This is a guide to visiting Washington D.C. on your own. The First-day tour is thought to be made walking, biking or using a scooter, as all attractions and monuments are on the way and it takes longer to use other means of transportation. For Some of the second-day activities, you’ll need other means of transportation. A public transport ride varies between $2.00 and $6.00 depending on distance and if it is peak time (5:00 – 9:30 am and between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm on weekdays). A day pass costs $13 and has unlimited rides.
If you use Google Maps to navigate Tralei has a Pinned map list with all the attractions listed in this article that you can access by Clicking Here.
Day 1
1. Lincoln Memorial
No Reservation Needed
Free
Lincoln Memorial is a Parthenon-inspired tribute to Abraham Lincoln with a 19-ft. marble statue, and murals. On the outside there is a 2,028 feet long reflecting pool that ends on the World War II Memorial.
As you walk along the reflecting pool you will be approaching the next stop: Washington Monument.
2. Washington Monument
Reservation Needed
$1 Processing Fee
30 Day Advance Reservations – Order tickets online up to a month in advance of your visit. Inventory for the next available day (30 days out) becomes available at 10 a.m. each morning (e.g. – on May 7 at 10 a.m., tickets will become available for visits on June 6).
24-Hour Advance Reservations – Didn’t get tickets in advance or planning a last minute visit? A limited number of additional tickets are made available at 10 a.m. each day for the next day’s visits (e.g. – on May 7 at 10 a.m., tickets will become available for visits on May 8).
The price entry price is $1 for the reservation fee.
3. The White House
No Reservation Needed
Free
Everyone knows that the White House is a must when coming to Washington D.C. But only plan for 10-15 minutes stop as there is no possibility for tourists to visit it.
4. Museum Choice
Free
There are 3 free museums on the way to The US Capitol From The White House to the US Capitol (Next Stop). So it is a great stop to rest from the sun or to use the free restrooms even if you don’t plan to spend too much time inside.
Reservations are required for the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
National Gallery of Art
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except December 25.
National Museum of Natural History
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except December 25.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except December 25. Visitors are able to enter the museum until 4:00 p.m.
5. United States Capitol
Reservation Needed
Free
The Capitol Visitor Center is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations availability is hard to find so you will need to plan around 2.5 months in advance if you want to vist.
In Case you want to tour it you should start todays visit in the opposite direction (Numbers 6 to 1).
6. Library of Congress
Reservation Needed
Free
The Thomas Jefferson Building is open to visitors with free timed-entry passes every Tuesday through Saturday. Visitor hours are listed below:
Tuesday | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., last entry at 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., last entry at 4:30 p.m.
Thursday | 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., last entry at 8 p.m.
Friday | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., last entry at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., last entry at 4:30 p.m.
Closed Sundays, Mondays, Thanksgiving, & Christmas
A limited number of same-day passes are made available each open day at 9:00 a.m. EST. An individual can reserve up to (10) timed-entry passes for their visit.
(Extra) Friendship Archway
This is basically the entrance to Chinatown in Washington. Great place for lunch/dinner if you are into Chinese food. This stop is suggested after finishing day one sightseeing.
Day 2
1. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
No Reservation Needed
Free
Memorial pays tribute to slain civil rights leader near where he delivered “I Have a Dream” speech.
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2. Thomas Jefferson Memorial
No Reservation Needed
Free
Columned rotunda in the style of Rome’s Pantheon on the man-made reservoir known as the Tidal Basin.
3. Arlington National Cemetery
No Reservation Needed
Free
Vast military cemetery featuring JFK’s eternal flame, Memorial Amphitheater & Tomb of the Unknowns.
4. Washington National Cathedral
Reservation Suggested
Paid Admission
Sightseeing hours vary day to day to accommodate the wide range of activities offered at the Cathedral. Click the make a reservation button to see the hours. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance of the cathedral. Pricist to visit the interior are the following:
If you think we forgot to mention anything, don’t hesitate to write in the comment section!
Thank you for reading!
