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2 Day Museums Tour

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This trip is designed to pack your day full of some of DC's best and most memorable museums. Most of the trip can be done on foot in nice weather or easily via public transportation. In addition, this trip can easily be combined with the monuments and memorials trip to allow for a comprehensive visit of DC. Please note, a number of the restaurants and some of the museums require tickets, depending on the time of day and year of your visit. Please make sure to inquire about advanced ticketing at the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the International Spy Museum, and Newseum prior to your arrival. Also, please note that while most museums in DC are free, not all of the museums on this list are free to the public and some, such as the Corcoran and the International Spy Museum, charge between $5-20 for admission.

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Author: Jennifer

Day 1 - Washington DC

If it is a nice day, start off with a walk down to the National Mall from your hotel (about 12-15 blocks) stopping for coffee and breakfast along the way. Once you get to the Mall, begin with a tour of the Sculpture Gardens and the Hirshhorn, a museum focused on modern art. After you finish, walk north toward Chinatown (north on 7th street or get on the Yellow Line Metro) and to visit the International Spy Museum (for best results, make reservations in advance). Poste, for lunch, is just up the street from the Spy Museum. After lunch at Poste, head back down towards the Mall and spend the afternoon at the Air and Space Museum and the National Gallery of Art. Be sure, however, not to miss the Holocaust Memorial Museum. All three of these museums are located on or around the Mall, and can be done in any order. Once you have seen enough, head back north to the Chinatown area. If you are ready for dinner head straight to the wine-focused Proof (reservations required). Be sure not to miss the delicious cheese and charcuterie offerings. Alternatively, if you are not ready for dinner, stop by RFD or any number of the other bars located right around the Verizon center before heading to dinner.

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Renaissance Washington DC Hotel

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Location:

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999 9th St Nw
20001 Washington DC, US

Phone:

+1 202 898 9000

Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

Location:

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Independence Avenue and 7th Street South West
Independence Ave. at 7th St. SW (on the south side of the Mall)
Washington DC, DC 20576

Phone:

+1 202 633 1000 / +1 202 357 1729

International Spy Museum

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Location:

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800 F St, NW
At 8th St. NW
Washington DC, DC 20073

Phone:

+1 202 393 7798 (+1 202 EYE SPY U)

Poste

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Location:

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555 8th Street NW
In the Hotel Monaco
Washington DC, DC 20073

Phone:

1 202 783 6060

National Air and Space Museum

Location:

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6th Street and Independence Avenue Southwest
On Independence Ave. SW, between 4th and 7th sts., on the south side of the Mall, with entrances on Jefferson Dr. or Independence Ave
Washington DC, DC 20576

Phone:

+1 202 633 1000

National Gallery of Art

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Location:

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Constitution Avenue Northwest
On National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets
Washington DC, DC 20565

Phone:

+1 202 737 4215

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

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Location:

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100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW
Formerly 15th St. SW; near Independence Ave., just off the Mall
Washington DC, DC 20250

Phone:

+1 202 488 0400 / +1 202 488 0406

Proof

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Location:

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775 G Street, NW
Washington DC, DC 30505

Phone:

1 202 737 7663

Day 2 - Washington DC

Begin day 2 at the Museum of American History, again located on the mall. After that, head over to the beautiful Museum of the American Indian. This museum not only offers some of the most impressive museum architecture, but also it is home to one of the best museum cafeterias in DC. After you are done exploring the museum, visit the cafeteria before heading out for the afternoon. After lunch, head to the northeastern part of the mall, towards Pennsylvania avenue, and visit the newly relocated Newseum. Then follow Pennsylvania northwest toward the White House or hop in a taxi to visit the Corcoran Gallery, before heading back to Chinatown to visit one of the local’s favorite museums, the Portrait Gallery. You will be right back in the neighborhood for dinner at Zola, in the same building as the International Spy Museum you visited yesterday (reservations recommended). After dinner, if you are feeling up for it, hop on the Red Line to DuPont Circle (exit at the DuPont North exit) and walk north on Connecticut Avenue about 2 blocks. On your left will be the Russia House, a great place for vodka or Russian beer. Alternatively, stay in Chinatown and explore any of the numerous bars in that area including Rocket Bar, Fado, and others, before calling it a night.

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