DC Tours Journal
Washington DC Travel Guides
32 guides to seeing the nation's capital well — National Mall itineraries, memorial and monument deep-dives, Arlington Cemetery tips, and how to time the city by season and by night.
Latest guides
How Far Apart Are the DC Monuments? A Walking-Distance Guide
How far apart are the DC monuments? The National Mall runs about 2 miles end to end. Here are the real walking distances and times between every major memorial.
Where to Stay Near the National Mall in Washington DC
Where to stay near the National Mall in Washington DC: the most walkable neighborhoods, smart Metro tips, and how to plan your monuments, museums, and memorials.
Free Things to Do in Washington DC (and What's Worth Paying For)
A local-style guide to the best free things to do in Washington DC, from the Smithsonian and the National Mall to the memorials at night, plus what's worth paying for.
DC Travel Tips
How Far Apart Are the DC Monuments? A Walking-Distance Guide
How far apart are the DC monuments? The National Mall runs about 2 miles end to end. Here are the real walking distances and times between every major memorial.
Where to Stay Near the National Mall in Washington DC
Where to stay near the National Mall in Washington DC: the most walkable neighborhoods, smart Metro tips, and how to plan your monuments, museums, and memorials.
Free Things to Do in Washington DC (and What's Worth Paying For)
A local-style guide to the best free things to do in Washington DC, from the Smithsonian and the National Mall to the memorials at night, plus what's worth paying for.
Washington DC With Kids: Monuments, Mall, and Patience
Planning Washington DC with kids? A pacing-first guide to the monuments, the free Smithsonian museums, and the Washington Monument — without the meltdowns.
Getting Around Washington DC: Metro, Walking, and the Mall
How to get around Washington DC: ride the Metro to the National Mall, walk between the memorials, and reach Arlington by train. A practical first-timer's transit guide.
Seasonal & Night
July 4th in Washington DC: Fireworks Over the Monuments
Where to watch July 4th fireworks over the monuments in Washington DC, plus timing, Metro tips, and guided memorial walks to make the most of the holiday.
Washington DC in Winter: Fewer Crowds, Crisp Monument Walks
Washington DC in winter means fewer crowds, crisp monument walks, and free museums. Plan guided memorial walks, Arlington visits, and a warm-up in the free Smithsonians.
Washington DC in Summer: Beating the Heat on the Mall
How to love Washington DC in summer: front-load the National Mall in the morning, cool off in free Smithsonian museums at midday, and walk the lit memorials at night.
The Best Time to Visit Washington DC, Season by Season
The best time to visit Washington DC is spring for cherry blossoms or fall for mild weather and fewer crowds. Here's how each season really feels, plus what to book.
Washington DC Cherry Blossoms: When and Where to See Them
Washington DC cherry blossoms peak late March to early April around the Tidal Basin. Here's when, where, and how to beat the crowds, plus the best memorial walks.
Day vs Night Memorials Tour: Which Should You Book?
Day or night memorials tour in DC? Compare crowds, heat, lighting, and photos to pick the right walk — plus how to do both on one trip.
Washington DC Memorials at Night: Why They're Best After Dark
DC's memorials are open 24 hours and lit after dark — cooler, quieter, and more moving than midday. Here's why night wins, what to see, and how to plan it.
Arlington
How to Get to Arlington National Cemetery from DC
The fastest way to Arlington National Cemetery from DC is the Metro Blue Line to its own dedicated stop. Here's every route in, plus what to see once you arrive.
JFK Gravesite and the Eternal Flame at Arlington
Find President John F. Kennedy's grave and the Eternal Flame at Arlington National Cemetery: where it is, how to get there, and the best way to visit.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: History and How to Visit
Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington: the history, the Changing of the Guard schedule, how to get there by Metro, and tips for working it into your DC trip.
Changing of the Guard at Arlington: Times and What to Expect
The Changing of the Guard at Arlington runs every hour, on the hour (every half hour in summer). Here's when to go, how to get there, and what to expect at the Tomb.
Arlington National Cemetery: A Complete Visitor's Guide
Plan the perfect Arlington National Cemetery visit: how to get there, the Changing of the Guard, the Kennedy gravesite, what to expect, and the best guided tour.
Memorials & Monuments
The Best Views of Washington DC: Monument, Old Post Office & More
The best views of Washington DC, ranked: the 555-ft Washington Monument, the free Old Post Office tower, the Lincoln Memorial steps, Arlington and more.
Washington Monument Tickets Explained: How to Get to the Top
How Washington Monument tickets work: free timed elevator passes, same-day walk-ups, skip-the-line options, and exactly how to reach the top of the 555-foot obelisk.
FDR Memorial: Walking Through Four Outdoor Rooms
Most visitors stroll right past the FDR Memorial. Here's how to slow down and walk its four open-air rooms on the Tidal Basin—what to look for, and when to go.
Jefferson Memorial Guide: The Tidal Basin's Domed Landmark
Visit the Jefferson Memorial on DC's Tidal Basin: what to see inside, how to get there, cherry-blossom timing, and the best times to go — free, day or night.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial: Visiting the Stone of Hope
Visit the MLK Memorial in Washington DC: where to find the Stone of Hope, what the inscriptions mean, best times to go, and how to see it on a guided walk.
Korean War Veterans Memorial: The Soldiers in the Field
Visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial in DC: the 19 steel soldiers, the Mural Wall, where to find it on the National Mall, and the best time to go.
World War II Memorial: A Guide to the Pillars and Fountains
A traveler's guide to the WWII Memorial on the National Mall — the 56 pillars, fountains, Freedom Wall, best times to visit, and how to walk it into a day in DC.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial: How to Visit the Wall
How to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC: find the Wall, look up a name on the panels, and see it at its most moving after dark.
Lincoln Memorial Visitor Guide: What to See and Know
Your complete Lincoln Memorial guide: what to see, when to go, how to get there, what's nearby, and why it's even better after dark in Washington DC.
The National Mall Memorials: A Complete Visitor's Guide
Your guide to the National Mall memorials in Washington DC: what to see, the smartest walking route, when to go, and why night may be the best time of all.
Itineraries
How to Spend an Evening in Washington DC
Things to do in Washington DC at night: a warm, practical evening itinerary covering the lit memorials, golden hour on the Mall, dinner ideas, and Metro tips.
A Perfect Day on the National Mall: Walking Route & Timing
The smartest National Mall walking route runs east to west, Capitol to Lincoln Memorial — about two miles. Here's the order, timing, and stops for one perfect day.
Three Days in Washington DC: Monuments, Museums & Arlington
A practical 3-day Washington DC itinerary: National Mall memorials, free Smithsonian museums, the Washington Monument, and Arlington Cemetery, planned day by day.
Two Days in Washington DC: A Complete Weekend Itinerary
How to spend two perfect days in Washington, DC: a weekend itinerary covering the National Mall, memorials, Washington Monument, Arlington, and the Smithsonians.
One Day in Washington DC: The Perfect National Mall Itinerary
A focused one-day Washington DC itinerary down the National Mall: one Smithsonian museum, the Washington Monument, the memorials to Lincoln, and Arlington across the river.