Things to do in Washington DC

Things to do in Washington DC

793 ranked activities3 in the 90+ Club

Washington is the rare city where the headline attractions cost nothing and the scarce resource is access. Timed entry to the Smithsonian museums, Capitol and White House tours, and the night monument runs by bike or bus are what fill up. Our ranking rewards operators who secure the passes themselves rather than telling you to sort it out at the door.

Quick answer

What are the best things to do in Washington DC?

Outty ranks 793 bookable experiences in Washington DC, United States. The highest scoring is Washington DC "See the City" Guided Sightseeing Segway Tour at 92 out of 100, followed by Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards, Washington DC Small-Group Sightseeing Experience, Small Group National Mall Night Tour with 10 Top Attractions. Prices start at $22 per person and 3 experiences score 90 or above, putting them in the Outty 90+ Club. Late March to April for cherry blossom, or September to November for cool museum weather.

Ranked experiences
793
In the 90+ Club
3
From
$22 per person
Bookable today
120

Top attractions in Washington DC

Landmark by landmark: every ranked tour, ticket and guided visit in one place.

Top tour operators in Washington DC

The companies behind the experiences, ranked by how much of Washington DC they cover.

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Most Popular in Washington DC

The experiences travelers book most right now.

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Most Highly Reviewed in Washington DC

Highest traveler sentiment with enough reviews to trust it.

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Last Minute in Washington DC

Confirmed availability today or tomorrow.

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Family Friendly in Washington DC

Works with children in tow, by age policy and pacing.

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Food & Drink in Washington DC

Food tours, tastings, markets and dinner experiences.

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Culture & History in Washington DC

Museums, landmarks and stories behind the streets.

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Outdoors in Washington DC

Fresh air, water, trails and skyline views.

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Nightlife in Washington DC

After dark: bars, shows and evening cruises.

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People also ask

What are the top 15 things to do in Washington DC?

Our ranked guide lists the 15 best experiences in Washington DC with prices, time needed and quick picks for families, rainy days and last-minute plans. Read the answer

Lincoln Memorial or The White House: which should I do first?

A side-by-side of price, time needed, ranking and flexibility, with a clear verdict. Read the answer

Lincoln Memorial or U.S. Capitol: which should I do first?

A side-by-side of price, time needed, ranking and flexibility, with a clear verdict. Read the answer

Lincoln Memorial or Washington Monument: which should I do first?

A side-by-side of price, time needed, ranking and flexibility, with a clear verdict. Read the answer

Lincoln Memorial or Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial: which should I do first?

A side-by-side of price, time needed, ranking and flexibility, with a clear verdict. Read the answer

What is the best Lincoln Memorial tour?

We compare all 222 ranked ways to see Lincoln Memorial, best first. Read the answer

What is the best The White House tour?

We compare all 198 ranked ways to see The White House, best first. Read the answer

Planning questions about Washington DC

What are the best things to do in Washington DC?
Washington DC "See the City" Guided Sightseeing Segway Tour is the highest ranked experience in Washington DC, scoring 92 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking from 2,054 traveler reviews. Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards, Washington DC Small-Group Sightseeing Experience, Small Group National Mall Night Tour with 10 Top Attractions, Washington DC in One Day: Guided Sightseeing Tour + Boat Cruise round out the top five. Outty ranks 793 bookable experiences in Washington DC, United States, and 3 of them score 90 or above.
Which attractions should I visit in Washington DC?
The landmarks with the deepest choice of tours and tickets are Lincoln Memorial, The White House, U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Each has its own page on Outty listing every ranked way to visit, from timed entry tickets to guided and combination tours.
How much do activities in Washington DC cost?
The median price across everything we rank in Washington DC is $65 per person, and the cheapest starting price is $22 on Arlington National Cemetery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour. Guided, small-group and skip-the-line versions sit above the median, and peak weekends price higher than midweek mornings.
Can I book something in Washington DC for today?
Yes. 120 of the top 120 experiences we rank in Washington DC currently show same-day availability. Same-day slots are limited, so book early in the day where you can.
Is Washington DC good for families?
Yes. 11 of the experiences we rank in Washington DC are family friendly, covering short, low-cost activities as well as full-day outings. Check the minimum age on each experience page before booking.
How many days do you need in Washington DC?
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting: one anchor experience each morning, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
When is the best time to visit Washington DC?
Late March to April for cherry blossom, or September to November for cool museum weather. Prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
Can I cancel a booking in Washington DC?
119 of the 120 experiences we rank in Washington DC offer free cancellation, usually up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact window is shown on each experience page before you book.
How does the Outty Ranking work?
Every experience in Washington DC gets a single 0 to 100 score built from traveler sentiment, the depth of review evidence, recent booking momentum, price fairness against comparable options in the same city, operator standing and cancellation flexibility. Scores are benchmarked within Washington DC so a strong local option is not buried by global volume, and anything at 90 or above joins the Outty 90+ Club.