Washington D.C. Travel FAQ: 15 Questions First-Timers Always Ask
I've been helping people plan Washington D.C. trips for over a decade. These are the questions I get every single time — answered honestly, with none of the diplomatic hedging you get from government tourism websites.
Are the Smithsonian museums actually free?
Yes. All 21 of them. Plus the National Zoo. No catch, no "suggested donation," no hidden fees. Free admission, every day.
The Smithsonian Institution is funded by the federal government and private endowments. The Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, American History Museum, African American History and Culture Museum, National Zoo — all free. It's the greatest free museum system in the world, and it's not close.
The catch? Several now require free timed-entry passes booked in advance at si.edu. The African American History Museum is the hardest to get into — passes release on the first Wednesday of each month and sell out in minutes. Set an alarm.
How many days do I need?
Four to five days is ideal. Here's why:
Day 1: National Mall monuments (full day of walking)
Day 2: Air and Space Museum + Natural History Museum (5-6 hours combined)
Day 3: African American History Museum or American History Museum + Capitol tour
Day 4: Georgetown + a museum you missed
Day 5: National Zoo or day trip to Arlington Cemetery
Three days is doable but rushed. Two days is technically possible but you'll feel like you're sprinting through American history.
Which airport should I fly into?
Reagan National (DCA) is the answer. It's on the Metro, 15 minutes from the National Mall. Walk off the plane, get on the Yellow or Blue Line, and you're at the Smithsonian station in under 20 minutes. Done.
Dulles (IAD) is 45 km west. Silver Line Metro connects it now, but the trip takes 50-60 minutes. Use this if DCA flights are significantly more expensive.
BWI (Baltimore) is 50 km northeast. MARC train or Amtrak to Union Station ($8-15, 30-45 minutes). Sometimes has the cheapest flights.
Is the Metro good?
Excellent. Clean, safe, covers every tourist area. Fares vary by distance and time ($2.25-6.00). Get a SmarTrip card ($2) at any station — tap on, tap off.
Key stations: Smithsonian (National Mall), Federal Triangle (museums), Capitol South (Capitol Hill), Foggy Bottom (Georgetown is a 15-min walk), Dupont Circle (restaurants and nightlife).
The DC Circulator bus ($1) runs helpful loops: Georgetown-Union Station, National Mall, Dupont Circle-Georgetown.
Can I visit the White House?
Yes, but it requires planning. Public tours are free but must be requested through your member of Congress (or your country's embassy for international visitors) 21-90 days in advance. Tours run Tuesday-Saturday, 7:30AM-11:30AM.
Realistically, many requests are denied or go unanswered. If you can't get a tour, the White House Visitor Center (free, on Pennsylvania Avenue) has exhibits and a decent view of the North Lawn through the fence.
What's the best Smithsonian museum?
This is subjective, but here's my ranking based on thousands of conversations:
National Museum of African American History and Culture — Newest, most immersive, most powerful. Allow 4+ hours.
National Air and Space Museum — Wright Flyer, Apollo 11 module, touchable lunar rock. 3-4 hours.
Natural History Museum — Hope Diamond, dinosaurs, butterfly pavilion ($8). 2-3 hours.
American History Museum — The Star-Spangled Banner, Dorothy's ruby slippers, Kermit the Frog. 2-3 hours.
National Gallery of Art — Not technically Smithsonian but free. Vermeer, Monet, da Vinci. 2-3 hours.
When should I visit for cherry blossoms?
Late March to early April, but the exact dates shift every year based on weather. Peak bloom lasts only 10-14 days. The National Park Service predicts peak bloom at nps.gov/cherry — check starting in February.
The 3.2 km Tidal Basin loop is the iconic walk — over 3,700 cherry trees (gifted by Japan in 1912) frame the Jefferson Memorial and MLK Memorial.
Critical tip: Arrive before 8AM. By 10AM, the paths are shoulder-to-shoulder. Weekday mornings are far better than weekends.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs 3-4 weeks with parades and events regardless of actual bloom timing.
How much does DC cost?
DC is remarkably affordable for sightseeing because almost everything is free. Your budget-busters are food and hotels.
Category
Budget
Mid-Range
Hotel/night
$120-180 (Arlington, VA)
$200-350 (Downtown)
Food/day
$30-50 (food trucks, casual)
$60-100
Transport/day
$8-15 (Metro)
$15-25
Attractions/day
$0 (Smithsonians)
$0-25
Daily total
$158-245
$275-500
Money-saving hack: Stay in Arlington, Virginia — one Metro stop across the river. Hotels are 30-40% cheaper and you're 5 minutes from the Mall.
Is DC safe?
The tourist core is very safe. The National Mall, Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, and the Wharf all have heavy police and security presence. I've walked the Mall at midnight many times without concern.
Standard city precautions: watch your belongings on the Metro during rush hour, avoid walking east of the Capitol beyond H Street NE late at night, and always have ID (security checkpoints at government buildings are common).
What should I eat?
DC's food scene has improved dramatically. Skip the chains near the Mall and explore:
Ben's Chili Bowl (U Street, half-smoke chili dog, $8 — a DC institution since 1958)
Rasika (Indian fine dining, $20-40, James Beard nominated — one of the best Indian restaurants in America)
Eastern Market (Capitol Hill, Saturday farmers market and lunch hall)
Food trucks on the Mall ($8-12 for lunch, clustered near the museums)
Can I watch Congress in session?
Yes. Contact your representative's office for free gallery passes to watch the House or Senate in session. It's not exciting in the movie sense — mostly procedural — but there's something sobering about watching democracy happen in person.
The Capitol tour itself is free (book at visitthecapitol.gov, released 90 days ahead). Tours are Mon-Sat, 8:30AM-4:30PM, about 1 hour.
Don't skip the Library of Congress next door — free, architecturally stunning, and far less crowded than the Capitol.
What free things can I do besides museums?
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage: Free performances every evening at 6PM
National Gallery of Art concerts: Free Sunday evening concerts
National Zoo: Year-round, 8AM-5PM
National Arboretum: 446 acres, free, with the Capitol Columns installation
Monuments at night: The Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, and MLK Memorial are all open 24/7 and dramatically lit after dark
Screen on the Green: Free outdoor movies on the Mall in summer
Capitol building west lawn concerts: Free summer evening concerts
Should I do a Segway tour?
No. Walk the Mall instead. You'll see more, stop where you want, and avoid looking like a tourist cliche rolling past the Lincoln Memorial in a helmet.
If walking 3+ km sounds like too much, rent a scooter ($1 unlock + $0.39/min) from Lime or Bird. They're everywhere.
Do I need to book museum tickets in advance?
For these, yes — absolutely book ahead:
African American History Museum (free timed passes, book weeks ahead)
Air and Space Museum (free timed passes, same-day sometimes available)
Washington Monument (free timed tickets at nps.gov)
Capitol tour (book at visitthecapitol.gov, 90 days ahead)
For these, just show up:
Natural History Museum (timed passes recommended but often not required)
American History Museum
National Gallery of Art
National Zoo
What's the one thing I absolutely should not miss?
The Lincoln Memorial at night. Walk down the Mall after dinner, when the crowds thin and the monument is floodlit against the dark sky. Climb the steps. Read the Gettysburg Address carved into the wall. Look out over the Reflecting Pool toward the Washington Monument.
It's free. It's open 24/7. And it's the moment where DC stops being a list of attractions and starts being something you feel.
