A Weekend in Washington D.C.

72 Hours in Washington, D.C.: Museums, Monuments, and Memorable Meals

Washington, D.C. is one of those cities that manages to feel both deeply historic and remarkably alive. With just a weekend to spare, we packed in as much culture, reflection, and food as we could—and somehow still found time to take in the White House glowing under moonlight.

Lodging: I wanted to stay somewhere that was an easy walking distance from the mall. Alternatively, staying anywhere on the blue line makes for easy traveling around the cities top sites. I chose Hotel Washington for its proximity to the mall. It was reasonably priced for the area ($300/night), quiet and comfortable. Knowing we only had a weekend to spend in Washington DC, we wanted to ensure we made the most of our time.

Friday: A Museum Marathon and a Classic DC Dinner

We hit the ground running Friday morning, starting at 10:00 AM with a visit to the National Gallery of Art. The quiet galleries were the perfect place to ease into the day, surrounded by Renaissance masters and modern marvels. The light-filled atrium and sculpture garden outside were especially peaceful. Fun Fact: The National Gallery of Art holds the only work by Da Vinci in the Americas.

Me at the Lincoln Memorial

By 11:30 AM, we crossed over to the National Museum of Natural History, where towering dinosaur skeletons and sparkling gemstones brought out our inner kids. From there, we made our way to the Museum of American History at 1:00 PM, where we lingered over exhibits like the Star-Spangled Banner and the First Ladies' gowns—small artifacts that somehow tell big stories.

The afternoon took a solemn turn with our 3:30 PM visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It's hard to put into words the weight of that experience. We left feeling reflective, quieted, and reminded of the importance of memory and education.

By 5:30, we were ready to decompress, and at 6:00 PM we settled into a cozy booth at Old Ebbitt Grill, a true D.C. institution. The oysters were as good as promised, and the dark wood interior made us feel like we were dining with history itself.

We capped off the evening with a walk around the White House at 8:00 PM. There's something magical about seeing it lit up at night—less crowded, more serene, and just as iconic.

Saturday: Icons, Institutions, and Rooftop Views

Saturday we paid for the hop-on-hop-off trolley to get us around D.C.'s monuments and memorials—the Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans, Martin Luther King Jr., and World War II Memorials.

By 11:50 AM, we were inside the Capitol Building for a guided tour. The Capitol Building, in my opinion, is the most impressive building in DC. It is absolutely huge. When the government was founded, the intention was for the Capitol Building, representing Congress and it's voters, to be the largest building, signifying that America is a government of the people, for the people, by the people. The Capitol Building sits up high (Capitol Hill) overlooking all of DC including the White House. The White House is truthfully pretty unimpressive. Which is the whole point. It's not a castle built for a king. It's a house built for a person.

Capitol Building

For lunch, we headed to the National Museum of the American Indian, whose cafeteria is a hidden gem featuring Indigenous dishes from across the Americas. It was one of the most unexpectedly delightful meals of the trip.

Hand woven tapestry on display at the National Museum of the American Indian

Fry bread taco at the cafeteria inside the National Museum of the American Indian

The afternoon was dedicated to more time around the monuments and soaking in views from the National Mall. Then it was decision time: hotel recharge or rooftop drinks? Naturally, we chose both—stopping for cocktails at Vue, the rooftop bar of our hotel.

Dinner that night was at Founding Farmers at 7:00 PM, where everything felt hearty, fresh, and fittingly local. We opted to walk back to our hotel which went right past the front of the White House all lit up for the evening.

Sunday: Reflection and Farewell

We kicked off Sunday with a morning visit to Arlington National Cemetery, a place that commands silence and reverence. Watching the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was an unforgettable moment. We took the blue line straight into Arlington and then paid for the trolley to take us around (highly recommend - it's huge).

After a quick break, we made our way to the National Archives for our 1:45 PM timed entry, where we saw the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. The faded ink and parchment speak volumes more than any textbook.

View from Clock Tower

We wrapped up the weekend with a climb to the Clock Tower of the Old Post Office, one of the best (and lesser-known) views in D.C. This is now a Waldorf Astoria, but the clock tower is operated by the National Park Service - head to the top for unrivaled and free views. From there, we grabbed our bags and made our way to the airport by 3:00 PM, tired but fulfilled.

Final Thoughts on a Weekend in Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C. is a city of contrasts—history and progress, solemnity and celebration, government and grassroots. In just three days, we explored so much of what gives this city its unique character. And while we barely scratched the surface, we left with full hearts, full stomachs, and a renewed appreciation for the stories that have shaped the United States.

🏛 Want to Tour the White House? Here's How:

Public tours of the White House are available by advance request only. U.S. citizens must submit a tour request through a Member of Congress. Requests can be made up to 90 days in advance and no less than 21 days before your visit.

Non-U.S. citizens should contact their embassy in Washington, D.C.

Tours are free but limited, and they fill up quickly—especially in spring and summer. Be ready to provide security information for each attendee.

Visit whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/tours-events for the most up-to-date details.