Four days in Washington DC

23 Jan 2018

A lot of planning goes into experiencing Washington DC in a short timeframe. You need to be organised. You need to be energised. And you need to be prepared to walk – a lot. The wonderful thing is, no matter how tired you may seem, the history and the intrigue seems to lift your spirits and engage your imagination at every turn.

Invest in the bus

Many people will say that the hop-on/hop-off bus is a waste of money. But with so much to see and so little time, the bus not only serves as a mode of transportation, it also helps you see the sights. The Big Bus company has three different loops taking in different areas of the city. The Red Loop takes you along the National Mall, stopping at the Smithsonian Museums and those famous monuments and memorials that everyone associates with the US capital. The Blue Loop crosses the Potomac River, taking you to the Arlington National Cemetery and Pentagon City. And the Yellow Loop explores the gorgeous area of Georgetown and its surrounds. There’s also a night tour that you can take so you can see the monuments and memorials all lit up.

If you’re not into the idea of sitting on a bus, there are bike tours you can take and even some Segway tours. However, these are specific tours that take in specific sites, rather than a general loop that the buses do.

Don’t miss these

There are, of course, some monuments and memorials that you really shouldn’t miss, especially if you’re into American politics. Tour the Capitol Building, visit the Library of Congress and walk past the White House. Most tours will take you past the major monuments in DC including the Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, DC War Memorial and more. Also, even if you’re not into art, it’s hard to go past the National Portrait Gallery. It’s free which is an added bonus, but it’s also fascinating to see such a range of people on canvas, from Pocahontas to Rosa Parks. The other not-to-miss attraction only opened in 2008, but it has already cemented its place in Washington DC’s top tourist attractions. The Newseum is a seven-floor archive of all the major events including the fall of the Berlin Wall, assassinations, 9/11 and even a bit of insight into the FBI. If you don’t have time to actually go into the museum itself, a stroll along the front will update you on news throughout the country and around the world, on the front pages that are displayed.

Stroll around

When in any new country or city, why not just wander around different areas to really get a feel for the place? While there is so much to see and do in Washington DC, it’s also nice to simply stroll along the river or around Georgetown with boutiques, clothing chains, home décor and art shops galore. It’s also a nice idea to take a walk along the river. A lot of the major monuments are along the river’s edge so it’s a way to take in some major sights while also enjoying some fresh air. Of course, this is weather and season dependent.

Prioritise what you want to see

It’s impossible to do it all. So sit down and prioritise what you want to do. If you’re going to fit as much as possible into just a few days, you need to really plan your time effectively. And of course, it depends what you’re into. For some, the National Air and Space museum is a must-see, for others, it’s more important to wander through the art galleries. Whatever your personal must-sees, just make sure you allocate enough time for each place. There’s nothing worse than rushing through museum after museum after gallery, to not remember a thing about each place because you haven’t taken the time to really experience it.

Regardless of what you choose to see and do, the important thing is to have fun and enjoy yourself. Because remember, you can always come back for more!