With three major airports; incredible restaurants; a walkable city center; and great surrounding neighborhoods, Washington DC makes for an easy and fun weekend getaway. Read on for everything you need to know to plan a weekend in DC!
How much time do you need for a weekend in DC?
Of course, you can always spend more time, but three days is perfect for seeing the highlights. The city itself is fairly compact, and neighborhoods like Georgetown are only a short cab or Uber ride away.
Getting to (and around!) Washington DC
There are three major airports in the DC area:
- Washington Dulles International Airport (airport code IAD)
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (airport code BWI)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (airport code DCA)
Of the three, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest to the city center; it’s also the smallest and easiest to navigate. But, depending on your travel plans and where you’re traveling from, you may find Dulles or Baltimore to be a better option.
Wondering about renting a car? We didn’t rent a car, as we stayed near the city center and walked to most of the places we wanted to visit. I’ve also heard great things about the city’s subway system, although we didn’t have a chance to check it out. However, if you plan to visit nearby landmarks such as Mount Vernon or historic Alexandria, Virginia, you may want your own transportation.
Things to do in Washington DC
There’s a lot to do in and around Washington DC. Can’t-miss things to do include:
The Smithsonian Museums
There are 19 Smithsonian museums, galleries, and zoo. Admission is free at all DC-area Smithsonian locations, although several require timed entry tickets. These include the African American History and Culture Museum, the Air and Space Museum, and the National Zoo. All locations are open every day except Christmas Day. Click here for more information on visiting.
See DC Landmarks
If it’s a nice day, stroll DC’s National Mall. Along the way you’ll see the White House, National Tree, Lincoln Monument, Jefferson Memorial, United States Capitol, and more. If you visit in late March or early April, you can enjoy the city’s 3,000+ cherry blossom trees in full bloom. You can find more information, including details on the 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival, here. (As you might imagine, DC is very busy with tourists at this time!)
A ten minute drive from the National Mall is the National Cathedral, the 6th largest cathedral in the world. Construction on this Neo-Gothic cathedral began in 1907 and lasted for 83 years before the cathedral opened its doors to the public. See the National Cathedral’s website for more info on planning your visit.
Visit DC’s Georgetown Neighborhood
One of the best neighborhoods to visit during a weekend trip to DC is Georgetown. It’s only a five to 10-minute drive from the city center, and once you arrive, you’ll find cobblestone streets, federalist architecture, upscale shopping, restaurants, and college bars. I’ve included some of my favorite Georgetown restaurants below, and shopping highlights include the gorgeous Côté Jardin Antiques, pictured above, offering French and European antiques.
Check out DC’s Shopping Options
You can find the following brands in DC, with many located in a downtown, mixed-use, luxury development called CityCenter:
BVLGARI
960 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Dior
933 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
Gucci
1000 I St NW Suite 102, Washington, DC 20001
Hermès
944 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
Louis Vuitton
983 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
Salvatore Ferragamo
1001 H St NW Suite 206, Washington, DC 20001
Outside of CityCenter, Tysons Galleria in nearby McLean, Virginia, houses Burberry, Cartier, Chanel, Golden Goose, Omega, Prada, and more.
Where to Eat During a Weekend in DC
For breakfast and coffee, or a casual lunch or dinner, my #1 recommendation is Tatte Bakery & Cafe, pictured above. There are multiple locations throughout DC and everything I’ve tried at Tatte has been outstanding. Visit their website for menus, hours, and locations.
For drinks, I loved the Fountain Inn, in Georgetown, for cocktails and small plates. They also have an extensive rare Bourbon list, if that’s your jam. Other notable places in Georgetown include The Sovereign for Belgian beer and fare, and Martin’s Tavern, where JFK proposed to Jackie. All three, as well as the ramen restaurant below, are within walking distance of each other. (Tip: Martin’s Tavern can get very busy; they were at capacity when we tried to grab a drink there. Consider making a reservation if you’d like to visit.)
Notable meals in DC include the truly outstanding ramen at Oki Bowl Georgetown, and a fantastic Italian dinner at Caruso’s Grocery in Capitol Hill. I would go back to both in a heartbeat!
On my list for next time are Chef José Andrés’ restaurants in the DC area, such as The Bazaar, Jaleo or Zaytinya – among others!
Where to Stay for a Weekend in DC
I enjoy staying close to the National Mall so most DC highlights are within walking distance or a short taxi or Uber ride away. If you prefer more of a neighborhood feel, consider Georgetown or nearby Dupont Circle. Here are hotel options for each location:
Close to National Mall and City Center
The Willard
Historic hotel overlooking the National Mall, steps from the White House
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Georgetown
The Poppy Georgetown
Warm and inviting boutique hotel; a 15-minute walk to Georgetown’s shopping and dining district
2616 P St NW, Washington, DC 20007
DuPont Circle
Swann House
Design-forward boutique hotel in an 1883 mansion
1808 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
In Conclusion
I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Washington DC! If you love to travel, you might enjoy my guides to Jackson Hole, Italy, Austria, Belgium and France. You can also find me on Instagram.
