Only have a weekend in the nation’s capital? You can see a remarkable amount of Washington in 48 hours – if you plan it like a local. Here’s the itinerary we recommend to our guests, refined over hundreds of tours.
Day 1: The Mall, Monuments & Capitol Hill
Morning: Start early on the National Mall before the crowds and the heat. Walk the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and WWII Memorial while the light is still soft – it’s the best time for photos.
Afternoon: Head to Capitol Hill. The U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, and Supreme Court sit within two blocks of one another, and the Jefferson Building’s Main Reading Room may be the most beautiful interior in America. Timed entry tickets go fast in peak season – a guided tour that includes tickets saves real hassle here.
Evening: Dinner around Penn Quarter, then see the monuments again after dark. The Lincoln Memorial at night is a completely different experience.
Day 2: Arlington & Georgetown
Morning: Cross the river to Arlington National Cemetery. Time your visit around the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – it happens every hour (every half hour April through September), and it is unforgettable.
Afternoon: Spend the rest of your day in Georgetown. Wander the C&O Canal, climb the Exorcist Steps, find the Kennedys’ old apartments, and grab a table at Martin’s Tavern – ask for the booth where JFK proposed to Jackie.
Want the stories behind all of it? That’s what we do. Browse our small-group walking tours and let a local show you the city.