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Washington, D.C.

The National Mall and Free Smithsonian Museums

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3 daysIdeal stay₹17,120From / night₹4,760Food / dayFreeEntry

The capital's National Mall runs from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial past the Washington Monument, with the White House just north; the Smithsonian's museums along it (Air and Space, Natural History, American History, the National Gallery) are all free. Capitol tours are free with a booking. The cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin peak in late March or early April. Dulles Airport (IAD), where flights from India land, is 40 km out on the Metro Silver Line; Reagan National (DCA), for domestic flights, is 5 km away. The Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Lanham, Maryland, is the area's big Hindu temple.

Highlights

  • Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool
  • US Capitol tour
  • White House from Lafayette Square
  • National Air and Space Museum
  • Natural History Museum
  • Cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin (spring)
  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • Georgetown's waterfront

Things to do

  • National Mall monuments walkMorning · 3h
  • National Air and Space MuseumAfternoon · 2h 30m
  • US Capitol guided tourMorning · 2h
  • Natural History MuseumAfternoon · 2h 30m
  • Memorials lit up at nightEvening · 2h
  • Arlington National CemeteryMorning · 2h 30m
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture (timed passes)Morning · 2h 30m
  • National Gallery of ArtAfternoon · 2h
  • Library of Congress and the Supreme CourtMorning · 1h 30m
  • Georgetown waterfront and the C&O Canal towpathAfternoon · 2h 30m

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Washington, D.C.via GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Washington, D.C.via Klook

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When to go

Best time: March – June, September – November

  • Independence Day (Fourth of July) — Fireworks across the country: Macy's over the East River in New York, on the National Mall in Washington (with the parade on Constitution Avenue), and the Boston Pops on the Esplanade. A national holiday: parks and beaches are crowded and the holiday week's flights dear.
  • National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington — About three weeks from late March to mid-April round the Tidal Basin, with a parade; peak bloom moves with the weather (the National Park Service forecasts it in early March). Hotels fill and the Tidal Basin is packed at weekends: go at sunrise.