Washington D.C. tourism has risen 44% since 2020. It's not much of a surprise, however, since there are so many great things to do in Washington DC.

If you're planning a trip to Washington DC, you'll have your work cut out for you. There are a lot of great landmarks, historic sites, and attractions to check out, so you'll have to think carefully about what you want to make room for in your itinerary.

Fortunately, we're here to help. Here's what you should do on your next trip to Washington DC. 

Visit The White House

No list of things to do in Washington, D.C. would be complete without a suggestion to visit The White House. The White House is the residence of the country's president and may just be the most famous building in the world.

You're free to go stand outside the property and admire the outside of the building and take photos. However, it's possible to take a tour inside as well. To do so, you'll need to formally apply through your member of congress or at your country's embassy in Washington D.C. Security is tight, however, so you may or may not get a chance to go inside.

At the very least, however, you'll want to stop by and take a look at The White House itself and the gate at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. 

Check Out the Lincoln Memorial

Another very iconic landmark in Washington D.C. is the Lincoln Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial is seated at the end of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the western end of the popular National Mall.

This landmark is home to a 19-foot-tall marble statue of the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, and is well worth a visit while you're in D.C.

The Lincoln statute is very impressive, as is the neoclassical temple the statue is housed in. The Lincoln Memorial was modeled after the Parthenon in Greece and was designed by architect Henry Bacon. 

Be sure to pay your respects to one of the country's most well-known presidents while you're in the city by visiting The Lincoln Memorial. 

Take a Walk at the National Mall

The National Mall stretches from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial. It's also a great jumping-off point for seeing some of the best museums and monuments in D.C.

The National Mall is a great place to take a long walk and visit some of the nearby sights and landmarks. It features a two-mile stretch that contains a grassy area, trees, and a pond. 

Crowds are to be expected at The National Mall, so you might want to go earlier in the day if you want to have a quieter stroll while visiting.

Tour the U.S. Capitol Building

The United States Capitol building is located on the eastern side of The National Mall and is also worth a visit while you're in the area. The U.S. Capitol is the home of the legislative branch of Congress in which both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate conduct their business.

The building has been around since 1800 and it's well worth taking a tour. You can even spend your time watching a session of Congress when it's in session if you're interested in doing so. 

Pay Respects at the Arlington National Cemetery

Located a few minutes from downtown D.C. in Arlington, VA, you may also want to visit the Arlington National Cemetery.

This cemetery is the most famous in the country and is where over 300,000 veterans of American conflicts rest. The cemetery is the final resting place for veterans from every American conflict to date including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Among these graves, you'll find several that are incredibly important and interesting including the grave of John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States. You can also view the Eternal Flame at this site as well. 

While at the cemetery, you can also watch the guard ceremony that happens every half hour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

Do Some Reading at the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress in Washington D.C. is the biggest library in the world and is home to many important historical documents.

The Library of Congress contains over 160 million different items including maps, films, manuscripts, and more. There are over 30 million books that are held within the 3 buildings.

If visiting the library, you can take a free one-hour guided tour and learn more about the library's interesting history. In addition to seeing the massive collection, you can also visit exhibitions and galleries at the Library of Congress as well.

Explore a Few Smithsonian Museums

There are 19 Smithsonian Institution museums in Washington D.C. along with the National Zoological Park.

You'll find many interesting Smithsonian museums to explore in D.C. including the National Air and Space Museum, the American History Museum, the Natural History Museum, and many more. Visiting at least a few of these on your visit to D.C. will be well worth it, so be sure to look at the list of museums and find one that piques your curiosity.

Several Smithsonian museums are located right next to The National Mall, so you won't have far to go to check a few of them out.

Learn About Espionage at the International Spy Museum

One of the most interesting museums that Washington D.C. has to offer is the International Spy Museum.

The museum is home to the largest collection of spy-related items and artifacts that the world has to offer. The museum does a great job of teaching visitors about the role of spies from a global perspective. This independent non-profit museum is a fascinating place to explore and you'll be able to see interactive exhibitions and installations that aren't found anywhere else.

Be sure to check out this unique museum if you're in Washington D.C. if you want to get some insight into the world of espionage.

See a Show at The Kennedy Center

If you're interested in the performing arts, then you might want to go see a show at the popular John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The Kennedy Center is the official home of the National Symphony Orchestra as well as the Washington National Opera. The center features many performances including performances at 6 pm each day that are free to attend. There's a variety of entertainment that's hosted on the center's Millenium Stage, so you're sure to find a performance that you and your family can enjoy.

If you're interested in being entertained by music, theater, opera, or ballet, there are many options in Washington D.C. However, The Kennedy Center serves as one of the most renowned and popular. 

Learn About Lincoln at Ford's Theatre

If you're interested in checking out more spots for theatre in the area, you may also want to visit Ford's Theatre. This theatre is also the location of Abraham Lincoln's assassination and is an important piece of history.

When visiting Ford's Theatre you can get a tour and learn more about what happened on the day of Lincoln's assassination.

In addition to this, there are interactive exhibits in the museum at the Ford's Theatre. At the museum, you can learn more about Lincoln's presidency, his assassination, and the Civil War. 

Explore the Georgetown Neighborhood

If you decide to travel to Washington DC, you may want to visit the Georgetown neighborhood. In this historic neighborhood, you'll find cobblestone streets, 18th-century architecture, and plenty of charm.

Georgetown is very different from the rest of the city and offers visitors a great experience for a day out exploring. You'll find plenty of great views by the Washington Harbour as well as plenty of shopping spots and fine dining establishments to check out.

While in Georgetown, make sure you stop by Georgetown Cupcake, an incredibly popular bakery that crafts gourmet cupcakes that visitors and residents love.

Take a Winery and Brewery Tour

In our opinion, one of the best things you can do when visiting Washington D.C. is to take a winery or brewery tour.

There are some great wineries and breweries in the region near D.C. and no shortage of great drinks to try out for yourself. There's also a lot of great scenery to view in the region as well as plenty of historic sites from early colonial America that you may want to see up close.

If you want to see more of the areas surrounding D.C., then taking a historic day trip or going on a winery or brewery tour can be a great way to get to know them a little better.

Deciding What to Do on Your Trip to Washington DC

If you're planning a trip to Washington DC, make sure that you don't miss anything amazing. Try to do some of the things listed above if you want to have an unforgettable experience with your family while in the area.

Want to take a day trip or tour while in Washington D.C.? Contact us today to learn more about what we have to offer.