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Headed to Washington DC? Here is my ultimate Washington DC itinerary for the perfect trip! One that hits my favorite highlights but also doesn’t exhaust you.
Day 1 of Your Washington DC Itinerary: Historical Landmarks Awaits
Welcome to Washington DC! Kick off your adventure by visiting the Old Postal Tower for a stunning 360 view. Feel free to skip going up into Washington Monument; after all, you have plenty of thrilling sights waiting ahead, but if you would rather do this and skip the Old Postal Tower make sure you book well in advance. The Old Postal Tower opens at 9 am, and I suggest you are there for opening to ensure you get through everything today.
From there walk to the National Mall and enjoy a leisurely walk around while taking in views of the White House, WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial.
Enjoy a quiet afternoon at the National Botanical Gardens which is perfect before diving into the Museum of the Bible. This is a quick walkthrough that can easily be skipped if your teens aren’t interested; however, this is another fan fav in our home. There are some really cool plants here, so you might be surprised!
Grab lunch from one of the food trucks near the National Mall and enjoy your lunch in front of the Washington Monument.
If you do the night tour use this afternoon to visit the Museum of the Bible. This museum is massive and very interactive so plan to easily spend 3 hours here. Did you know this is one our favorite museums in DC? Unfortunately, it is not a free one. Pro Tip: There is almost always a Groupon for the Museum of the Bible!
Prefer to skip the Museum of the Bible? Just use this time to explore to the World War II, Vietnam War, Lincoln, Korean War, Jefferson, FDR, and Martin Luther King Memorials. You can walk it or rent scooters. Personally, I’d suggest an organized group night tour, but I will get more details about that later.
Take the evening and relax!
Day 2 of Your Washington DC Itinerary: Uncovering the Secrets
Brace yourself for a day uncovering all the secrets in DC! First practice being a spy at the International Spy Museum! Bypass the overly familiar FBI tour, which we found boring; instead, relish in the exciting tales of espionage. This is another fun museum, especially for teens. Plan to spend 2-3 hours here. This museum is also not free, but I personally think it is worth it.
After you finish, grab lunch at the nearby L’Enfant Plaza, where they have several food options, or visit another food truck near the Mall, or head to Shake Shack at Gallery Place.
From there, walk over to the Natural History Museum and immerse yourself in history. During the busy season, there can be a wait; unfortunately, there is no way to avoid this. Here you’ll meet dinosaurs, see gems, get a cool biology lesson, explore ancient Egypt, and everything in between. Our favorite exhibits are the mummies, the bugs, and Ocean Hall! You may even get to see them feed their spider. Trust us, your Instagram will thank you!
Then, conclude your day by visiting the National Archives. Review our founding documents, which typically have a long line. Cameras are not allowed in most areas of the museum, so store them in your bag.
Day 3 of Your Washington DC Itinerary: A Message of Resilience
Today will be a somber day, chock-full. You will be visiting the African American Museum and the Holocaust Museum. Both of these museums require timed entry today, but they are free. Plan to arrive at the museum right at opening, which is 10:00 a.m. Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture to engage with crucial narratives. Here, the family will learn about our history in the slave trade, the civil rights movement, and current-day issues. Be sure to visit the lunch counter and the bus where Miss Rosa Parks took a peaceful stand. Not only is this a fascinating museum, but it is also beautiful. Before you leave, be sure to visit the fountain and take a moment to rest.
After you finish in the museum, it will be time for lunch! Although we have never eaten at the Smithsonian cafes, I have heard that the one located in the National Museum of African American History and Culture is the best. So I suggest grabbing something here. Note for celiac friends, this is not safe for you! I recommend the Old Ebbitt Grill, an iconic establishment here in DC. SeoulSpice is also a gluten-free establishment.
Next, do not miss the Holocaust Museum for a profound experience that pays tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. Trigger warning: While I am a strong advocate for teaching our children history, some may struggle with visiting this museum. Most of the truly harrowing images have a box-type encasing around them to prevent little eyes from seeing, but if they get ahead of you, they could see something you’d prefer they didn’t. If you’re concerned about your kids seeing something, please don’t hesitate to reach out, and I’ll be happy to help. Another cool thing that should not be missed is that you can actually talk to a live holocaust victim. They sit in the center of the museum, and you can sit and chat with them. Plan to spend 2-3 hours here.
From here, head to the Library of Congress. This can be a quick stop and can be skipped if you’re worn out. It is the most extensive library in the world; unfortunately, most of it remains hidden. Enjoy the beautiful architecture, though.
Day 4 of Your Washington DC Itinerary: Honor & Culture
Start your morning at Arlington National Cemetery. Be sure to watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as it is a sobering experience. This occurs every half hour. There is a tram that will take you to a few stops in Arlington, but we often walk. Other places of importance include the final resting place of JFK and the Robert E. Lee Memorial (AKA the Arlington House).
From there, head to the Iwo Jima memorial, which commemorates the flag that was raised over Iwo Jima. It is walking distance from Arlington National Cemetery. If you are military personnel, you can park and enter Arlington at Fort Meyer. If you have time, you can visit the Caissons and meet their beautiful horses, which house the Old Guard, the unit that performs the ceremonies for fallen soldiers buried in Arlington. This is currently suspended, but I am hoping it resumes soon.
Break for lunch near the White House because that is what is coming up next. Old Ebbitt Grill is right near here.
From here, plan your afternoon to squeeze in a White House tour. You need to book at least a month in advance with your representative. We have found it is easier to book with your rep over your senator. They can also book a tour of the Capitol building. You can easily do both in the afternoon if you get an early start.
Day 5 of Your Washington DC Itinerary: Pandas & Museum Fun
Start your morning at the National Zoo, where you can see the world-famous pandas that have just returned to DC. Be there right at opening because that is when the animals are the most alert. Remember that, although it is free, you must book advance tickets, and book parking if you plan to park there, which is not free.
Next, hit up Tatte at City Center! This is our favorite bakery in all of DC! It is also aesthetically pleasing, making it Instagram worthy for your teens. They have delicious meals as well as fun treats and coffee. They also offer several gluten-free items.
Next, head to Planet Word, which is hands down our favorite museum and one of the most often overlooked. Make sure you book ahead of time. Although it is free, they recommend donating to the museum to cover overhead costs. You can easily navigate through this museum in about 2 hours, but it’s so much fun that you may spend extra time there. Don’t miss the karaoke section!
Tonight, I plan to take the night memorial tour! Personally, I think this would be the most fun for teens, as you will ride past the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Korean War Veterans Memorial. Check out Fat Bike Tours for this. This will also give you a lot more time for other things. If you prefer to walk, plan to do this tomorrow.
Day 6 Options
Day 6 is a choose-your-own-adventure day. You could visit one of the many other Smithsonian museums. Or visit the Udvar-Hazy Center – definitely skip the Air and Space Museum for this gem. If you have older girls (or some boys may enjoy this too), Hillwood Estate offers a beautiful garden and an impressive Russian art collection. Another museum our family enjoys is the Army Museum. This is especially enjoyable for the boys, but our girls also enjoy it. The bus service to these museums will take too long to arrive, you’d need to either drive or plan to take the metro or Uber to them. Fun for all-Georgetown! Visit the campus, as well as the city, which offers a variety of great shopping options. Visit Glossier! Or head to Old Town Alexandria, which feels like you’re visiting a charming European village. Try Barca on the water for a delicious dinner. Another option, if you have a car, is to visit the Naval Academy’s campus in Annapolis. Annapolis is a charming town and features Mission BBQ, a safe option for those with celiac disease. For little ones, a visit to the National Postal Museum is a must-see. It is another hidden gem that many people are unaware of. Each day is packed with memories.
Gluten Free Options
- Happy Tart Bakery
- Rise Bakery
- Old Ebbitt Grill
- SeoulSpice
- Corn Factory Truck
- Tatte
- Sweet Crimes Bakery
Helpful Apps
- Parkmobile-What we use to pay for parking
- Spothero-Helps you find parking spots for a discount
- Find Me Gluten-Free-Locate your favorite gluten free places
- Apple Wallet for the metro
- Flush App-Helps you find public restrooms
Find my Google maps here!
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