10 Best Things to Do in Washington DC

The White House is a popular stop for most visitors in Washington DC as it has been the official residence of every president of the USA since 1800. Self-guided tours are available, but foreign visitors are required to apply for a tour request at their home country’s embassy in Washington DC. Even if you’re not able to schedule a tour inside, the White House still offers beautiful snapshots thanks to its all-white exterior, blooming flowerbeds, and fountains.

The Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorials are built in commemoration of some of the nation’s most noteworthy people. The Lincoln Memorial, inspired by the Pantheon, features 36 Doric columns and a 5.8-metre-tall sitting statue of Abraham Lincoln looking out towards a reflecting pool. A 10-minute walk away is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, which is located next to the Tidal Basin. Both are located in Independence Avenue, and you get to enjoy a lovely view of gardens, sculptures, and a large reflecting pool as you walk from one memorial to another.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History displays over 126 million objects ranging from animal fossils, gemstones and meteorites to live butterflies and insects. Spanning over 325,000 sq m of exhibition space, it’s one of the largest museums in the world. The Hall of Human Origins is where you get to learn about the history of human species through an interactive human family tree, an authentic fossilised Neanderthal, and over 70 skull replicas.

Pennsylvania Avenue is a great place to visit historical buildings and museums in Washington DC. A good starting point for tourists is the White House, where you’re within walking distances of the Washington Monument and World War II Memorial. You can also enjoy a day of museum-hopping when you’re in Pennsylvania Avenue, with famous spots including the Smithsonian Museums, Art Museum of the Americas, and Hirshhorn Museum.

Eastern Market, established in 1805, is one of the first public marketplaces in Washington DC. It occupies an 18th-century brick building on Capitol Hill. The North Hall is where you can find vendors selling fresh flowers, produce, pasta, and baked goods from Tuesday to Sunday. On weekends, Eastern Market hosts a large flea market where local artists sell handmade crafts, second-hand books, cameras, antiques, and collectibles from all over the world.

The US Capitol has more than 600 rooms and miles of vaulted corridors built in 19th-century neoclassical style. Its most impressive feature is a 177-foot-tall white dome with revolutionary period scenes, relief sculptures, and busts of former presidents. Be sure to head there early as tours are only available on a first-come, first-served basis. Near the senate building is the Library of Congress, where you can enjoy free lectures, poetry readings, and concerts all year round. The library also displays a recreation of Thomas Jefferson's original library.

The National Gallery of Art displays more 140,000 artwork from Europe and America from different time periods. Its West and East Buildings are connected by an underground concourse that’s fitted with Leo Villareal’s Multiverse installation, where you can see over 41,000 LED nodes creating hypnotic trailing lights and abstract sculptures. A highlight here is the Sculpture Garden, which has a large fountain that functions as an ice rink during winter. Admission to the National Gallery of Art is free all year round.

Rock Creek Park is one of the largest green expanse in Washington DC. Hiking is a popular activity as the park has more than 30 trails to suit any fitness level. The Rock Creek Park Horse Center offers daily horseback riding lessons and guided trail rides for those looking to explore the park at a leisurely pace. It’s also a popular spot for picnics, jogging, tennis, and cycling, so expect huge crowds if you’re visiting on weekends or national holidays.

The Tidal Basin is a manmade pond overlooking many Washington landmarks, including the Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials. The 2-mile-long pond is a popular spot for cycling and jogging all year round, but it draws a big crowd in spring as hundreds of cherry trees are in full bloom during this season. Paddleboat rides are available between March and October, which cost about $18 an hour for a 2-person boat and $30 for a 4-person boat.

U Street, known as the birthplace of jazz legend Duke Ellington, houses some of the busiest nightclubs, jazz clubs, and theatres in Washington DC. From the internationally-acclaimed 9:30 Club to underground U Street Music Hall, there’s always a live gig happening on U Street. Even if you’re not there for drinks and music, you can find many art galleries, vintage shops, and wall murals while exploring this colourful neighbourhood.