Hi there! Welcome to your guide and itinerary for how to spend 48 hours in Washington, DC!
DC is truly an amazing place and there are so many fun and unique things to do around the city.
For starters, being in the Capital City of the United States and having the opportunity to see all of the incredible government buildings is such an amazing experience.
However, DC is so much more than just pretty government buildings! In addition to the sites like the White House and the Capitol Building there are tons of fun neighborhoods with unique activities to experience.
DC is also filled with amazing food and it’s a wonderful city to sample tons of different cuisines.
Ready to start planning your trip to DC?
Keep reading for my tips and advice for how to spend the best 48 hours in Washington, DC!
Note: I lived in DC for 5 years and I am so excited to share all of my top recommendations with you!
Sleep – Amazing Hotels in DC
Below are three of my favorite hotels in DC! Each hotel is located in a great neighborhood with lots of restaurants and activities nearby.
Hotel Lombardy
Located in Foggy Bottom, this adorable boutique hotel is a fantastic option!
Just steps from The George Washington University, a few blocks from the White House, and walking distance to Georgetown, this hotel is a great choice. Hotel Lombardy is cozy and has a historic feel. Click here for rates and to book!
The LINE DC
Located in Adam’s Morgan, The LINE is a beautiful, trendy hotel.
The LINE hotel is a converted historic church and it is so charming! The rooms have a boho feel and are beautifully decorated. They also have a wonderful bar, restaurant and cafe. This hotel really has it all! Click here for rates and to book.
Fun fact: I used to live in both Foggy Bottom and Adam’s Morgan – and they are both great locations! They’re close to tons of sites, restaurants and shops, and are metro accessible.
Hotel Washington
Hotel Washington, formerly known the W Washington D.C. is located just steps from the White House and is truly a beautiful hotel inside and out!
The hotel is modern and trendy and even has a gorgeous rooftop (and bar!) that overlooks the White House and Washington Monument. This hotel is a fun place to stay and I highly recommend it! Click here for rates and to book.
Eat – Delicious Restaurants in DC
DC has so many fantastic restaurants that it was difficult for me to create this list. The below options are some of my favorite restaurants, bakeries and cafes that I always enjoyed when living in, and visiting, DC.
With just 48 hours in DC you’ll have to pick the ones that look best to you! But if you’re in DC for longer, I encourage you to try a bunch on the list!
Breakfast/Brunch + Lunch
- Ted’s Bulletin – delicious, classic brunch + homemade poptarts and treats!
- Busboys and Poets – bookstore, coffee shop and restaurant with tons of unique options!
- Bluestone Lane – trendy Australian cafe with delicious brunch and coffee!
- Mintwood Place – modern, American bistro with great brunch! Also check them out for dinner.
- The Diner (open 24/7) – classic American comfort food. Great any time of day!
Dinner
- Le Diplomate – a French Bistro with yummy food and a great ambiance!
- Gypsy Kitchen – perfect for drinks and Mediterranean small plates! Check out their beautiful rooftop.
- Boqueria – delicious Spanish tapas and Sangria!
- Martin’s Tavern – a cozy, historic tavern in Georgetown. Visited by many former Presidents!
- Founding Farmers – super popular, classic American restaurant. Rustic farmhouse vibes!
- Lincoln – fun, trendy restaurant with classic American food and good drinks!
- Old Ebbitt Grill – the oldest “saloon” in DC! Located by the White House and has amazing American-style food!
- The Hamilton – my favorite DC restaurant! A cozy place with a wonderful menu (+ great sushi!)
Dessert
- Baked and Wired – the best cupcakes ever!
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams – delicious ice cream with tons of great flavors!
- Ice Cream Jubilee – homemade ice cream with unique and delicious flavors!
- Milk Bar – unique cereal-milk themed desserts!
- District Doughnut – the best doughnuts in the city, with multiple locations!
Activities + Unique Things to Do in DC
48 hours in Washington, DC isn’t enough time to do everything – but in a weekendyou’ll definitely get a feel for the city! Below are some of my favorite activities and fun things to do during your stay.
Note: please excuse the photo quality of some of the below photos – they were taken before I started this travel blog!
Visit (Free!) Museums
DC has so many amazing museums – and many of them, including the Smithsonian museums, are free! A few of my favorites include: the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Renwick Gallery. Click here for a full list of all 19 Smithsonian Museums.
You could easily spend the entire weekend visiting museums, but to save time for other activities I recommend picking 2 or 3 to visit.
Visit the Monuments at Night
Of course a trip to DC isn’t complete without visiting the monuments and the National Mall.
While visiting the monuments during the day is definitely fun, there is something spectacular about visiting them at night. You can take a tour, and I definitely recommend this if it’s your first time in DC and/or you’re interested in learning more about the city’s history. For a great tour option, click here.
You can also visit the monuments and memorials on your own – I’ve done this dozens of times! I recommend starting at the Lincoln Memorial and walking the length of the reflecting pool all the way to the National World War II Memorial.
You can visit other monuments and memorials, like the Vietnam and Korean memorials, along the way. The National Mall is safe at night, and I’ve never had a problem visiting the memorials even very late into the night.
Click here to check out a map of the monuments and memorials from the National Park Service.
Take a Tour of the Capitol Building
Tours of the Capitol are so much fun and can easily be arranged through your Senators’ or Representatives’ Office. Often, interns working for your Senators or Representatives will give tours, and they are such a fantastic experience. You can also reserve tours directly through the Capitol’s website by clicking here. These tours are free and I definitely recommend taking the time to go on one!
If you would like to visit the Senate and House Galleries (which I also highly recommend), you’ll need to reserve additional passes. You can find out more by clicking here.
Fun Fact: I interned in Senator Leahy’s Office on Capitol Hill!
Visit Union Market
Union Market, in Northeast DC, is a fun place for food, drinks and artisan shopping! There are so many great food options to choose from, all located together in an industrial-style space. This is a great place to visit year round!
Check Out Eastern Market
Eastern Market is another great market, located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of DC. Eastern Market is both indoors and outdoors, with indoor vendors primarily selling fresh meat, fish, cheese and produce.
On the weekends, outdoor vendors sell a wide variety of goods, ranging from handmade furniture, to beauty products and jewelry! If you’re visiting DC on a weekend, Eastern Market is definitely worth a stop – either before or after visiting the Capitol Building.
Check out Embassy Row
Located on Massachusetts Ave in NW DC, you’ll find Embassy Row!
On this stretch of street, you’ll find tons of embassies, diplomatic homes and other diplomatic buildings. It’s definitely fun to walk down Embassy Row and see the many beautiful embassies and the incredible architecture.
Fun fact: I interned at both the Embassy of Jordan and the Embassy of Spain!
Visit Ford’s Theater
In addition to being a beautiful place to see a show, Ford’s Theater is the site of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. After checking out the theater, you can head across the street to the Petersen House. This is where Lincoln was taken after being shot and where he subsequently died.
Visit the White House
I almost don’t need to add this to the list – but of course go see the White House while in DC!
Visit the National Cathedral
Located in the Cleveland Park neighborhood, the National Cathedral is a gorgeous Neo-Gothic style building that is definitely worth a visit.
The cathedral is absolutely stunning, and it’s a great place to visit and tour! You can also visit the cathedral for church services.
Visit Georgetown and Check Out Georgetown University
Georgetown is one of my favorite neighborhoods in DC! It is so cute and quaint and you’ll find great shopping and restaurants – mostly concentrated on M street.
Unfortunately, Georgetown is not Metro accessible, so you will need to take the Circulator bus or an Uber. If you’re in Foggy Bottom, Georgetown is definitely walkable – just follow M Street across the bridge.
In addition to M Street, I also recommend checking out the waterfront – it’s a great place for happy hour. Lastly, if you have time, take the walk up to Georgetown University. I did my graduate work at Georgetown, and the campus is really beautiful. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Take a Sightseeing Cruise – or Booze Cruise
Sightseeing cruises pick up in Georgetown on the waterfront, and this is an amazing way to see many monuments and memorials. These tours vary in length, with many lasting about an hour.
If you would prefer to take a boat cruise while also enjoying drinks, there are options for you! Click here to check out some fun tours!
I went on a nighttime cruise in college and it was a lot of fun! Keep in mind that the views of the monuments and memorials are best during the day, so if your main goal is to see those, I recommend a daytime tour.
Kayaking on the Potomac River
Kayaking, canoeing and pedal boating are other popular DC activities! I’ve seen tons of people kayaking around on the Potomac River in Georgetown. However, you can enjoy water activities in many DC locations including The Wharf and The Tidal Basin.
If you’re visiting DC during cherry blossom season, which I highly recommend, taking a pedal boat around the Tidal Basin is a gorgeous way to see the blooms.
See a Show at the Kennedy Center
Another fun and unique option when visiting DC is to see a show at the Kennedy Center! I’ve seen quite a few shows and ballets at the Kennedy Center and I always really enjoy them. It’s so fun to dress up and spend the evening seeing a wonderful production.
If you don’t want to see a performance, you can still check out the Kennedy Center rooftop. It is free to visit the rooftop, and definitely worth it! The views of the city, and of Virginia, are incredible. There is also a rooftop terrace restaurant, if you’d like to enjoy a meal at the Kennedy Center.
All dressed up for a show! 
Kennedy Center Rooftop
Day Trips
DC is also in a great location for amazing day trips – if you have some extra time in the city, I definitely recommend exploring the surrounding areas.
- Arlington National Cemetery – beautiful 600+ acre military cemetery, accessible by metro or by car
- Mount Vernon – visit and tour George Washington’s home, about 40 minutes from DC
- Alexandria, Virginia – a gorgeous, colorful town, about 20 minutes from DC
- Annapolis, Maryland – Maryland’s Capital, a 45 minute drive located on the Chesapeake Bay
Thank you for reading my guide for how to spend 48 hours in Washington, DC!
DC is an amazing city, one that I’m so happy I could call home for five years. While the city does, of course, have a government focus – there are really so many fun and unique things for travelers to do and see!
If you have any questions about my itinerary and guide for 48 hours in Washington, DC or if you’d like to add anything to this post, let me know in the comments!
Lastly, please share this post with someone you know who needs to visit Washington, DC!
♡Kate
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Wow, you managed to squeeze a lot into 48 hours in DC! I visited once but it was with work so I didn’t have time to do much sightseeing! I did spend a day exploring the Mall and a few of the museums though. I’d love to go back and see it properly so I’ll keep your guide handy. Thanks for sharing it!
These are really great suggestions . I’ve visited DC twice and haven’t done all of these activities . I could definitely do a day trip and visit the White House.
Great suggestions here! I’ve only had a chance to visit DC for business and I can say the food is great. Will have to get back to see the sights.
There are a ton of great-sounding suggestions! I’m saving this for later when we can get there! Love seeing a place from the water so would definitely have to include a boat tour!
DC is such a beautiful town. I’ve only been for work, but next time I return, I’m going to use some of your suggested places because it seems you covered a lot of ground!
Wow Georgetown university is just insane! You managed to do quite a lot of things in only 48h! Thank you for this interesting guide, I wish I could visit soon *w*
Wow you did a lot in two days! I’ve spent 3 summers in America but never managed to visit DC! I really need to go back and explore it. I loved your guide, especially visiting the museums at night sounds like a lot of fun!
What a great blog post! I want to visit all on the desert places they look great!
omgosh i can’t believe you interned with Senator Leahy! 🤩🤩
It was such a fun experience!
With Cherry Blossom season, it is the perfect time to publish the blog. I wonder how beautiful they must look and the weather is promising too right now.
Such a great, detailed guide! I went to DC once a few years ago and have been dying to get back. There is just so much to see and do. I really loved Georgetown!
Goodness you managed to fit in soooo much in 48 hours (or was this on multiple trips!?) I would love to visit all the monuments in cherry blossom season – those blossoms are like decoration for the architecture.
p.s. I wouldn’t have considered kayaking in DC- what a fun idea!
Hi Josy! Thanks so much for asking, this was multiple trips! I lived in DC for 5 years, so these are my top suggestions for activities/restaurants and hotels that I’ve been collecting. I’ve included a little bit of everything, so people can pick and choose what sounds best to them.
Great post! I used to live in DC, but I’ve never heard of the Line hotel! I prefer Georgetown Cupcake too over Baked and Wired, but maybe that’s just me!
The Line Hotel pretty new! I think it opened in 2017, right around when I graduated. Yes! I also really like Georgetown Cupcakes, both are sooo good but I tend to pick Baked and Wired because the cupcakes are so big! You definitely can’t go wrong with either!
I am pinning, I never see enough of DC when I’m there!
Love the creative use of Instagram photos to cross-promote!
There is so much on this list that I hadn’t done when I visited. Can’t wait to go back AND utilize your restaurant recommendations!
Ahhh your food list took me back to my eight years living in DC. All you had to say was “baked and wired” and you made me want to plan a trip back. I miss those cupcakes so much! And so many lovely spring/fall evenings on the patio at Lincoln having happy hour cocktails (it was right across from my office). Also I’ve never been kayaking on the Potomac, so clearly I need to go back!
Love DC and this 48-hour itinerary of things to do. I’ve yet to visit the monuments at night or take a cruise. Adding to my list.
Oh to be young again! Your 48 hours is a chockerblock 2 weeks for me, but a great itinerary no matter how long it takes. My sister was my travel buddy too… enjoy your time together… mine with my sister was all too short!
This is a great post. I visited DC during my senior year of high school, and it’s been one of my most favorite, memorable trips to date. I’d love to go back and try some of these awesome food and drink recommendations! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love DC! Thanks for the new suggestions of things to see and do. Can’t wait to try them.
Lots to do in Washington! This brought back great memories for me.
Love Founding Farmers! So many great things to do and see in DC! Great suggestions.