Planning a Day Trip to Washington, D.C.

Museums, Attractions, and Places to Eat in the Nation's Capitol

Sep 10, 2008

Washington D.C. is a perfect place to go on a day trip. There is so much to see and do, its hard to know where to start. Let this guide help you out.

If you want to spend a day in Washington, D.C. and are not sure what to do, rest assured that there are enough different sites that there is something to please everyone in your group. There are many fine restaurants you can eat at, too. There is so much history in the city, so be sure you plan ahead before heading out to the Nation's Capitol.

Visiting the Capitol Building and Other Notable Landmarks

One idea for a day trip is to visit the Capitol Building and its environs. The Capitol is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Exceptions to this could be affected by security concerns, thus allowing no visitors near the facility.

Visiting the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial requires a lot of walking outdoors. In fact, many people will park their cars in a central spot and walk the entire day on foot. Parking can become crowded, especially on the weekends.

The Library of Congress is very interesting. The architecture and stained glass itself are worth the visit. The "Treasure Gallery" on the 2nd floor holds a rotating collection of awesome treasures. You may see a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence or Ira and George Gershwin's piano.

The National Gallery of Art is a wonderful place to visit. It houses the most spectacular pieces of artwork and statues in the country, all from the fifth century to modern times. You can see works by Picasso, Matisse, Pollock, and much more. There is also a Sculpture Garden you can't miss. Go there during lunchtime. There is the Pavilion Cafe, which serves sandwiches, pizza, and salads.

All Day Museums

If you are not interested in the Capitol tours, there are some awesome museums to see. Of course, the most famous is the Smithsonian Institute. It has been nicknamed "The Nation’s Attic." It actually houses 17 museums plus the National Zoo. It is impossible to visit all of them in one day, so pick a few your family is interested in visiting. Here is a list of some of the most poular museums to choose from:

Where To Eat in Washington, D.C.

After all that sightseeing you are sure to get hungry. A wonderful place to go for breakfast is Tunnicliff's. It is right near the Eastern Market. It is a nice family restaurant. If you are adventurous, try Jimmy T’s. It is only a few blocks from the Capitol. It’s a small diner that has a lot of local atmosphere and is great for kids.

For lunch, you will probably opt for something light and quick so you can get back to sightseeing. Most of the museums have their own cafes that would be terrific to have lunch at and take a break. The prices are fairly reasonable, but you can also find fast food restaurants such as McDonald's or Burger King along the streets. For a truly authentic D.C. lunch, consider buying hot dogs from one of the many street vendors.

Dinner is a good time to choose a nice restaurant with a view. America has a terrific view of Capitol Hill. Lafayette is a fine dining restaurant with a view of the White House. You can try New Heights that overlooks Rock Creek Park. These establishments are pricey, but the food is very good. This is a great way to wrap up your visit to D.C.

If you are looking for a restaurant more family oriented, try Union Station. They have a food court with many options. While you are there, you can do some shopping for souvenirs. Capitol City Brewing Company has a fun atmosphere appropriate for all ages.

A day trip to Washington, D.C. will be a whole lot of fun, and tiring as well. You may want to do it more than once so you will get to see all of the historical sights. There is no way you can see it all in one day. Maybe next time, you can try to plan a weekend visit and find lodging that is close by.

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