Heading to Washington DC for a long weekned? Here are the must-sees for 3 days in DC.
Historically, DC has not been my husband’s favorite destination – talk about Scrooge! Because how can you dislike tasting worldwide flavors, seeing world-class artwork, and channeling your inner Nicolas Cage in National Treasure? Seriously, we ended up having such an incredible time that we’re already planning our return.
Arriving in Style: DCA and The Line Hotel
We landed in the afternoon at DCA (Reagan National Airport – the one actually in the city, though I honestly always confuse the two DC airports). This is definitely the airport you want for monument and National Mall access. We scooted straight over to our hotel, The Line, perched at the top of Adams Morgan.
Adams Morgan has become one of our favorite DC neighborhoods, and it was perfect for this trip since my best friend lives there. We were celebrating her new home and a baby on the way – the perfect excuse for a long weekend getaway!
Our accommodations at The Line were absolutely fantastic. The gym is truly unmatched, and the décor and room were uniquely designed while offering plenty of space and all the typical amenities – including a well-stocked mini bar that definitely got some attention.
Day One: Rooftop Views and National Treasures
We kicked off our 3 days in DC joining friends for rooftop happy hour at Perry’s Restaurant in Adams Morgan. Their menu spans cuisines, but their sushi is exceptional – I devoured the happy hour Garlic Fried Rice with tenderloin tips. Can I just say how incredibly grateful I am that EVERY menu in DC clearly marks gluten-free dishes? Life changing for someone with dietary restrictions! The rooftop views are perfect for overlooking the area and getting a feel for the weekend weather.
Day Two: Art, Archives, and Unexpected Baseball
The next morning, we woke up bright and early, at least early compared to our friends in town, and hit the town. After breakfast around the corner at D Light Café & Bakery, we attempted the bus route to the National Mall. No luck navigating public transit, but we scored a free ride while fumbling with the Metro app the entire way – sometimes confusion pays off!
National Archives: More Than Just the Declaration
The route dropped us blocks from the National Archives, where we were thrilled to see the Declaration of Independence. I couldn’t stop quoting National treasure and if you’ve only got 3 days in DC I would highly recomend booking a time slot to see it! One surprise we hadn’t expected was finding Washington’s personal ledger upstairs, where he meticulously noted all his expenses as general. He never took payment for his service but always documented his reimbursements – I had no idea!
National Gallery: Masterpieces That Never Get Old
From there, we explored the National Gallery and saw works by Vermeer, Da Vinci, Monet, and van Gogh. As an art major in college, encountering these masterpieces in person always fills me with joy! There’s something magical about standing before a painting you’ve studied in textbooks.
Hidden Culinary Gem: Bar Americano
Outside, in the heart of the National Mall, we discovered a recently-opened private food kiosk called Bar Americano, right outside the Air & Space Museum. The pizza – gluten-free or traditional – is absolutely not to be missed. While dining, we enjoyed live Spanish music drifting through the air. I love DC – you definitely don’t get spontaneous cultural moments like this back home!
Library of Congress: Spontaneous Scooter Adventure
We were still waiting for friends to surface (holiday weekend pace!), so we spontaneously rented Lime scooters and zipped up to the Library of Congress.
Pro tip: We had planned the major activities since we were doing DC in 3 days but left room for spontaneous discoveries, and for a Memorial Day weekend, the only line we encountered was at the Library of Congress! You do need to reserve free timed tickets online for most National Mall attractions, so plan ahead. For instance, we missed out on the capitol building and will be saving that for our next visit!
The building itself is architecturally stunning, and they displayed one of the earliest Gutenberg Bibles printed on original vellum – fascinating for my graphic designer heart! I also learned that anyone can apply for Library of Congress membership. During our visit, Jefferson’s original book collection was on display – over 7,000 books he sold to establish the library.
Nationals Game: Afternoon Baseball Bliss
Instead of afternoon naps, we had tickets to see the Nationals play baseball! We rode down to the waterfront and met our group for pre-game beers at Solace Outpost in the Navy Yard, an open-air bar adjacent to the ballpark. Perfect for building game-day excitement.
The Nationals won, and we headed back for dinner with the crew at my girlfriend’s place. This was our designated evening for exploring DC nightlife – comedy clubs near the hotel, countless bars and restaurants, and all the energy of a vibrant city neighborhood.
Day Three: Michelin Stars and Whiskey Collections
Lapis: A Breakfast That Moved Me to Tears
Sunday breakfast was genuinely the most magical dining experience – I actually cried happy tears. My husband has incredible skills searching Google Maps, Yelp, and TripAdvisor for restaurants that satisfy both our cravings and my strict dietary needs. He discovered Lapis, a Michelin-starred Afghan restaurant in Adams Morgan that was to die for d-lish.
I’ve been unsuccessfully trying to recreate their chicken soup at home ever since. Don’t judge me for soup at breakfast – it was nearly lunchtime, and I got the waffle as a side! But seriously, do not skip their chai. I’m obsessed with authentic chai tea, and theirs was perfection.
Museums and Whiskey: Celebrating with Friends
After a quick visit to the Postal Museum (which would be fantastic with kids – note for next time!), we joined our friends for the main celebration gathering. Later, a smaller group of us headed to Jack Rose, a bar boasting one of the world’s largest whiskey collections. I also enjoyed an excellent burger here – sometimes the simple pleasures are the best.
For sports viewing, we moved to nearby Blaguard, then finished the evening at an Ethiopian restaurant. Can you tell there’s incredible flavor diversity to experience in DC in 3 days?
Memorial Day: Honoring History
Our final morning began with breakfast at The Diner and then we B-lined it for one last mall visit. For Memorial Day, we took a walking tour covering the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and WWII Memorial before our final White House stop. Starting early meant we beat the crowds and navigated traffic successfully to catch our flights home.
I will say, after reading Kristen Hannah, The Women and The Nightingale, I have such a new perspective on subjects that felt so far out of my reach in the past. Visiting the Vietnam Memorial was incredibly emotional, especially on Memorial Day.
Why DC Won Over a Skeptic
We absolutely cannot wait to return to Washington DC. The combination of world-class culture, incredible international cuisine, and that perfect blend of history and modern energy completely converted my previously skeptical husband.
What should we explore next time we do DC in 3 days? I’d love your DC recommendations in the comments below! Have you discovered any hidden culinary gems or must-see experiences we missed?
What I’m Packing:
Check out my detailed baseline packing list here.
Be sure to bring a good pair of walking shoes and a clear bag for the stadium! I love a basic white tee for city travel, and a shirt dress can be dressed up or down!
Kristen Hannah: The Nightingale | Amazon Clear Stadium Bag | Kristen Hannah The Women | Away Bigger Carry On | Treton Walking Sneaker | Lululemon plain white tee
