One Day Walking Tour of Washington DC (From a Local!)

Having lived in Maryland most of our lives, we are lucky to be in such close proximity to our nation’s capital. Washington DC is a place that we visit frequently. With so many museums and historical sights, this city makes an excellent travel destination in the USA. For one day, we acted like tourists, scouting out the perfect walking tour for first-timers to Washington DC.

If you would prefer to have an experienced guide take you around Washington DC, then we provide some highly rated suggestions towards the end of this article. Those tours include interesting insights about Washington DC and transportation to minimize walking.

Table of Contents

Walking Tour of Washington DC

DISTANCE: About 5 miles
TIME: One full day
BEST FOR: First-time visitors who want to see DC’s major monuments and one Smithsonian museum
START: U.S. Capitol
FINISH: White House / Old Ebbitt Grill
COST: Most sights are free; some museums and the Washington Monument require free timed-entry reservations
OUR TIP: Wear comfortable shoes. This is a long sightseeing day, and the National Mall is much larger than it looks on a map.

See the best of Washington DC: The White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Museum, The National Mall, The World War II Memorial (and more!)

Dine at some of DC’s most famous spots: The Old Ebbitt Grill, the Willard Hotel, and The Capital Grille

How much can you realistically see in one day? This itinerary works best if you limit your museum visit to about 2 to 3 hours. If you love museums and want several hours inside one, consider skipping the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial or saving some of the memorials for another day.

How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left corner of the map to see a list of the points of interest and to turn layers on/off. Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.

To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.

Morning: The Capitol Building and the Smithsonian Museums

Start your day in front of the Capitol Building. Take in the view. You can look down along the National Mall to the Washington Monument. The National Mall is a national park that stretches almost two miles from the Capitol Building in the east to the Lincoln Memorial in the west. Today’s walk will cover most of this distance.

If you want to tour the Capitol, you’ll need more time than this itinerary allows. Free guided tours take about an hour, and reservations are recommended.

The Smithsonian Museums line the National Mall, along with the United States Botanic Garden (located near the Capitol Building) and the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.

Take your pick from the Smithsonian museums that line the National Mall, of which there are many.

National Gallery of Art
National Museum of Natural History
National Museum of American History
National Museum of African American History and Culture (free, timed-entry reservations are required)
National Museum of Asian Art
Smithsonian National Museum of African Art
Smithsonian Castle (currently closed for renovations)
Hirshhorn Museum
Air and Space Museum (free, timed-entry reservations are required)
National Museum of the American Indian

For first-time visitors, we recommend the National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, or National Air and Space Museum. Plan on spending at least 2 to 3 hours in one museum. Natural History and American History do not require advance tickets, but the Air and Space Museum requires a free timed-entry pass. If you want to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture, you will also need a free timed-entry pass.

Guided Museum Tours: If you would like to have a guided museum tour then consider this National Museum of Natural History Guided Tour or this National Museum of African American History and Culture Guided Tour.

Midday: Lunch

The museums have small cafes or restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat. For something quick and budget friendly, buy lunch at one of the many food trucks that line the National Mall.

The Capital Grille is one of the highest rated restaurants in Washington DC. The food is delicious, with options like French onion soup, steak, seafood, and sandwiches. A meal here is expensive and will take at least an hour of your time. If you do not want to spend the time or money here for lunch, it also makes a great spot for dinner at the end of the day (make your reservation in advance for dinner). The Capital Grille is located on the north side of the National Mall near the National Gallery of Art.

Washington Monument

Continue your walk down the National Mall to the Washington Monument.

The Washington Monument is the world’s tallest obelisk, standing at 555 feet tall. When construction was completed in 1888, it was the world’s tallest structure for an entire year until the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889.

The monument is open 9 am–5 pm, with a monthly maintenance closure plus July 4 and December 25 closures. Tickets are free, but advance reservations carry a $1 service fee. Tickets are released at 10 am ET 30 days ahead, with another batch at 3 pm the day before; free same-day tickets are distributed beginning at 8:45 am at the Washington Monument Lodge.

Want to go inside? Free timed-entry tickets are required. Reserve them on Recreation.gov up to 30 days in advance ($1 reservation fee), or try for the limited batch released the afternoon before your visit. Same-day walk-up tickets are also available, but they can disappear quickly during busy times.

The World War II Memorial

Sitting between the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool is the World War II Memorial. This is a free, quick visit with a cool view down the Reflecting Pool to the Lincoln Memorial.

Martin Luther King Memorial

From the World War II Memorial, you will walk out to the Tidal Basin to the Martin Luther King Memorial. If the cherry blossoms are blooming, you are in for a treat because the Tidal Basin is the prettiest spot to visit in Washington DC at the end of March into early April.

The Martin Luther King Memorial is one of the newer monuments in Washington DC, opened in 2011. See the 30-foot statue of Martin Luther King and read 14 of his most inspirational quotes that are inscribed on the granite walls.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Head back towards the Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial, stopping briefly at the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

The Lincoln Memorial

Say hello to Honest Abe at the Lincoln Memorial. This is a popular spot so expect large crowds midday. From the top of the steps you have one of the best views of the National Mall and Washington DC.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

From the Lincoln Memorial, walk the short distance to The Three Soldiers. This is a bronze statue commemorating the Vietnam War.

Just beyond The Three Soldiers is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. On the Memorial Wall are the names of the servicemen who were killed or missing in action in the Vietnam War. The names were added in chronological order starting in 1959.

Constitution Gardens

This is another quick, scenic stop. Within the Gardens is a memorial to the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. See the engraved signatures of John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.

The White House

From Constitution Gardens, leave the National Mall and walk briefly along Constitution Avenue. Walk on the Ellipse, a large park that separates the White House from the National Monument. For an up close view of the White House, you can see it from the pedestrian street, Pennsylvania Avenue.

It is possible to tour the White House, but this takes advance planning. You can request a tour through your member of Congress, and requests can be submitted 7 to 90 days before your visit.

Inside the White House

It is possible to arrange a tour of the White House. Click here to learn more.

Dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill

Only one block away from the White House is Old Ebbitt Grill. The Old Ebbitt Grill is the oldest saloon in Washington DC, dating back to 1856. This saloon has been visited by Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, Grover Cleveland, and Theodore Roosevelt. The location of the grill has moved several times but it has been in its present location since 1983.

Now the Old Ebbitt Grill is a restaurant owned by Clyde’s. Dine on traditional American food. We recommend the raw oysters…they were the best dish we tried while eating dinner here.

End Your Day with a Cocktail at the Willard Hotel

This is a very historic spot in Washington DC. Martin Luther King finished writing his “I Have a Dream” speech while staying here. The Willard has hosted almost every President since 1853. Abraham Lincoln had his inaugural luncheon here. And Mark Twain and Alexander Graham Bell were guests here.

End your day with a drink at the famous Round Robin bar.

Where to Park for this Walking Tour

The best way to get around Washington DC is by metro, but if you have a car, there are plenty of parking garages to choose from.

I recommend parking near Union Station. There are numerous parking garages in this area. From Union Station, it is a short walk to the Capitol Building and the National Mall.

After dinner and drinks at the Old Ebbitt Grill and the Willard Hotel, walk three blocks to Metro Center Station. Ride the red line three stops to Union Station (direction Wheaton-Glenmont) to get back to your car.

Guided Tours of Washington DC

If you would prefer to explore Washington DC with an experienced guide, then here are several highly rated tours to consider:

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With More Time in Washington DC

Here are some ideas of things to do if you have more than one day in Washington DC:

Visit the Smithsonian Museums
Tour the Capitol Building (learn more here)
Tour the White House (learn more here)
See the Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin in April
Visit the International Spy Museum
Spend a day in Georgetown
Visit the National Zoo
Tour the US Holocaust Museum
Visit the Arlington National Cemetery
Visit the Washington National Cathedral
Take a day trip out to Mount Vernon
See the Library of Congress

Seeing the Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossom peak bloom usually occurs sometime from mid-March into early April, but the exact dates vary considerably from year to year depending on winter and early spring temperatures. Once peak bloom occurs, the blossoms generally remain on the trees for about 7 to 10 days, although wind and rain can shorten the display. If seeing the cherry blossoms is a priority, check the National Park Service peak-bloom forecast shortly before your trip.

The best place to see the cherry blossoms is at the Tidal Basin. There are also cherry trees at nearby monuments and memorials.

On a weekend during peak bloom, expect HUGE crowds. We visited DC on April 6, 2019, a Saturday, to tour the White House, and walked down to the Tidal Basin to see the blossoms (this year, the blooms were later than average). This was the most crowded we have ever seen Washington DC. If you can, visit on a weekday and try to get here in the morning, before the crowds arrive, for the most peaceful experience.

Washington DC One Day Itinerary FAQs

Can you see Washington DC in one day?

Yes, you can see many of Washington DC’s top sights in one day, especially if you focus on the National Mall, the major memorials, the White House, and one Smithsonian museum. You won’t see everything, but this walking route covers many of the city’s most important landmarks.

What is the best Smithsonian museum to visit if you only have one day in Washington DC?

For first-time visitors, we recommend the Air and Space Museum (remember that free timed-entry tickets are required), our favorite Smithsonian Museum. A close second is the National Museum of Natural History, followed by the National Museum of American History.

Do you need tickets to visit the monuments in Washington DC?

Most of the monuments and memorials along the National Mall are free and do not require tickets. The main exception on this itinerary is the Washington Monument, which requires a timed-entry ticket to go inside.

Is the National Mall free to visit?

Yes. The National Mall, its monuments and memorials, and most Smithsonian museums are free to visit. Some attractions, including the Washington Monument and certain Smithsonian museums, may require free timed-entry reservations.

What is the best way to get around Washington DC for one day?

For this itinerary, walking is the easiest way to see the major sights because most are clustered around the National Mall. We recommend using the Metro to reach the starting point rather than driving between attractions.

Can you visit the White House on this itinerary?

You can easily see the White House from the outside as part of this walking tour. Public tours of the White House require advance arrangements through a member of Congress, so they are not something you can usually add spontaneously to a one-day visit.

What is the best time of year to do this Washington DC walking tour?

We live in Maryland, and in our experience, the best weather for sightseeing is from late April through early June and again from mid-September through October. Expect pleasantly warm temperatures without the heat and humidity of summer or the chill of winter. Summers are hot and can be very humid. Late March into early April is the best time to see cherry blossoms. Peak fall colors run from mid-October into early November. Most of the photos in this guide where taken either in early April or early November.

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