I am planning a couple of foreign trips, and, I will admit, have fallen behind on my usual preparations for Washington DC. We are going the second week in April. Arriving Tuesday, full days W, Th, Fri, leaving late afternoon Saturday. I have a Capitol tour booked. My Congressperson (Debbie Wasserman Schultz) office has not replied about a White House tour yet. I am anxious to see the monuments at night. Would you recommend a tour for this, photo op

I guess I am asking for a suggested itinerary. We want to do Smithsonian, see the memorials, National Archives, capitol/supreme court. Probably a trip to Arlington Cemetery. The National Cathedral? Have never seen it. A brief walk around in Georgetown would be good. We will be staying at Embassy Circle Guest House, thanks to Fodor recommendations.

Would be looking to do subway when possible, Uber is our friend.

Thanks in advance

I did a nighttime tour of the monuments last year, and was pretty satisfied. I think it's much easier than trying to drive yourself around, and the bus stopped at the bigger places long enough to get out and really see them. The only downside was putting up with the driver's patter, but it wasn't too bad. I would do it again.

I suggest you put Newseum on your list: all of us who when there really enjoyed it.

Keep in mind that "the Smithsonian" is actually a collection of museums, some of which are the Air and Space Museum (one in DC proper and the lesser-known Udvar-Hazy near Dulles), the Natural History Museum, the National Zoo, the National Portrait Gallery, and my persona favorite, the American History Museum. Admission to all of the Smithsonian museums is free.

The National Archives are very popular; a reserved visit helps cut down on the wait time to get in.
https://www.archives.gov/museum/visi...ed-visits.html

Definitely see the monuments at night, either on a guided tour or on foot. Also keep in mind it's about two miles from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building if you want to walk the Mall.

I would try to fit in a visit to Arlington. The changing of the guard is very somber.

One of my favorite non Smithsonians Is the Holocaust Museum if you can get tickets.

I think you’re a bit late for the cherry blossoms, but I visited during the festival last time and spent relatively little time in American History. It was crazy. So you might want to have a list of of stuff you want to see in the order of what’s most important. I enjoyed the Native American Museum but it’s well worth a visit just for the cafeteria. I discovered the National Postal Museum, which is amazing, and right across from the train station- also worth a Looksee. You probably know but the African American Museum is by ticket only, and while you can get same day, it’s probably a long shot given their back log. The freer/shackled are small but excellent. Sackler, you stupid autocorrect.

I liked the National Cathedral as a teen but imo if you’ve been overseas, it may not be as interesting.

Honestly, prefer walking the mall rather than the tour. Tour allows for fewer great photo ops. Morning is better for photos though. You can kind of move around the crowds at night if you just walk the mall. But I’ve been several times, and I often spend every evening strolling around the monuments.

I didn’t find Georgetown all that interesting- old town Alexandria was much more enjoyable. Second the suggestion of Arlington. And I loved the National Zoo.

I, too, would recommend taking the nighttime tour. I have done it twice with Grey Line and it saved an awful lot of walking.

I also agree that lunch in the Native American Museum is worth doing, but don't neglect the cafe in the Art Museum either. Among the museums I always visit the Sackler and Freer Asian museums, which are much quieter. One trip I spent most of two days in the Newseum, so you might save that for another trip. I highly recommend the Library of Congress and also the Folger Shakespeare which is close. Check the Smithsonian website to see what special exhibitions are on.

Your feet will appreciate you grouping sites by location. I would skip the National Cathedral and the Zoo, which are outliers. There are some less visited sites that I enjoy, but with your list and only three days I don't think you have time.

If you are an early riser, the zoo opens before any of the other sites. Just remember to take the Metro to the one stop past the zoo stop. You will then be able to walk downhill to the zoo. If you get off at the Zoo stop you will have to walk a couple blocks uphill. There are many nice places for lunch or dinner in the Woodley Park neighborhood.

I also have taken the Greyline tour twice and did enjoy it. The Archives is another of my favorite but take a tour.

You are staying at a great place. I usually stay at their sister guest house in Woodley Park

It may be too late for a White House tour, but hope you get one.

I also would can the National Cathedral. It's nothing particularly historic like old cathedrals in Europe, I just don't know why you'd want to see it but you picked it out, so maybe you have a reason. They didn't even finish it for close to 100 years for some reason. it's not convenient to get to, there is no metro stop nearby and nothing else around it you'll want to see, I bet.

Don't just walk around Georgetown unless you have a plan and know WHY you are walking around. There are some historic parts and if that is your goal, you need a walking tour map or something (there are some tour groups that do walking tours of Georgetown, also), as just walking on the busiest streets is a bore and nothing special unless you like chain stores (eg, TJMaxx, H&M, JCrew, Apple, etc) and bars. Here's a plan

Self Guided East Georgetown Walking Tour - Free Tours by Foot