Washington DC has so much to offer, it’s impossible to fit it all into 3.5 days. But if that’s all you have like we did, you make the most of it and cram as much as you can into those 3.5 days. Below is our itinerary and I’m proud to say we worked through it like champs and thoroughly enjoyed every part of it…. except for maybe the ridiculously long line at MSP airport prior to our departure ;)
As normal, we were ahead of schedule at times and behind schedule at times but I really feel like the days flowed pretty effortlessly and we saw everything on our list.
Unfortunately we were not granted a tour of the White House despite our request three months in advance so we had to settle for just seeing the outside.
As Close as we could get to the White House.
Washington DC Itinerary
Wednesday, June 12th –
4:45 AM – Leave condo for airport/Pick up Lauren
7:05 AM – AA flight #4594 MSP > DCA
10:39 AM – Arrive in Washington DC
11:30 AM – Check into the Washington Marriott at Metro Center/unpack/freshen up
775 12th Street NW
Washington, DC, 20005
12:00 PM – Lunch @ Capital City Brewing Co.
Library of Congress
US Supreme Court
2:30 PM – US Capitol*
Ulysses S Grant
5:00 PM – Lauren has class – Relax or Happy Hour near the hotel
7:30 PM – Dinner at Kirwan’s Irish Pub – Drink at 12 Stories following dinner
Thursday, June 13th –
Nearby Breakfast options – Fire & Sage, Starbucks (both located in hotel), Cosi (down the street from hotel)
9:00 AM – Rent Bikes @ Metro Center and bike to National Mall
Washington Monument
WW II Memorial
Vietnam Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Korean War Memorial
DC War Memorial
MLK Jr. Memorial
FDR Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
White House
- If we run out of time can see some of these Friday AM
12:00 PM – Return Bikes to Metro Center/Lunch @ Cosi
1:00 PM – Uber to Mt. Vernon (About 45 min. pending traffic)
2:00 PM – Mount Vernon
5:00 PM – Uber to “Old Town” Alexandria, VA – Dinner @ Fish Market – Water Taxi back to the Wharf
Mt. Vernon closes at 5PM but if we’re done sooner can head to Old Town to explore/happy hour somewhere
Can visit Captain Gregory’s (speakeasy—reservations needed) or Two Nineteen (cigar bar) if feeling up to it
Friday, June 14th –
Any monuments that we didn’t get to see Thursday AM – will determine start time pending number of sites
National Air and Space Museum
National Museum of American History
Lunch near National Mall
12:45 PM – National Archives*
2:00 PM – Ford’s Theater*
4:15 PM – Holocaust Museum*
7:00 PM – Dinner @ PJ Clarke’s* – Sidecar following dinner – “Beneath power-dining hot spot P.J. Clarke's lies this prim underground bar, with vintage-book-filled shelves, white linen tablecloths and walls lined with portraits of every U.S. president. Given its secret status, crowds can be thin.”
The Mirror – walking distance from PJ Clarke’s – “Beneath an abandoned storefront…down the stairway…there’s another abandoned storefront…pull the mirror hanging on the wall, which is really a secret door… Once inside the 55-seat drinking den, McClelland says the “speakeasy” rules stop—no passwords, dress codes, or reservations.”
Allegory – walking distance from The Mirror, can be skipped if it’s getting late – “named for stories and artworks that have double, often deeper meanings. The bar is positioned directly behind Eaton Workshop's twee library and seating area.”
Denson Liquor Bar – “It takes a little effort to find this bar that is seemingly in the basement of FUEL Pizza. But, it’s worth it. Look for a light globe that reads "Denson" and climb down a set of stairs. Your feet slapping the metal will alert the doorman (BALLER!) to swing the door open and welcome you into a sexy, boozy lair.”
Saturday, June 15th –
Arlington National Cemetery
5:00 PM – Leave for airport
7:30 PM – AA flight #4502 DCA > MSP
9:16 PM – Arrive in Minneapolis
*Tickets bought in advance/scheduled visits — I only scheduled what I felt we had to as I didn’t want to miss anything due to running behind schedule.
