The capital of the United States of America is only 176.9 square kilometres big but it sure packs a lot in. The National Mall (a landscaped area, not a shopping centre), the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Arlington National Cemetery, and the National Arboretum are just some of the things that make it onto most visitors’ itinerary.
Here are our picks of the top five activities you should fit into your travel to Washington, D.C.
The country’s premier venue of visual art, education and culture boasts a collection of more than 150,000 paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, photographs, prints and drawings spanning the history of Western art. The National Gallery’ exhibitions and public programs are free of charge due to its mission of welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity and their shared humanity. Current exhibits include one on German expressionism and its legacy, and the intersection of abstract art and woven textiles over hundreds of years.
The NGA was given to the people of the United States by Andrew W. Mellon, a financier and art collector who served as secretary of the treasury under four presidents from 1921 to 1932.
Address: Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20565
Foreign visitors can tour The White House by contacting their respective embassy in Washington, D.C. at least 21 days in advance. After the tour they can check out The White House Visitor Center, which features approximately 100 historical artefacts, interpretive panels, looping videos of photos and archival footage, and interactive elements for visitors of all ages.
Public tours to The White House are typically available from Tuesday to Saturday and are free of charge.
Address: 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
After President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the American Congress formalised the National Cultural Center as a living memorial to his memory. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hosts a variety of genres such as theatre, dance, orchestras, jazz, pop, psychedelic and folk music, all of it funded through a public–private partnership.
At the moment visitors can attend an opera, a spoken word event, a comedy event, a tango performance and a classical music concert.
Address: 2700 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20566
This natural gem in the nation’s capital is a 1,754 acre city park which was officially authorised in 1890. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge where they can recreate, breath in fresh air, marvel at the majestic trees, and try their luck in spotting wild animals.
Tourists can host a picnic, go on a hike, play golf, practise their tennis serve, paddle the Potomac River, fish, ride a horse or a cycle, and go on a fun run all within Rock Creek Park’s bounds.
This popular restaurant in Washington, D.C. opened in 2017 with a mission to showcase traditional Indian cooking techniques, coupled with inventive ingredient combinations, contemporary plating and exceptional table service. Their approach to Indian cooking seeks to integrate traditional and modern flavours. Their chef tasting menu is a six- to nine-course culinary voyage through the Indian subcontinent.
Some of its most popular dishes are lamb kebab, butter chicken, palak paneer, fish curry, naan stuffed with goat’s cheese, daal makhani and raspberry ras malai.
Address: 611 I Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Only New Delhi has direct flights to Washington, D.C. Flights from Hyderabad and Mumbai typically stopover at Doha or Dubai.
