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Washington, DC: What to Know Before You Go

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With seven days, you will be able to hit some of the DC highlights (e.g. the White House), and still have plenty of time for slightly more hidden gems and a day trip or two. Even with a week, however, you will probably leave Washington wishing you had more time. That feeling, though, is often the sign of a good vacation.

If it’s possible, visit DC during the fall; the spring is beautiful but crowded and the summer is hot and crowded. Once you’ve picked your week, do your homework and make as many plans as you can. Reserve a hotel room (or stay with friends) and make an itinerary based on the nearest Metro stop. Make a list of the sights you want to see (suggestions abound on this web site) and contact your Congressman’s office for free tour reservations for the White House and the Capitol. You should also find out if either the Congress or the Supreme Court is in session while you’re there, as you can sit in on those sessions.

If you’re flying into Reagan National Airport or coming on the train into Union Station, you can pick up the Metro there, but otherwise you’ll need to catch the Metro shuttle or get a cab. It is also a good idea to purchase a visitor’s Metro pass for the entire week.

You could certainly spend a week in DC without a car, but our itinerary includes drives to areas outside the city, so a rental car would be helpful on those days. When you’re going to be downtown, however, spend your time walking and avoid the hassle and expense of driving.

Our itinerary is, of course, only a suggestion; you’ll want to tailor your trip to the interests and energy level of your group. For example, our suggestions assume you will be staying within a Metro ride of downtown, and they include a good amount of walking and generally one nice meal per day (dinner). If you are staying far outside the city, however, or if you want a different dining experience, you may want to make minor alterations to the below itinerary. It’s your trip after all.

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