Best things to do in Washington, D.C.
The top 3 according to 498 votes from people: Lincoln Memorial · United States Capitol · National Mall. (Updated Jul 25, 2025.)
Monuments, free Smithsonian museums and the seats of government: the D.C. essentials according to Lonely Planet, U.S. News and visitors.
Top 10
-
1
Lincoln Memorial
The 1922 temple with Daniel Chester French's seated Lincoln, where Martin Luther King Jr. gave 'I Have a Dream'.
-
2
United States Capitol
Seat of Congress with free tours of the Rotunda booked through the Visitor Center.
-
3
National Mall
Two-mile park from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, lined with monuments and museums.
-
4
National Air and Space Museum
Free Smithsonian museum with the Wright Flyer and the Apollo 11 command module.
-
5
Library of Congress
The world's largest library, with the ornate Great Hall of the Thomas Jefferson Building.
-
6
White House
The president's residence; public tours must be requested through a member of Congress.
-
7
National Museum of Natural History
Home to the Hope Diamond and a hall of dinosaur fossils; free entry.
-
8
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Smithsonian museum opened in 2016 in a bronze-latticed building on the Mall.
-
9
Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial
Cherry blossom season in spring around the basin, with the Jefferson, FDR and MLK memorials.
-
10
Arlington National Cemetery
Military cemetery with JFK's grave and the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 10… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
-
11
International Spy Museum
The largest collection of espionage artefacts on public display, at L'Enfant Plaza.
-
12
Georgetown
Historic waterfront neighbourhood of Federal-style houses, shops and the C&O Canal towpath.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (6)
The monuments at night are the best way to see them.
The Library of Congress reading room is gorgeous.
Almost everything is free in DC! The Smithsonian museums are amazing.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture needs a full day, it's incredibly powerful.
Lincoln Memorial at night is a different experience, so peaceful
Library of Congress reading room is gorgeous, highly underrated