Experience the best of DC by pairing classic landmarks with less-crowded favorites.
Washington, DC is steeped in history, home to world-renowned monuments, memorials and museums (the majority of which are free to visit). But the city’s character shines beyond its most famous sights.
To truly uncover the nation’s capital, explore how DC’s attractions connect and complement one another. Some pair beloved landmarks with lesser-known spots to offer a more laid-back, local vibe; others link related destinations that together to curate a richer experience together. Each pairing invites visitors to go deeper, discover new perspectives and support more of the people and places that bring Washington, DC to life.
Our list makes it easy to dive in, matching DC’s most popular sights with equally captivating, off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Lincoln Memorial / President Lincoln’s Cottage
There are so many cool aspects of the Lincoln Memorial: its positioning on the Mall, the larger-than-life statue of Abe, some of his most famous words inscribed on the walls and its view of the Reflecting Pool. Make sure you read our guide to the monument for even more details.
You will then want to visit President Lincoln’s Cottage, a 250-acre campus in Northwest DC, which features a historic site and museum in commemoration of the locale, where Lincoln developed the Emancipation Proclamation. Book a guided tour to enrich the day (and don’t forget to explore Ford’s Theatre as part of your Lincoln-themed itinerary).
The National Mall / U.S. National Arboretum
Most of Washington, DC's most famous monuments and memorials line the two-mile long National Mall. However, the Mall is not the only open-air park of this scale within the city limits.
The District also contains all 451 acres of the U.S. National Arboretum, another beloved green space that is also free to enjoy. What you may not know: here you can take in the National Capitol Columns, an installation of 22 Corinthian columns that once supported the east portico of the building. The Arboretum also features 446 acres of natural beauty and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
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U.S. Capitol Building / Supreme Court
The world-famous domed building that is home to the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate can be toured for free; just make sure to reserve a date and time for your excursion and you can enjoy the insights of a professional tour guide as you walk through the Capitol Building.
Add the judiciary branch to your itinerary with a visit to the Supreme Court. The building is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for self-guided visits, however some court proceedings may limit access to the building. Check out Today at the Court's schedule to visit. You might just be able to see the Court Chamber when sessions aren't in progress and view exhibits on Supreme Court history and Justices.
National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC) / African American Civil War Memorial
Since opening in 2016, NMAAHC has become one of Washington, DC’s most popular attractions thanks to its comprehensive exploration of the Black experience in America, from slavery and the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter.
Across town, visit the African American Civil War Memorial at the corner of Vermont Avenue, 10th Street and U Street NW. Be sure to explore the surrounding neighborhood, one of DC’s most vibrant and historic areas, once known as “Black Broadway.”
National Air & Space Museum / Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Did you know that you can take your imagination to infinity and beyond at two separate locations in the DC area?
Aside from the National Mall’s museum, which touts a host of new spaces and exhibitions, there’s the Steven. F Udvar-Hazy Center, located just south of Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Va. Both museums are free to visit, but you will need a timed-entry pass for the Air & Space Museum in the District, which ensures the facilitation of crowds. Passes are not required for the Udvar-Hazy Center.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon / Tudor Place
The riverside abode of the first U.S. president (located in Mount Vernon, Va.) is a scenic marvel that also offers immersive historical experiences, four gardens, tours of the expansive mansion and exciting events year-round.
A smaller slice of 19th-century estate life, Tudor Place in DC’s Georgetown neighborhood was home to six generations of Martha Washington’s descendants from 1805 to 1983, providing additional (and fascinating) context to the history of the first First Family of the nation. You can also learn about enslaved workers and families who lived and worked on both properties during your visits, whose stories are essential to understanding the site's history.
The National Museum of American History (NMAH) / The Go-Go Museum
Lots of visitors look forward to colorful exhibits like Entertainment Nation at the NMAH.
Another way to go more local with your experience of DC history is by visiting the Go-Go Museum & Café, which pays tribute to the official music genre of the city. The high-tech, media-rich museum is the newest addition to Anacostia’s growing hub of Black-owned businesses, touting 16 interactive exhibits, AI-powered holograms and a performance stage, making it easy to explore the genre whether it's new-to-you or one of your favorites.
While you're in its namesake neighborhood, stop by the Anacostia Community Museum to dive deeper into African American culture and the region's ongoing legacy of social change.
U.S. Botanic Garden / Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens
While the Tidal Basin is famous for its monumental views and springtime cherry blossoms, DC's botanical beauty doesn't stop there. The U.S. Botanic Garden (the oldest continually operating in the country) is abundant and green any time of the year, from desert flora to orchids galore. Once you've wrapped up, we recommend venturing to Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens to view landscapes more natural to DC. In the summertime, you may even catch the crop of lotus and water lilies. Check out our full flower calendar to browse more of DC's most beautiful blooms.
National Archives / Library of Congress
In addition to their physical proximity, both institutions serve as a vehicle for visitors to experience key moments in U.S. history through pivotal documents and artifacts.
At the National Archives, you'll find the founding documents and exhibits that cover topics essential to American identity. At the Library of Congress, millions of books, maps and manuscripts represent the ongoing evolution of intellectual life in the U.S. Together they safeguard information, democracy and ideals for future generations.
Folger Shakespeare Library / Planet Word
By pairing a visit to the world's largest Shakespeare collection with an immersive exhibit at Planet Word, visitors can experience the past, present and future of the written word in a single day.
The Folger explores literature, theatre and arts through the bard's works and other rare books, while Planet Word delves into linguistic history and brings text to life through modern technology. Both explore the ways in which language has shaped and continues to shape the human experience.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts / Atlas Performing Arts Center
Affectionately known as the Kennedy Center, the one-of-a-kind performance hub is a cultural metropolis unto itself, featuring some of the world’s most talented performers through a wide range of plays, concerts, operas, comedy shows and much more. Millennium Stage hosts a free performances Wednesday through Saturday nights at 6 p.m. and The REACH is a jaw-dropping indoor/outdoor on-site expansion.
Over on H Street NE, the neighborhood staple that is Atlas Performing Arts Center may offer productions and performances on a smaller scale, but they’re no less alluring and enlightening. Local theater companies (including Mosaic Theater Company) bring cutting-edge new plays to Atlas throughout the year. The Center also hosts dance performances, improv shows, symphony concerts and the annual Intersections Festival, a community-focused, weeks-long commemoration of art that positively impacts our society through education, inspiration and entertainment.
