Washington, DC is always a fun place to visit. As the capital of the United States, there are a ton of free and cheap things to do in Washington, DC, and a ton of history throughout the city. Two days in Washington, DC will give a good overview of the city and give you an idea of what else to add to the trip for next time.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Washington, DC here.
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Table of Contents
History of Washington, DC
Washington, DC became the capital of the United States in 1790 as a compromise between the North and the South. George Washington, the first president of the United States selected the location and therefore became named after him. French architect Pierre Charles L’Enfant designed the city.
In the 1800s, the federal government moved from Philadelphia to Washington, DC to have the entire American government in one place. During the War of 1821, much of Washington, DC burned down. Later, Washington, DC played an important part in the Civil War.
Throughout the 1900s, Washington, DC saw a lot of events and protests for the Civil Rights movement. Present-day, Washington, DC continues to thrive and expand its iconic landmarks as well as serve as the seat of power for the United States.
When to Spend Two Days in Washington, DC
Washington, DC has a ton of unique things to do any time of the year. You can tend to find the best deals in the wintertime as many people do not want to visit in the cold. The later summer sees tons of crowds and very hot and humid weather. During the springtime, you can catch the cherry blossoms blooming all throughout the city. Fall and spring are the least busiest times to visit.
How to Get to Washington, DC
Washington, DC has one main airport: Reagan National Airport. Flights here tend to be pretty pricey, but it is the most convenient to the city. Also nearby are Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington Airport (BWI). If I cannot find a good flight deal into Reagan, I like flying into BWI because it is very easy to get into DC from there.
From Reagan Airport, you can catch the yellow or the blue line into the city city or it is about a 10 minute drive. The metro costs $2.25 a ride.
From Dulles Airport, you can catch a bus to the city center or drive for about 40 minutes. The bus costs $7.50 and takes about 50 minutes.
From BWI you can take the MARC train into the city center or it is about a 45 minute drive. The train costs about $7 and takes 40 minutes.
Transportation in Washington, DC
A lot of the main sites in Washington, DC are within walking distance of one another. Make sure to bring you walking shoes as you will be walking a lot. You can also take the metro all around as well. I recommend buying a pass if you plan on using the metro a lot.
If you want a more guided option, take the Hop-on Hop-off bus around! It gives you a narration in between stops and will drop you off near all major sites.
Where to Stay in Washington, DC
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Washington DC hotels here!
Washington, DC has so many fun and unique areas to stay in. If it is your first time in Washington, DC I recommend staying in the Capitol Hill area or near the National Mall. Some of my favorite hotels I have stayed in include the Kimpton Banneker Hotel or the Hyatt Place White House.
On our last trip, we opted to rent an apartment on Airbnb for the week, which was also a fun experience.
Things to Do During Two Days in Washington, DC
You can easily spend a week exploring all the sites Washington, DC has to offer. However, if you only have two days in Washington, DC I recommend exploring the following sites. It will be a jam-packed schedule but worth seeing everything!
Depending on which sites you want to visit, it may be worth getting a Washington, DC sightseeing pass. It comes with the Hop-on, Hop-Off Bus. This Washington DC Guided Tour also takes you to many of the popular sites. You may also like this African American History tour, this Segway Tour, or this National Mall bike tour.
Day 1
Ted’s Bulletin
Cost: $$
The first thing to do during your two days in Washington, DC is to load up on a big breakfast. Ted’s Bulletin serves breakfast all day as well as some other American Fare. Make sure to try one of their homemade pop tarts and milkshakes.
Walk the Monuments
Cost: Free
Hours: Anytime
Start out your first of two days in Washington, DC with a stroll of the National Monuments. DC has so many monuments and memorials all run by the National Parks Service. It is a great way to start the morning by taking a stroll around the Tidal Basin and the National Mall to see them all. You could also download this self-guided tour, or you could take this Monuments by Moonlight tour. This National Mall Night bus tour is also a popular option.
Rangers will lead talks at the different monuments as well. Check out this post for more information, but make sure to hit up the following monuments.
- Constitution Gardens
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
- Jefferson Memorial
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
- Martin Luther King Junior Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- Washington Monument
- World War II Memorial
Ford’s Theater
Cost: Free
Hours: 9am-4pm
Ford’s Theater is the iconic theater where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. In the basement, there is a museum. Visitors are limited to 20 minutes. After the museum, the National Park Ranger gives a 30-minute talk in the theater about the events that occurred on the night of Lincoln’s assassination. You can reserve tickets ahead of time online or show up the day of. This Lincoln’s Assassination walking tour is another popular option.
Peterson House
After visiting Ford’s Theater, head across the street to the Peterson House. The Peterson House is where Lincoln was brought after he was shot and ultimately became the place where he died.
Visitors can see the front parlor where Mary Todd Lincoln spent 9 agonizing hours waiting for Lincoln to die as well as the back room where Lincoln died. After walking through the house, there is another museum with exhibits on Lincoln, Reconstruction, and a few other topics. Your ticket to Ford’s Theater gets you into the Peterson House.
GCDC
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10:30am-7:30pm
Next, grab lunch at GCDC, an awesome place where you can make your own customized grilled cheese. They have pretty much any kind of cheese and fillings for a grilled cheese imaginable. You can even get things like truffle oil added to the grilled cheese.
White House Tour
Cost: Free
Hours: Scheduled
During certain times of the year, visitors can tour the White House. However, you MUST email your Congress representative several weeks prior and be granted approval from the White House. If you do not take a tour, you can still view the White House from outside the fence. Stopping by the White House should be part of any two days in Washington, DC.
National Archives
Cost: Free
Hours: 10am-5:30pm
During two days in Washington, DC, you must visit the National Archives. The National Archives is the home to the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights as well as many other not-as-famous documents. I get chills every time I see these documents. They are starting to fade, so they may have to be put away in the future. It is free to get in, but sometimes the line can get long so keep that in mind.
Arlington Cemetery
Cost: Free
Hours: 8am-5pm
Arlington National Cemetery is a 624-acre cemetery that has over 400,000 soldiers buried in it. The most significant of which are John F. Kennedy (and his family) and President Taft. Make sure to check out the view from Arlington House. You can also visit the inside of the house.
Prior to Arlington becoming a National Cemetery, this property belonged to Robert E. Lee’s wife, the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington. Later, the National Park system inherited it and keeps the Arlington House as a museum.
There are a few options for tours you could take as well. This one is a tram tour, or this one is a guided walking tour.
Mi Vida
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:30am-11pm, Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun: 11am-10pm
Tonight, grab dinner at Mi Vida, a delicious Mexican place at the Wharf along the water. Make sure to get the guacamole, the tacos, or the mole! The Wharf is a popular hang-out place in the evenings and has a lot of other fun things to walk around to after dinner.
Day 2
Visit a Smithsonian Museum
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies by Museum
Start out your second of two days in Washington, DC with a visit to one of the many museums on the National Mall. The National Mall is host to 18 Smithsonian Museums and a National Zoo run by the Smithsonian.
The best part is ALL of these museums are free! You can spend weeks visiting them all and not get to all the exhibits. I recommend visiting at least one each day to get a sample of the various exhibits. Stop at the Smithsonian Castle to see what types of exhibits are in each museum.
Some of my favorite museums include:
- Air and Space Museum
- American Art Museum
- American History Museum
- Freer Gallery of Art
- Natural History Museum
- Portrait Gallery
- Postal Museum
Old Ebbitt Grill
Cost: $$
Hours: 8am-2am
Old Ebbitt Grill is an iconic tavern to visit during your two days in Washington, DC. Many congressmen meetings happen here, so you never know who you may see. They have a lot of American fare options that make for the perfect lunch!
Capitol Building Tour
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies
There is now a Capitol visitors center that all visitors have access to. If you talk to your Congress or Senate Representative, they may be able to get you into the galleries. Everyone can also book a tour online ahead of time or there may be availability if you show up the day of. This Capitol Hill Tour also shows you around the area.
Library of Congress
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues-Sat: 10am-5pm
The Library of Congress is a research library mainly used by Congress. Make sure to check out the main reading room for the best views. Did you know that you can apply for a library card here? It makes for a great souvenir (or you can use it to check out books).
Supreme Court
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-4:30pm
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. There are 9 Supreme Court Justices that oversee cases. The building is open most weekdays to visit the inside. You can find more information and options online here.
Dinner at Flavio
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:30am-10pm, Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun: 11am-10pm
Tonight grab dinner at Flavio Restaurant in Georgetown. This delicious Italian place has awesome pasta dishes and a ton of different wines to choose from. Best of all, it is located in an adorable neighborhood of DC. Georgetown is lined with cobblestoned streets, gorgeous homes, and a university. It is a great place to shop and grab a bite to eat.
Nationals Game
Cost: $6 and up
If you are a baseball fan, make sure to hit up a Nationals game at Nationals Park. They are a part of the East Coast National League. If you are lucky, you can find cheap tickets starting at $6 but expect to pay at least $20 on the weekends. If you want to save on fees, just show up at the box office before the game.
Have More Than Two Days in Washington, DC?
You can easily spend way more than two days in Washington, DC. These are some of the other things you can add to the itinerary.
National Park Sites
Outside of the standard monuments, Washington, DC has a TON of National Park sites. You can easily spend a week exploring just these sites. I have outlined a little more about each one, so you can see which ones sound interesting to you.
In total, there are 25 just in Washington, DC and many more in the surrounding area. Many of them are free, or they are free if you have the America the Beautiful pass.
Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument
Cost: Free
Hours: Currently Closed for Renovations
Formerly known as the Sewall House, the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument is a historic house and museum dedicated to women’s rights. It previously served as the headquarters for the National Woman’s Party.
Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site
Cost: Free
Hours: Currently Closed for Renovations
Carter G. Woodson Home NHS preserves the home of Carter Woodson, an African American historian who founded Black History Month. Visitors can go on a tour and look at the exhibits.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Cost: Free for most sites
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
The C&O Canal NHP is located in the Georgetown area. President Eisenhower created this park as a way to preserve the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and his structures. It goes for about 185 miles.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
Cost: Free
Hours: Fri-Sat: 9am-4:30pm
This site was the home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. It is run by the National Park Service. The house has wonderful views of Washington, DC. You can go on a guided tour inside the house and you can reserve tickets online.
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens
Cost: Free
Hours: 8am-4pm
The Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is located near the Anacostia River and preserves a ton of rare waterlilies. You can easily spend a hour or two wandering around. I recommend Ubering here as the walk from the metro is not the best.
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site
Cost: Free
Hours: Thus-Sat: 9:30am-4:30pm
The site preserves the house of Mary McLeod Bethune, an important African American educator and civil rights activist. Visitors can go on a tour and view the exhibits.
Rock Creek Park
Cost: Free
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Rock Creek Park is a huge park in Northwest DC. It was created in 1890 and is now run by the National Park System. There are several trails that run through the park and some historic buildings you can go into.
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Cost: Free
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
In the middle of this island lies a monument to Teddy Roosevelt. It is also a great place to ride bikes around or spend time strolling through. A two-mile loop trail goes around the island.
Other National Park sites include the African American Civil War Memorial, Anacostia Park, Fort Dupont Park, and the LBJ Memorial Grove on the Potomac.
Other Museums to Visit in Washington, DC
In addition to the museums included on your Washington, DC itinerary suggestions above, these museums are also very awesome to visit during your two days in Washington, DC.
International Spy Museum
Cost: $27
Hours: Sun-Fri: 9am-7pm, Sat: 9am-8pm
Although this museum is not free like so many others in Washington, DC, it is worth the price of admission. This museum details the history and roles of spies. It also contains many artifacts that spies previously used.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Cost: $1 reservation fee
Hours: 10am-5:30pm
This museum depicts the events of the Holocaust and is a memorial to all the people who lost their lives. Tickets are free, but you can reserve them ahead of time for a $1 fee. Plan to spend at least an hour or two visiting the museum.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Cost: $10
Hours: Currently Closed for Renovations
Established in 1981, the National Museum of Women in Arts is one of the first museums dedicated to women in the arts. The museum is located inside a Masonic Temple. Plan to spend an hour or two exploring the four floors full of exhibits.
Other Things to Do in Washington, DC
Day Trip to Mount Vernon
Cost: $26 and up
Hours: 9am-4pm
Mount Vernon is the former home of George Washington and is definitely a great place to visit if you have more than two days in Washington, DC. It was super easy to get to by public transportation and you can easily spend an entire day exploring the property.
The last time I visited, I opted to do a mansion tour, a Hamilton Tour, a Photo Sightseeing Cruise, and walked the grounds. You can read more details about what to do here. You can also buy your tickets ahead of time here.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Cost: Free
Hours: Currently Closed
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing offers free tours to see how American paper money is produced. During the summer season, make sure to get tickets ahead of time as they do sell out quickly. It is a great thing to add if you have more than two days in Washington, DC.
The Mansion on O Street
Cost: $26.50 and up
Hours: Varies by Event
This mansion is tucked away in the Dupont Circle area. It contains over 70 hidden doors and tons of memorabilia from different ages. Rosa Parks even lived here for 10 years! You can even spend the night here (for a hefty fee). You can opt to do the hidden door hunt or a scavenger hunt. Make sure to check Groupon for a discount and their website for special events.
Pentagon
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-4pm
Outside of the Pentagon is a memorial to the people that lost their lives when the plane crashed into the Pentagon. In order to take a Pentagon Tour, email your Congress Representative to get approval. You must get clearance several weeks ahead of time.
Washington National Cathedral
Cost: $15 and up
Hours: Varies
This gothic-style cathedral is the second tallest religious building in the United States. There is no admission charge on Sundays. On other days, you can pre-book various tours online, one of which includes a visit to the bell tower, or book this guided tour.
Woodrow Wilson House
Cost: $15
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat: 12pm-3pm
This house was the residence of Woodrow Wilson after he left office and also the house he died in. Visitors can take a tour and see objects from Wilson’s life. Groupon tends to have discount tickets.
Other Fun Tours You May Enjoy
Check out these fun tours during your two days in Washington, DC.
- Monuments and Memorials Walking Tour
- Capitol Hill Walking Tour
- DC Scavenger Hunt
- Secrets and Scandals of the White House Tour
- Dinner Cruise on the Potomac
- 6-Hour Sightseeing Tour
Final Thoughts on Two Days in Washington, DC
The US Capitol City has so many amazing sites to visit, that you will definitely want more than two days in Washington, DC if you have the time. However, this itinerary highlights the main sites that you cannot miss!
If you have the time, pair this trip with time in Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston to complete an east coast history itinerary. You could also include a visit to Washington, DC as a part of a Virginia itinerary and visit many of the Civil War sites.
