Things To Do
U.S. Capitol Tours
Tours of the Capitol can be made from the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) and are free. Tours are offered Monday-Friday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m EST. These will last 45-60 minutes. Click "View" for more info. You can also ask your member of Congress or senator about a tour through their office. Just go on their website and look for a tour request section or simply call the office number on their .gov website.
The White House
White House tours are limited and done on a first come, first serve basis. Requests are made through your member of Congress, not the White House. Public White House tour requests must be submitted a minimum of 21 days in advance and no more than 90 days in advance of the requested tour date(s). Reservations cannot be accepted for tour dates outside this 21 – 90-day window. Public tours are typically available from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, excluding Federal holidays or unless otherwise noted.
Mount Vernon - George Washington's Home
Just a short distance from Washington, DC, the home of our first president is one of the area's must-see sites. Take a mansion tour, visit his grave site, and take a look out onto the beautiful Potomac River. General admission is $28 for adults and includes one-day admittance to the Mount Vernon estate and an audio tour. While we recommend at least three hours for your visit, shorter visits are also possible. We highly recommend taking a boat tour from DC (the Wharf) to Mount Vernon. Tickets are $55 and include admission. Tickets are purchased directly from City Experiences, NOT the Mount Vernon website. The boat leaves from Pier 4, 580 Water Street SW, Washington DC. This is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Drinks and light snacks are available for purchase aboard the ship. Mount Vernon can also be accessed via bike, Uber/car, and bus. Here is the link to purchase boat tickets: https://www.cityexperiences.com/washington-dc/city-cruises/mount-vernon-excursion-cruise/
Visit the National Mall
The National Mall is home to some of the country's most iconic landmarks such as the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and many Smithsonian Museums. There is no charge for any of the mall sites including any of the Smithsonian museums. However, some places might require free timed-entry passes such as the Air & Space Museum, African American History Museum, and the National Archives. Other sites on the Mall include the Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, WWII Memorial, FDR Memorial, and MLK Memorial. Touring the sites is easy and can be done by foot. That said, there are also bus tours available that can help you see everything in a shorter amount of time and limit your walking. We highly recommend the "Monuments by Moonlight" tour from Old Town Trolley. Click "View" for more info. Other companies that do bus tours of DC include The Big Bus. Here is their website: https://www.bigbustours.com/en/washington-dc/.
National Portrait Gallery
Located in Chinatown, the National Portrait Gallery is one of the most popular of the 19 Smithsonian Museums. The most popular attraction is the gallery of presidential portraits.
Nationals Park
Catch some baseball at Nats Park located in the Navy Yard neighborhood. The Washington Nationals are playing the Oakland As at 1:35pm on Sunday, August 13. Click here for more information about tickets.
Smithsonian Museums
The Smithsonian is actually more than just one museum, it's a collection of 19 museums, 21 libraries, and even a zoo. Access to all sites is free, but some places might require timed-entry passes (such as the Air & Space Museum, African American History Museum, and the National Archives). Popular sites located on the National Mall include the Museum of American History, Museum of the American Indian, National Air & Space Museum (newly renovated as of 2023) and more. Click "View" to see hours and further information. Some sites are also located in other parts of DC, such as the Portrait Gallery and National Zoo.
Explore the Wharf
There's lots to do on the Wharf. Catch a bite near the water or climb to a rooftop bar and soak in the views of DC. Restaurant Recommendations: Mi Vida (modern Mexican), Lupo Marino (Italian), Surfside (casual taco stand), Rappahannock Oyster Bar (seafood), Jessie Taylors Seafood (for the true seafood fans; serving DC since 1939), Cantina Bambina (Mexican), Places to grab a drink: Whiskey Charlie (rooftop bar and lounge), Tiki TNT (casual Polynesian-themed tiki bar), Kirwan's on the Wharf (Irish pub), H Bar at Hyatt House (located in the hotel), Boardwalk Bar & Arcade (arcade bar), and Officina (rooftop bar). Live Music: Union Stage & Pearl Street Warehouse Click "View" to view more restaurant, bar, and event information on the Wharf.
Explore the Georgetown Neighborhood
Take a walk down the cobblestone streets and old canals of Georgetown to see the sites. Located about 15 minutes northwest of the Wharf, Georgetown boasts a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops along M Street, Wisconsin Ave, and the Waterfront. Restaurant & Bar Recommendations: Martin's Tavern (historic tavern where JFK proposed to Jackie O), il Canale (Italian), Filomena (Italian), Ristorante Piccolo (Italian), Thunder Burger & Bar (tavern), Farmers Fishers Bakers (American), Sequoia (seafood), and more. Sites: Walk along the Georgetown Riverfront, kayak on the Potomac (depart from the Key Bridge Boathouse), booze cruise (Boomerang Boat Tours), catch a show in Blue's Alley (historic Jazz bar), Baked & Wired (famous cupcakes) and more! Click "View" for more information.
Golfing at East Potomac
Book a tee time at East Potomac Golf Course, one of three public courses in DC. East Potomac is easily accessible by Uber. The course itself is not the nicest but boasts great views of Washington. Clubs and golf carts are available for rent and there is a snack stand with booze on site.
Rock Creek Park
Take a hike through Rock Creek Park, a national park in the northwest quadrant of Washington that is more than twice as large as New York's Central Park. There are two primary trails that run north-south in Rock Creek Park. They are the Western Ridge Trail (green on the park map) and the Valley Trail (orange on the park map).