Planning Your Group/Family Activities in DC

You can make your family's sighteseeing plans for an unforgettable experience in the nation's capital by preplanning your daily excursions. Check out the dozens of free things to do, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Holocaust Museum, the National Museum of the Native American, Smithsonian museums, the National Mall and an array of outdoor activities. Explore wondrous neighborhoods, a dining scene filled with Michelin-approved restaurants, rooftop bars and beer gardens. Get ready for an exciting family reunion in DC.

 

The DC Tourist Bureau has an excellent online tool to assist you with planning you individual or group activities.  Click here.

Key Sites to Visit in DC
The Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial
The Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial

 

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is part of National Mall and Memorial Parks. The MLK Memorial is located in West Potomac Park at 1964 Independence Avenue, SW, referencing the year the Civil Rights Act Of 1964 became law. The memorial’s official dedication date is August 28, 2011, the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, though the ceremony was postponed until October 16 due to Hurricane Irene.  King's memorial is the first to honor an African American individual on the National Mall. The space is a place to contemplate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy: a non-violent philosophy striving for freedom, justice, and equality.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture

 

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It was established by an Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans. To date, the Museum has collected more than 40,000 artifacts and nearly 100,000 individuals have become members. The Museum opened to the public on September 24, 2016, as the 19th museum of the Smithsonian Institution.

The National Museum of the American Indian
The National Museum of the American Indian

 

The National Museum of the American Indian cares for one of the world’s most expansive collections of Native objects, photographs, and media, covering the entire Western Hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego. The museum’s sweeping curvilinear architecture, its indigenous landscaping, and its exhibitions, all designed in collaboration with tribes and communities, combine to give visitors from around the world the sense and spirit of Native America.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

 

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Federal support guarantees the Museum’s permanent place on the National Mall, and its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. Located among our national monuments to freedom on the National Mall, the Museum provides a powerful lesson in the fragility of freedom, the myth of progress, and the need for vigilance in preserving democratic values.

Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery

 

Arlington National Cemetery commemorates soldiers from every war the United States has fought since the American Revolution. It is the resting place for such notable American leaders as President John F. Kennedy, jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes, and civil rights activist Medgar Evers. Arlington National Cemetery is free to visit, and travelers should start at the Welcome Center, where maps, exhibits, and information services can be found. Notable sites within the cemetery include the President John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame; the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; Arlington House; and the Memorial Amphitheater.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

 

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial includes the names of over 58,000 servicemen and women who gave their lives in service in the Vietnam Conflict. The memorial also includes "The Three Servicemen" statue and the Vietnam Women's Memorial.  Located north of the Lincoln Memorial near the intersection of 22nd St. and Constitution Ave. NW, Vietnam Veterans Memorial is free to visit and is open 24 hours a day. 

The United States Capitol
The United States Capitol


The United States Capitol Building is located in Washington, D.C., at the eastern end of the National Mall on a plateau 88 feet above the level of the Potomac River, commanding a westward view across the U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool to the Washington Monument 1.4 miles away and the Lincoln Memorial 2.2 miles away. Here, the Senate and House of Representatives come together to discuss, debate and deliberate national policy; develop consensus; and craft the country's laws.

 

The White House is where the President and First Family of the United States live and work — but it’s also the People’s House, where we hope all Americans feel a sense of inclusion and belonging.  The President and Dr. Biden are delighted to welcome members of the public to tour the White House. Public tour requests are scheduled through your Member of Congress and their Congressional Tour Coordinator. Constituents may reach your Member of Congress and Congressional Tour Coordinator through the U.S. House of Representatives Switchboard at 202-225-3121, the U.S. Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121, or online at www.congress.gov/members.

The Library of Congress
The Library of Congress

 

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, films and video, audio recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections. The Library is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.  The Library preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors. Whether you are new to the Library of Congress or an experienced researcher, we have a world-class staff ready to assist you online and in person.

The Smithsonian
The Smithsonian

 

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo—shaping the future by preserving heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world.  The Institution was founded in 1846 with funds from the Englishman James Smithson (1765–1829) according to his wishes “under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” We continue to honor this mission and invite you to join us in our quest.

The Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States

 

"EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW" - These words, written above the main entrance to the Supreme Court Building, express the ultimate responsibility of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Court is the highest tribunal in the Nation for all cases and controversies arising under the Constitution or the laws of the United States. As the final arbiter of the law, the Court is charged with ensuring the American people the promise of equal justice under law and, thereby, also functions as guardian and interpreter of the Constitution.

The Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial

 

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, just as the Civil War was ending. By March of 1867, Congress incorporated the Lincoln Monument Association to build a memorial to the slain 16th president. Learn about the main features of the Lincoln Memorial, including the statue of Lincoln, murals, and inscriptions. Discover how and why it was constructed, the landscape and views that surround it, and the monumental efforts taken over the years to preserve and maintain this iconic site.

Bureau of Engraving & Printing
Bureau of Engraving & Printing

 

Located in the heart of the Nation's Capital, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s Tour and Visitor Center at the Washington, D.C. facility is a great place to learn all about U.S. paper currency. We welcome you to explore our Visitor Center currency exhibits or join us on a tour to see how billions of dollars are printed! Our Tour and Visitor Center is free of charge to all visitors.  

National Harbor
National Harbor

 

National Harbor is your waterfront getaway where you can capitalize on it all. From distinctive dining experiences to Instagram worthy views from the Capital Wheel, National Harbor is one-of-a-kind destination filled with possibilities.  There’s no better time to treat yourself to the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of seasonal attractions, unique eats and memories waiting to be made than our Summer Season that runs May 1 - September 30.


Planning Your Group/Family Activities in DC

You can make your family's sighteseeing plans for an unforgettable experience in the nation's capital by preplanning your daily excursions. Check out the dozens of free things to do, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Holocaust Museum, the National Museum of the Native American, Smithsonian museums, the National Mall and an array of outdoor activities. Explore wondrous neighborhoods, a dining scene filled with Michelin-approved restaurants, rooftop bars and beer gardens. Get ready for an exciting family reunion in DC.

 

The DC Tourist Bureau has an excellent online tool to assist you with planning you individual or group activities.  Click here.