5 Pointers to Remember on Your First Trip to Washington, DC

There are a few things to consider before embarking on a tour of Washington, DC. You want to visit the things that are most essential to you and have a terrific experience, after all.

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Here are some of our top recommendations for those who are visiting Washington, D.C. for the first time.

Many tourists find that simply seeing the People’s House from the street and taking a few pictures is sufficient. However, you will be let down if you simply walk up and hope to get in if you have your sights set on a tour.

A request must be made to a member of Congress at least 21 days prior to the date of the intended tour. To get your request granted if you are a foreign national, you must cooperate with your embassy.

If you want to enter the White House, it’s a good idea to start making preparations as soon as you know when you’ll be in D.C.

However, if you reserve a guided tour, you will spend a large portion of the journey in air-conditioned luxury, which is a huge perk for summertime tourists. No matter the season, this makes sightseeing fun!

There’s nothing like D.C.’s cherry blossoms, and spring and fall are great times to explore the city! Despite the sometimes freezing weather, winter is a desirable season since it is rather calm in terms of tourists. The national Christmas tree and other breathtaking holiday lights are also visible.

1. Take a guided tour first.

With its many monuments, memorials, museums, and historic districts, Washington, DC, is a fascinating city.

It might be difficult to know where to begin if you have never gone. A guided tour helps you become oriented so you may more easily explore the areas that interest you on your own later. It also provides you with a solid overview of the city and a taste of the most well-known locations.

A combo guided tour and hop-on, hop-off tour bus pass is a fantastic way to experience the city on your own terms if you’d like a little more independence without sacrificing the benefits of a guided tour. Looking to plan a family sightseeing trip? Consider taking a kid-friendly tour.

The Mall is actually two miles long from end to end, and many of the most interesting monuments and museums line this grassy area. If you saw “Forrest Gump,” you might assume it’s only a few blocks.

You’d be excused if you spent your whole day perusing the Mall’s sights, but if you only have a day in Washington, D.C., here is where to start.

2. Visit Free Museums and Attractions to Save Money

D.C. is a costly destination, much like any other global metropolis. The good news is that by using your time to accomplish all the free activities, you can save a lot. The National Zoo is free, as are all other Smithsonian institutions. The same is true of all the memorials and monuments.

The National Gallery, the Hirshhorn, and the Freer and Sackler Galleries are just a few of the art museums and galleries that provide free admission. Additionally, the city is filled with beautiful parks and green areas that you may enjoy for hours. You actually can spend a whole day in D.C. for free if you bring a picnic lunch and lots of water!

Do you want to take some beautiful pictures without having to deal with the crowds? Arrange a monument tour for the evening. Nothing compares to the Washington Monument, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials all shining brilliantly against the night sky.

3. Your wallet will appreciate it if you bring a reusable water bottle.

You can refill your own water bottle for free at sites across the city, so why pay $3, $4, or $5 for one? In addition to saving a ton of money, you’re also assisting in the reduction of the plastic pollution that big cities face.

Through the TapIt initiative, more than 750 establishments and landmarks in the District collaborate to offer free tap water to locals and tourists. If you refill your water bottle, no one will think you’re weird, plus the tap water in D.C. tastes really good. With all the money you save, get yourself a memento of your trip.

4. Use a Rechargeable Metro SmarTrip Card Instead of Paper Tickets

Almost all transport providers in the D.C. metro region accept SmarTrip cards, which are refillable cards. These include the bus, light rail, subway, and even the transit lines to well-known D.C. suburbs in Maryland and Virginia.

Purchase one in advance of your vacation; you may always add to it while you’re there. If you want to visit several different areas of the city, a one-day unlimited pass is a wonderful deal for just $14.75.

5. Remember The Enchanting City Views From The Water

Since D.C. is a waterfront city, a Potomac Riverboat trip is the ideal way to experience the city from a completely new angle.

Other water sports that you may partake in include duck boat tours, paddle boat rides in the Tidal Basin, and kayaking the Potomac River.

Don’t overlook any of the region’s stunning harbors, including the National Harbor in Maryland and Washington Harbour in Georgetown. Enjoy breathtaking city views with your family by taking them on a trip on the National Wheel.