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Native American culture and history
Museum History museum Washington Mall 
Smithsonian Institution Building
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.National landmark and information center
Museum Gothic Revival architecture Washington Mall
Theater
Ford's Theatre
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Historic performing arts venue
Museum History museum National Sylvan Theater
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Concerts and shows Theater Concert hall Washington Mall John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Renowned performing arts arena
Memorial Theater Washington Mall 
Harman Center for the Arts
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Theater 
Warner Theatre
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Neo-renaissance architecture Theater Concerts and shows
Art gallery
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Park Vernacular architecture Art gallery Washington Mall Madame Tussauds DC
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Museum Art museum Art gallery 
Art Museum of the Americas
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Museum Art museum Modern art museum Washington Mall 
Marsha Mateyka Gallery
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Museum Art gallery Dupont Circle 
Honfleur Gallery
Southeast Washington, Washington D.C.Museum Art gallery Anacostia
Sculpture
Martin Luther King
Southwest Washington, Washington D.C.Monument to civil rights leader
Memorial Monuments and statues 
John Ericsson National Memorial
Southwest Washington, Washington D.C.Memorial Sculpture Park 
Major General Marquis Gilbert de Lafayette
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Monuments and statues Sculpture View point Washington Mall 
Albert Einstein Memorial
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Bronze statue of a celebrated scientist
Monuments and statues Sculpture Washington Mall Art Museum of the Americas
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Museum Art museum Modern art museum Washington Mall
Garden
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Acclaimed contemporary art showcase
Museum Art museum Washington Mall 
United States Botanic Garden
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Exotic plants and glass-domed conservatory
Botanical garden Park Washington Mall 
Enid A. Haupt Garden
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Park Garden Washington Mall Hillwood Estate
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Museum History museum Art museum 
Dumbarton Oaks
Northwest Washington, Washington D.C.Museum History museum Art museum Georgetown
Other categories
LibraryBridgeNeighbourhoodStreetConcerts and showsCemeterySacred and religious sitesWashington D.C. – popular in the area (distance from the center)
In the vicinity of Washington D.C., it's worth seeing attractions such as: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Chantilly), Marine Corps War Memorial (Arlington), Great Falls (McLean).
Best Time To Visit Washington D.C.
Learn when is the best time to travel to Washington D.C. weather-wise and what to expect in each season.
District of Columbia