Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Washington?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Washington?
Many visitors spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Washington during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, discover the big city activities, and take in a show.
Washington DC is a world class destination that attracts international travelers, students, and business workers. At the heart of the tourist scene is the National Mall, which has many of the most well known monuments including the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. This is also where you'll find the most notable Smithsonian Museums. While many visitors make a visit to the National Mall a top priority, the more livable neighborhoods are where you'll find the true heart of the city.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Washington? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Washington?
Washington, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. Three days is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Washington such as the famous sights and museums, the food, the big city activities, and the theatre. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully experience the diverse city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.
How to spend 3 days in Washington
When visiting Washington, you absolutely can't miss the Washington Monument and the White House as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.
The culinary scene in Washington is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. This city is among the most diverse in the country, so you can find restaurants from almost any cuisine here. It's worth exploring and stepping out of your comfort zone. There are popular neighborhoods for Ethiopian, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese food, among many others.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Little Ethiopia Food Tour ($67)
- Georgetown Foodie Culinary Tour & Neighborhood Walk ($79)
- Virginia Wineries Guided Tour & Tastings from Washington DC ($230)
Washington is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. Many neighborhoods around the city are easy to explore on foot. Most tourists spend a lot of time in the Mall area, which is very pedestrian friendly.
Washington is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. The city has world class museums that are often free. The Smithsonian Museums are arguably some of the most impressive museums in the United States. The city also has a large collection of monuments that are dedicated to past presidents or historical events. Many are best experienced at night when the sun sets and the lights come on.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour ($101)
- Smithsonian Natural History + Air & Space Museum - Guided Tour ($186)
- Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Guided Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max ($101)
Don't miss an evening at the theater while in town. Whether it's a musical, opera, ballet, or a famous Broadway-style production, Washington is known for its wide range of shows. Theater is popular in the city. From major theaters like the Kennedy Center and Ford's Theater, to lesser known smaller venues, there are options for everyone.
The public transit in Washington is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. The metro system and the bus system are reliable and efficient ways to explore the city.
In the large and diverse city of Washington, you'll want to dedicate at least a day to experiencing the unique neighborhoods, exciting attractions, and immersive activities offered around town. Don't miss out on visiting some of the city's famous landmarks as well. It is a big city, but it's unique neighborhoods and lack of tall buildings give it a small town feel.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Washington, D.C. 4 Hour Day-Time City Tour. ($80)
- 3-Hour Private Customizable Washington DC City Tour by Luxury Van ($124)
- DC in a Day: 10+ Monuments, Potomac River Cruise, Entry Tickets ($84)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Many visitors head straight to the museums and the National Mall, and don't realize what a livable and fun city this is. Some of the best nightlife is found in Dupont Circle, U Street, and even Arlington, VA. The city's young population ensures that there's never a dull moment.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C. ($59)
- Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam ($12)
Is 4 days enough time in Washington?
Four days is usually not enough time to experience the diverse city of Washington, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, discover the big city activities, and take in a show. You'll likely want more than four days, as many tourists set aside around three to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
The Lincoln Memorial during the Cherry Blossom Festival - Washington, D.C.
How to spend 4 days in Washington
If you have more than 4 days in Washington, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Shopping in Washington is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Head to Georgetown and Dupont Circle for some of the city's best local shopping. There are name brand chains mixed in with local boutiques. You'll also find plenty of souvenir shops in the more touristy areas if you're looking to pick up some trinkets.
Washington is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city is particularly beautiful when it lights up at night or when the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom.
A few tour suggestions include:
- DC's Dupont Circle & Embassy Row Architecture Walking Tour ($48)
- Arlington National Cemetery Walking Tour + Changing of the Guards ($55)
- The Lincoln Assassination Walking Tour ($49)
Is 5 days enough time in Washington?
Many visitors choose to spend around five days in Washington. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities and spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, discover the big city activities, and take in a show. Since many visitors prefer to spend around three to seven days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the diverse city.
How to spend 5 days in Washington
Having 5 days in Washington will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
Washington offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. There are many quaint neighborhoods in the area around Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria.
A few tour suggestions include:
- DC's Dupont Circle & Embassy Row Architecture Walking Tour ($48)
- Arlington National Cemetery Walking Tour + Changing of the Guards ($55)
- The Lincoln Assassination Walking Tour ($49)
Live music is very popular in Washington, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. Notable live music venues include the 9:30 Club, the Anthem, and Union Stage.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Washington, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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