We’ve been running tours in DC for years, and there are certain questions that come up over and over again. Usually it’s people who booked their trip and then realized they have no idea what they actually need to know about visiting Washington.
These tips aren’t the stuff you’ll find in every generic travel guide. This is what we end up telling people after they’ve made mistakes or when they ask us what we wish we’d known before our first time here. Some of this might seem obvious after you read it, but trust us, people get these things wrong constantly.
You can’t just show up at the White House and expect to get inside. We have people ask us about this every week, and they’re always disappointed when we explain the reality. You need to contact your congressman’s office at least 21 days before you want to visit, and even then you might not get approved.
If you’re not from the US, you have to go through your embassy, which takes even longer. Most people end up just taking photos from the street, which is fine. The exterior is pretty impressive, and honestly, the tours move pretty quickly anyway.
The traffic here is awful, parking costs a fortune when you can find it, and the whole city was designed by someone who apparently loved traffic circles. We see rental cars with frustrated tourists driving around in circles trying to figure out where they are.
The Metro works really well for getting to most places tourists want to see. You buy a SmarTrip card for ten dollars, and most of that is actually money you can use for fares. Walking is usually faster than driving anyway, especially around the National Mall area.
Most of the Smithsonian museums really are completely free. No catch, no hidden fees, just free admission to some of the best museums in the country. The catch is that several of them now require you to get free passes online before you show up.
The Air and Space Museum definitely needs advance passes now. The African American History and Culture Museum has needed them since it opened. Check the websites before you come, because standing outside a museum you can’t enter is not how you want to spend your vacation time.
We cannot stress this enough: wear comfortable shoes. Not the ones that look good with your outfit, the ones that feel good after walking for hours. The National Mall looks manageable on a map, but it’s more than two miles from end to end.
You’ll be walking on concrete and marble surfaces all day. We’ve seen people try to do this in flip-flops or dress shoes, and by afternoon they’re limping. Bring shoes you’d wear to walk around your neighborhood for several hours, because that’s basically what you’ll be doing.
Most tourists roll out of their hotels around 10 AM and hit the monuments when everyone else does. If you can manage to start around 8 AM, you’ll have much better experiences. Fewer crowds, cooler weather if it’s summer, and way better photo opportunities.
The Lincoln Memorial at 8 AM versus noon is like seeing two different places. Same with the Washington Monument area. Museums don’t open until 10 anyway, so you might as well see the outdoor stuff first.
People make lists of everything they want to see and then try to check it all off without thinking about where things actually are. You’ll spend half your time traveling between locations instead of actually seeing anything.
The Capitol, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress are all within a few blocks of each other. The major Smithsonian museums are clustered around the National Mall. Plan your day around neighborhoods, not around your interests, and you’ll see more with less hassle.
Eating lunch right next to the Washington Monument is convenient, but you’re going to pay for that convenience. Budget at least twenty dollars per person for basic lunch near the major attractions, more if you want to sit down somewhere decent.
Food trucks are usually cheaper and sometimes better than the restaurant options right around the monuments. Museum cafeterias aren’t gourmet, but they won’t destroy your budget either. If you want really good food, you’ll need to venture into actual neighborhoods where locals eat.
Every museum, every monument, basically everywhere you want to go has airport style security now. Metal detectors, bag checks, lists of things you can’t bring in. The more stuff you carry, the longer this takes at each stop.
Leave the big bag at your hotel. Don’t bring scissors, pocket knives, or anything that might seem suspicious. Some places have paid lockers, but it’s easier to just not bring the stuff in the first place. Check the prohibited items lists if you’re not sure.
DC can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to figure out what to prioritize and how to get around. A tour gives you the lay of the land and helps you understand how everything connects. You can always go back to places that interest you.
We run tours because people need them, not because we’re trying to talk you out of exploring on your own. But if you’ve never been here before, having someone who knows the city show you around makes the rest of your visit much more enjoyable.
Cherry blossom season looks beautiful in photos, but it’s also when hotel prices triple and you can’t move for crowds. Summer is great weather but maximum tourists and heat. Winter is cold but quieter and cheaper.
If you can visit in late fall or early spring outside of cherry blossom time, you’ll have a much more relaxed experience. The weather is usually decent, and you won’t be fighting crowds for every photo opportunity.
Saving money on a hotel in the suburbs sounds smart until you realize you’re spending an hour each way commuting to see anything interesting. Hotels near downtown or the National Mall cost more, but you can walk to most attractions.
Plus you can go back to your room during the day if you need a break or want to drop off souvenirs. That flexibility is worth the extra cost, especially if you’re only here for a few days.
Movies make it look like you can just walk into any government building and look around. Reality is different. Most places have restricted access, and what you can see often requires planning ahead.
You can see the White House from the street anytime. Getting inside requires congressional approval. The Supreme Court has a visitor center, but seeing the actual courtroom depends on when they’re in session and whether there’s space. Don’t expect to just wander through government buildings like they’re museums.
The weather here can be unpredictable, especially in spring and fall. Bring layers because it might be cool in the morning and hot by afternoon. Summer gets seriously hot and humid, so sunscreen and water are essential.
Comfortable shoes we already covered, but also bring a phone charger. You’ll be using maps and taking photos all day. Having some cash for parking meters or museum lockers makes things easier too.
Tourist area restaurants aren’t necessarily bad, but they’re not where locals go for good food. Adams Morgan has great Ethiopian restaurants. Georgetown has seafood places that have been around forever. Capitol Hill has neighborhood spots with reasonable prices.
Happy hour specials can help your budget and give you a chance to eat where people actually live and work in DC. The city has a really good food scene once you get away from the obvious tourist traps around the monuments.