Planning a trip can be overwhelming, especially when you want to visit a place like Washington, D.C.! And if you’re like me, you do not like to be overwhelmed. Luckily for all of us, I’m a pro at D.C. after living here more than 13 years, and I’ve written extensively about everything you need to know about my adopted hometown. But I’m making it even easier on you! I’ve compiled my seven most helpful D.C. blog posts right here. It’s a perfect place to start!
FREE Things to Do in D.C.
I have no data to back this up, however, I’m fairly certain D.C. is in the running for the most FREE things to do in a single city! As an unemployed college graduate during the Great Recession, it’s one of the reasons I chose to move here. In this post, I highlight the best of the best and recommend my personal favorites!
More here: The Ultimate Guide to D.C.’s Smithsonian Museums
What’s Actually Worth the Money in D.C.
Along the same lines, there are some things you shouldn’t miss in D.C. that will cost you a little something. As a self-proclaimed penny pincher, I would never recommend anything that’s not 100% worth it! If you or anyone in your party is interested in George Washington, you have to go to Mount Vernon! If baseball is a priority, the tour of Nationals Stadium is a must-do! Want to make sure you get to go up in the Washington Monument? It’s worth paying the $1 reservation fee to get the date and time you want!
Here’s one: Your Guide to Visiting the International Spy Museum
D.C. for History Lovers
If D.C. is on your list of places to go, it’s likely for one of three reasons: 1. You’re into politics. 2. It’s educational for your kids. 3. You LOVE history!
For me, it was totally #3. I wrote this post for others like me who had a passion and respect for history, especially American history. In it, I lay out all the best places to see on your history-themed trip. Some are on everyone’s list (the monuments), but others are lesser known (did you know you can still see the original D.C. boundary stones in Alexandria, VA?). All are essential if you’re planning a journey through history!
Don’t miss this one:
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Arlington National Cemetery
How to Ride D.C.’s Metro
Growing up in Tennessee, we didn’t have a metro or subway system. In my small, rural hometown, they don’t even have a public bus system! So learning how to use the Metro was anxiety-inducing until I got the hang of it. This post is for those of us who like to be prepared, need to know where we’re going, and want to get there on the first try! The Metro is easy, but there are a few things you need to know first!
Keep reading: What to Know Before You Visit D.C.
What to Do on a Rainy Day in D.C.
It happens! D.C. is a fabulous place for outdoor enthusiasts, but it’s also pretty good for a rainy (or snowy, or too hot) day. Inclement weather is a fact of life. Here’s hoping you have fantastic weather for your whole trip, but if not, this post might just save the day!
More here: How to Survive Rainy Day Travels
D.C. Tours You Never Knew You Could Take
This is one of my most-viewed blog posts ever! And with good reason: People need to know! There is so much to do in D.C., you’d never get it all done in one trip. But that doesn’t mean the best things have to fall through the cracks! This post highlights the most amazing, little-known tours that might just be the highlight of your trip. Tours of places like the Red Cross Headquarters, the Pentagon, and the FBI Building may not be on your list at the moment, but they should be!
A favorite: How to Tour the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
D.C. Tours to Request in Advance
One post whose views top the one above? D.C. Tours to Request in Advance. Since I first published it in 2018, it’s had over 10,000 views! Why? Because if you want to do any or all of the tours mentioned in the blog post, you have to be organized. So I’ve organized them for you. In this post, I outline which tours are available, what information you need in order to request each tour, and how far in advance you can request each one. It’s like your cheat sheet to D.C.’s most popular, most exclusive tours!
Don’t miss this one! How to Tour the FBI Experience
Are you planning a trip to D.C. this year? Comment below with your questions!
Want more? Take a look at my dedicated Washington, D.C. Page, organized in a helpful, non-overwhelming way!
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