Top 5 Ways to Experience Washington D.C.

Washington D.C is one of the most interesting and culturally rich cities I've been to in the United States. It offers something for everyone. Around every corner is incredible architecture, a new museum to explore and hundreds of new restaurants to try.  Braden and I decided to go over Labor Day and we were extremely surprised to learn that there was so much to do and we wanted more time! I put together the top 5 things you have to do in Washington D.C. that we learned from our trip and hopefully you'll get to experience them too! 

1. Rent Bikes from Capital Bikeshare

If you've never been to Washington D.C. you'll learn quickly that your poor feet will hate you from all the walking you'll do during the day. If you've been there, you already know this. I didn't bring the best shoes because "uhm hello, tennis shoes don't match my dresses." Psshh, doing it over again, I'd bring those tennis shoes, wear them proudly and sacrifice gallivanting around in my dresses.

Joyriding around D.C. with Capital Bikeshare bikes

Around day 3, Braden and I talked to some of the locals that lived in the D.C. area. They told us about the bikes all over town that you can rent. The bikes we used were called Capital Bikeshare. The reason we chose these bikes were because they have rent stations literally all over the city. You can check one out and return it to any other rent station in the city.

TIP: These bikes have a small rental charge for 24 hours or 3 days. They are always free for the first 30 minutes. There is a fee for ever 30 mins - hour after that. Braden and I never paid over the rental charge because we would return our bikes to a new rental station before 30 minutes was up. We always had enough time to get from place to place in that amount of time.

Here's how it works.

a. You swipe your credit card and choose between a 24 hour rental or a 3 day rental. The 24 hour rental is $7 and the 3 days is $15.

b. Accept and acknowledge that the company will take a $101.00 hold out of your account to ensure the bikes are not stolen or lost.

c. Agree to the terms and conditions.

d. Print your 5 digit code.

e. Punch your 5 digit code into the numbers just left of the bicycle you want to rent.

f. Return bikes before 30 minutes to a new bike rental station.

g. Understand that you will be given back $94 per bike unless you are charged more with the time.

TIP: Download the Capital Bikeshare App to find all the different bike rental stations. Map out where you want to go and find the station closest to your destination. You will most likely make it in the free 30 minutes if you're touring and sight seeing.

Bikeshare stations

2. Take a Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour

We went through the company Big Bus Tours and it was so convenient. They have four day routes that take you everywhere and anywhere you would want to go to sight see in Washington D.C. Braden and I purchased a 48 hour pass and allowed us to hop on and hop off the buses all day for two days. The first day we took a few routes for almost the whole loop to sight see and learn facts about the city. We then used the map Big Bus Tours provided and circled the interesting places we wanted to return to. It was so easy to navigate and hop on and off the buses at the stops we wanted to go. The bus tours are also great for resting your feet.

TIP: The buses are double decker buses so sit on the top for the best view! Make sure to bring a jacket or umbrella for inclement weather.

Our 48 hour bus ticket also included free tickets for many other activities. It included a river tour on a boat in the Georgetown Harbor, admission to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, admission the Crime & Punishment Museum and admission to the Washington D.C. Zoo. Braden and I went to the zoo and did the boat tour and it was a good time.

View of the Lincoln Memorial from the river tour

3. Visit Georgetown

Georgetown is full of many historic neighborhoods and buildings as well as restaurants and shopping. If you love quaint towns and gorgeous buildings, you will adore Georgetown. It was one of my favorite places in D.C for sure. We went once during the day and even went back one evening because we loved it so much. 

Amazing shops in Georgetown

There are dozens of restaurants to chose from as well as dozens of stores to shop. We were told before we went that we had to try Baked&Wired, a local cupcake shop. We searched it on Google Maps and when we found it there was a line out the door; but, we waited and were NOT disappointed. The cupcakes were delicious. They were large and moist and basically the best cupcakes we had ever had.

With so many restaurants to choose from in Georgetown we narrowed it down by the ratings online and the type of food we wanted to eat. I suggest using Yelp and making reservations if you're going for dinner. It gets really busy in the evenings.

I mentioned Georgetown has shopping didn't I? I may have spent some time in H&M because I have a slight addiction to that store. I splurged and got some clothes for fall. Shhhh... don't tell. They basically have any store that you would need if you were to take a shopping trip there.

One of my favorite parts of Georgetown was the harbor. The waterfront is just gorgeous-- especially in the evening. There are multiple restaurants along the water that if we had time, I would have loved to go to. I suggest trying one out.. and letting me know what you think! You can also take the boat tour, like I mentioned above, at this harbor.

The harbor in Georgetown

4. Walk the National Mall

The National Mall starts at the Lincoln Memorial and ends at the Capitol-- it's about 2 miles long. I would spread it out into a few days if possible because there is a lot of walking with much to see. Start at one end and make your way to the other. Braden and I started at the end with the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and got to explore that end of town first. 

Braden and I at the Lincoln Memorial

We then made our way to the row of Smithsonian Museums but couldn't get through them in one day. Spread out the museums and take a few a days if possible so you don't burn yourself out. Along the National Mall you will also get to see the front and back of the White House. 

The White House

Further along, after the museums, you will see the Capitol building and the Library of Congress as well as many other government buildings. You can get a free tour of the Capitol when you arrive or you can schedule one in advance.

TIP: The capitol tours take about 45-50 minutes and take you into the rotunda among a few other rooms that used to be used by congress.

The Library of Congress is an extremely beautiful building on the outside and even more extravagant on the inside. I would highly suggest vising this while you're at the Capitol. The Library of Congress is directly across the street.

TIP: Get a map with all of the monuments, museums and sights and circle which ones you want to make the priority just in case you don't get to everything in time.

View of the Washington Monument

5. Take Advantage of the Smithsonian Museums & Zoo

In Washington D.C. there are 19 Smithsonian museums and art galleries all fairy close to one another. If you didn't know, each Smithsonian museum is free to the public. It's AMAZING! There are so many interesting ones. You can spend as much or as little time as you would like in each museum which makes it great for managing your time. Braden and I had a list of priority museums that we wanted to go to and we spread them out over a few days.

The first day we did the Holocaust Museum and spent 3-4 hours reading, watching and listening to all the eye opening facts and information. It was a sad experience but a place I think everyone should visit. I would definitely recommend it.

The second day we went to the Air and Space Museum as well as the National Museum of Natural History. Both were incredible but only took us an hour or two to walk through. The Air and Space Museum had a lot of information of early flight systems as well as dozens of planes to look at. A few of the planes even allowed for you to go inside. The Museum of Natural History had everything from ocean exhibits to early human evolution to birds and all size mammals. The dinosaur area of that museum is currently closed for a few years due to the assembly of a new T-Rex.

If I had more time, I would have loved to visit some of the beautiful art galleries and gone to more museums.

I always knew I wanted to visit D.C. but I didn't ever think I would love it as much as I did. No one ever told me there was soo much to do and see. I hope my favorite things from our trip help you in your ventures to Washington D.C. 

If you've been to D.C., what were some of your favorite things? 

I added a bunch of extra pics... so if you don't want to see our touristy iPhone photos, stop scrolling now!!!

Photographing the Washington Monument

Dinner downtown at a quaint little Italian restaurant 

Continuing our touristy adventures

Breakfast at the Wicked Waffle shop- the ladies there were so nice!

Inside a hallway of the Library of Congress

Dinner for a whole family.. that's what it felt like!

Lights in Georgetown