The second inaugural address and the Gettysburg Address, both of which are inscribed on the memorial's opposing walls, are two of the man of few (but potent) words' most well-known addresses. Aficionados of art history and architecture will also appreciate the building's eye-catching Henry Bacon design, which has 38 Doric columns. Although most people concur that visiting the Lincoln Memorial during the day or at night is worthwhile, many recent visitors claim that the most interesting time to go is after dark when the attraction is lit and less crowded. Additionally, cooler evenings will improve comfort during busy summertime travel.

Although the Lincoln Memorial is open for free viewing every day of the year, National Park Service rangers are only on duty from 9:30 am to 10 pm. The memorial is located at the western end of the National Mall, which may be accessed on foot or by using the National Mall bus provided by the DC Circulator from the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station. One of the most well-liked stops on many of the city's top bus excursions is the Lincoln Memorial. Consult the official Lincoln Memorial page of the National Park Service for more information.

• Ranking: #1 in Best Things to Do in Washington, D.C.

Location: 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW
Price & Hours: Free & 24/7 daily

Phone: 202 426-6841

Website: https://www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm

Recent visitors remarked that reading the names on the wall would make even the hardest people cry. They also mentioned that their visits to the monument were tragic but thought-provoking and powerful. If you're looking for a certain person, keep in mind that the names of the soldiers are listed in chronological order rather than alphabetical order. Additionally, visitors are advised to use the attraction's name books and go during the day when there is a lot of light.

Visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial as you stroll down the eastern side of the Mall. The 19 stainless steel statues of soldiers engaged in battle at this privately funded location pay honor to the 1.5 million who participated in "The Forgotten War." Soldier sculptures march toward an American flag in the Field of Service, a triangle-shaped area. The Pool of Remembrance, a serene area for introspection, is another centerpiece of the memorial. The memorial lacks signage, so younger visitors would not grasp as much as those who experienced the battle, some former visitors warned.

While both memorials are open for free exploration at any time, National Park Service rangers are only present from 9:30 am to 10 pm. The Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro stop (on the Blue, Silver, and Orange lines) by the Lincoln Memorial is just a short stroll south on 23rd Street Southwest from the Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans memorials.

• Ranking: #2 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Location: 5 Henry Bacon Drive NW

Price & Hours: Free & 24/7 daily

Phone: 202-426-6841

Website: https://www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm

If this is your first time visiting Washington, D.C., make time to stroll along the Tidal Basin, a 2-mile-long pond that was formerly connected to the Potomac River and provides the backdrop to some of the city's most well-known attractions. The cherry blossom trees that were given to Washington, D.C., each spring bloom into cotton candy-colored tufts, filling the Tidal Basin with color and drawing throngs of tourists. While there is a route that circles the basin, many recent visitors advised paddling around to test the waters. Starting on March 15, you can rent paddle boats for $18 per hour for a two-person boat or $30 per hour for a four-person boat. The boat pier on Maine Avenue is where you may rent a paddle boat every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March 15 through October 9.

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial can all be situated along the Tidal Basin's banks, so even if you can't make it to town for the cherry blossoms, you shouldn't miss them. The nearest Metro stops to the Tidal Basin are Smithsonian (on the Blue, Silver, and Orange lines), and L'Enfant Plaza, if you're taking public transportation (accessible from the Blue, Silver, Orange, Yellow, and Green lines). The DC Circulator's National Mall bus line is another option for getting there. If you're planning a trip during the summer, bring plenty of water to prepare for D.C.'s oppressive heat. for additional insider advice on traveling during the Cherry Blossom Festival in the spring.

• Ranking: #3 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Location: West Potomac Park

Price & Hours: Free & 24/7 daily

Website: https://www.nps.gov/articles/dctidalbasin.htm

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum draws millions of visitors each year and houses a vast collection of renowned aircraft. A flying simulator, an IMAX theater, and the Einstein Planetarium are among the attractions. Beware, parents—the three-level gift shop is enormous, so be prepared for pleading from your children. Visitors advise coming early to escape the busiest crowds, which are sure to gather, particularly once summer arrives. Some claim that the museum's exhibits are beginning to look worn, but others maintain that families and aviation aficionados must still visit this attraction.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is free to visit, although there are admission fees for the IMAX theater and planetarium. But every day at 10:30 a.m., a free show is presented at the planetarium. For other performances, admission is $9 for adults and $7.50 for children aged 2 to 12. Except for Christmas Day, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the eastern side of the National Mall. The National Mall bus route for the DC Circulator also stops by the museum. Smithsonian is the closest Metro station, and it is reachable via the Blue, Silver, and Orange lines.

• Ranking: #4 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Location: 600 Independence Ave. SW

Price & Hours: Free & 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Phone: 202-633-2214

Website: https://airandspace.si.edu/

To visit this somber museum that focuses on the horrors of the Holocaust during World War II, you need to be in the appropriate state of mind. As you move through the exhibits — on Hitler's rise to power, anti-Semitic propaganda, and the horrors of the Final Solution — you will receive updates on the welfare of the person whose name and personal information are on the identification card you are given when you first enter the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Although previous visitors were touched by this inspiring museum, they did warn that younger children might not enjoy its vivid collection. Many others expressed their admiration for its detailed, educational, and courteous exhibitions, saying that one could easily spend several hours wandering around its hallways. Visitors to the museum's permanent exhibit are not required to purchase tickets; however, throughout the spring and summer, tickets are necessary and frequently sell out, so you may want to consider doing so. All year long, the Hall of Remembrance, the Survivors and Victims Resource Center, a library, bathrooms, and a gift shop can all be viewed without a ticket.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum does not charge admission, but there is a $1 transaction fee for tickets purchased through the museum's website. With longer hours in the spring, the site is open every day from 10 a.m. until 5:20 p.m. (apart from Yom Kippur and Christmas Day). The Washington Monument and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture are nearby. The museum is accessible by taking the Metro to Smithsonian station or the National Mall bus to stop No. 6 on the DC Circulator.

• Ranking: #5 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.
  

Location: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW

Price & Hours: Free & 10 a.m.-5:20, 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. daily

Phone: 202.488.0406

Website: https://www.ushmm.org/

If you consider yourself an art enthusiast in any way, you should visit the National Gallery of Art. This museum has enough to keep you busy for an entire afternoon. Pace yourself and perhaps order a coffee, gelato, or lunch at one of the gallery's five bars and cafes. The East Building houses the gallery's more contemporary works (think: Henri Matisse and Mark Rothko), and the West Building houses the collection's older works (from Sandro Botticelli to Claude Monet).

Additionally, previous guests advise going to the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden on a Friday night throughout the summer from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for some music. Or, visitors advise attending one of the free performances held in the auditorium of the East Building and the East and West Garden courts of the West Building. From February to June, the latter are accessible every Sunday evening.

On Monday through Saturday, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, it is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Numerous free self-directed, guided, and audio tours are offered. Depending on availability, free special exhibitions and bigger group guided tours are also provided. By using the Yellow or Green Metro lines and getting off at Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter station, you can go to the National Gallery of Art.

• Ranking: #6 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Location: Sixth and Constitution Avenue Northwest

Price & Hours: Free & Mon-Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Phone: 202.737.4215

Website: https://www.nga.gov/

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which was created and is named after America's revered president from Camelot, is highly recommended by many tourists. The National Symphony Orchestra, the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and the Washington National Opera, as well as a variety of other theater and musical productions throughout the year, are all housed at the Kennedy Center. On the Millennium Stage, you can watch a performance without paying anything, despite the somewhat high ticket prices.

According to previous guests who praised the facility for its performances, the rooftop terrace at The Kennedy Center provides spectacular views of the Potomac River and the surrounding area. Recent visitors advise taking one of the building's free guided tours to understand more about the history and architecture of the theater. On weekdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., theater volunteers offer tours several times daily.

From the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station, a free shuttle bus travels to The Kennedy Center. The building's garage is also open for paid parking everyday from 6 a.m. to midnight. The box office is open every day from 10 a.m. or noon to 9 p.m., and there are theater performances scheduled throughout the day. Inside are restrooms, a gift store, and two restaurants.

• Ranking: #7 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Location: 2700 F St. NW

Price & Hours: Free & Hours vary

Phone: (202) 416-8000

Website: https://www.kennedy-center.org/

This expansive Smithsonian museum on the National Mall draws millions of visitors every year thanks to its extensive collection of over 126 million objects. You may also visit the Butterfly Pavilion for some fluttery fun with multicolored bugs or the Samuel C. Johnson IMAX Theater for a performance. A visit to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History would also be incomplete without a stop in the David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins, which charts the evolution of the human species over the past 6 million years and features life-size models of ancient human faces created using contemporary forensic methods. The exhibition "The Last American Dinosaurs: Discovering a Lost World" on the second-floor features dinosaur fossils.

Despite the fact that families tend to like this museum the most, previous visitors noted it has something to offer everyone. Even yet, if you don't want to mix with the masses, consider visiting the resort during the week rather than on the weekends, holidays, or the busy summer season. Recent visitors to the museum also advised setting aside some time for the Hope Diamond exhibition.

The IMAX theater and the Butterfly Pavilion are two attractions at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History that charge admission. Children aged 2 to 12 can enter the Butterfly Pavilion for $5 while adults must pay $9 for IMAX films, while those aged 2 to 12 must pay $7.50. The museum is open to visitors every day from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, with later hours during the summer. By taking the National Mall bus from the DC Circulator or the Metro to the Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, or Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter stations, you can get there.

• Ranking: #8 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Location: 1000 Constitution Avenue Northwest

Price & Hours: Free & 24/7 daily

Phone: (202) 633-2950

Website: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/

Even though you'll probably cry while seeing the grounds, previous visitors praised this exhibit as "phenomenal" and highly recommended. However, keep in mind that this establishment is still relatively new, so you will need to get a free timed access card. The day at 6:30 a.m., same-day tickets are made available, and on the first Wednesday of every month at 9:00 a.m., advance passes for visits that are three months away are made available on the museum's ticket page. Until supplies run out, both are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, on weekdays beginning at 1 p.m., a limited number of walk-up passes are distributed.

By taking the National Mall bus from the DC Circulator or the Blue, Orange, or Silver lines of the Metro to Smithsonian station or Federal Triangle station, visitors can get to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. Visitors have access to the museum's 12 galleries, as well as a gift shop, toilets, and the Sweet Home Café, with a walk-up or timed entrance card. There are no guided tours available, however, visitors can download the free mobile app for the attraction to hear audio narration about some of the museum's exhibits. Except on Christmas Day, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day.

• Ranking: #9 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.
  

Location: 1400 Constitution Ave. NW

Price & Hours: Free & 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily

Phone: 844.750.3012

Website: https://nmaahc.si.edu/

The Washington National Cathedral, which was built in the Gothic style and is surrounded by gardens, offers tourists a comfortable setting. Explore the cathedral's exterior to see its tall vaults and flying buttresses, or go inside to see its elaborate stained-glass windows. The cathedral's Gargoyle Tour is another noteworthy feature. You can take this trip and get an opportunity to admire the granite grotesques and gargoyles on the structure. The cathedral's impressive architecture and vibrant stained-glass windows recently captivated tourists. Every Sunday at 8, 9, and 11:15 a.m., there are three free worship sessions available for anyone who identifies as religious. On Sundays at 4 p.m., there are additional evening prayers led by the choir.

Daily tours of the Washington National Cathedral are open to visitors. On Monday through Saturday, standard Highlights tours begin at 10:15 a.m., and on Sundays, they begin at 1 p.m. The entrance fees to the cathedral, which are $12 for adults and $8 for minors between the ages of 5 and 17, cover these tours. Children under 4 are admitted free. Other tour tickets range in price from $5 to $75. Cleveland Park station, which is about a mile away and located next to the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, is the nearest Metro stop to the Washington National Cathedral. Additionally, a number of buses stop nearby, and the cathedral's underground parking garage offers fee-based parking. There is also a cafe and gift shop on the property.

• Ranking: #10 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Location: 2101 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Price & Hours: Free & Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Phone: (202) 537-6200

Website: https://cathedral.org/

Previous visitors praise Arlington National Cemetery Tours' trolley trip, although they caution that the outing is quite pricy at $15 for adults, $7.25 for kids aged 3 to 11, and $11 for seniors 65 and older. The tour makes visits to the cemetery's prominent sights, such as the John F. Kennedy Gravesite and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Be prepared for a sobering experience when you go, and remember to show respect when you visit the many memorials and stroll through the cemetery.

Arlington National Cemetery is open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from April through September and from 5 p.m. to 3 p.m. from October to March. It is reasonably inexpensive and simple to cross the Potomac River and reach the cemetery from the District because the cemetery has its own Metro stop, Arlington Cemetery Station. (Keep in mind that Arlington, Virginia, is home to the Arlington Cemetery.) In addition, the cemetery provides $2/hour automatic parking directly across Memorial Avenue.

• Ranking: #11 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Location: Arlington

Price & Hours: Free

Phone: 877-907-8585

Website: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/

The World War II Memorial, a well-liked monument, was established in 2004 to honor the more than 400,000 Americans who lost their lives in the conflict. The Rainbow Pool is surrounded by a circle of 56 pilings that stand for the 56 states and territories that existed at the time. This memorial can appear rather ethereal at night when the lights are blazing. After viewing the World War II Memorial. Although there will be other tourists there in the spring and summer, past visitors advise planning your trip at one of these times so you may take in the fountains and waterfalls at the memorial.

Taking the National Mall bus from the DC Circulator or the Blue, Silver, or Orange lines of the Metro to Smithsonian station will take you to the World War II Memorial, which is situated on the National Mall's major thoroughfare between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. It is also a prominent stop on many of the top bus excursions in the city. Although visitors are welcome to explore the site at any time, National Park Service rangers are only present there from 9:30 am to 10 pm every day. Consult the official World War II Memorial page of the National Park Service for more information.

• Ranking: #12 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.
  

Location: 1750 Independence Ave. SW

Price & Hours: Free & 24/7 daily

Phone: 202-426-6841

Website: https://www.nps.gov/wwii/index.htm

The National Archives Museum, a repository of the founding documents of the United States, is a popular destination for tourists and usually always has long admission lines. When you do enter, though, you will find the Emancipation Proclamation, a copy of the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The museum, which is close to the Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter Metro station on the Green and Yellow lines, is filled with more engaging and family-friendly exhibits. Conveniently, the museum is a well-liked stop on many of the greatest bus excursions in the city.

This museum is fun to visit if you like history. There is a service charge of $1.50 per ticket for reserving free passes on Recreation.gov's website, although users report that buying advance tickets will prevent long entry lines. Additionally, keep your camera in your hotel room since photography is not allowed within the structure. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., however, visitors are not allowed to enter after 5 p.m. All of the museum's displays, in addition to a gift shop, a cafe, and restrooms, are accessible to ticket holders. Free guided tours can also be scheduled in advance through Recreation.gov for the weekdays.

• Ranking: #13 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.
  

Location: 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Price & Hours: Free & 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily

Website: https://museum.archives.gov/

Any first-time visitor to Washington, D.C. should make time to see the White House and Washington Monument, two marbleized representations of the free world, even if they are only in town for a short period. And today, you may take a glass-enclosed elevator up to the monument's top observation deck to take in 360-degree views of the city. The attraction's exterior can be explored for free all day long, but National Park Service rangers are only accessible to answer inquiries from 9:30 am to 10 pm. Every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., people can see the monument itself.

The White House is situated next to the Washington Monument to the north. If you decide to take a tour of the building, you can go to the State Floor, which has the East Room, Green Room, and Blue Room. You must make arrangements with the office of your senator or House representative at least 21 days in advance to take part in a tour, and keep in mind that last-minute cancellations sometimes occur. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and Friday and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., are the hours for self-guided tours. Recent tourists advise coming at least 15 minutes early because security lines can be lengthy (particularly during the summer). The Blue, Silver, and Orange lines' Farragut West, McPherson Square, Metro Center, and Federal Triangle stops, as well as those on the Red Line's Farragut North and Metro Center, are all close to the White House. Consult the White House's official website to arrange your visit. The best bus tours and a number of the city's top guided excursions include stops at the White House and the Washington Monument.

• Ranking: #14 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Location: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Price & Hours: Free & 24/7 daily

Website:https://www.whitehouse.gov/

The U.S. Capitol, arguably Washington's most spectacular structure, is where tourists flock to see politics in action. While visitors tour the north and south wings of the structure and its circular center, the Rotunda, members of both chambers of Congress meet within to discuss and draft laws and policies for the country. This hall is famed for its paintings, murals, and sculptures that reflect significant moments in American history.

The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is the only place you may tour the Capitol for free, but if you want to go anywhere, you'll need to make an appointment well in advance. With the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Inauguration Day, the U.S. The Capitol Visitor Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. You can purchase passes online or on the day of your visit. You must get free passes from your senator's office or your house representative's office, respectively, if you want to visit the Senate or House of Representatives galleries. It can be challenging to find same-day tour permits during the busiest travel times, such as spring and summer, so book your plans in advance. The majority of visitors think that the U.S. Capitol is well worth a visit, despite some travelers' conflicting opinions on whether it is worth the time and effort.

Consider taking a stroll (and a few pictures) outside the structure if you're not all that interested in examining its interior. You'll have expansive views of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial thanks to the Capitol's prominent location at the eastern end of the National Mall. The Capitol may be reached most easily from the Union Station stop or the Capitol South Metro stop on the Blue, Silver, and Orange lines (Red Line). Visit the official website of the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center for further details. The Library of Congress is accessible to the public Monday through Saturday, though varied visitation hours apply to each building. Free one-hour guided tours of the Thomas Jefferson Building are offered Monday through Saturday; there are no entrance fees for this site. Visitors may also attend free events and exhibitions offered by the Library of Congress.

• Ranking: #15 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Location: East Capitol Street & First Street Southeast

Price & Hours: Free & Hours vary by building.

Phone: 202-226-8000

Website: https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/