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Washington D.C.
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7 Days · in Washington D.C.

Seven Days in Washington, D.C.: The Complete City Itinerary

A full week lets you experience Washington, D.C. the way residents do, blending marquee sights with slower neighborhood days. The first five days cover the monuments, the Smithsonian museums, historic Georgetown, Capitol Hill, and the U Street and Woodley Park corridor. Days six and seven then reach the history of Anacostia and Frederick Douglass, the gardens of the National Arboretum, the dining of The Wharf, and the dumplings and galleries of Penn Quarter and Chinatown. You'll eat across the city's signature traditions, half-smokes, Ethiopian injera, Chesapeake blue crab, and dumplings, and see its art, architecture, and green spaces. Each day stays geographically tight, so a week feels immersive rather than exhausting.

7 days
Things to DoRestaurantsHotelsPhoto SpotsTravel TipsItinerariesLandmarks

Day 01

The Mall, Monuments & Memorials

The Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Tidal Basin, and a walk down the Mall.

  1. Morning

    Lincoln Memorial

    Start at the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool before crowds gather, the perfect orientation to monumental Washington.

  2. Late Morning

    World War II & Vietnam Memorials

    Walk the WWII Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall, and the Korean War Memorial along the Mall's western end.

  3. Lunch

    Constitution Gardens

    Lunch near Constitution Gardens with the monuments beside you, moments from the afternoon's climb.

  4. Afternoon

    Washington Monument

    Ride to the top of the Washington Monument for the city's best skyline primer; reserve timed tickets ahead.

  5. Late Afternoon

    Tidal Basin

    Circle the Tidal Basin past the Jefferson, FDR, and Martin Luther King Jr. memorials for serene waterside views.

  6. Evening

    Half-smoke dinner

    Close with a classic D.C. half-smoke at Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street, toasting your first day in the capital.

Day 02

The Smithsonian Museums

Air and Space, Natural History, and the National Gallery along the Mall's museum row.

  1. Morning

    National Air and Space Museum

    See the Wright Flyer, the Apollo lunar module, and the newly renovated galleries; arrive early to beat the groups.

  2. Late Morning

    National Museum of Natural History

    Next door, meet the Hope Diamond, the dinosaur hall, and the mammals; free entry means no timed wait.

  3. Lunch

    Mall food & cafes

    Grab a casual lunch at a museum cafe or food truck on the greens between the Capitol and the monuments.

  4. Afternoon

    National Gallery of Art

    Spend two hours with the Impressionists, the West Building rotunda, and the modern East Building.

  5. Late Afternoon

    National Museum of American History

    See the original Star-Spangled Banner, the First Ladies' gowns, and the American innovation exhibits.

  6. Evening

    Penn Quarter dinner

    Dine in Penn Quarter, with options from oysters to modern American along 7th and E Streets.

Day 03

Georgetown & the Waterfront

Canal towpaths, historic townhouses, boutiques, and acclaimed dining west of Rock Creek.

  1. Morning

    C&O Canal Towpath

    Walk or bike the historic C&O Canal towpath through Georgetown amid old lockhouses and shaded paths.

  2. Late Morning

    M Street boutiques

    Browse the shops and cafes around M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, and spot Federal-era architecture on the side streets.

  3. Lunch

    Georgetown waterfront eats

    Grab lunch along the Georgetown Waterfront with river views, or choose from the neighborhood's many casual spots.

  4. Afternoon

    Dumbarton Oaks

    Wander the formal gardens and Byzantine collection at Dumbarton Oaks for a stylish, unhurried afternoon.

  5. Evening

    Georgetown dinner

    Dine along Georgetown's historic blocks among some of the city's best-loved restaurants.

  6. Evening

    Cocktail nightcap

    End with a drink at a Georgetown cocktail bar and the area's refined, historic energy.

Day 04

Capitol Hill & the East End

The Capitol, the Library of Congress, Eastern Market, and the Navy Yard riverfront.

  1. Morning

    United States Capitol

    Tour the Capitol's Rotunda, Statuary Hall, and the visitor center exhibits; book your timed tour well ahead.

  2. Lunch

    Eastern Market

    Lunch at historic Eastern Market among its food stalls, produce vendors, and weekend crafts along 7th Street.

  3. Afternoon

    Library of Congress

    Wander the ornate Thomas Jefferson Building, then step into the Great Hall and the Main Reading Room overlook.

  4. Late Afternoon

    Supreme Court

    Visit the Supreme Court's marble plaza and public exhibits, just across the street from the Library.

  5. Evening

    Barracks Row dinner

    Enjoy dinner along Barracks Row on 8th Street, or head to the Navy Yard for waterfront tables by the Anacostia.

Day 05

Woodley Park, Dupont & U Street

A free zoo, a jewel-box museum, historic circles, and 14th Street dining.

  1. Morning

    Smithsonian National Zoo

    Visit the free national zoo in Woodley Park to see the giant pandas, big cats, and the great apes.

  2. Lunch

    Adams Morgan eats

    Lunch in lively Adams Morgan along 18th Street, from Ethiopian plates to a famous jumbo slice.

  3. Afternoon

    The Phillips Collection

    Head to Dupont Circle's Phillips Collection to see Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party and modern works.

  4. Late Afternoon

    Dupont Circle & Embassy Row

    Relax at the Dupont Circle fountain and stroll Embassy Row's grand Massachusetts Avenue mansions.

  5. Evening

    14th Street dinner

    Dine along 14th Street's restaurant-dense blocks; reserve ahead for the city's top tables.

  6. Evening

    U Street nightcap

    End with live jazz or a drink along historic U Street, once known as Black Broadway.

Day 06

Anacostia & the Riverfront

Frederick Douglass history and art east of the river, a vast arboretum, and Wharf dining.

  1. Morning

    Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

    Start in Anacostia at Cedar Hill, Frederick Douglass's hilltop home, with ranger-led tours and sweeping city views.

  2. Late Morning

    Anacostia Community Museum

    Walk the neighborhood to this Smithsonian museum and its murals, a vivid record of local Black history and culture.

  3. Lunch

    Anacostia lunch

    Enjoy soul food or a mumbo-sauce plate at one of Historic Anacostia's family-run spots.

  4. Afternoon

    U.S. National Arboretum

    Head to this vast federal arboretum, filled with the National Bonsai collection and the iconic Capitol Columns on a meadow.

  5. Evening

    The Wharf

    Return west to The Wharf along the Southwest Waterfront, a redeveloped harbor now packed with celebrated restaurants.

  6. Evening

    Waterfront dinner

    Book dinner along the Wharf's promenade, home to some of D.C.'s most ambitious seafood and Chesapeake crab.

Day 07

Chinatown, Penn Quarter & Farewell

Dumplings and history in Chinatown, plus flexible time for favorites.

  1. Morning

    Chinatown Friendship Archway

    Explore Chinatown's ornate Friendship Archway and the surrounding blocks in the heart of Penn Quarter.

  2. Late Morning

    Chinatown shops

    Browse the bakeries, tea stores, and markets along H and 7th Streets at your own pace.

  3. Lunch

    Dim sum or dumplings

    Feast on dim sum or hand-pulled noodles at one of Chinatown's acclaimed restaurants.

  4. Afternoon

    National Portrait Gallery

    Step into the free National Portrait Gallery and its stunning Kogod Courtyard with its undulating glass canopy.

  5. Late Afternoon

    National Mall revisit

    Return to the Mall for a final leisurely walk, seasonal ice skating at the sculpture garden, or a favorite museum.

  6. Evening

    Farewell dinner downtown

    End the week with a favorite D.C. meal, a half-smoke, Chesapeake crab, or a downtown steakhouse, before departing.