TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
We have made it easy for you to discover the best Washington, DC attractions. Below you will find 10
things you should do while visiting the nation's capitol from touring the monuments to strolling through the
National Zoo.
1. Visit the Arlington National Cemetery, the serene resting place of war veterans. Stroll past rows
and rows of solemn white gravestones and follow the path of the masses to the grave site of
President John F. Kennedy. Not far away is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where visitors may
watch the changing of the guard at regular intervals throughout the day.
2. Hear the sounds of the Washington Opera and National Symphony Orchestra at the The
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Guided tours of the massive complex are available daily.
3. Stroll the National Mall. The vast green space bookended by the Capitol and the Washington
Monument is a hub of activity. The mall has hosted concerts, festivals and more, while hundreds
of joggers prowl the big rectangle every day. It's a refreshing oasis in the middle of a bustling city,
and the ideal place for a nice quiet rest between stops at the various Smithsonian Museums
around its edges.
4. Visit the National Zoo, where you can see the famous Pandas.
5. Enjoy the beauty of the blooms growing in ponds along the Anacostia River at the Kenilworth
Aquatic Gardens. You can see thousands of water plants and flowers, and it won't cost you a
cent. This is the last natural marsh in Washington, D.C., and is home to dozens of species of
birds.
6. Tour the Smithsonian Institution’s 16 museums and art galleries. Each of these buildings could
easily take you a day or more to see. They house everything from the Fonz' leather jacket, to the
Hope Diamond, to actual spaceships.
7. Take a free guided tour of the U.S. Capitol and get an up close look at the workings of the
government. You can see where the senators and representatives shape policies, admire the
spectacular rotunda and see things like the original Supreme Court chamber.
8. Observe the Supreme Court in session. All of the sessions at the majestic Supreme Court
building are open to the public and are absolutely free. And if there isn't something going on the
day of your visit, you can still enjoy a lecture in the courtroom. There are also exhibits and a film
to explain the workings of justice at the country's highest court.
9. Enjoy a monumental vacation. There's the towering Washington Monument, the regal Lincoln
Memorial and the moving Vietnam Memorial. Most of the monuments are within a short walk of
each other, near the Reflecting Pool. All these sites are fun things to do in Washington, D.C., and
best of all, they are all free.
10. Touch a tornado or take a simulated flight high above the earth's surface at the National
Geographic Society Explorers Hall. Here, you can experience interactive educational exhibits.
These permanent and changing exhibits are open to the public, free of charge.