Verdict
Washington DC travel view

A Verdict itinerary

Washington DC for history buffs

The places where context changes what you see, and where taking a little longer pays off.

Independent, never pay-to-rankGraded for your kind of tripHow we decide
The plan

46 places worth your time

Open any place for the full call, the tradeoffs and the practical details.

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  1. National Museum of African American History and Culture01National Mall · attractionNational Museum of African American History and CultureNational Museum of African American History and Culture rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  2. The National Mall02National Mall · attractionThe National MallThe National Mall rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  3. Lincoln Memorial03National Mall · attractionLincoln MemorialLincoln Memorial rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  4. National Gallery of Art04National Mall · attractionNational Gallery of ArtNational Gallery of Art rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  5. US Holocaust Memorial Museum05National Mall · attractionUS Holocaust Memorial MuseumUS Holocaust Memorial Museum rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  6. US Capitol Tour06Capitol Hill · experienceUS Capitol TourUS Capitol Tour rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  7. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial07Tidal Basin · attractionMartin Luther King Jr. MemorialMartin Luther King Jr. Memorial rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  8. Library of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building)08Capitol Hill · attractionLibrary of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building)Library of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building) rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  9. Mount Vernon (day-trip)09Mount Vernon, Virginia · destinationMount Vernon (day-trip)Mount Vernon (day-trip) rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  10. Ben's Chili Bowl10Washington DC · restaurantBen's Chili BowlBen's Chili Bowl rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  11. Smithsonian National Museum of American History11National Mall · attractionSmithsonian National Museum of American HistorySmithsonian National Museum of American History rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  12. Arlington National Cemetery12Arlington, Virginia · attractionArlington National CemeteryArlington National Cemetery rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  13. Ford's Theatre13Downtown / Penn Quarter · attractionFord's TheatreFord's Theatre rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  14. The Kennedy Center14Foggy Bottom / Potomac · attractionThe Kennedy CenterThe Kennedy Center rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  15. National Archives15Downtown / Penn Quarter · attractionNational ArchivesNational Archives rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  16. National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum16Downtown / Penn Quarter · attractionNational Portrait Gallery & American Art MuseumNational Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  17. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum17National Mall · attractionSmithsonian National Air and Space MuseumSmithsonian National Air and Space Museum rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  18. Jefferson Memorial18Tidal Basin · attractionJefferson MemorialJefferson Memorial rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  19. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial19Tidal Basin · attractionFranklin Delano Roosevelt MemorialFranklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  20. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden20National Mall · attractionHirshhorn Museum and Sculpture GardenHirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  21. Vietnam Veterans Memorial21National Mall · attractionVietnam Veterans MemorialVietnam Veterans Memorial rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  22. The Phillips Collection22Dupont Circle · attractionThe Phillips CollectionThe Phillips Collection rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  23. Washington National Cathedral23Cleveland Park / Northwest · attractionWashington National CathedralWashington National Cathedral rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  24. Willard InterContinental24Washington DC · hotelWillard InterContinentalWillard InterContinental rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  25. World War II Memorial25National Mall · attractionWorld War II MemorialWorld War II Memorial rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  26. Korean War Veterans Memorial26National Mall · attractionKorean War Veterans MemorialKorean War Veterans Memorial rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  27. Basilica of the National Shrine27Brookland / Northeast · attractionBasilica of the National ShrineBasilica of the National Shrine rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  28. Supreme Court of the United States28Capitol Hill · attractionSupreme Court of the United StatesSupreme Court of the United States rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  29. Washington Monument29National Mall · attractionWashington MonumentWashington Monument rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  30. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History30National Mall · attractionSmithsonian National Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian National Museum of Natural History rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  31. Georgetown31Georgetown · neighborhoodGeorgetownGeorgetown rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  32. Udvar-Hazy Center (Air & Space annex)32Chantilly / Dulles, Virginia · destinationUdvar-Hazy Center (Air & Space annex)Udvar-Hazy Center (Air & Space annex) rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  33. Renwick Gallery33Downtown / Penn Quarter · attractionRenwick GalleryRenwick Gallery rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  34. US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima)34Arlington, Virginia · attractionUS Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima)US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  35. Monuments by Moonlight Night Tour (Old Town Trolley)35National Mall · experienceMonuments by Moonlight Night Tour (Old Town Trolley)Monuments by Moonlight Night Tour (Old Town Trolley) rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  36. Old Ebbitt Grill36Washington DC · restaurantOld Ebbitt GrillOld Ebbitt Grill rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  37. The Hay-Adams37Washington DC · hotelThe Hay-AdamsThe Hay-Adams rewards a trip built around history & culture.Read the verdict
  38. White House (exterior view)38Downtown / Penn Quarter · attractionWhite House (exterior view)White House (exterior view) offers some history & culture, but not enough to make it the reason to go.Read the verdict
  39. Dupont Circle39Dupont Circle · neighborhoodDupont CircleDupont Circle offers some history & culture, but not enough to make it the reason to go.Read the verdict
  40. Eaton DC40Washington DC · hotelEaton DCEaton DC offers some history & culture, but not enough to make it the reason to go.Read the verdict
  41. Eastern Market41Capitol Hill · neighborhoodEastern MarketEastern Market offers some history & culture, but not enough to make it the reason to go.Read the verdict
  42. Planet Word42Downtown / Franklin Square · attractionPlanet WordPlanet Word offers some history & culture, but not enough to make it the reason to go.Read the verdict
  43. International Spy Museum43L'Enfant Plaza / Southwest · attractionInternational Spy MuseumInternational Spy Museum offers some history & culture, but not enough to make it the reason to go.Read the verdict
  44. National Gallery Sculpture Garden44National Mall · attractionNational Gallery Sculpture GardenNational Gallery Sculpture Garden offers some history & culture, but not enough to make it the reason to go.Read the verdict
  45. The Jefferson45Washington DC · hotelThe JeffersonThe Jefferson offers some history & culture, but not enough to make it the reason to go.Read the verdict
  46. The Watergate Hotel46Washington DC · hotelThe Watergate HotelThe Watergate Hotel offers some history & culture, but not enough to make it the reason to go.Read the verdict