A Comprehensive How-To Guide for Your First Visit to Washington, DC

Like many others, I had no idea what to expect from my first trip to Washington, DC. Over the course of a three-day vacation, I finally fulfilled a lifelong dream of seeing the nation’s capital!

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Following my first successful trip to Washington, DC, I wanted to share some of the things I saw and some advice for a good trip of your own! Enjoy this useful DC guide!

1. First rule: Don’t be scared!

Indeed, it is among the few cities that are instantly recognizable around the world. And for the typical tourist visiting Washington, DC for the first time, it might be a little daunting. But don’t worry! Your encounter will go smoothly if you take a few notes and plan ahead.

The good news is that you can walk to almost everything you want to see if this is your first trip in Washington, DC. That is significant. As long as you are physically able to walk, there is no reason to drive or use a cab when visiting Washington, DC. Almost anywhere is accessible by foot and the metro rail system.

2. Making Your First Trip to Washington, DC, Using the Metro

A few people told me before my trip that DC’s public transportation system was difficult to understand and navigate. That made me anxious when I got there! The good news is that they were mistaken. It’s simple. It’s actually rather easy.

Order a pre-paid fare card on the Metro website as soon as you decide you’ll be there. Avoid seeming as though this is your first time in Washington, DC! Every time you want to utilize the system, you won’t have to wait in line or worry about the cost of the fare. The card will be mailed to you.

How to Use the Metro

You can see how much money is left in your account on the turnstile screen after placing your card on the scanner. I spent $30 on my card for a three-day excursion, and when I headed home, I had roughly $4.00 left over. If you have a card, I think the cost is $1.00 less each ride than if you purchase a ticket each time.

Finding the metro train you need to get to your location will initially be the most complicated portion. Once more, this is much simpler than it seems. Locate your location on the map. For instance, suppose you are visiting the Smithsonian. On the map, locate “Smithsonian.” One of the six colored pathways will lead to it. In fact, there are many routes to certain busier destinations.

After determining the color of your route, proceed to the last station on the route, which is the name that will be shown in lights on the train you must board as it approaches. It’s important to be aware of your orientation as well, otherwise you risk going in the exact opposite direction. The number of minutes till your train arrives is displayed on electronic signage.

If you need assistance, ask for it!

Once more, this seems like too much. It isn’t. Ask a staff member or even another traveler if you’re unclear. All of the Metro staff were really kind and willing to assist. Depending on where you’re staying, you’ll probably end up taking the same path to go about. Ninety percent of my journey was on the Blue train line.

Just so you know, the McPherson Square station is most likely your best option if you plan to see the White House or any of the monuments. Not far from the mall is the Smithsonian station, which is self-explanatory. You will be dropped off at Capitol South next to the Capitol Building, which is also close to the Supreme Court and the offices of Congress.

3. Accommodations for Your First Trip to Washington, DC

If you’re visiting Washington, DC, there are several places to stay. There are many high-end hotels in the region that are close to local attractions if money is not a concern. There are still a few alternatives in DC worth considering if you’re on a tight budget, like the majority of us.

I just visited and stayed at the Yotel Washington DC, a reasonably priced hotel in a fantastic location. The Capitol complex is directly across the street from the Yotel, and Union Station is ten minutes’ walk away. The accommodation was cozy and exactly what I needed while I was there, and the staff was really kind.

If you don’t have the money for a hotel, you can think about lodging outside of Washington, DC, and using public transit. In a few Virginia cities with nearby metro stations, such Alexandria or Arlington, AirBNB can be an alternative. Remember that this will take more time to travel to locations like the Smithsonian museums or the National Mall, and that you will probably be with others who are commuting to work, which may cause delays.

4. Decide what you would want to see!

In a town with enough things to keep you occupied for a month, the main question is always what to see and do. Fortunately, even if you just have two or three days to explore, you may still get a decent feel for Washington, DC.

Your First Visit to Washington, DC: A Tour of the Washington Mall

In essence, the Washington Mall extends from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument. If you just follow the sidewalk and don’t stop, it’s a simple stroll that will take you approximately an hour. It will take a bit longer if you intend to tour the monuments, take pictures, etc.

Although several of the major destinations, including as the Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, etc., are not immediately on the mall route, they are all within walking distance. However, don’t overlook a few of my favorites that aren’t in the mall. It is worthwhile to see the memorials for FDR and Martin Luther King Jr. For only a few bucks, you can rent a bike and ride from the Lincoln Memorial to the Jefferson Memorial, which is my favorite, while taking in all the interesting monuments and memorials. In spring and fall, it’s a lovely journey.

Museums at the Smithsonian

The majority of people wish to visit the Smithsonian museums, but it is not feasible to visit them all in a single trip. I spent a whole day on my first visit simply sampling them. I spent around an hour seeing the National Art Gallery, the Air & Space Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the American History Museum. The majority of them were packed, but they were all free. If you just want to avoid large crowds, the DC Convention & Visitors Center says that mid-November is the ideal time to visit DC. On field excursions, you’ll still have arguments with neighborhood school groups, but you won’t see other visitors.

Note that several museums now require a timed admission. Since I didn’t want to wait in the enormous lines, I actually skipped a second visit to the Air & Space Museum.