Things to do in Washington, D.C.
- The city's height regulations are governed by the Height of Buildings Act of 1910, which prevents most buildings from reaching higher than the width of the street they front plus 20 feet.
- Washington, D.C. has a shadow representation in Congress, electing two 'shadow' senators and a representative who lobby for statehood but lack voting power.
- The city was built on land ceded by Maryland and Virginia, though the portion originally from Virginia was retroceded to that state in 1846.
- There are over 170 foreign embassies located in the city, many concentrated along a section of Massachusetts Avenue historically known as Embassy Row.
- Despite its name, the city does not have a professional baseball team that plays within its own city limits in a traditional sense; the District houses the stadium, but the city itself lacks the autonomy of a traditional state municipality.
About Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. serves as the federal capital of the United States, defined by its monumental architecture and status as a global political center. The city features a radial street layout designed by Pierre Charles L'Enfant, centered on the expansive National Mall [137]. Visitors often navigate the corridor between the US Capitol Grounds [32356] and the Lincoln Memorial [231] to explore extensive collections at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History [277]. It remains the only major American city not located within a state, operating as a federal district under the jurisdiction of Congress.
Highlights of Washington, D.C.
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
This central park serves as the primary outdoor connector for the city's most significant federal monuments and museums.
Museums
The museum houses a vast collection of natural specimens, including the Hope Diamond and massive dinosaur fossil skeletons.
Historical places
This landmark commemorates the 16th U.S. President with a towering marble statue housed in a classic Greek-style temple.
Museums
The facility maintains the world's most comprehensive collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft, including the Wright Flyer.
Museums
The architecture of the building draws inspiration from Yoruba crowns and holds a deep archive of African American historical artifacts.
Historical places
A grand plaza featuring 56 granite pillars surrounding a circular pool honors the millions who served during the Second World War.
Historical places
Standing as the world's tallest stone structure, this obelisk offers an elevated perspective of the city's urban planning.
Parks
These expansive grounds house the legislative seat of the U.S. government, characterized by the iconic white dome.
Top things to do in Washington, D.C.
The 444 highest-rated places in Washington, D.C., ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
The National Mall is a protected national park in Washington, D.C., serving as a ceremonial promenade stretching from th...
2
Museums
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History houses the world’s largest collection of natural history specimens an...
3
Historical places
The Lincoln Memorial is a neoclassical structure modeled after the Parthenon in Athens, featuring a seated sculpture of...
4
Museums
The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum is the world’s most visited aviation and space museum, featuring origina...
5
Zoos
The Smithsonian National Zoological Park, located in Washington, D.C.'s Woodley Park neighborhood, is a 163-acre facilit...
6
Museums
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum dedicated exclusively to the doc...
7
Historical places
The National World War II Memorial serves as the primary commemorative site for the 16 million Americans who served in t...
8
Museums
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History houses over three million artifacts documenting the social, politica...
9
Historical places
The Washington Monument is a 554-foot, 7-inch marble obelisk located at the center of the National Mall in Washington, D...
10
Parks
The US Capitol Grounds comprise a 274-acre park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, serving as the official landscape sur...
11
Museums
The National Gallery of Art is the only art museum in the United States formed by a joint public-private initiative. It...
12
Historical places
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a neoclassical white marble monument situated within Arlington National Cemetery, ser...
13
Museums
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum serves as the nation's official institution for documenting, studying, and i...
14
Parks
The United States Botanic Garden is a living plant museum established by Congress in 1820, making it one of the oldest b...
15
Museums
The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., is a Smithsonian museum dedicated to the art of biography, housing po...
16
Museums
The Museum of the Bible is a 430,000-square-foot facility dedicated to the history, narrative, and impact of the Bible....
17
Museums
The International Spy Museum is a private, non-profit institution dedicated to the history and technology of espionage....
18
Historical places
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a neoclassical rotunda located on the south bank of the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C....
19
Venues
Nationals Park is the waterfront home of the Washington Nationals, situated in the Navy Yard neighborhood of D.C. Opened...
20
Historical places
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is located on the northwest shore of the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., covering...
21
Amusement parks
Six Flags America is a major regional amusement park located in Prince George's County, Maryland. The park features a di...
22
Museums
The National Museum of the American Indian is part of the Smithsonian Institution and features a distinctive curvilinear...
23
Venues
Ford's Theatre is the site of the 1865 assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, now operating as both a working theat...
24
Parks
Georgetown Waterfront Park is a 10-acre public space stretching along the Potomac River shoreline in Washington, D.C. It...
25
Temples
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic church in the United Stat...
26
Historical places
The US Marine Corps War Memorial, commonly known as the Iwo Jima Memorial, features a 78-foot-tall bronze sculpture depi...
27
Museums
The National Archives Museum serves as the permanent repository for the original Charters of Freedom, which include the...
28
Parks
The United States National Arboretum is a 446-acre research facility and public garden operated by the U.S. Department o...
29
Museums
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is a premier institution for contemporary art located on the National Mall. De...
30
Museums
The Renwick Gallery is the Smithsonian American Art Museum's dedicated branch for contemporary craft and decorative arts...
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Washington, D.C. on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Washington, D.C.
Late spring (April-May) or early autumn (September-October) provides mild temperatures and avoids the humid peak summer months.
3-4 days to cover the major museums and historical landmarks across the National Mall.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operates an extensive subway system, complemented by high walkability within the central monument core.
Stay in Foggy Bottom or near Dupont Circle for convenient access to public transit and close proximity to the major museum districts.
Expensive, primarily due to high lodging costs and dining prices in the city center.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 444 curated attractions in and around Washington, D.C., ranked by traveller ratings.
National Mall is the highest-rated place to visit in Washington, D.C. right now.
The largest category is parks, with 137 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Bayonne, New Jersey, Downtown Los Angeles, Boston.
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