Day Trip Guide: Washington, D.C.

If you’re willing to set aside any hard feelings about Washington, D.C., taking U.S. capital city status away from us here in Philly a couple hundred years ago, it’s actually a pretty fun place to visit.

Located about 150 miles southwest of Philly, Washington is a city known for its museums, historical sites, and government buildings. But there’s even more worth checking out there: The city is renowned for its parks and has its share of good food and charming neighborhoods. So, here are some ideas for how a visitor can spend a day there, including some suggestions from my colleagues at City Cast DC (Psssst … many of these recs are free!)

Disclaimer: This guide is far from exhaustive — think of it just as a starting point. And for even more Washington day trip tips, tune in to this episode of the City Cast Philly podcast 🎧

🌛 See the Monuments at Night

City Cast DC co-host Bridget Todd recommends skipping the National Mall during the day and instead visiting at night to beat the heat and enjoy a nicer ambiance. The Lincoln Memorial is open 24/7, and in the dark, it’s actually a nice date spot.

🏘️ Get To Know Neighborhoods

While it makes sense for a visitor to want to see all the touristy sites, it can also be fun to hang out in some of Washington’s great neighborhoods. City Cast DC senior executive producer Priyanka Tilve recommends checking out Adams Morgan, which has a strong dining and shopping scene, as well as Eastern Market, a public market where you can find indoor and outdoor merchants selling things like food, flowers, pottery, desserts, jewelry, and more.

🌳 Appreciate Nature and Plants

There are lots of opportunities to appreciate the natural world in our nation’s capital, and City Cast DC senior producer Julia Karron recommends taking some time to experience it. Step away from the city’s hustle and bustle at Rock Creek Park, or visit Anacostia Park, where you can go skating at the roller rink during the summer months. (Skate rentals are free!)

For a more curated plant experience, you can visit the U.S. Botanic Garden by the U.S. Capitol, or the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum inside the U.S. National Arboretum, where City Cast DC Account Executive Mark Kulkosky likes to take out-of-town visitors.

🏛️ Don’t Sleep on the Smithsonian

This may sound like an obvious one. But there’s way more to this famous museum system than what you probably experienced on your middle school field trip, so make sure you check out the full list of 20+ locations when you’re planning your trip. You can look at a huge collection of portraits, see animals in action, learn about the history of Indigenous Peoples, explore galleries of Asian art, and more. The National Postal Museum is a personal favorite of mine for learning some niche history.

🍽️ Where To Dine and Drink

You’ve got options! For some help making up your mind, I’ll refer you to these new restaurants and bars, these underrated food spots, these meals under $10, and these accessible bars. (Shoutout to Kaela Cote-Stemmerman, editor of the Hey DC newsletter, for writing the linked pieces!)

🚆 Getting There from Philly

The train ride between Philly and Washington takes about two hours, and Amtrak runs frequent train trips between the two cities. (Pro-tip: Book as far in advance as you can to get the lowest fares. Last-minute Amtrak trips can get pricey.)

Commercial bus carriers, like Megabus, Flixbus, and Greyhound, offer trips as well. Although it takes longer, it’s generally a more affordable last-minute option than taking the train.

You can also drive — it takes about two and a half hours, depending on traffic. Just be warned: Finding parking could get a little tricky, depending on where you’re going.