My favorite thing about Washington DC is that you can vacation for free! Of course, you’ll pay for food, transportation, and accommodations, but there is no reason to pay for any activities in our nation’s capital. We did a similar long weekend trip to NYC a few months prior, and that is NOT the case there, so we had extra appreciation for the amazing free museums, historical buildings, and monuments. That left extra funds for some truly amazing restaurants – and that is my favorite way to spend my vacation dollars!

Read on for a jam-packed long weekend itinerary full of activities along with restaurant suggestions!

Day 1 (arrival day)

If you arrive by air travel as we did, I first suggest flying to Reagan International. It’s the closest option to the city center, which is likely where you are headed. The Metro connects directly to the airport, so no need to pay big bucks for a taxi or Uber/Lyft unless you really want to.

My first stop is always the hotel to unload our luggage, even if it’s prior to check-in time. The hotel is happy to hold onto your belongings, either before check-in after check-out the day you leave. It is more challenging if you are using an Airbnb or other lodging with no reception desk. For that reason, unless I travel via car or know I’m arriving after check-in/leaving before check-out, I typically book a hotel.

Now, on to the fun part! You’ve been keeping an eye on the weather leading up to your trip to determine the best way to organize your itinerary (avoiding outdoor activities if heavy rain is expected, etc). For us, the only day guaranteed to be clear was our arrival day, so we decided that was a perfect time for a monument walk!

But First, The Wharf

We were STARVING when we arrived in DC, so our first stop was The Wharf. The Wharf is a mixed-use neighborhood along the waterfront just east of the monuments. The are lots of choices for meals, happy hour, and activities. We enjoyed Lucky Buns, a burger/Asian fusion restaurant. Learn more about the available restaurants in What To Eat. The proximity of the Wharf to the monuments was a huge plus – from there, we walked directly to the Jefferson Memorial.

The Monuments

We have been to DC several times, and the monuments are my favorite part. They are unique to DC and very moving. As long as the weather cooperates, it’s an easy walk through green space to complete the circuit. You can start on the Washington Monument side at the National Mall (most people start here), or from the Jefferson Memorial. We started at the Jefferson Memorial since we were coming from the Wharf to the east.

Memorials South of the Tidal Basin: Jefferson, Roosevelt, and George Mason

From the Jefferson Memorial (a grand building with a beautiful view of the tidal basin and Washington Monument), the next stop is the George Mason Memorial. This was my first time checking out this peaceful area. Next is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Coming in from the east side means you are not going through the memorial in the typical order, which we did NOT realize initially and were a bit confused. The separate areas of the Roosevelt Memorial represent each of the 4 terms. Since we started from the east, we started with the 4th term. This is still one of my favorite memorials, but if you are taking the same pathway we did, skip ahead to the entrance and then backtrack a bit.

Martin Luther King, Jr and Korean War Veterans Memorials

Next, we came to the impressive, imposing Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial – a 30-foot-high carving of the civil rights leader emerging from stone. The memorial is situated along the tidal basin with a view of the Jefferson Memorial. Fun fact: the address of the memorial is 1964 Independence Ave, referencing the 1964 Civil Rights Act!

We crossed Independence Avenue and arrived at the Korean War Veteran’s Memorial. The most striking part of the memorial are statues of the servicemen. The faces of the soldiers are so detailed with lifelike emotions. A wall of remembrance (listing all the names of those who gave their life) was added in 2022. The pool is engraved with the powerful message “Freedom is Not Free”.

The Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is one of the top sites to see in Washington DC. It’s impressive during the day, but its exterior is stunning at night with its Grecian columns lit up artfully. Check out all the monuments and memorials after dark if you can! I plan to take a moonlight monument tour next time, like this one. The memorial was under renovation while I was there, so scaffolding covered a lot of the exterior. First, admire the perfect view of the Washington Monument across the reflecting pool, then start climbing the steps to the entrance. You will find a huge statue of Lincoln, with the Gettysburg Address in its entirety to the left and his 2nd Inaugural Address to the right.

The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, World War II Memorial and Washington Monument

As we wound down our monument tour, we reached the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. This area of remembrance is very emotional, and we saw several veterans there, looking for names on the wall (where the names are seemingly endless). The design was a departure from the other neo-Grecian monuments in Washington. However, after its completion, even its detractors had to admit it made a powerful statement.

World War II Memorial

The expansive World War II Memorial incorporates water features, stone architecture, and bronze sculptures to honor those who served. When you are ready for a break from a long walk, it’s a great spot to sit and take it all in. The memorial is rife with symbolism, such as the wheat and oak wreaths symbolizing the resources sacrificed as well.

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument, recognizable to all, towers over the rest of the city. You can reserve tickets to ride to the top and get an amazing view for the low fee of $1.00. That is for the reservation only, walk up admission is $0 (in keeping with the “free” nature of activities in Washington DC). It’s surrounded by the beautiful green space of the National Mall, and is a feature truly unique to Washington DC.

Day 2: Museum Day

With a tropical storm having arrived overnight, we needed some indoor time! Luckily, there are 17 Smithsonian museums and galleries in Washington DC to choose from (plus the dozens not part of the Smithsonian system). 11 of them are located on the National Mall, so it’s very easy to get from one to the other.

Stop 1 – National Air and Space Museum/National Museum of the American Indian

Since The National Air and Space Museum tends to get crowded, that is a good place to start your day. It has also been undergoing renovations, necessitating a rolling closure of exhibits. If there is an exhibit you are itching to see, check out their website for closures. This is also where you can obtain your timed tickets (no cost), which are required for your visit.

I had never been to the National Museum of the American Indian, so I headed there while the rest of my family went to the National Air and Space Museum (it is right next door). I had many exhibits to myself, and admired the architecture of the building. There is a large atrium in the center, and all the exhibits are on floors 1-4 around the perimeter. Mitsitam Cafe is a standout, with indigenous foods that change seasonally. If the timing works out, it’s a great place to grab some lunch! National Museum of the American Indian is not necessarily one I would recommend for a first visit to DC when time is limited, but I enjoyed my time there with their more modern exhibits.

Hirschhorn Museum

This contemporary art museum is easy to get through in a short amount of time, including a walk around their sculpture garden. We *just* missed the Yayoi Kusama exhibit, but I was happy to see one of her famous pumpkin sculptures remained as a permanent exhibit. We enjoyed the contemporary Chinese photography exhibit (which gives the viewer a mini education in the history of the Chinese Cultural Revolution) and the fully immersive Laurie Anderson exhibit.

The Museum of Natural History

This museum is a classic, and a must do for any “Night at the Museum 2” fans. That said, it was extremely crowded, and please do not eat at the cafe when there are so many other great options in DC. Just go to enjoy the (fairly old-fashioned) exhibits, like the dinosaur room or the fossils. The Hope Diamond (if you can get close to it) is always worth a look!

Day 3: Exploring the Government Buildings

We started off our 3rd day in DC with a stroll under the Chinatown arch, followed by a trip to the National Portrait Gallery and a detour into the Ford Theater. The three sites are all within a few blocks of each other. We couldn’t go into theater itself because it still houses theatrical productions and they were in rehearsal! Imagine performing at a place of such historical significance.

The National Portrait Gallery and The National Archives

We were all very pleasantly surprised by the National Portrait Gallery! I think the “kids” especially thought it would just be another art museum and were not particularly excited about it, but the rich American history portrayed through (primarily, though not exclusively) portraits was enjoyed by all. Although all of our former presidents are represented, they are not the only people featured in the gallery; many famous Americans are immortalized there. In the center of the (very impressive) building is the gorgeous covered atrium – a good spot for a bite of lunch.

The National Archives is the home to 3 very famous documents: The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They are kept in a room with very low lights to protect the documents – don’t go expecting to be able to read them. Seeing those pieces of history is worth a look, anyway!

The National Museum of African American History and Culture

As the newest museum on the block, The National Museum of African American History and Culture requires timed tickets as well – you can get them here. The most technologically advanced museum I have ever seen, you could spend multiple days here. The huge museum contains 3 levels above ground and 3 below ground. The 3 upper levels cover African American contributions in music, film, sports, the military, and much more. There are many interactive exhibits, and covering them all would be a good half day visit if you split this museum into 2 days.

The lower levels cover the ugly history of slavery in Europe and the Americas, and the fight for civil rights in the US. It is a sobering, powerful walk through a history that too many would like to forget. The lower levels are also where the special exhibits reside – when we were there, it was “Afrofuturism”. As an avid consumer of science fiction in books, movies, and TV, I loved the Olivia Butler, Watchmen, and Black Panther portions of the exhibit.

The Government Buildings: White House, Capitol, and Supreme Court

If you have any interest at all in visiting The White House, you need to reach out to your representative’s office between 21 and 90 days prior to your visit. So far, I am 0 for 2 on scoring a tour. Our consolation prize this time was a Capitol building tour arranged by our rep’s office (although it didn’t appear difficult to get, it was nice to have staffers to meet up with and get the info from). Many parts of the Capitol building are closed off, and the random placement of statues throughout was pretty funny. I’m glad we did the tour though – we learned lot about the history of the building through our guide, and we were some of the last people to see the “Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the House” sign (since he was ousted a week later)!

What to Eat and Drink (hint, the answer is ALL THE THINGS)

You will not go hungry in Washington DC! There are classic, venerable dining institutions, such as Ben’s Chili Bowl and Old Ebbitt Grill, but the real treasure is the world-class international food community. Since we were vacationing with our daughter Graysen and her boyfriend Colin, our more adventurous eaters, I wanted to try some cuisines we don’t typically have at home.

Given the savings on activities in the city, I knew I wanted to treat ourselves to some Michelin level restaurants. My starting off point for choosing some spectacular restaurants is often Michelin’s “Bib Gourmand” award list – this is the award given out for the best restaurants that are also a good value (so, they won’t cost you an arm and a leg!).

Lucky Buns

We enjoyed Lucky Buns at the Wharf for lunch (there is also a location in the Adams Morgan neighborhood). They are well deservedly famous for their burgers and chicken sandwiches with globally inspired toppings, but the braii spiced fries (we got a side of curry for dipping) and chopped beetroot salad were standouts. I had never heard of braii – it’s a South African spice blend that reminded me of a smokier, herby Chinese five spice blend. I would absolutely go back for those items, and cocktails were tasty too.

China Chilcano

For our first dinner in Washington DC, we made reservations at Jose Andres’ China Chilcano, a Peruvian/Asian fusion restaurant. Ceviche originated in Peru, so we had to try that, as well as the “dancing yucca” appetizer. The dancing part comes from the paper thin bonito flakes moving in the ambient breeze. The menu was handily lableled with icons identifying each dish as Asian, Peruvian, or a fusion of each. Most of us went with Peruvian dishes (such as the Peruvian national dish, Lomo Saltado) since that was more unfamiliar to us. The food, drinks, and ambiance were great, and I appreciate chef Jose Andres’ humanitarian works.

Lapis

Our second night in DC, we enjoyed another offering from the Michelin Bib Gourmand guide – the Afghan bistro Lapis. Lapis is located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood – an unfussy, diverse neighborhood with a great nightlife scene. Before dinner, we had a drink at the tiki bar Tiki on 18th, which was a 5 minute walk away. The drinks were good (even the wine) and the food smelled heavenly. But of course, we had dinner reservations!

I didn’t know much about Afghan cuisine prior to eating at Lapis, and the Middle Eastern flavors were exquisite. The standouts for us were the mantoo dumplings, and the mixed grill (containing a skewer each of lamb, chicken, and beef). It was some of the most flavorful meat we had ever had. The bolani (a filled flatbread served with dipping sauces) was delicious as well – we got the pumpkin and leek. The ambiance of the small restaurant was intimate and comfortable. Definitely make a reservation – reserve directly through their website, not Google. Unfortunately, I made our reservations under the wrong platform, but they did a great job working us in right away! Thankfully, we like to eat late, so it wasn’t prime time.

The Unconventional Diner

Yet another recommendation from Bib Gourmand, we headed to The Unconventional Diner for Sunday brunch. It feels very much like an upscale diner. The buttermilk pancakes with lavender blueberry sauce and mascarpone cheese was the superstar of our meal – even for those of us that prefer a savory breakfast! The Everything Lox was also good, like a deconstructed lox bagel. The S’eggsy Sandwich wasn’t anything to write home about – serviceable, but there was much more interesting food. I hope to return for the dinner menu our next trip!

Medium Rare

I’ll be honest, Medium Rare was 100% Todd’s choice and I went in with no expectations. That turned out to be a good way to have a very unexpectedly delicious meal! The reviews were good, I just through the menu was a bit boring: unlimited steak, frites, salad, and bread for everyone (see why Todd was into it?). However, the steak was served with a peppercorn sauce that was so good, I want to put it on everything from now on. Overall, it was a fun, kind of quirky night – our waiter was sassy, and there were French language lessons happening over the speakers in the bathroom (our favorite: “I have a hot tub in my home” – very useful!). It was an easy little metro ride trip from downtown!

Happy Hours

Nothing is more fun than a happy hour to get your weekend or evening started off right! And happy hours are a BIG DEAL in Washington DC. Nearly every restaurant has an offering, although it can be a little harder to find restaurants with happy hours on the weekend. We found Piccolina da Centrolina off of the adorable Palmer Alley in downtown to be perfect for an aperitivo. Wine, spritzes, crostini and flatbread pizzas are on the menu – it’s a great bite to start the evening! And the best part, it’s available Saturday and Sunday. We saved Gypsy Kitchen’s fabulous happy hour menu for next time, since they are through the week only, but we can’t wait to try it!

On our way to check out the White House, we had to stop at Old Ebbitt Grill, “the oldest saloon in Washington” for a drink and appetizers. It will lighten your pocketbook, but we loved the service (we sat at one of the back bars) and the old-fashioned atmosphere.

In Conclusion….

I hope you are feeling inspired to head to our nation’s capital for an educational (but accessible!) long weekend full of an amazing variety of food and (free) activities. For other weekend city breaks, check out my posts about New York City and Charleston! Happy travels!