3 Days in Washington, DC

By Plan It Let's Go Apr 1, 20240

Welcome to Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States since 1800. Situated on the Potomac River in the middle of the 13 original colonies, Washington was built from scratch to be the nation’s capital. The city overlaps with the District of Columbia, a neutral territory that’s not part of any state. Clawing its way out of marshland and swamps, Washington gradually transformed itself from a fledgling settlement into a modern city that is now one of the world’s great centers of power.

Washington is a city steeped in history, where the past reverberates on every corner. Museums and monuments recall every stage of the American republic, and many places have borne witness to some of the country’s most important events.

Yet, Washington, D.C. is not merely a museum of the past. It has shed its staid, buttoned-up persona to become a dynamic center of world-class cuisine, vibrant neighborhoods, and top-notch arts and culture. There are fun and exciting events happening every week of the year, and its eclectic neighborhoods, from the historic streets of Georgetown to the rejuvenated Southwest Waterfront, offer an array of dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences for every kind of visitor.

If you’ve been here before, you may find it’s changed dramatically from your last visit — which is all the more reason to visit again.

This 3-day itinerary will help you make the most of your visit. You’ll traverse the corridors of power, explore world-class art and science institutions, and savor international cuisines. You’ll also get to experience hidden gems that not every visitor is lucky enough to see.

Even so, this itinerary is designed to be flexible. I don’t expect you to visit every place listed — that would make for a very hectic trip! Instead, pick the activities that look the most interesting to you and your family and concentrate on those. No matter what you choose to do, you’ll leave our nation’s capital with a much greater appreciation of its vibrancy and its place in US history. Welcome to Washington, D.C.!