Washington DC in 2 Days: everything you need to know

Washington DC is a huge city, but fortunately the most important sights are concentrated on the National Mall, a three-kilometre stretch of gardens and streets where you'll find all the buildings and most of the must-see attractions: the Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument... Find out what's on your list of things to see in the US capital on your 48-hour trip.

Although both days of this itinerary run along the National Mall, the first day is focused on walking the Mall from west to east. That is, from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, via the famous Washington Obelisk. It is about 3 kilometres from one end to the other, which can be done in an hour, but with the corresponding stops it will take us the whole day.

Be dazzled by the Library of Congress

The starting point of this itinerary is the Library of Congress, an impressive building next to the Capitol that is somewhat overshadowed by the Capitol until you get inside. It is one of the most important libraries in the world and its beauty is proof of this.

Its architecture and decoration include the Beaux-Arts style façade, the murals and mosaics, the impressive reading area and the recreation of Thomas Jefferson's book collection. As a curiosity, one of the original Gutenberg Bibles is kept here, among other priceless works. All of this can be seen on a guided tour organised by the library itself from Monday to Saturday.

Get to know the Capitol

The most representative building in Washington, with the exception of the White House, is undoubtedly the Capitol. It is the centre of political power in the United States. Fortunately, you can visit it free of charge. However, you will need to book your visit from their website and it is not easy, as demand is extremely high. Booking well in advance is more of a must than a tip.

You will be able to visit some of the most important rooms of the Capitol, such as the rotunda room under its enormous and beautiful dome, the statue room, etc. Visits are from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. In this link you can find all the information to visit it. If you can't, I recommend you spend a few minutes to admire it from the outside. In fact, you can learn more about this representative building if you book the Washington DC scandals and political secrets tour.

Visit the National Archives Museum

Although there are countless museums in the area, on this first day I recommend you stop at one. This is the guided tour of the National Archives, a plan very much in keeping with the character of the monuments you'll be seeing on your first day. This building is home to the country's most important founding documents, such as the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence, as well as countless other documents, illustrations, photographs, and so on.

Next, I recommend eating around the National Mall. There is no shortage of options: from street stalls to fast food restaurants to more gourmet options. My recommendation for American-style dining, without having to travel far and at a good price, is the Shake Shack chain. You can also book a Washington food tour.

Take in the view from the George Washington Monument

The centrepiece of any visit to the capital is the George Washington Monument. I say central, because this famous obelisk stands in the middle of the National Mall. Unveiled in 1884, this Egyptian obelisk-shaped monument was erected as a tribute to the first president of the United States, George Washington, and took more than 30 years to build.

When it was finished, it became the tallest building in the world at 170 metres, until a few years later the Eiffel Tower in Paris took the title from it. Its main attraction, apart from its spectacular nature, is its views. You can climb to the observation deck at the top to enjoy the best views of Washington and the National Mall. As in the capitol, tickets are free, but you must book in advance. You can do it online through their website.

Don't miss the Abraham Lincoln Memorial

The ideal spot to end the first day of this itinerary is the Abraham Lincoln Memorial. It is located just opposite the Capitol, on the west side of the National Mall on the banks of the Potomac River and has been the setting for some famous films and historical events such as Martin Luther King's speech in 1963, where he uttered his famous line I have a dream.

The monument is a building inspired by Greek temples, inside which rests the famous seated statue of Abraham Lincoln, which was sculpted by the artist Daniel Chester and is one of the most photographed places in Washington. You are free to visit, as the memorial is permanently open to the public 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

At the end, I recommend you dine at a restaurant such as the Old Ebbitt Grill, one of the most emblematic in the capital; or the famous fried chicken at Art and Soul, just a 10-minute walk away. In any case, the area around the National Mall is full of restaurants. And if you are looking for a more romantic and original plan you can book a dinner cruise in Washington.

Once you've seen most of the government buildings and some of the monuments on the National Mall, it's time to set aside the second day to see the rest. Starting with the home of the president of the United States, the White House, and continuing with the area's museums, of which there are dozens, and from which you'll have to choose which one to visit. Finally, there's nothing better than touring the memorials you didn't see on the first day.

Be dazzled by the White House

On the second day you'll start at the famous White House. The building that has been home to the country's presidents since the 1800s and is one of the stops on the Washington architecture tour. Normally you'll have to settle for a view from the gate, but there is the possibility of taking a tour, although it's not an easy task. You have to book at least 21 days in advance, but to be on the safe side, I recommend you book at least three months in advance. There are several ways to do this:

• The most common is to apply through a US senator on this website, but this is more complicated if you are not a US resident.
• You can apply through your country's embassy or specialised companies, although doing it through these types of companies does have an added cost. In any case, you can find all the information you need at this link.

If you do manage to visit, you will be able to see the Blue Room, the Red Room, the Green Room, the State Dining Room, the China Room and a view of the White House Rose Garden. And no, you won't be able to access the Oval Office if you're wondering. But it's a privilege nonetheless. Keep in mind, of course, that security measures here are extreme.

Visit the Washington Museums

Thanks in large part to a historic institution such as the Smithsonian, Washington is one of the best cities in the world to visit museums because of its variety and because many of them are among the most important in the world, and it is one of the plans that you cannot miss on your trip to Washington. As there are so many and everyone has their own tastes, here is a short list.

• Air and Space Museum: one of the most important museums in Washington for the value of the pieces on display and for being almost unique in the world. Here you can see the Apollo 11 module, the first manned mission to reach the moon, Kennedy's Air Force One and the Spirit of St. Louis, the first plane to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The museum is free, although there is an admission fee for certain indoor attractions, and is open year-round from 10am to 5:30pm.
• National Museum of Natural History: run by the Smithsonian Institution, the natural history museum has one of the most complete and important collections of animals, fossils, minerals, meteorites and all kinds of natural elements in the world. This makes it the second most visited museum in Washington. It is also free and open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 5:30pm.
• National Museum of African American History This is the best place to learn about the short but interesting history of the United States through the unique exhibits and artifacts displayed on its three floors. Like all Smithsonian museums, it is open daily from 10am to 5:30pm and admission is free.
• National Gallery of Art: One of the most comprehensive art collections in the world. The museum is divided into two wings, one for pre-20th century art with works by Rubens, Rembrand and Monet and another wing for art from the 20th century onwards. Admission is also free and the opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from 11am to 6pm.

Of course there are many more, but I'll leave you with this link where you'll find the best museums in Washington with all the information you need to visit the ones you choose.

Stop for lunch

After visiting some of these museums it's time to recharge your batteries and here you have two options. You can either eat in the museum cafeterias, which I don't recommend unless you want to save time, or you can choose from the multitude of options in the surrounding area.

For example, a couple of blocks behind the National Gallery of Art you'll find a large number of restaurants, among which I recommend the legendary Penn Quarter Sports on Indiana Avenue. Another sure-fire option is to book a Washington food tour. And when you've finished eating, it's time to continue your tour and visit themost important war memorials.

Tour the Memorials

Memorials are another Washington landmark. These monuments, built to honour different personalities and victims of some of America's defining moments in history, number in the dozens on the National Mall. Most of them are located on the west side of the National Mall starting from the Washington Monument:

• World War II Memorial: located directly in front of the obelisk, this tribute to the war veterans is a 70-metre-long shallow pool surrounded by sculptures.

• VietnamWar Veterans Memorial: a polished black marble wall bearing the names of the more than 50,000 war dead. Along the same lines you can also see the Korean War memorial.

• Thomas Jefferson Memorial: this is the best place to end your two-day visit to the capital of the United States, Washington DC.

• Other memorials include the Martin Luther King Memorial, the Holocaust Memorial and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial.

Afterwards, you can book the Arlington National Cemetery Sightseeing Tram for a short tour of this iconic site. If your visit ends on time and you want to say goodbye to Washington with a nice dinner, head to The Wharf area. This is a trendy area on the waterfront of a canal on the Potomac that's home to a plethora of restaurants and a great nightlife scene.