Looking to spend 3 days in Washington DC but not sure where to begin? This travel guide is for you. Known for its world-class museums, some of the most famous landmarks in the world like the White House and the Capitol, and a diverse range of cuisine, there is no better place to begin your journey in the US than here.
In this backpacking itinerary, you’ll find a day-by-day breakdown of the best things to do, where to stay, how to get around, and everything you need to plan the perfect trip to Washington D.C. So, without further ado, let’s see how far three days in Washington D.C. can take you!
- Washington DC 3-day itinerary Map
- 3 Days in Washington DC: A Backpacking Itinerary
- Where to Stay in Washington DC?
- When to Visit Washington DC?
- How to Get to Washington DC?
- How to Get from Dulles International Airport to the City Center?
- How to Get Around Washington DC?
- How Much Money Do I Need for 3 days in Washington DC?
- Is it Safe in Washington DC?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for the US?
- What to Pack for Washington DC?
- Further Reading for Northeast USA
Washington DC 3-day itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1: | Museums at the National Mall |
| ☀️ Day 2: | Monuments at the National Mall |
| ☀️ Day 3: | Spend a Day in Georgetown |
3 Days in Washington DC: A Backpacking Itinerary
Day 1: Museums at the National Mall
Of course, we’re kicking off this itinerary with a full day dedicated to museums, which is what Washington DC is famous for. Being home to the Smithsonian Institution, the largest museum complex in the world, with over 157 million items and artifacts spread across 21 museums and galleries, it’s impossible to visit DC without diving into its incredible history, art, and culture.
With so many amazing museums to choose from, it’s impossible to visit them all in just one trip. That’s why I’ve narrowed it down to the ones I found the most fascinating, perfect picks for your first day in Washington, D.C.
First and foremost, let's begin with my favorite museum of all, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The museum showcases the history of U.S. aviation and space exploration with an incredible collection of real vehicles that you might recognize from history books, all on display.
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From the first successful powered airplane, invented by the Wright brothers over 100 years ago, to the actual Apollo 11 Command Module that journeyed to the moon and back, you can see and inspect these historic artifacts up close at this museum. As a big history fan, being able to finally see these iconic items with my own eyes nearly brought me to tears.
Although entry to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is free, you will need to book a time slot to visit. If you know exactly when you'll be arriving, you can book a time slot online here or you can go to the museum first and book the next available time slot via the same website.
If you are a fan of art, you might want to visit the National Gallery of Art, which houses a massive collection of European and American artworks across various styles. The museum is divided into wings connected by a grand rotunda, adorned with a beautiful garden and centerpiece artworks. Even if you're not particularly interested in art, the building itself is worth a visit.
Another amazing Smithsonian museum you definitely shouldn't miss is the National Museum of Natural History, which houses a vast collection of items that celebrate the incredible natural world in which we live. From the well-preserved dinosaur bones to the breathtaking, life-size taxidermy displays of animals and marine life that fill several halls, you will be absolutely blown away by its awesome array of exhibitions.
The gemstone exhibition, in particular, was probably the most fascinating for me, as it features not only colorful stones but also many rare gems and crystals that I didn’t even know existed. Another highlight was watching actual archaeologists working on real specimens inside the museum, it was amazing to get a behind-the-scenes look at how these massive institutions operate.
Now that we've covered the big museums, it's time to take the road less traveled and explore the smaller, yet equally unique, museums Washington DC has to offer. Let's begin with my personal favorite, the National Museum of Asian Art, an art gallery featuring a vast collection of ancient artworks that celebrate the mythical and mesmerizing art of Asia throughout its long-lasting history.
From the exquisitely decorated Peacock Room, filled with mystical objects that have piqued visitors' curiosity since 1923, to the diverse and ever-changing exhibitions that take you on a rich journey through Asian history, this museum completely exceeded my expectations, and that's coming from an Asian!
If you love modern art and handcrafts, you might also want to check out Renwick Gallery located right next to the White House. This small museum is housed in the Renwick building, which is the first-ever structure that was built expressly as an art museum in the United States.
For a deeper dive into the history of the United States, I also recommend visiting both the National Museum of African American History and the National Museum of the American Indian. Both museums provide excellent platforms to learn more about their respective histories and cultures, which have significantly shaped the United States we know today.
These museums should occupy you the entire first day. It is a whole lot of walking, so if you are feeling tired, you can retreat for the day early, or you can go visit Adams Morgan, a vibrant neighborhood in DC known for its counterculture and as an arts district, full of pubs and bars you can enjoy.
Day 2: Monuments at the National Mall
Today, we are going to check out all the famous monuments in the city starting with the White House, the official residence and workplace of the current president of the United States. The security around the area is quite tight for obvious reasons, but you can freely walk up to the fence and take photos of the White House without any problems.
After visiting the White House, head west along the National Mall, a vast landscaped park that stretches from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol. As you head west, you will see the Lincoln Memorial on the horizon, which is where we will be heading next.
As you make your way west, make sure you drop by and check out Washington Monument, commemorating America’s first president, World War II Memorial, honoring the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, and other iconic monuments that dot the walking path.
Once you arrive at the Lincoln Memorial, snap a selfie with the large marble statue of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, and don't forget to check out the view of the National Mall from up there.
After visiting the Lincoln Memorial, you can make your way to the Capitol. But first, don’t miss a stop at the Smithsonian Castle to explore its beautiful garden, one of my favorite spots to relax and escape the city’s hustle and bustle. The walk from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol is quite long, but thankfully, it’s all on flat ground. Take your time and enjoy the scenic stroll!
Next up, we are going to visit the Capitol, another iconic landmark in Washington, DC that you won't want to miss. This massive neoclassical structure serves as the home of the U.S. Congress and, depending on your perspective, is either a place rich in history or a site where the infamous January 6, 2021, United States Capitol attack took place.
While you are at the Capitol, be sure to drop by and check out the United States Botanic Garden, a sprawling ground of gardens and a conservatory featuring rare and exotic flora and fauna that you don't get to see every day, like orchids, corpse flowers, and more.
After exploring the National Mall, spend the rest of your day unwinding at some of the fantastic cafes and restaurants around Dupont Circle, one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city. A must-visit spot is Kramer's, a cozy bookstore, café, and restaurant that perfectly combines two of my favorite things: books and coffee.
Right at the entrance, you'll find Kramerbooks, an indie bookstore filled with bookshelves stocked with a variety of genres, from non-fiction to novels while at the back, you'll find All Day by Kramers, a cozy little café and restaurant that serves delicious American food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Day 3: Spend a day in Georgetown
On our last day in Washington DC, we are going to explore the cozy and hip neighborhood of Georgetown, a charming area with Federal-style architecture, cobblestone streets, and fashion and design shops located only a stone's throw away from downtown. My local friends also recommended that I visit Georgetown, and I fell in love with it.
Founded in 1751 as part of the colonial province of Maryland, nearly 40 years before Washington DC itself, Georgetown is home to many of the city’s historical sites. For example, The Old House, a former clock shop built in 1771, is considered the oldest remaining structure in the city. You'll also find other historic buildings such as Tudor Place, Dumbarton House, and more as you explore the crisscrossing cobblestone streets of Georgetown.
Lined on both sides of the streets, you’ll also find many boutique shops, charming cafes, and restaurants to enjoy. One of my favorite spots here, thanks again to my local friends Heiley and Kiko for the recommendation, is YELLOW, a fantastic little café/restaurant that serves some of the most delicious wood-fired chicken pita shawarmas you’ll ever try. Be sure to drop by there for a quick bite when you are in Georgetown.
Georgetown is also situated right on the banks of the Potomac River, and there you'll find a spacious waterfront park where you can relax and take a leisurely stroll while admiring the view of the skyscrapers on the other side of the river. You could easily spend an entire day in Georgetown without getting bored. If you want to dive deeper into the history of the area, I highly recommend going on a historical walking tour or, if you’re into spooky stories, a ghost walking tour. 😉
Where to Stay in Washington DC?
When to Visit Washington DC?
The best time to visit Washington DC is during the period of spring and autumn between April and May, and between September and early November. The city gets a ton of tourists every year, so other than the hot weather in the summer months, you will also have to deal with lots and lots of people, which is not ideal.
I was there in October, and it was great! The places weren't as crowded as in the summer, and the weather was nice and cool. The only drawback to visiting in October is that the southeastern United States experiences a lot of hurricanes during this period. You might encounter the outer rim of one, as I did with Hurricane Milton.
It was mostly light drizzling, but it also made it pleasantly cool to be outside. So, if you decide to visit in autumn, be sure to keep an eye out for any storms or hurricanes heading toward the East Coast of the US.
How to Get to Washington DC?
By Plane: If you are traveling from abroad, you should be able to get to Washington DC via airlines like Emirates, Turkish, United, or Delta Airlines. There are a ton of flights flying in and out of the capital city every day, so you should have no trouble finding one. For the best price, check out Skyscanner or Expedia.
By Amtrak: If you are within Amtrak's northeast corridor, you should be able to catch the Amtrak train to Washington DC. The Northeast Regional Trains are not the newest, but they are mostly in good functional condition, equipped with modern facilities like a plug and working WIFI. They are also not too expensive, safe, and often on time.
I took the Amtrak all over the northeast and the experience was surprisingly great. No hiccups at all. To get the cheapest price, be sure to book the ticket at least a few weeks in advance. You can book the Amtrak train here.
By Bus: Although affordable, buses can be a bit dodgy sometimes, but not always, so if you want to save some money, check out Flixbus.
How to Get from Dulles International Airport to the City Center?
Dulles International Airport is the main airport serving Washington, DC and the surrounding areas, and this is where you will likely be arriving. The airport is connected to the city center via a metro system, and you should be able to catch the Silver line all the way to the city center.
A ride from the Airport to the city center on the Silver Line should take about 1 hour and cost around 6 USD. The metro system still uses a card system (no tap to pay with a credit card as of 2024) and you can acquire the SmarTrip card at the metro station at the airport. There will be someone helping you out at the ticket machine.
If you use an iPhone or an Android phone and you have data, you do not have to buy the card. You can get the SmarTrip Pass right on your phone via Wallet and Google Wallet respectively, add 6 USD to the card with your credit card, tap the metro gate with your phone, and you are all set. Extremely convenient!
How to Get Around Washington DC?
By Walking: Washington DC is a very walkable city with most of its attractions concentrated around the National Mall area, and if your accommodation is in the city center, you should be able to visit the majority of the attractions I listed here on foot.
By Metro: If not, you can utilize the city's impressive metro system that will allow you to get around the city pretty easily for 2.5 USD per trip. Washington DC's metro system is the best in the country and it is fast, on time, and quite clean, so you should have no trouble using it. You can use Google Maps to punch in the location you want to go and the app will recommend the metro line to take.
To pay for the metro system, you can acquire the SmarTrip from the ticket machine for 10 USD with the card costing 2 USD and a stored fare value of 8 USD that you can use, or you can download the SmarTrip card directly to your phone via Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for free, and you can add the fare via a credit card.
The latter is definitely my preferred way as you can easily use your phone to tap the gate to enter the metro. As of 2024, tapping to pay with a credit card at the ticket gate is not possible yet.
By Uber: You can also rely on Uber to get around the city if you don't mind paying a premium for it. That said, for this itinerary, you won't be needing it.
By Car: You can rent a car through DiscoverCars. However, keep in mind that parking in Washington, D.C., can be both challenging and expensive. Since most destinations are not far apart, consider this option only if you need to travel to areas not accessible by the metro.
How Much Money Do I Need for 3 days in Washington DC?
From this 3-day itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:
Accommodation: For 4 nights in Washington DC, you can expect to pay around 270 USD for accommodation at a minimum, considering you are staying in hostels.
Food: For 3 days, 3 meals a day in Washington DC, you can expect to pay around 135 USD for food, considering you eat out for every meal. It will be cheaper if you cook them yourself.
Transportation: For this itinerary, you can expect to spend around 10 USD on transportation, primarily for metro and bus rides between your accommodation and downtown. If you stay near the National Mall, your expenses will be minimal since you’ll be right in the middle of everything.
Activities: Depending on how closely you follow my itinerary, you can expect to spend between 0 USD and 40 USD on activities. That’s right, zero! Thanks to the many free museums in the city.
Total Budget for 3 days in Washington, DC: $415 USD
Is it Safe in Washington DC?
Washington, D.C., is probably one of the safest cities in the US. While the US often gets a bad rap for being dirty, having streets filled with homeless people, and a crumbling mass transit system, this is not the case for Washington, D.C. Yes, there are homeless people, but that’s common in big cities worldwide. They never bother you if you don’t bother them.
The same goes for using the metro. Unlike places like Barcelona or Rome, where pickpockets roam freely, you won’t see as much of that here as in Western Europe. In fact, I felt safer traveling around the US than I did in Western Europe. Perhaps it’s because I had my bag stolen in Cologne and have never felt safe there since. While I’ve heard stories about how dangerous the US can be, during my two weeks of backpacking around the country, I didn’t encounter anything out of the ordinary.
That said, there are areas that are less safe, but fortunately, these are usually far from the touristy spots, so you're unlikely to have any reason to go there. As long as you avoid making yourself an easy target and stay aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone at night, you should be fine here.
Which tourist SIM card is best for the US?
There are three major carriers in the US, namely AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, that offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists to purchase while traveling in the country. You can usually grab these SIM cards right at the airport, but if you have a smartphone and you want data immediately when you arrive, you might want to consider an eSIM.
If you have a smartphone that supports eSIMs, I highly recommend you take a look at this eSIM. They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from, ranging from 1 GB for 7 days costing only 4.5 USD to 20 GB for 30 days costing 40 USD.
The setup is fast and instant, and you can buy it before your trip so you don't have to scramble to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local SIM card, with 4G speed across the entire country.
For more information on eSIMs in the US, click here: Check the US Available eSIM.
What to Pack for Washington DC?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Washington DC, United States of America:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Northeast USA
If you are looking for more articles about the Northeast USA, here are a few articles that might help you plan your trip:
- First time visiting the USA and looking for a complete itinerary? Check this out: First Time USA: 2 Weeks Itinerary Without Cars.
- First time visiting the US? Why not start Washington DC, its capital city known for its world-class museums and iconic landmarks like the White House and the Capitol. Here are the 10 best things to do in Washington DC.
- Here's a quick guide on how to get from Dulles Airport to Washington DC Downtown: How to Get From Dulles Airport to Downtown Washington DC.
- Want to visit world-class museums in Washington DC, but not sure where to begin? This is the article for you: 8 Best Museums to Visit in Washington DC.
- Have a day to spare in Washington DC? I highly recommend you check out Georgetown. Here are the 8 Best Things to do in Georgetown, DC.
- Looking for the best places to eat and drink in Washington DC? Check out: 8 Awesome Places to Eat in Washington DC.
- Looking to visit Philly for the weekend? Here is the ultimate 2-day Backpacking Itinerary for Philly.
- If you’re a fan of food and history, Philadelphia offers the perfect blend with its incredible museums and some of the best food scenes in the country. Check out the 12 Best Things to Do in Philadelphia (Philly).
- Philly is best explored with your stomach and taste buds. Here are the 7 Best Places to Eat and Drink in Philadelphia (Philly).
- New York City is truly one of the best cities in the world and if you are planning to visit the city, here are the 15 Best Things to Do in New York City.
- Planning to visit New York City, but not sure where to begin? Check out our 4 Days New York City's Backpacking Itinerary.
- Looking for the best places to eat and drink in NYC? You might want to check out: Places to Eat & Drink in New York City: My 9 Favorite Places.
- Chelsea, one of my favorite neighborhoods in NYC, is one awesome place to explore. Here are the 8 Awesome Things to Do in Chelsea, NYC.
- Central Park deserves an entire day of exploration. Here is a complete travel guide to Central Park.
- Should you go up the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock? Let's find out: Empire State Building vs Top of the Rock: Which One is Better for You?.
- Is it worth buying the CityPass for your trip to New York City? Let's find out: NYC CityPass: Is it worth it?.
- Want to visit Boston? Here are some of the things you do not want to miss! 15 Best Things to Do in Boston.
- Wondering how long to spend in Boston? Check this out: 3 Days in Boston: A Backpacking Itinerary.
- Want to walk the Freedom Trail in Boston, but not sure where to begin? Check out: Boston's Freedom Trail: A Walking Guide.
- Planning to visit Salem? Here's a travel guide for you: Discover Salem: 10 Highlights You Can't Miss.
- To see all articles about the United States of America, be sure to check out our USA travel guide page.
- For a complete itinerary of both the US and Canada, check out: One Month in USA & Canada: A Backpacking Itinerary without Cars.
- Looking for more travel guides for North America? You will find more over at our North America page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
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