Washington DC in 3 Days: everything you need to know

Although the capital of the United States is very large and has many attractions, a three-day trip will definitely be enough to visit much of its entertainment offerings and to invite you to make a return visit.

You can check out some activities and things to see and do in Washington DC But if you are passing through Washington and expect to stay at least three days, I invite you to take a look at the itinerary I have prepared for you.

I invite you to start your three-day adventure in the American capital with a complete tour of some of Washington DC's best monuments. On the memorial tour you 'll pass a memorial dedicated to Thomas Jefferson as well as the Lincoln Memorial and the Martin Luther King Memorial.

This interesting itinerary includes somememorials to war veterans or victims of tragedy. Don't worry, most of them are within walking distance, so you can visit them all in one day.

Arlington Cemetery

Arlington Cemetery is a must-see when you visit Washington DC. It's a place where you can find thousands of graves of veterans who fought in World War I and World War II, as well as Vietnam, Korea, Afghanistan and other similar conflicts.

To get to the Virginia side, take the Arlington Bridge which will take you straight to the Cemetery and the US Marine Corp, the first two visits of the day.

Among the interesting things to see during your visit is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is a resting place for the bodies of soldiers and veterans who fought in these wars and were never identified.

Also of great interest is the tomb of John F. Kennedy and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which occurs every hour between October and March, while from April to September it is every half hour.

US Marine Corps War Memorial

Within Arlington Cemetery itself is one of the most interesting and beautiful monuments in the city of Washington DC, the US Marine Corp War Memorial.

This memorial is based on the iconic photograph showing American soldiers raising the national flag on the Japanese islands after victory in the Pacific as one of the landmarks of World War II.

It is definitely one of the must-see monuments if you go to Washington DC. It is dedicated to all the American soldiers who lost their lives, not only during the action in the Pacific during the war, but also to those who have given up everything to fight in the wars throughout history fought by the American force.

Air Force Memorial

This is one of the most interesting memorials in DC, its structure is imposing and consists of three spikes to the sky.

It represents the honour, heroism and service of members of the US Armed Forces. Each of the spike-shaped towers are constructed of stainless steel and stand approximately 402 feet tall.

Its view of the Pentagon makes for one of the most interesting and incredible experiences in the city of Washington.

It is located right next to Arlington National Cemetery, so to get there just take VA-27 Washington Blvd south to the memorial.

It is a memorial that is open every day of the year between the hours of 9:00 and 21:00. Admission to the memorial is completely free, making it a great morning visit.

Pentagon Memorial

Although the Pentagon Memorial is one of those special places to leave among the things to do in Washington DC at night, in this opportunity we will visit this monument in the morning hours.

From the Air Force Memorial you can see the Pentagon Memorial, but to get there you will have to take Columbia Pike and then turn to S Rotary Rd. and then immediately go to N Rotary Rd. and finally to RDF Access Ln. There you will be right in front of the Pentagon Memorial.

This is the first memorial dedicated to the victims of 9/11. What you will notice most about this place is the absolute peace you can feel.

The memorial consists of 158 benches or memorials representing each of the victims who lost their lives when the hijacked plane hit the Pentagon offices on the morning of 9/11.

You can read the date of birth and death of each of the victims. This memorial is arranged in such a way that you can distinguish where each person died.

United States Capitol

Visits to the U.S. Capitol are free. If you want to go on this first day of activities to see a bit of the place inside, you should book a ticket in advance. If you want, you can wait until the day of your visit and wait in a long line at the entrance to the Capitol Visitor Center to get your ticket.

To get to the Capitol from the Pentagon Memorial, take the George Mason Memorial Bridge to Columbia County. Take I-395 N and follow it all the way to the Capitol.

The good thing is that it' s a structure that can be seen from different parts of the city. Inside you' ll find a myriad of elements that will not only enrich your view, but also enrich your knowledge.

From the acoustic effect produced by the Rotunda, to the multiple murals found inside the structure. Other features you will want to admire are the images on the walls of the Rotunda, where you can see important moments in American history.

White House

About five kilometres from the Capitol is your next stop on the list. Nestled in Lafayette Square is the White House. It is definitely one of the most impressive architectural works in this city.

If you want to enter and tour the interior of the residence, you should be aware of the permits you need to apply for as well as the amount of time in advance.

While the White House is not a place you can tour lightly, it is an interesting place to at least walk around and take some pictures.

To learn a little more about the secrets hidden within the walls of the US presidential residence, you can always go to the White House Visitor Center. In the case of our visit, we will only get a few metres closer to be able to contemplate the wonders of the building.

Washington Monument

Almost opposite the previous one is the next monument to visit: the one dedicated to George Washington. It is an obelisk more than 550 feet high. To get to it, just walk along Lafayette until you reach the imposing monument.

This symbol of the capital of the United States has an innovative lift that will take you from the ground to the top of the obelisk, from where you will be able to appreciate a breathtaking view. Some of what you can see from the top of the monument is the White House, the Capitol and the National Cathedral.

It's open from 9:00 to 17:00, but to enter and ride the elevator, you'll need to buy tickets in advance, with the last ride being at 17:00. Every day between 13:00 and 14:00 the attraction closes for cleaning.

Lunch stop

At this point in the tour, it will be time for a bite to eat before continuing on to the other monuments. For this I recommend you visit a restaurant in the vicinity of the esplanade.

Try to have a light meal so that you can walk around the rest of the monuments without any problems, you still have a lot of walking to do.

National World War II Memorial

At one end of the Reflecting Pool and just across from the Washington Monument is a memorial to World War II and the actions of American soldiers in the conflict.

Part of what you'll see here is a set of 56 wall-like structures arranged in a semicircle around a water fountain.

On either side are two bronze walls detailing scenes from the war. One of these walls represents the victory of the Pacific and the other represents the victory of the Atlantic.

Something that is sure to surprise you is that both rows of the war depiction converge on the defeated Germany after the war.

It's open all day, but between 9.30am and 10pm you can get a guide to answer your questions.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Leaving the World War II Veterans Memorial and bordering Constitution Garden, you'll come across another of the **city'**s most iconic memorials. It pays tribute to those who died in combat or were missing during the Vietnam War.

Three segments of the memorial stand out, the first is a 246-foot high wall on which you can read at least 58,000 names of those who lost their lives during the conflict. The wall is reflective, so you can read each name as you see yourself reflected in it.

You can visit the memorial at any time of the day, but between 9.30am and 10pm there are staff to answer your questions, and even interpreters who can translate for you if you don't speak English.

Lincoln Memorial

Continuing the day's route, a short distance from the previous stop is one of the most special and iconic monuments that line the National Mall in Washington DC.

This spectacular structure, crafted with inspiration from ancient Roman architecture, pays tribute to one of America's most important thinkers, also known for being the nation's 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.

As for the location of the monument dedicated to the self-taught lawyer, you should know that in front of this impressive structure is a reflecting pool.

Both structures become a real spectacle when the sun goes down, so it is one of the things I would recommend you to do in Washington at night.

In this case, we will continue our itinerary and stop to admire its grandeur in the evening.

Korean War Veterans Memorial Monument

A few minutes away, your next stop is the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

I invite you to take a look at the mural and the steel structures. When they are reflected on the granite wall, it gives the impression that there are 38 people.

These 38 people are soldiers, and the number represents the line that divides South and North Korea. On the mural you will see the representation of soldiers from all areas of the US Armed Forces.

Located just south of the Reflecting Pool, this monument is also open 24 hours, but between 9:30 and 22:00 you can find guards who can answer all your questions.

If you're lucky you may encounter one. You can also get an interpreter to translate the information for you if you are not fluent in English.

Martin Luther King Memorial

You won't have to walk far from the Korean Veterans Memorial to admire the imposing stone structure from which a serious and watchful Martin Luther King emerges.

It is the first memorial to honour the life of a man of colour. In addition, his monument is the fourth in Washington DC not to honour the life of a president.

In life, loved by many and disowned by many. The life and work of Martin Luther King is very complex to describe. Suffice it to say that he was a staunch defender of freedom and equality of the races in his country.

He is considered one of the greatest exponents of the fight against racism in the United States and is responsible for initiating many changes that are still visible today in American society.

The Luther King Memorial is open 24 hours a day and admission is free of charge.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Inside the large white structure you will see an incredible statue of Thomas Jefferson standing tall. The statue is approximately 5.5 metres tall and is made of bronze. It is very close to the Luther King Memorial.

If you are very careful and attentive to detail, you will surely come across interesting messages left by the statue. One of these unique features is that it faces the White House.

The statue is accompanied by different inscriptions on each of the faces of the structure, in which you can read different thoughts of the philosopher, politician and, among other things, the author of the first draft of the American Independence Act.

It's open all day, so you can visit until late in the evening if you've lingered too long at the previous sites.

On your second day of touring Washington DC I suggest a tour of the museums the city has to offer. From natural history to space travel, in a full day of touring some of Washington DC's best museums, you'll be able to visit at least three of them.

International Spy Museum (1-2 hours)

To start the day, I recommend taking 1-2 hours out of your day to visit the new International Spy Museum.

Inside the museum you will find interesting attractions that will make you feel like a spy for a day. From the moment you arrive you are assigned an alias by which you will be known for the rest of your visit.

It has comprehensive and international exhibits that show how this profession has developed over the years and around the world. You can be part of a unique experience where you will probably have the opportunity to spy on other people inside the venue.

• Location: L'Enfant Plaza, located at Southwest Waterfront.
• Price: From 28 euros.
• Hours: Every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (2-3 hours)

With thousands of species to show visitors, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is one of the most interesting places in Washington DC.

It serves as a centre for recreation and understanding of human history through the evolution of flora, fauna and human life. To get to this museum from the Spy Museum, head southwest on Constitution Ave, past the Smithsonian Castle and then on to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

This museum is divided into sections, which are arranged on different floors. Each of the exhibits show the natural progress of species. You can enjoy an interesting tour of Egyptian and African culture. Depending on the day and time you go, you can find different exhibitions, because some are permanent and others are temporary.

When you leave the museum, you will find different options to have a delicious and complete lunch to continue with the day's tour of the most interesting museums in the city.

• Location: 10th St. & Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: From 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.

National Air and Space Museum (2-3 hours)

Also among the Smithsonian museums in the US capital is the one dedicated to air and space. From the Natural History Museum to the Air and Space Museum, take a left at the Smithsonian Castle towards the Air and Space Museum.

This is a place where you can be transported to the world of aviation and aeronautics and see the most iconic models of aircraft and spacecraft that visited outer space in their heyday.

True relics of aviation history can also be seen at the National Air and Space Museum, one of the most interesting of which is the plane that belonged to Amelia Earhart for so many years, the same one that accompanied her to accomplish unthinkable feats in her time.

You can also take a closer look at the first capsules that were launched into space and many other similar relics.

• Location: 600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.

To end your museum day on a high note, there's nothing better than a visit to Dupont Circle. It's an intellectual hotspot on the northwest side of Washington DC and is a great place to spend the afternoon and evening amidst bars, books, luxury shops and exquisite food.

If you're visiting Washington DC in the summertime, you're sure to love stopping by some of the local nightspots for a bit of dancing. At Christmas time the lights in the Dupont are magical and will leave you with postcards to remember.

For your third day in Washington DC, I recommend visiting Georgetown. To get from downtown Washington DC to Georgetown, you can take a guided tour or use public transportation.

It is a town just outside the city centre, famous among other things for being one of the city's most sought-after upper-class neighbourhoods.

Georgetown was once a mecca of commercial activity in the city, so you'll be able to see some interesting relics on your visit.

Old Stone House

To start your day, I recommend a visit to the oldest house in all of Washington, which still stands on its original site in Georgetown.

It is a stone house that dates back to the colonial and pre-revolutionary era, meaning that it has survived the darkest times the city has seen since its construction. The house was built in 1765 and is located at 3051 M St. NW. Washington, DC 20007.

Dumbarton House

This house, which was built around 1799, will show you what life was like on this side of town in the late 1700s during the early republican period in the United States. It's a good place to visit right after the Old Stone House.

It is a must-see if you visit Washington DC. This is one of the few houses left standing that are living history.

It is kept as a museum open to the public, so you can go inside and look at every perfectly preserved detail. Its exact location is 2715 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20007.

Dumbarton Oaks Museum

Since you still have time left in the morning, I recommend you to go to the Dumbarton Oaks Museum, which is very close to Dumbarton House. It is a museum full of natural history and art. It consists of three spaces, two of them dedicated to Byzantine and pre-Columbian art for the most part.

The third space is dedicated to gardening in historical form. Part of a Harvard University research centre, it's definitely a place that needs to be on your list of things to do in Washington. It is located at 1703 32nd St NW, Washington, DC 20007.

After the tour you will definitely want to stop for a bite to eat. There are several options for lunch, but some of the restaurants I recommend near this area are Spanish Tapas & Lunch and Clyde's of Georgetown for a lunch full of flavour.

Tudor Place

After lunch, it's time to hit the road for some interesting places to visit in Georgetown. Your next stop will be Tudor Place.

It is a mansion of sorts that is located in upscale Georgetown and in its heyday belonged to George Washington's step-granddaughter and her husband.

Today it is a museum of sorts, dedicated to showing visitors what upper-class life was like in the 1800s.

You'll love a visit to Tudor Place, especially if you're a lover of history and valuables. It is located at 1644 31st St NW, Washington, DC 2000.

The stairs of "The Exorcist"

If you love movies and specifically horror films, you will surely remember the iconic film of the genre, "The Exorcist", where a little girl is possessed and the local priest agrees to exorcise her.

Well, yes, they are in Georgetown and you can see them on your visit to the town. They are very close to Tudor Place and are the next place you will visit on the afternoon of your day in Georgetown.

In one of the most emblematic scenes of the film, the demon that possessed the little girl takes possession of one of the priests performing the exorcism and throws him out of the window, falling down the stairs and dying instantly.

These stairs, which date back to 1875 , can be visited during your visit to Georgetown. It is located at the corner of Prospect St NW and 36th St NW.

Georgetown University

If you're a fan of university campuses and all the magic inside, you can't miss the next stop on your tour of Georgetown. Continuing along the route and very close to Prospect Street is Georgetown University.

Ranked as the oldest Catholic university in the United States, Georgetown University is a place you can't miss if you like to visit interesting and historic places.

Its London-style structure and façade will make you want to walk through every part of the campus. It is located at 3700 O St NW, Washington, DC 20057.

Washington Harbour

To end your third day in Georgetown, you can't leave out the Washington Harbour, a place where you can spend the sunset with a beautiful view of the Georgetown harbour.

It's one of the most relaxing and vibrant places in Washington, ideal for taking a break from a hectic day and ending it with a refreshing drink or a good meal. The exact address is 3000-3050 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007.

For three days in the US capital, you need a complete guide to food tours in Washington DC. However, I'll leave you with a short list of places where you can eat really well, so you can choose for yourself what to eat during your days in the city.

To get around the city from one place to another, you can use a private vehicle, but if you're on your own and don't have your own car, you can use public transport.

Bus routes, and especially the underground, are available for you to visit your favourite places during your three-day visit to the city.

Most of the city's underground and bus routes arrive near or very close to every monument you will visit during your three-day visit to DC.