A Long Weekend in Washington DC and Old Town Alexandria

I have loved DC since my first visit there on a school trip. I have lived there for two summers, visited a bunch, and now I get to visit my favorite undergrad there.  As a result, I have a lot of ideas when it comes to itineraries, but it depends on your interests. Are you a museum person, and if so - do you prefer art, history, or natural history? Or all of the above?  Do you like spy thrillers? Are you an airplane buff? Do you want to do some shopping along the way? And are you a foodie?  Your preferences can change this itinerary all around.  But in general – this would be an ideal 3-4 days in DC.
 
Logistically, I prefer to fly into Reagan National.  That way you can easily take the metro into the city. 
I prefer to stay in the Dupont Circle/Foggy Bottom area. That way you are close to mall, and to Georgetown, and some lovely restaurants. I highly recommend that you purchase all tickets online as soon as you book your trip. The most popular museums (e.g. National Air & Space, the Museum of African American History & Culture, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum) have timed tickets, so you'll want to schedule everything very carefully. And if you want to tour the capitol or the White House, you'll need to request those tickets through your local congressperson's office.

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Day 1:
Summary: Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Washington Monument, and National Gallery, Museum of Natural History or the American History Museum.
 
Breakfast:
Tatte Bakery has a definite Euro vibe to it that I love. There are a few locations around town, but I recommend the one on New Hampshire. You can grab and go with a pastry and a coffee, or sit and eat something more substantial off the menu.
 
Morning:
Logistically and geographically, it makes sense to walk due south from here, pass through the George Washington University campus, and start your day at the Lincoln Memorial. It is currently under refurbishment as they create a new museum underneath it, but it is still open so you can experience the sheer size and it’s neoclassical architecture.
 
Afterwards, head to your left (if you are facing the Lincoln Memorial) towards the Korean War Veterans Memorial. The design is incredibly moving. Be sure to walk through all of it.
 
From there, walk along the reflecting pool to the World War II Memorial.  The waterfall fountains on this side, by the reflecting pool, are lovely - as is the large pool on the opposite side.
 
Next is the Washington Monument. You can go to the top to enjoy the view, but getting a ticket is the trick since the numbers are limited each day.
 
Notes about Washington Monument tickets: They can be reserved online through the recreation.gov website up to 30 days in advance (& up to 6 tickets per transaction.) There are also a limited number of tickets they make available at 10am each day for the NEXT DAY’s visits (for example: On June 17th at 10am they make tickets available for visits on June 18th). During the peak busy season (March – August and December – early January) the demand is very high and the tickets sell our extremely quickly.

Tickets for the same day are distributed each morning at 8:45 a.m. at the Washington Monument Lodge (on Madison Drive on the east side of the monument grounds.) Since the demand is so high during peak season, the line begins forming as early as 7 a.m.
 
Lunch: 
From here I would suggest grabbing a bite to eat before heading to your museum of the day.  Here are my top three suggestions:
1.     Teaism, an Asian-inspired cafe that has bento boxes, snacks and many different teas is my favorite, and not just because I love tea. It's close by – just a few blocks away at 400 8th St. My favorite is for lunch is the Korean Brisket with gochujang sauce – it is just the right amount of flavor and protein to power me through my next 10,000 steps.

2.     The National Gallery of Art also has a very good cafe called the Pavilion Cafe that is located in their sculpture garden. The cafe is much, much better than museum food and the garden is one of my favorite spots in the city. It does get crowded in the summer so be prepared to wait for a place to sit. But the IG photo ops are amazing.

3.     A third choice if you have people with you who would prefer more standard American fare (burgers and wings) is the Penn Quarter Sports Tavern (at Indiana Ave NW in Penn Quarter, near the Archives Metro stop.) You can sit inside or out depending on the weather, and they have all the games on to watch while you eat.
 
Afternoon:
For me, I would choose the National Gallery of Art in the afternoon. I could easily spend the rest of the afternoon moving between the two buildings and traditional and modern art. If art isn’t quite your thing, the National Museum of Natural History  (home to the world's largest collection of specimens) and the National Museum of American History are right next door and you don’t typically need timed tickets to enter either of these.
 
Evening:
When the museums close, I recommend heading over to the historic Old Ebbitt Grill (the oldest restaurant in the city) for a cocktail and an appetizer and to soak up the DC vibe. Then you can hop on the metro and head back to Dupont Circle to freshen up before heading out to Boqueria Dupont for a delicious Spanish tapas dinner.
 
A Note About the Evenings:
If your feet can handle it, and the weather is cooperating, I highly recommend exploring the National Monuments at night one evening. They don’t “close” and they are so beautifully lit – it’s a very moving experience and you can get some very dramatic photos for the gram.

​Day 2:
Summary: White House or Capitol Tour, United States Archives, Georgetown, C&O Canal, Georgetown Waterfront Park


Breakfast:
Call Your Mother is the best spot for bagels and giant bagel sandwiches.  The line is usually super long (especially on the weekends), so it’s best to order via their website before heading over, and then you can skip the line. Go to the Location in the Yours Truly Hotel. If you are staying at the hotel (one of my favorites), then that is even easier.
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Morning:
Depending on which you prefer – you could do a guided tour of the United States Capitol or of the White House. You’ll need to reserve either of these tickets ahead of time through your congressperson’s office.

If you do the Capitol tour, definitely head over to the Library of Congress and take that tour when you are done. There is tunnel that connects them, and you don’t have to go through security again since you did that at the capitol.

Depending on how you are doing in terms of energy at this point, you can either head over to the National Archives to see the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, or you can just grab an uber from here and head to Georgetown for lunch and to explore. For those that don’t know, Georgetown is the neighborhood that surrounds Georgetown University.  It is a lovely neighborhood of old homes with a mix of history, shopping, and foodie destinations.
 
Lunch:
Make a reservation for lunch at the Peacock Café at 3251 Prospect St. NW. The food is great, there is always outdoor seating, and there’s a wine bar if you decide to come back in the evening.
 
Georgetown:
Since your lunch is on Prospect, it’s a short walk to the Exorcist Steps, as featured in the movie. This concrete staircase is located at the corner of Prospect St and 36th St NW. It’s definitely a lot of steps, so it’s a great way to work off that dessert.
From there you can head to the University’s campus and enjoy the architecture, and the lovely homes along the way. The shopping is mostly along Wisconsin and M Streets, if that is what you are looking for. Some of my favorite shops are Tuckernuck, Ann Mashuburn, and Sezanne.
 
Don’t forget to check out the C&O Canal. It’s full name is the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and now it is a lovely historic walk that teaches you about the early history of Georgetown. There’s currently a project going on to clean and rehabilitate it.
 
If during all of this walking you need a snack or a coffee break, I have two options for you:
1.   Consider visiting Crumbs and Whiskers. The cats here are rescued and available for adoption. Your ticket helps to fund their human assimilation and care, and you get a calming break along the way.
2.   Grab some coffee at Bitty and Beau’s Coffee and head over to the Georgetown Waterfont Park to enjoy it. This cafe is run by people with disabilities, and everyone there is engaging and lovely to chat with.  It’s a great way to impact the local economy on multiple levels. And I love the park. It wasn’t here when I was an undergrad, and I am so envious that its here now.
 
Dinner:
There are so many options for dinner in Georgetown, but I here are a few of my favorite for you to choose from:
1.     Make a reservation for the institution that is Martin’s Tavern. It’s been there since 1933, and JFK proposed to Jackie there.
2.     Clyde’s in Georgetown is the original location and it opened in 1963. It is a local institution, and one of my favorites. I went there as an undergraduate for special occasions, and now as an adult with the fam.  It just feels nostalgic.
3.     I hate to miss up an opportunity to eat by the water.  If that sounds like you, then head over to Washington Harbour.  There are a few restaurants for you to choose from there including Founding Farmers Fishers Bakers and Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place.
4.     Filomena Italian Restaurant has been a landmark on Wisconsin for over 40 years. There are often celebrity sightings, which just adds to the allure.
5.     Ice Cream: Grab some ice cream at Thomas Sweet (referred to as T. Sweet’s by the locals), which has been frequented by most modern day presidents. They have really unique flavors like butterbrickle, swiss choclate malt, or cake batter. They also have sorbets, and vegan options. But the waffle cones are amazing.

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Day 3:
Summary: Air & Space Museum or the Holocaust Museum, International Spy Museum,
 
Breakfast:
Le Pain Quotidien on Dupont Circle is one of my absolutely favorite breakfast spots. The food is always fresh and delicious, and I love the French flair to start my day.
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Morning:
First up is the National Air & Space Museum, and you need to get these tickets online as soon as you decide to go to DC. They have just reopened after a huge remodeling and reinstallation.  If planes aren’t your jam, or you didn’t get a ticket, other options would be the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, or the National Museum of African American History & Culture.
 
Lunch:
At the National Museum of the American Indian is Mitisam Native Foods Café, and it is excellent. They have a wide variety of foods ranging from soups to fresh fish, tacos and burgers. And they have plenty of healthy options.
 
Afternoon:
Next up is the International Spy Museum. Seriously – you need to allocate 3 hours here to really experience it all. I was completely shocked by how much I enjoyed and learned from this museum.
 
If espionage isn’t quite your thing, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is close by and is remarkably moving. Again – try to secure your tickets for this well in advance, especially during the busy Summer season.
 
Evening:
I suggest heading back to Georgetown for dinner, or if you want to check out Navy Yard, take the metro there and have a fabulous Italian dinner at Osteria Morini along the waterfront.
Or head to the Morrow Hotel near Union Station and eat at Marcus Samuelsson’s new restaurant, Marcus DC. If you’d rather stay closer to the hotel, Agora DC is a great Mediterranean restaurant.
 

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Day 3 Optional Itinerary: Old Town Alexandria:
 
I love, love, love Old Town Alexandria, and I plan to retire there and be the cute little old lady walking to coffee or lunch with her dachshunds in tow.  Travel and Leisure had it on their 2024 list of Best Cities in the US, commenting that “it strikes the perfect balance between sophisticated and small-town. Readers were drawn to the picturesque waterfront of Old Town, and praised attractions like the Torpedo Factory and the Mount Vernon Trail for easy bike rides and bird watching.” It is a nationally designated historic district that was founded in 1749 and now has over 200 independent restaurants and boutiques alongside its historic museums and the waterfront.
 
You can easily get there for only $2-$4 dollars and 22 minutes from Dupont Circle on the Braddock Road, Yellow/Blue Line Center Platform. Here is a suggested itinerary should you choose to swop out the day for Old Town Alexandria instead.
 
Once you arrive in Old Town, take a stroll and explore the shops along King Street. There is also a free King Street Trolley if you want to save your feet a bit.
 
There is more to Old Town than just shopping, however. Here are some historical sites to explore:
Carlyle House is a Georgian manor and 1700s social hub, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, hosted the first five U.S. presidents, and Barrett Library is the site of one of the nation’s earliest civil rights sit-ins and more. There is a multi-museum pass called the Key to the City Museum pass, and it is a $60 value for just $20, and includes admission to the 9 historic sites and additional discounts.
 
If you love the water, your next stop need to be the tall ship Providence on the waterfront. The Providence is a reproduction of the first ship commissioned to the Continental Navy. The legendary Captain John Paul Jones gives an immersive one-hour dockside tour at the Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center. There are also sunset sails on the weekends during the summer.
 
I strongly suggest having lunch along the waterfront and enjoying the views of the Potomac. Great options include:
Hummingbird by James Beard nominee chef Cathal Armstrong
Vola’s Dockside Grill, for oysters and lobster rolls
BARCA Pier & Wine Bar
Ada’s on the River
Blackwall Hitch
 
Old Town is gorgeous and very Instagrammable. Here is a list of some of  the most Instagrammable stops you need to see, as per Visit Alexandria, and I couldn’t agree more:

1. Spite House is the skinniest historic house in America at just seven feet wide. It is a private residence located at 523 Queen Street. It was built "out of spite" in 1830 to keep loiterers out of disgruntled owner John Hollensbury’s adjacent alley.

2.  Cobblestoned Captain’s Row
Captain’s Row in the 100 block of Price Street is made of smoothed-down cobblestones in the street and beautiful sunlight coming through the arched tree canopy. This colonial streetscape will transport you to the late 1700s, when the block’s namesake, Captain John Harper, built many of the surrounding homes. 

3.  Queen Street Rowhouses
There is a vibrant strip of rowhouses on the Queen Street’s 400 block. The colors, the flags, the flowers, and the gas-lit lanterns are gorgeous. 

4. Wales Alley on Lee Street
The hidden alley in the 100 block of South Lee Street in Old Town has brick walls, cobblestones and overhanging hedges creating the perfect spot for photos.

5. Charming Doors
Old Town’s striking doorways feature elaborate knockers and flickering lanterns, complementary colors, and eccentric statues. These are like Easter eggs to find  as you wander the city. Try the 200 block of N. St Asaph Street, the 500 block of S. Lee Street and the 600 block of Princess Street. 

6. Cherry Blossom Paddlewheel Boat at the Marina
Stroll down to Old Town’s lively waterfront and get a photo of the Alexandria City Marina, located at 0 Cameron Street. There you will also find a recreation of the 19th-century Victorian riverboat, the Cherry Blossom.

7. Wilkes Street Tunnel
Overgrown ivy sprawls over this former railroad tunnel making it already decorated for the gram. It was first utilized by the Orange & Alexandria Railroad in 1851. Now, it’s an alluring underpass adjacent to Windmill Hill Park, located at 398 Wilkes Street in South Old Town.

9.  George Washington Masonic National Memorial at Sunset
This Egyptian-inspired tower creates an impressive silhouette against the sky and offers a sweeping vista eastward of Carlyle, Old Town and the Potomac. Be sure to capture it at twilight when it is at its most dramatic.
 

Other Additional Options if you have more time in DC< or want to swop out some of the options listed above:
The Smithsonian's National Zoo
The United States Bontanic Garden
Ford's Theatre, and the nearby National Portrait Gallery
Arlington National Cemetery
Dumbarton Oaks Gardens
Mount Vernon