This realistic List of Best Places to Visit in Washington, D.C. helps you plan your next trip to the capital.

Washington, D.C. is the smallest territory by area in the nation. Yet, the city has an impressive number of sights. You could find museums and government buildings, parks and scenic highways around D.C.

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The D.C. sights range from the National Mall and Library of Congress to Hillwood Estate and Rock Creek Park. The list is even longer if you include a few sights in the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia.

Thanks to a robust public transport network you could visit the best sights without a car. But you would want a car to explore places like Shenandoah and Blue Ridge Parkway. Driving is a pleasure out there.

This List of Best Places to Visit in Washington, D.C. ranks the top destinations in the nation’s capital. The next sections document key information to plan your visit.

1. Washington Monument

• Address: 2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20024.
• Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. about 350 days a year.
• Cost: free if you pick up tickets in person on the day or $1 for advance reservation.

The Washington Monument is the best place to visit in and around Washington, D.C. This 555-ft (169-m) monument is the centerpiece of the National Mall.

You could admire the obelisk from different parts of Washington, D.C. thanks to its height. It could also be a great idea to visit an observation deck at the top of the Monument.

Make a reservation in advance. A $1 fee is well worth the peace of mind it brings. After going through a security check, you will board an elevator to the top. No need to take the stairs like at other obelisks.

You will get amazing views of the city through the small windows like at SkyPond at the CN Tower. Pick your next place to visit in Washington, D.C. as you enjoy the views.

2. Tidal Basin

• Address: 16 E Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242.
• Opening Hours: 24/7.
• Cost: free.

The Tidal Basin is a must-visit place on any trip to Washington, D.C. This body of water houses a few memorials on its shores.

You could visit the Thomas Jefferson, FDR, and MLK Memorials. They provide a good place to reflect on the legacy of the former Presidents and the human rights activist.

The Tidal Basin is impressive during every season. You could capture iconic reflections in its waters whenever the wind is not too strong. Yet, spring is a special time to visit the Tidal Basin.

Blossoming cherry trees transform the Basin every March. You should try to see the cherry blossom in D.C. at least once. But keep in mind that Tidal Basin attracts the biggest crowds during this season.

3. Lincoln Memorial

• Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20002.
• Opening Hours: 24/7.
• Cost: free.

If you could only pick one Memorial to visit at the National Mall, go to the Lincoln Memorial. It is an iconic place to visit in Washington, D.C. This building dates back to 1922.

A combination of a Lincoln statue, steps, and a reflecting pool is very powerful. Even if you have never visited D.C., you have likely seen the Lincoln Memorial in documentaries and movies.

The Memorial is still a place for protests and demonstrations against injustice. Chances are you will see one taking place no matter when you visit the nation’s capital.

4. Hillwood Estate

• Address: 4155 Linnean Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008.
• Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday from February to December.
• Cost: $15 per adult.

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is one of the best places to visit in Washington, D.C. Without a doubt, it is the best house museum in the city and, possibly, the whole nation.

Hillwood has an impressive collection of Russian and French art. This private collection could rival a handful of national museums in the U.S. and Europe.

But the historic house is only part of the Hillwood’s appeal. The estate gardens and grounds are also a sight to see. You could spend a few hours exploring the Japanese Garden, French Parterre, and Dacha.

You have to make a stop at the Greenhouse. Its Orchid House is going to blow your mind away. It is far better than other flower collections, including Lincoln Park and Garfield Park Conservatories in Chicago.

5. Library of Congress

• Address: 101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20540.
• Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.
• Cost: free but an advance reservation is required.

The Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress is an architectural masterpiece. You should add this best place to your itinerary in Washington, D.C.

The Great Hall, Minerva Mosaic, and murals in the Galleries will leave you speechless. As beautiful as this building is outside, it is 100 times more impressive inside.

It is easy to spend an hour admiring the design elements. Look for the Printer’s Marks on the ceiling and arches. These copyright like marks protected publishers back in the day.

Keep in mind that you could only get a sneak peak into the Main Reading Room. Unless you are a researcher you cannot enter it.

6. United States Capitol

• Address: East Capitol St NE & First St NE.
• Opening Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
• Cost: free guided tour but an advance reservation is recommended.

No list of the Best Places to Visit in Washington, D.C. could be complete without the United States Capitol. This historic building is one of the symbols of the nation.

You could explore most of the U.S. Capitol grounds at your own pace. But you need to take a guided tour to see the interior of the building.

The tour is free but the spots are limited. It could be a good idea to reserve a tour in advance. This way, you could enter the building at the time slot you selected.

7. National Archives Museum

• Address: 701 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20408.
• Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
• Cost: free, an advance reservation is optional.

The National Archives Museum takes a special place on the List of the Best Places to Visit in D.C. This museum is just across the street from the National Mall.

It is home to the original documents of the United States. They include the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. You could see all of these documents inside.

A visit to the National Archives Museum is free. You could get an advance reservation for $1. Or feel free to queue to enter the building. The line is often long enough to go outside of the building.

8. National Gallery of Art

• Address: 6th St NW &, Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004.
• Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
• Cost: free.

Art lovers should not overlook the National Gallery of Art. This art museum is one of the best places to visit in Washington, D.C.

There are plenty of masterpieces in the halls of this museum. Head to the West Building for the classical works. The East Building houses modern and contemporary art.

The National Gallery of Art is so large that it could be overwhelming. Allow at least 2 hours to see the highlights of the collection. You could easily spend half a day in this museum alone.

9. Supreme Court

• Address: 1 First St NE, Washington, DC 20543.
• Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
• Cost: free self guided tour.

The United States Supreme Court takes a spot on the List of the Best Places to Visit in Washington, D.C. Few people realize that the Supreme Court is open to the public.

There is no reservation process to tour the U.S. Supreme Court. All you need to do is head to the Court Building during business hours on a weekday. The next step is to go through security.

You will be able to take a self guided tour of the public chambers of the building. The court sessions are also open to the public. Expect a lot of visitors when high profile cases are being heard.

10. Smithsonian Museums

• Address: 1000 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560.
• Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: free.

You cannot go wrong with the Smithsonian Museums if you enjoy exhibitions. There are 10 Smithsonian Museums at the National Mall. You could choose one or a couple that work best with your interests.

Both kids and adults could find the Air and Space Museum enlightening. Arts lovers could stop by Hirschhorn Museum, African Art Museum, and Asian Art Museum.

History lovers should head to the National Museums of Natural History, American History, and African American History. And architecture geeks should stop by the Smithsonian Castle.

Pick your museums wisely. It is impossible to visit all of them in one day. You could try but you are certain to run out of daytime. Plus, you might not enjoy your visit as much.

11. Historic Ships in Baltimore

• Address: 301 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202.
• Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday to Sunday and on more days in the spring and summer.
• Cost: $19.95 per adult to board the ships; free to see them from the pier.

Historic Ships in Baltimore is a great destination for a day trip from Washington, D.C. As the name suggests, it is a collection of ships in Baltimore Harbor.

You could reach the Historic Ships by taking a Northeast Regional train from Washington Union Station. A trip to Baltimore Penn Station takes just 41 minutes and costs as little as $5 each way.

Add another 15 minutes and $2 for a bus or a light rail ride to the museum. Parking is limited and expensive near Baltimore Harbor. Public transport is a more cost efficient alternative in this case.

Once you are at Baltimore Waterfront Promenade, you could start admiring the ships. USS Constellation, USCG Lightship Chesapeake, USS Torsk Submarine, and USCG Cutter 37 wait to be discovered.

12. Shenandoah National Park

• Address: 17065 Skyline Dr, Front Royal, VA 22630.
• Opening Hours: 24/7; some amenities close in the winter.
• Cost: $30 per car or free with America the Beautiful annual pass.

Shenandoah National Park is the closest national park to the nation’s capital. It is one of the best places to visit on a road trip from Washington, D.C.

This park has a 105-mi (169-km) scenic drive with 76 viewpoints. Best of luck to you if you decide to stop at all of them on your trip to Shenandoah. It will be a very long day.

There are lots of options if you prefer to explore the park on foot. Pick a couple from more than 500 miles (800 km) of hiking trails in the park. And book a stay in Front Royal or Staunton.

No matter how you choose to enjoy the park, bring your America the Beautiful annual pass. Shenandoah is among the most expensive national parks. The pass will pay for itself if you visit the park three times.

13. Blue Ridge Parkway

• Address: Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Afton, VA 22920.
• Opening Hours: 24/7; some amenities close in the winter.
• Cost: free.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is another great place visit from Washington, D.C. It is hardly a day trip destination. You need at least 2.5 hours to reach the North End of the Parkway in Virginia.

The Parkway goes for 469 miles (755 km). It connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.

Despite (or thanks to) its distance, the Parkway is the most visited site within National Park Service. Join the ranks of almost 17 million other visitors who drive on the Parkway each year.

The section between Afton and Roanoke in Virginia is best for a weekend trip from D.C. You should hike to the top of the Humpback Rocks for amazing views.

14. Georgetown University

• Address: 3700 O St NW, Washington, DC 20057.
• Opening Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: free.

Back in D.C. proper, you should consider visiting Georgetown University. This 1789 university is one of the highlights on a trip to Washington, D.C.

The Healy Hall is an impressive building is in the center of the university campus. Its clock tower could rival a handful of other colleges like Harvard University and University of Chicago.

As you explore the campus, you should walk up or down the Exorcists Steps. This staircase connects Canal Road with Prospect Street. The steep steps appeared in a horror movie that gave them this name.

15. Rock Creek Park

• Address: 2401 Tilden St NW, Washington, DC 20008.
• Opening Hours: sunrise to sunset; some attractions have shorter hours.
• Cost: free.

If you have more time in D.C., you could visit Rock Creek Park. This large urban park rounds up the List of the Best Places to Visit in Washington, D.C.

Rock Creek Park goes along the creek from the Potomac River to the state line with Maryland. But you do not need to hike or bike the entire trail to get a feel for this park.

Pick a section or two and spend a few hours exploring its sights. You could stop by Pierce Mill after visiting Hillwood Estate. It protects and displays a functioning grist mill.

Takeaways: Best Places to Visit Around D.C.

Washington, D.C. has an attraction for nearly every traveler. History lovers are certain to appreciate the museums. Art aficionados will thrive in the countless galleries.

Architecture fans will enjoy the memorials, universities, and government buildings. Outdoor enthusiasts will hike or bike in the city and national parks. And engineering geeks will appreciate the historic ships.

It is incredible that so many places of interest could fit into such a small area. Even better, you could visit most of the sights either for free or for a nominal reservation fee.

If you only have a weekend to visit Washington, D.C., pick your sights wisely. Make the necessary reservations in advance. This is the one and only way to see the most that the city has to offer.

Make use of the public transport while traveling between different sights in D.C. You will save on parking fees and do your part in saving the environment.

Find a central place to stay to be close to the sights. Consider Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center and Washington Plaza Hotel.

Take a look at this Video List of the Best Places to Visit in Washington, D.C. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

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Safe realist travels!