USA · day by day
Washington DC Itinerary: 2 to 5 days, day by day
Monuments, free Smithsonian museums, and leafy neighbourhoods around a walkable core. Pick a trip length to see every day written out — what to do, where to stay and what it costs.
Every trip length
Pick how long you have in Washington DC.
Each one is a complete plan. Here is the shape of each, a line per day.
2 days in Washington DC
- Day 1Monuments, museums, and evening memorial views
- Day 2Historic streets, markets, and Capitol Hill atmosphere
3 days in Washington DC
- Day 1Monuments, museums and evening in Penn Quarter
- Day 2Capitol Hill, Library of Congress area and Eastern Market
- Day 3Georgetown, waterfront and departure
4 days in Washington DC
- Day 1Monuments and museum orientation
- Day 2Capitol Hill and East End museums
- Day 3Georgetown and Dupont Circle
- Day 4Monumental finish and neighborhood shopping
5 days in Washington DC
- Day 1Monuments, museums, and the heart of the capital
- Day 2Capitol Hill, Library district, and Eastern Market
- Day 3Art, memorial avenues, and Georgetown
- Day 4Neighborhood Washington from Dupont to Adams Morgan
- Day 5Waterfront views, market energy, and a relaxed send-off
How many days do you need in Washington DC?
4 days is the right length for a first trip to Washington DC. That covers the National Mall and its monuments, two or three Smithsonian museums, the Capitol, and an evening in Georgetown. With fewer days you see the highlights at a brisk pace; with more, add a day trip to Mount Vernon or Annapolis.
See the 4-day Washington DC itinerary →When to go, what a trip costs and what other travellers planned: Washington DC travel guide →
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