Verdict
Washington DC travel view

A Verdict itinerary

Washington DC on a budget

Spend where it changes the experience. Save where the free version is just as good, or better.

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

63 places worth your time

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

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  1. National Gallery of Art01National Mall · attractionNational Gallery of ArtNational Gallery of Art earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  2. Tidal Basin & Cherry Blossoms02Tidal Basin · attractionTidal Basin & Cherry BlossomsTidal Basin & Cherry Blossoms earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  3. Lincoln Memorial03National Mall · attractionLincoln MemorialLincoln Memorial earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  4. Jefferson Memorial04Tidal Basin · attractionJefferson MemorialJefferson Memorial earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  5. National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum05Downtown / Penn Quarter · attractionNational Portrait Gallery & American Art MuseumNational Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  6. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum06National Mall · attractionSmithsonian National Air and Space MuseumSmithsonian National Air and Space Museum earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  7. National Museum of African American History and Culture07National Mall · attractionNational Museum of African American History and CultureNational Museum of African American History and Culture earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  8. Library of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building)08Capitol Hill · attractionLibrary of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building)Library of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building) earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  9. The National Mall09National Mall · attractionThe National MallThe National Mall earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  10. US Capitol Tour10Capitol Hill · experienceUS Capitol TourUS Capitol Tour earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  11. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History11National Mall · attractionSmithsonian National Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian National Museum of Natural History earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  12. US National Arboretum12Northeast DC · attractionUS National ArboretumUS National Arboretum earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  13. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial13Tidal Basin · attractionFranklin Delano Roosevelt MemorialFranklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  14. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial14Tidal Basin · attractionMartin Luther King Jr. MemorialMartin Luther King Jr. Memorial earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  15. The Kennedy Center15Foggy Bottom / Potomac · attractionThe Kennedy CenterThe Kennedy Center earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  16. Udvar-Hazy Center (Air & Space annex)16Chantilly / Dulles, Virginia · destinationUdvar-Hazy Center (Air & Space annex)Udvar-Hazy Center (Air & Space annex) earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  17. US Holocaust Memorial Museum17National Mall · attractionUS Holocaust Memorial MuseumUS Holocaust Memorial Museum earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  18. Great Falls Park (day-trip)18Great Falls, Virginia / Maryland · destinationGreat Falls Park (day-trip)Great Falls Park (day-trip) earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  19. Arlington National Cemetery19Arlington, Virginia · attractionArlington National CemeteryArlington National Cemetery earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  20. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden20National Mall · attractionHirshhorn Museum and Sculpture GardenHirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  21. Vietnam Veterans Memorial21National Mall · attractionVietnam Veterans MemorialVietnam Veterans Memorial earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  22. Rock Creek Park22Rock Creek Park · attractionRock Creek ParkRock Creek Park earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  23. Georgetown23Georgetown · neighborhoodGeorgetownGeorgetown earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  24. Eastern Market24Capitol Hill · neighborhoodEastern MarketEastern Market earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  25. Ben's Chili Bowl25Washington DC · restaurantBen's Chili BowlBen's Chili Bowl earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  26. Old Town Alexandria (day-trip)26Old Town Alexandria, Virginia · destinationOld Town Alexandria (day-trip)Old Town Alexandria (day-trip) earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  27. Korean War Veterans Memorial27National Mall · attractionKorean War Veterans MemorialKorean War Veterans Memorial earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  28. Supreme Court of the United States28Capitol Hill · attractionSupreme Court of the United StatesSupreme Court of the United States earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  29. Renwick Gallery29Downtown / Penn Quarter · attractionRenwick GalleryRenwick Gallery earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  30. Basilica of the National Shrine30Brookland / Northeast · attractionBasilica of the National ShrineBasilica of the National Shrine earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  31. World War II Memorial31National Mall · attractionWorld War II MemorialWorld War II Memorial earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  32. US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima)32Arlington, Virginia · attractionUS Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima)US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  33. Washington Monument33National Mall · attractionWashington MonumentWashington Monument earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  34. Smithsonian National Museum of American History34National Mall · attractionSmithsonian National Museum of American HistorySmithsonian National Museum of American History earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  35. National Archives35Downtown / Penn Quarter · attractionNational ArchivesNational Archives earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  36. Dupont Circle36Dupont Circle · neighborhoodDupont CircleDupont Circle earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  37. Ford's Theatre37Downtown / Penn Quarter · attractionFord's TheatreFord's Theatre earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  38. Mount Vernon (day-trip)38Mount Vernon, Virginia · destinationMount Vernon (day-trip)Mount Vernon (day-trip) earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  39. C&O Canal Towpath39Georgetown · experienceC&O Canal TowpathC&O Canal Towpath earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  40. National Gallery Sculpture Garden40National Mall · attractionNational Gallery Sculpture GardenNational Gallery Sculpture Garden earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  41. Thip Khao41Washington DC · restaurantThip KhaoThip Khao earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  42. Smithsonian National Zoo42Woodley Park / Rock Creek Park · attractionSmithsonian National ZooSmithsonian National Zoo earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  43. Washington National Cathedral43Cleveland Park / Northwest · attractionWashington National CathedralWashington National Cathedral earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  44. Planet Word44Downtown / Franklin Square · attractionPlanet WordPlanet Word earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  45. The Wharf45Southwest Waterfront · neighborhoodThe WharfThe Wharf earns the spend, even on a tight budget.Read the verdict
  46. The Phillips Collection46Dupont Circle · attractionThe Phillips CollectionThe Phillips Collection can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  47. Monuments by Moonlight Night Tour (Old Town Trolley)47National Mall · experienceMonuments by Moonlight Night Tour (Old Town Trolley)Monuments by Moonlight Night Tour (Old Town Trolley) can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  48. Union Market48NoMa / Ivy City · neighborhoodUnion MarketUnion Market can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  49. Rasika49Washington DC · restaurantRasikaRasika can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  50. Maydan50Washington DC · restaurantMaydanMaydan can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  51. Riggs Washington DC51Washington DC · hotelRiggs Washington DCRiggs Washington DC can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  52. Old Post Office Tower52Downtown / Penn Quarter · attractionOld Post Office TowerOld Post Office Tower can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  53. Rose's Luxury53Washington DC · restaurantRose's LuxuryRose's Luxury can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  54. White House (exterior view)54Downtown / Penn Quarter · attractionWhite House (exterior view)White House (exterior view) can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  55. Old Ebbitt Grill55Washington DC · restaurantOld Ebbitt GrillOld Ebbitt Grill can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  56. Le Diplomate56Washington DC · restaurantLe DiplomateLe Diplomate can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  57. Wharf & Georgetown Sightseeing Cruise (City Cruises)57Southwest Waterfront / Georgetown · experienceWharf & Georgetown Sightseeing Cruise (City Cruises)Wharf & Georgetown Sightseeing Cruise (City Cruises) can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  58. Eaton DC58Washington DC · hotelEaton DCEaton DC can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  59. The Hay-Adams59Washington DC · hotelThe Hay-AdamsThe Hay-Adams can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  60. Fiola Mare60Washington DC · restaurantFiola MareFiola Mare can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  61. The LINE DC61Washington DC · hotelThe LINE DCThe LINE DC can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  62. Willard InterContinental62Washington DC · hotelWillard InterContinentalWillard InterContinental can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict
  63. The Watergate Hotel63Washington DC · hotelThe Watergate HotelThe Watergate Hotel can strain a tight budget. Go only when it is a priority.Read the verdict