Washington DC Walking Tour

Washington Monument Across the Tidal Basin

The District of Columbia is a wonderful place for vacationing families.  DC is one of the best cities in the US to travel on foot.  In fact you can easily access the best attractions, monuments, memorials, and museums at a comfortable and safe walking pace along vast sidewalks, the National Mall, grassy venues, and long promenades.

Some of the more famous attractions line the National Mall and are easily accessed by walking along the sidewalks on either side of the Mall or by strolling across the grassy fields themselves.  Here you will find the Smithsonian Museums (including the very famous National Air and Space Museum), Art Galleries, food stands, and a giant children's carousel.

Washington DC Walking Tour
US Capitol to Lincoln Memorial

The far eastern end of the National Mall is where the US Capitol sits.  From here, it is about a 2-mile walk to the west to reach the Lincoln Memorial, the far western end of the National Mall.  Walking west from the Capitol, you will pass the large reflecting pool, then the Smithsonian Museums line both sides of the National Mall with the most famous one, the National Air and Space Museum showing up on your left (on Independence Ave), as you walk to the west. 

Continuing on, you will pass a series of art galleries on your left and on your right the Museum of Natural History (on Constitution Ave).  At the center of the National Mall, perched on a slightly rising hill, is the Washington Monument, a dominant fixture of the skyline in DC.  In the summertime, you can expect to see concerts and parades at the western edge of the hill next to the Washington Monument.  Continuing west you will come up to the World War II Memorial at the edge of the long reflecting pool.  At the opposite end of the reflecting pool is the Lincoln Memorial.  Take the time to fully view and appreciate the WWII Memorial - there is quite a bit of history captured by the monument including famous quotes, historic images, and flags of participant states and territories.  Beyond the Lincoln Memorial and across the Potomac River is the Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.  On the north side on the Lincoln Memorial is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  And on the south flank is the Korean War Memorial.

You start your walking tour of DC at any time - I've enjoyed an early morning walk, with clear skies and absolutely no crowds!  Late afternoon is also nice with longer shadows and warmer colors.  But, my favorite thing to do is a night tour of Washington DC.

When doing your walking tour of DC, make sure you wear comfortable shoes.  And in the heat and humidity of the summer, don't forget to put on sun block, wear a hat, and drink a lot of water!  To make your walking tour more enjoyable, there are Trolleys that run through the city stopping at all major attractions - you can purchase a Trolley Hop-On Hop-Off ticket and at your leisure ride these trolleys up and down DC at your own pace.  You can also join a guided bike tour, a motorized segway tour, or just rent a bike and pedal at your own pace.

View of the National Mall next to the Smithsonian Castle

Sightseeing Tours of Washington DC

Washington DC Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
Want to tour DC at your own pace? Discover Washington DC at your leisure with a one-day ticket on the Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour. Create your own itinerary to see the most popular sights of Washington DC at your own pace. The Washington DC Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour is the easiest way to get around town. You can hop on and off at any of the 19 stops as often as you like. Trolleys depart every 30 minutes.

Washington DC Guided Day Tour
During this shuttle tour, you'll see all the DC monuments and memorials up close and personal, and learn the history and trivia surrounding the US capital. It's great for kids and adults of all ages! This tour provides a great overview of the Washington DC if you have a limited time to visit.   Photo stops are made at major Washington DC monuments, and you'll be entertained and informed by the tour guide's expert commentary throughout the day.

Washington DC Capital Sites Bike Tour
The Washington DC Capital Sites Bike Tour is a safe and enjoyable cycling trip of the most popular sights of Washington. Sites you will see include the Lincoln Memorial, White House, Supreme Court and the Capitol. This three-hour Washington DC Capital Sites Bike Tour combines history, interesting facts, and a love for the city with an easy bike ride.

Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial, and US Capitol 

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