10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Washington DC
What Not to Do in Washington DC on Your First Visit
Common mistakes people make when visiting Washington DC are relatively few, although avoiding them entirely will ensure you have a truly enjoyable travel experience.
The US federal capital has so many national monuments, world-class museums, and verdant parks that it’s virtually impossible to explore them within a short time. It’s always a good idea to do your research and plan accordingly, especially if you wish to visit Washington DC during peak season. This guide shows you what not to do in Washington DC on your first visit.
10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Washington DC
- Choosing the wrong area to stay
- Planning a summer trip to Washington DC
- Exploring the city without a SmarTrip card
- Doing all your sightseeing in the daytime
- Allocating far too little time for big attractions
- Only sightseeing in the National Mall
- Visiting Tidal Basin during cherry blossom season
- Turning up at the White House without a scheduled tour
- Missing out on Arlington
- Skipping Washington DC’s local restaurants
1. Choosing the wrong area to stay
Downtown is usually the best for first-time visitors
With so many enticing neighborhoods in Washington DC, choosing exactly where to stay can be tricky. If you’re visiting for the first time, Downtown is your safest bet. It has more than enough hotels to suit any budget, with excellent bars along 19th St and Massachusetts Ave. The neighborhood is also within walking distance of iconic landmarks, such as the White House and National Mall.
Capitol Hill is also one of the best places to stay. It runs from Pennsylvania Ave to the east of the National Mall. Sightseeing opportunities include the United States Capitol, Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress. For shopping and dining options, head to Eastern Market and Barracks Row.
2. Planning a summer trip to Washington DC
The city’s humid, subtropical climate can be quite stifling
Summertime is peak tourist season in Washington DC, which means long queues virtually everywhere, including the Metro, museums, national monuments, restaurants, clubs, and bars. The city also gets rather hot and humid, with occasional thunderstorms in the afternoons which can heavily affect your sightseeing experience.
Washington DC has pleasant weather and significantly fewer visitors in spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). If you can, try to visit in early spring before huge crowds arrive to celebrate National Cherry Blossom Festival at the Tidal Basin.
También te recomendamos consultar
3. Exploring the city without a SmarTrip card
You can use it on multiple modes of transit
SmarTrip is a reloadable farecard available at any Metrorail station, Metro sales offices, and online and it’s your handy ticket to exploring the city’s secrets. You can use a classic plastic card or instantly download a digital version directly into your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Funds loaded onto a SmarTrip card never expire, and the balance will remain intact even if the card sits unused in a drawer for several years.
A SmarTrip card acts as a universal key for almost all public transit across the DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia (DMV) metropolitan area. Use the card to ride the Metrorail and Metrobus, pay for commuter parking, and board regional partner buses.
4. Doing all your sightseeing in the daytime
Many monuments are open 24/7
Washington DC has plenty of iconic monuments you can visit even at night, such as the Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, and Korean War Veterans Memorial. You can enjoy an evening stroll in the National Mall, where many buildings are beautifully lit up in various colors.
Some museums host after-hour activities, guided tours, and special exhibits after 5 pm. National Gallery of Art offers popular, free, themed after-hours festival nights on select Thursdays in the fall and spring. These include live DJs, pop-up bars, theatrical performances, and hands-on art-making. Tickets are available on an online lottery system that opens a week in advance. Visit in mid-June and join the Smithsonian’s annual summer solstice celebration until 11 pm or midnight.
5. Allocating far too little time for big attractions
Or trying to fit everything in a single day
While Washington DC has several landmarks that only require a couple of hours to enjoy, some can take the entire day (sometimes even longer). If you’re thinking of checking out the Smithsonian Institution, it’s good to know that there are 19 museums, galleries, gardens, and a zoo under its name.
Washington DC also constantly hosts events, concerts, and ceremonies, so it’s a good idea to have a relaxed approach to your sightseeing plans. Consider doing some research before your visit to decide what to see and to make sure you have time to explore the highlights or your bucket-list items.
6. Only sightseeing in the National Mall
There’s plenty more to see in Washington DC
It’s very easy to spend your entire vacation on The National Mall, but it’s worth venturing into the city’s eclectic districts as well. Even though this central part of Washington DC host a plethora of the capital’s memorials, monuments, museums, and art galleries, expand your horizons and experience the diversity of the city.
Georgetown is a picturesque district where you can visit the Tudor Place Historic House & Garden, Dumbarton Oaks Museum, and Georgetown Waterfront Park. Or explore Dupont Circle for niche exhibits in the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, Larz Anderson House, and The Phillips Collection.
7. Visiting Tidal Basin during cherry blossom season
It’s a beautiful spot year-round
The Tidal Basin is an artificial pond that draws a big crowd in spring when the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom, but beautiful any time of the year. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is one of Washington DC’s largest spring celebrations. You can expect heavy traffic on roads leading to the Tidal Basin and hundreds of people strolling the 2-mile-long pathway surrounding the pond during this time.
For a quieter experience, visit during the period from late April through May when the temperatures are pleasant to enjoy the spring greenery. To witness the stunning fall colors around the basin, book your trip for September or October.
8. Turning up at the White House without a scheduled tour
You need to plan at least 21 days in advance
Public tours of the White House are free of charge but because they are highly secure and operate on a strict, first-come, first-served basis, you can’t simply walk up to the gates. You must go through a formal government application process. Submit your tour request no more than 90 days (3 months) and no fewer than 21 days (3 weeks), preferable on the exact day the 90-day window opens.
Foreign visitors can apply for a tour request at their home country’s embassy. If you fail to secure a tour of the White House, stop by the visitors’ center to enjoy extensive displays about the building’s history and past residents.
9. Missing out on Arlington
It’s just across the Potomac River
Arlington is a pretty city just 5 miles southwest of Washington DC, across the Potomac River. The city is known for its lush parks, such as the 67-acre Potomac Overlook Regional Park. Hikers can tackle the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail, which runs along the Potomac River’s western bank, between George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Theodore Roosevelt Island.
Like the nation’s capital, Arlington highlights the USA’s military history in the form of government buildings, war memorials, and historic houses. Don’t miss the Air Force Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the United States Marine Corps War Memorial.
10. Skipping Washington DC’s local restaurants
The half-smoke is a must-try
Many of Washington DC’s most beloved dishes are served in family-owned eateries and taverns, so we highly recommend skipping chain restaurants during your visit.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion, the city has over 20 Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from. It’s a good idea to explore outside the National Mall to experience Washington DC’s more eclectic dining scene. The Adams Morgan neighborhood boasts a great collection of innovative restaurants and LGBTQ+ bars, while Bloomingdale appeals to young professionals with tapas bars and BBQ joints. Head to Georgetown’s cobblestone side streets, historic architecture, flickering gas lamps, and scenic waterfront for a romantic dinner for two.
Este artículo incluye opiniones del equipo editorial de Go Guides. Hoteles.com compensa a sus autores por los artículos que se muestran en el sitio. La compensación puede incluir costos de viaje y otros costos.