2 Days in Washington DC – Ultimate Travel Itinerary

During my stay in New York City, I have taken the opportunity to spend 2 days in Washington DC, the U.S. capital, which is just a 4-hour drive by bus from NYC. Traveling on a budget, I decided to stay in the hostel Duo Housing. It is located a 5-minute drive from the Washington Monument, and I didn’t regret my choice. I paid a good price for staying in a dorm, breakfast included, and was totally happy with the room and the chillout areas in the hostel. It’s a nice place to meet other people and explore the area.

Washington DC appears to be quite small and calm when coming from New York City. I’ve had exactly two days to explore the city, and, even though there is much more to see than I expected, two days is enough for the first impression in my opinion. The distances between the main attractions are short and everything can easily be reached by walking. Just make sure to plan your route beforehand. If you have more time, check out my 4-day Washington DC itinerary as well.

As for me, I have timed the first day to visit the area where the Capitol, the courts, and all the museums are located. The second day was scheduled for seeing the White House, and the Lincoln Memorial, and exploring the district of Georgetown.

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My Itinerary for 2 Days in Washington DC

Day 1 in Washington DC

1. Capitol & Library of Congress

The famous Capitol was the building I liked most in Washington DC. In reality, it looks even bigger than on TV, and, as I was there around Christmas time, a huge decorated Christmas tree was standing in front of it. Inside the Capitol, you can take part in a guided tour, visit the old (and stunning) Library of Congress, or have lunch in the cafeteria.

2. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court was constructed in 1935 and is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the U.S. I recommend not only taking a picture from the outside but also going inside. You have to pass a small security check and can visit two floors. Whether you are interested in American politics or not, it’s worth taking a look.

3. Botanical Garden

Right next to the Capitol and on the way to all the museums, you can find the roofed botanical garden. Don’t be surprised: this is not a typical botanical garden. Between the plants, some landmarks of Washington DC and train stations from all over the world are copied as little models made of plant parts. The garden hosts a wide variety of different plants, especially beautiful orchids, and different climate zones. Again, the entrance is free and, even for no plant fanatics, worth a visit.

4. Air and Space Museum

Washington DC has a huge variety of different museums and the best thing about it is: The entrance is free! The Air and Space Museum is one of the best and looks pretty amazing with old planes hanging from the ceiling and real rockets in the hallway. I found myself getting stuck in the area showing our universe and the different planets. I’m always impressed by the fact of how small our earth is in comparison to other planets and especially the whole universe, which really seems endless. So, if you take your time in the museum you can actually learn a lot. Feel free to ask questions as well, the employees really know a lot and are happy to help.   

Day 2 in Washington DC

1. White House

When in Washington DC, I’m sure the White House is on top of your list. There is nothing super special about this attraction but you definitely cannot leave without a photo of yourself in front of the president’s residence.

2. Lincoln Memorial & Washington Monument

The Lincoln Memorial was built in honor of America’s 16^th president, Abraham Lincoln. If you are standing in front of the building, you can perfectly see the Washington Monument, a huge marmoreal tower, from a distance. The whole site is well-tended and looks symmetrical. I have heard that watching the sunrise at the Lincoln Memorial is supposed to be very fascinating. And, if you’re lucky to visit Washington DC during the Cherry Blossom Festival, you will witness beautiful scenery as well!

3. Georgetown

Georgetown is a lovely district in the northwest of Washington DC. The streets are full of colorful houses, little shops, and many cafes. I really enjoyed strolling around the historic neighborhood and watching people running errands while sitting in a cafe. When in Georgetown, Georgetown University, a private research university founded in the 18th century, is a must-see as well. Healy Hall, the main building of the University, looks like a magical castle and you feel like you are an elite student.

4. International Spy Museum

The new International Spy Museum is the only museum that is not free. However, as I really love movies about espionage, I decided to pay the entrance fee to go there. The museum is bigger than I expected and I recommend scheduling 2 to 3 hours for going there. As I arrived 2 hours before closing time, I was in a little rush in the end. The museum is created with a lot of attention to detail and I learned a lot. Some parts were quite interesting but, for me, it was too much about espionage during wartime and less about espionage nowadays. I loved the huge section about James Bond though.

I hope I could help you find some inspiration on how to schedule your 2 days in Washington DC. On my next visit to the U.S. capital, I definitely want to cover the following spots as well:

• National Zoo
• Arlington Cemetery
• Ford Theater
• National Geographic Museum
• U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Are you planning to visit other U.S. cities as well? There are numerous options for exciting road trips from DC. If you’re planning to visit New York City, I highly recommend you visit the Big Apple during Christmas time to experience all the famous New York City Christmas decorations!

Save this post on how to spend 2 days in Washington DC for later!

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