Explore Washington DC
Plan Your Trip to Washington DC: Best of Washington DC Tourism
Essential Washington DC
Trip ideas from our community
A long D.C. weekend with two little kids
- Kimpton Banneker Hotel91For this go-go-go city trip, we wanted a centrally located crash pad where we could comfortably stash both kids. The modern, spacious King Studio Suite at the Kimpton Banneker worked perfectly, with a tucked-away entry alcove for our older son's air mattress and a bathroom for the baby’s pack 'n' play—plus a dog bed and treats.
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden912Few things rally kids and Instagramers in equal measure more than Yayoi Kusama, known ‘round the world for her polka-dots and pumpkins. At the Kusama exhibition at The Hirshhorn, my preschooler bounced from one mirrored, Technicolor installation to the next, giggling as I tried (and mostly failed) to snap the perfect pic. Timed tickets make the experience delightfully crowd-free.
- Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute4,621Zoos have always been a last resort in my parenting arsenal, but even the grinch-iest zoo-goer will be charmed by very adorable (and very famous) giant pandas here. There are lots of incredible other habitats to explore, as well, but the grounds are huge: Bring snacks, strollers, and anything else that will help little legs last until lunchtime.
- Ted's Bulletin 14th Street842There comes a time in any trip with kids where all you wanna do is shove a cinnamon roll the size of a small soccer ball into your face. Enter the "Cinnamon Roll As Big As Ya Head” at Ted’s Bulletin, where a decidedly tot-friendly brunch menu includes eggs, pancakes, homemade Pop-Tarts, and more.
- Commissary1,508With hand-scrawled LGBTQ+ pride flags behind the bar, Commissary is a progressive and upbeat cafe. As we learned, it’s also an amazingly family-friendly choice for happy hour: As my husband and I nursed $4 beers, my sons bopped around the room, grooving to the music while the friendly waitstaff egged them on.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library15We spent a drizzly February afternoon at the children’s room here, where we were greeted with a display of picture books featuring LGBTQ+ characters, a floor-to-ceiling mural from “The Snowy Day,” and a massive Mo Willems trove. But the “secret” slide was perhaps the biggest hit: Just open an otherwise nondescript door and you’ll find a two-story wooden slide that whizzes along floor-to-ceiling windows fronting G Street.
- Da Hong Pao Restaurant153At this dim sum parlor, my kids were googly-eyed as platter after platter of shrimp- and pork-stuffed creations emerged. The rice noodle rolls were so good that we ordered seconds. And when my younger son grabbed a pork bun and waved it around like a glow stick, the waitstaff seemed nothing but amused—a true indication of family-friendliness.
- National Air and Space Museum23,553My preschooler is an outer-space and transportation obsessive, making the Air & Space museum a must-visit. And although he was tired after a rain-soaked walk down the National Mall to the entrance, he perked up at the sight of the moon and the planets. He also loved the experience of “boarding” a real-life American Airlines plane from the 1950s.
Explore Washington DC by interest
Go beyond the Smithsonian
Fam-friendly adventures
Toast the town
If you're feeling fancy-ish
Discovering Black history
D.C. on a dime
Must-see monuments
Head to the water
Best-kept secrets and hidden gems
A blast from the past
More great cities for early American history
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Washington D.C.
In the words of those who've been there before ...
What is the best way to get there?
Flying:
Washington, D.C. is served by three airports: Washington Dulles International, 26 miles from downtown in Sterling, Virginia; the far smaller Ronald Reagan Washington National, three miles away in Arlington, Virginia, which is served only by short-haul domestic flights, and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, which is 10 miles south of downtown Baltimore.
Train:
Amtrak trains arrive from all over the country and stop at Union Station. Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) trains run between Union Station to/from Baltimore — the Penn Line stops at BWI Airport. Virginia Railway Express (VRE) provides weekday rail service to Union Station from the Virginia suburbs of Manassas and Fredericksburg.
Bus:
Low-cost buses operated by Megabus, Greyhound, Bolt Bus and more connect Washington, D.C., to New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charlotte and beyond.
Do I need a visa?
If you’re visiting Washington DC from overseas, use the State Department’s Visa Wizard to see if you need a visa.
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit Washington, D.C. is spring (March and April) when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and average highs are between 55°F (13°C) and 66°F (18°C). Crisp breezes and changing leaves make fall another attractive season; highs are between 70°F (21°C) and 59°F (15°C). Note that summers are typically uncomfortably sweltering.
Alternatively, visit over the holiday season, when Christmas markets, NYE parties, and festive illuminations show the City of Lights at its most atmospheric. During the holiday season Washington, D.C. sees average highs in the 40s and lows in the 30s (10 to 0 C).
Walking
Washingtonians walk a lot. And, with many main attractions within strolling distance of one another, you should be prepared to do the same: wear comfortable footwear.
Subway
Washington’s subway system is clean and reliable. To ride DC Metro, you can load a "SmarTrip" card (buy at the machine in the station) with money, or order a card for 1- or 7-day unlimited travel (order in advance of your trip). For more information, see here.
Bus
For places that are hard to reach by Metro, the Metrobus fills the gap, with hundreds of routes throughout the D.C. metro area. Buses accept SmarTrip cards. For more information, see here.
Bike
Capital Bikeshare is D.C.’s bikeshare system. There are 24-hour and three-day passes available. For more information, see here.
Car
Due to ever-present gridlock and complicated parking regulations, driving in downtown D.C. should be avoided at all costs.
Taxis
You can hail a taxi on the street. Taxi roof lights have LED text stating whether or not it is available.
Ridesharing
Uber and Lyft are available in Washington, D.C., on your smartphone.