Washington, D.C. walking tour & city guide
Monuments, free museums and the seat of American power.
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The capital of the United States was designed from scratch in the 1790s, with grand avenues, open vistas and monumental buildings. Today it is one of the most walkable cities in the country, and many of its greatest attractions, including the Smithsonian museums, are completely free.
The National Mall
The National Mall is a long, open park that stretches about three kilometers from the United States Capitol in the east to the Lincoln Memorial in the west. At its center rises the Washington Monument, a 169-meter marble obelisk. Walking the length of the Mall is the classic way to see the city's most famous landmarks.
Along the way you pass the World War II Memorial, the Reflecting Pool and the moving Vietnam Veterans Memorial, with the names of more than 58,000 fallen soldiers engraved in black granite. The Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his 'I Have a Dream' speech in 1963, offers a famous view back down the Mall.
Museums, the White House and the Capitol
The Smithsonian Institution operates a remarkable collection of free museums around the Mall, including the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The National Gallery of Art, also free, holds masterpieces from across Western art history.
The White House can be viewed from Lafayette Square to the north or the Ellipse to the south. Tours of the US Capitol are available through its visitor center, and the Library of Congress next door has one of the most beautiful interiors in the country.
Neighborhoods and seasons
Beyond the monuments, Georgetown charms with its cobbled streets, row houses and waterfront, while Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and U Street offer restaurants, bookshops and nightlife. The cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin, a gift from Japan in 1912, bloom in late March or early April and draw huge crowds.
The Metro makes getting around easy. Summers are hot and humid; spring and autumn are the best times for long walks between the monuments.
Top sights in Washington, D.C.
- 1
Lincoln Memorial
The iconic memorial at the west end of the National Mall.
- 2
United States Capitol
The domed home of Congress, with free guided tours.
- 3
Washington Monument
The marble obelisk at the center of the Mall.
- 4
The White House
The President's residence, viewed from Lafayette Square.
- 5
National Air and Space Museum
A free Smithsonian museum of aviation and space flight.
- 6
Georgetown
A historic neighborhood of cobbled streets and waterfront paths.
Food markets & where to eat in Washington, D.C.
U Street
A historic corridor of restaurants, bars and music venues.
Union Market
A food hall with dozens of local vendors in northeast D.C.
Eastern Market
A historic Capitol Hill market, open since 1873.
The Wharf
A waterfront district with seafood restaurants and the historic Maine Avenue Fish Market.
Food to try in Washington, D.C.
Half-smoke
D.C.'s signature smoked sausage, usually topped with chili.
Ethiopian food
The city has one of the largest Ethiopian communities outside Africa.
Maryland blue crabs
Steamed crabs or crab cakes from the Chesapeake Bay.
Mumbo sauce
A sweet and tangy local sauce served with wings and fries.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Washington, D.C.
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