Discover the Heart of America on this 3-Day Journey Through Washington, D.C.

3-Day Itinerary for Washington, D.C.

Welcome to Washington D.C., a city where history, politics, and culture converge to create an unforgettable experience. Over the next three days, prepare to embark on a journey through the nation’s capital, exploring iconic landmarks, world-class museums, and vibrant neighborhoods. Begin your adventure with a visit to the National Mall, where the timeless presence of the Lincoln Memorial and the awe-inspiring Washington Monument set the tone for your stay. Dive into the rich history preserved in the museums of the Smithsonian Institution, and savor the culinary delights in Washington’s diverse and dynamic dining scene. Discover the charm of Georgetown’s cobblestone streets, take in the political pulse of Capitol Hill, and unwind in the peaceful gardens of the National Arboretum. Washington D.C. awaits, ready to captivate you with its unique blend of past and present.

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Kite Festival – National Cherry Blossom Festival

Enjoy These D.C. Attractions and More:

National Mall
Folgers Shakespeare Library
Giant Pandas
Ben’s Chili Bowl
Smithsonian Museums
National Archives Museum
Plenty of Monuments
and more!

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Group Travel in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Washington, D.C. Attractions for Groups

Start your itinerary in America’s Front Yard: the National Mall. This two-mile stretch of land has monuments, memorials and museums which your group can visit for free. Walk in the footsteps of dreamers at the Lincoln Memorial, the site of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. Take your postcard-perfect photos with the Washington Monument and the US Capitol. Relax or play a game in the public parkland.

Near the U.S. Capitol is the renowned National Gallery of Art. The free museum spans two buildings connected by a dazzling underground tunnel or the concourse where your group can have lunch in the Cascade Café. A must-see in the gallery’s West building is the Ginevra de’ Benci painting, the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in the Americas.

Then explore the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress. The multi-building complex holds millions of books, manuscripts, and sheet music, just to name a few, plus President Thomas Jefferson’s private collection. His namesake Jefferson building is an Italian Renaissance-style masterpiece with soaring marble columns in its main reading room. Next to the Library of Congress is the Folger Shakespeare Library, home to the world’s largest collection of William Shakespeare’s printed works. There you can also see one of the Bard’s works in the intimate playhouse modeled after an Elizabethan inn.

Travel down to the Wharf that houses the oldest continuously operating open-air fish market in the nation, the Municipal Fish Market. However, your dinner will be on the water with City Cruises. Aboard one of their elegant vessels, you can get a unique view of the nation’s monuments along our two rivers, the Potomac and the Anacostia Rivers. As the sun fades, the moonlight glistening off the river next to the glow of the memorials is a sight that is only in D.C.

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National Zoo courtesy of washington.org

Day 2: More Things To Do in Washington, D.C.

Start the day with a brisk walk or bike through America’s older urban national park, Rock Creek Park. The 1,700 acres, twice the size of New York’s Central Park, houses a nature center, planetarium, tennis center and golf course. Next door is the Smithsonian National Zoo. With over 2,000 animals, the zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. And by the end of 2024, it will be the only place in the nation where you can see giant pandas for free.

After your animal adventures, it’s time for lunch at a D.C. institution. Ben’s Chili Bowl, home to the city’s signature dish the half-smoke, is a Black and female owned business that operated by the same family since 1958. Ben’s has fed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., presidents and folks from around the world, many that you can see on the photo-filled interior walls. Outside the building is a mural honoring notable figures in the African American community, a must-do photo op.

Finish your evening continuing that presidential connection with a performance at Ford’s Theatre or the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Ford’s Theatre is the site of President’s Lincoln’s assassination, and before the show you can tour the museum below with artifacts pertaining to the Civil War, the conspiracy to kill President Lincoln, and Lincoln’s legacy. The Kennedy Center is in the historic and grand neighborhood of Georgetown. From Broadway shows to free concerts nightly at the Millenium Stage, this living presidential memorial has something for everyone.

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Library Of Congress

Day 3: Group Activities in Washington, D.C.

Explore your artistic side this morning with a visit to the Phillips Collection. As the first modern art museum in the United States, the collection includes ever-evolving galleries by artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Alma Thomas, Georgia O’Keeffe, Paul Cézanne, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

Only in D.C. can you start your day with European classics but then turn to the flavors of Ethiopia for lunch. At Elfegne Ethiopian Cuisine, the African country’s vibrant culture is on full display in its art, food and bakery. D.C. has the largest Ethiopian population outside of Ethiopia, so this is a unique opportunity. Your group can even elevate your dining experience by partaking in an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

American History museum

Next head south to continue your exploration with one of our sixteen Smithsonian museums. Only at the National Museum of American History can you see the Star-Spangled Banner that inspired our national anthem. You can only see the 1903 Wright Flyer, the aircraft used for the world’s first powered airplane fight at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Conclude your museum tour with the only place to see America’s founding documents at the National Archives Museum. There its sweeping rotunda provides the epic backdrop for up-close viewing of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Other records of prominence include the Emancipation Proclamation and one of the originals of the 1297 Magna Carta.

With all the day’s touring, it’s time to sit back and relax with drinks and a monumental view. The Vue at Hotel Washington offers stunning views of the White House, Washington Monument and Tidal Basin. This Downtown rooftop bar and terrace makes your evening iconic with farm-fresh ingredients in their food and cocktails. As you enjoy your drink reminiscing on your unique experiences, you will discover there truly is only one D.C.