City or town
Things to see in Washington, D.C. (United States): 48 places and when to go
Washington, D.C. is a major city in United States with around 4,338,000 inhabitants, and this site lists 48 places in and around it, mainly History (20), Food and drink (9), Museums and art (7). The best known are National Gallery of Art, Lincoln Memorial and Greenbelt, Maryland. The best time to come is March to October; also possible: November to February. In June there are 14 h 43 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 17. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- United States · 38.9015, -77.0114
- Population
- About 4,338,000
- Places
- 48 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- History (20) · Food and drink (9) · Museums and art (7) · Wildlife (7) · Nature (6) · Hiking (3)
- Best time
- March to October.
- Also possible
- November to February.
- Nearest airport
- EWR Newark, 314 km as the crow flies
What to see in Washington, D.C.
The places in and around Washington, D.C., best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- National Gallery of ArtNational art museum in Washington, D.C1.4 km
- Lincoln MemorialMemorial in Washington, D.C., United States3.6 km
- Greenbelt, MarylandHistory15 km
- Vietnam Veterans MemorialUS national memorial in Washington, D.C3.4 km
- National Museum of American HistoryHistory museum in Washington, D.C., a division of the Smithsonian Institution2.0 km
- National Museum of the American IndianMuseum in Washington, D.C., a division of the Smithsonian Institution1.5 km
- Marine Corps War MemorialMonument consisting of a large sculptural group on a circular base in Arlington, Virginia, United States5.2 km
- Dumbarton OaksResearch institution concerning Byzantine and Pre-Columbian studies and garden and landscape studies4.7 km
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture GardenArt museum in Washington, D.C., a division of the Smithsonian Institution1.8 km
- Capitol HillHistory1.7 km
- Martin Luther King Jr. MemorialMemorial located in West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C3.3 km
- Korean War Veterans MemorialNational memorial in Washington, D.C., United States3.5 km
- Pentagon MemorialHistoric site5.4 km
- Theodore Roosevelt IslandIsland and a national memorial located in the Potomac River in Washington, D.C4.5 km
- College Park AirportAirport in College Park, Maryland, United States12 km
- Butt–Millet Memorial FountainArtwork by Thomas Hastings and Daniel Chester French2.4 km
- National Museum of Health and MedicineMuseum in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States12 km
- National Museum of the United States NavyFlagship museum of the United States Navy3.4 km
- National Capitol ColumnsCorinthian columns at the U.S. National Arboretum which stood at the U.S. Capitol, 1828–19583.9 km
- American Discovery TrailLong-distance hiking and biking trail across the United States6.2 km
- Baitur Rehman MosqueMosque in Silver Spring, Maryland, US23 km
- United States Air Force MemorialMemorial in Arlington, Virginia6.0 km
- Greenbelt ParkPark in Greenbelt, Maryland, managed by the United States National Park Service13 km
- Lockkeeper's HouseLock keeper's house in Washington, D.C., United States2.7 km
And the other 24, by what you come to do:
- History: USS Maine Mast Memorial, Spanish–American War Nurses Memorial, Spanish–American War Memorial, Civil War Unknowns Monument, McClellan Gate, Rachel Carson House, Rough Riders Memorial, USS Serpens Memorial
- Food and drink: Union Market, Atlas Brew Works Bridge District Brewery & Tap Room, BabyCat Brewery, DC Brau, Fleetwood Winery, Green Hat Gin, sangfroid Distillery, The Urban Winery, Third Hill Brewing Company
- Temples: Young Israel Shomrai Emunah
- Hot springs: Crew Club
- With kids: Einstein Planetarium, Glen Echo Park Aquarium
- Stargazing: Georgetown University Astronomical Observatory
- Hiking: Lockhouse 10, Lockhouse 6
When to go to Washington, D.C.
The best time to visit Washington, D.C. is March to October; also possible: November to February. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanPossible9:34
- FebPossible10:32
- MarBest time11:42
- AprBest time13:01
- MayBest time14:07
- JunBest time14:43
- JulBest time14:28
- AugBest time13:31
- SepBest time12:14
- OctBest time10:57
- NovPossible9:50
- DecPossible9:17
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 14 h 43 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 17. In April, 47 of the 48 places are at their best.
When to go to United States in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to Washington, D.C.
The nearest main airport is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR, Newark), 314 km as the crow flies. How to get around United States (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Alexandria, Virginia24 places12 km
- Colesville11 places22 km
- Upper Marlboro8 places24 km
- Annapolis Junction17 places31 km
- Herndon40 places33 km
- St. Charles, Maryland9 places34 km
And all of United States, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Washington, D.C.?
The best known: National Gallery of Art, Lincoln Memorial, Greenbelt, Maryland, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, National Museum of American History. In all, 48 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit Washington, D.C.?
March to October; also possible: November to February. In June there are 14 h 43 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 17.
How do you get to Washington, D.C.?
The nearest main airport is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), 314 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with Washington, D.C. as the destination and these 48 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- United StatesBefore travelling to United States: 9 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. No visa is needed, but you do need an electronic authorisation, the ESTA, applied…
- History4315 places for history in United States, from Empire State Building to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: March to October. Each with its own season by altitude and
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.