Washington DC is one of those cities where it is impossible to stay long enough to see everything. However, if you are short on time, don’t let that deter you from taking a quick trip to the nation’s capital. We recently enjoyed a fabulous DC weekend.
Fortunately, the flight schedule allowed us to arrive early on Friday and leave late on Monday. So we were able to squeeze in lots of sights.
DC Weekend – Our Hotel
We stayed at the Washington DC Marriot Metro Center. I chose this hotel because it is close to several points of interest (ex. Ford’s Theatre and the National Archives). Most importantly, this hotel is next to a Metro Station with multiple lines.
Getting Around in DC
The Metro is a great way to get around in DC. When the Metro wasn’t practical, we used Uber and Taxis. We found a taxi to be cheaper than Uber. Fortunately, there was often a taxi sitting outside the hotel.
Day 1 in DC – Friday
We arrived at Regan International Airport around 9:30 am. We grabbed a cab at the airport and headed to our hotel. The Marriott kindly let us check in early, so we dropped off our luggage and headed out to explore.
The first stop was the White House Visitor Center. Tours of the White House were suspended due to COVID. However, the visitor center is a great place to see historical artifacts and learn more about the first family’s residence.
Next up was the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. With its elaborate decor and spectacular architecture, this building is a must-see! The collection includes Thomas Jefferson’s Library and a Guttenburg Bible.
The final stop for the day was the National Museum of American History. This museum is one of my favorite of the Smithsonian museums. Here visitors can see Abraham Lincoln’s top hat, part of the Berlin Wall, and dresses worn by first ladies through the decades.
Day 2 in DC – Saturday
We spent the entire day on Saturday at the Museum of the Bible (MOTB). A few years ago, I’d spent a half-day at this museum discovered it was not near enough time.
The MOTB boasts an extensive collection of Biblical texts and artifacts. In addition, it is one of the most technologically advanced museums in the US. Manna, the museum’s restaurant, is a great place to enjoy a break and a tasty bite to eat.
Day 3 in DC – Sunday
We reserved tickets with an audio tour to visit Ford’s Theatre on Sunday morning. A museum under the theater includes objects such as the Deringer that killed President Lincoln and a Lincoln life mask. In the theater, guests have an opportunity to see the box where Lincoln and his wife were seated when he was shot.
Our next stop was the National Archives. Visitors can view, but not photograph, historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
Unexpectedly, we had time to squeeze in a brief stop at the Museum of Natural History. We chose to spend our time in this museum in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals.
We attended the All Hallows Eve event at Washington National Cathedral on Sunday evening. If you ever have a chance to attend a Cathedral concert, I highly recommend it. It was a phenomenal experience.
Day 4 in DC – Monday
The weather was perfect on Monday morning for a monument walk. We started at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Then we made our way to the Martin Luthur King Jr and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorials. Next, we headed towards the reflecting pool, visiting the Lincoln Memorial and seeing the Korean, Vietnam, and WWII Memorials. (Not up for walking? Try bus or bike.)
Before heading to the airport, the final stop on our trip was the United States Postal Museum. This Smithsonian houses many surprises, such as a letter mailed from the Titanic and a flight suit worn by Amelia Earhart.
However long you’re able to stay in Washington DC, you’ll have plenty of choices of things to see and do. Many points of interest are close together, and transportation options are plentiful. The nation’s capital is a great place to spend a fabulous DC weekend again and again.
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