New museums

International Spy Museum

Join a spy mission of your own in this museum for anyone interested in the murky underworld of espionage, from ages 3 to 93. Examine gadgets, weapons, bugs and other cunning spy gear.

Newseum (News Museum)

Opened this year, this museum tells the story of news and newspeople, with huge photo galleries and behind-the-headlines revelations on major US and world events.

National Museum of Crime and Punishment

Explore a history of crime from medieval knights to the Wild West to today’s computer criminals. Interactive exhibits include shootouts and a high-speed police chase simulator.

Insider tips

“Show up at attractions early, ideally when they open – especially at the Smithsonian museums, the Archives, and the Capitol.”

“You can get to a lot of the central attractions easily on the DC Circulator - a new service of red, black and yellow buses running three routes - for a flat fee of $1.”

“Hire a Segway ‘pedestrian transport device’ to cruise around past the White House and Mall attractions – very cool, very fun.”

“There's a great 'More than Monuments' free walking tour that meets on the National Mall twice daily, which gives a one-hour whirlwind tour of American history.”

The American capital is at your feet – and you’ll do plenty of walking for sure, with many of the famous sights best reached via a long and leafy pedestrian walkway, the National Mall.

Museums

A stroll to the Mall's eastern end, past the spike of the 170m-high Washington Monument, takes you to the iconic US Capitol building. As well as being the seat of US Congress (the lawmakers), it’s a museum of art and history and garners about four million visitors a year.

Where next? Dive into one of the free Smithsonian museums along the Mall such as the famous National Air and Space Museum, with original aeroplanes and spacecraft, the National Museum of Natural History where you can see the Hope Diamond, or have a taste of Americana at the National Museum of American History.

Memorials

After the museums, explore the memorials. DC has no fewer than eight memorials to past leaders and soldiers, including the massive Vietnam Veterans wall engraved with the names of the nearly 60,000 Americans lost in the war.

Guided walking or bike tours - some running at night - are a great way to discover the monuments and memorials, and find out more about the stories behind them.

White House

Just north of the Mall you can admire DC’s most famous building: the White House, the home of US presidents for 200 years. In early December the White House is transformed into a winter wonderland with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. This starts the holiday festivities throughout the city.

And after that, kick back and relax awhile in preparation for all the evening entertainment on offer.