Move over New York and Los Angeles — Washington DC is stepping into the spotlight as the next big destination for foodies, culture lovers and style seekers alike.
With its historic past, iconic landmarks, world-renowned museums, and a vibrant cultural scene, here’s how to spend a perfect 72 hours in DC.
What to see
Kick off with The Big Bus Tour (bigbustours.com) to see DC’s most famous sites. The convenient hop-on, hop-off tour takes you to the iconic landmarks and top attractions, with insightful commentary. The Red Loop is a great one to do as it takes in the Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, The White House, World War II Memorial and the US Capitol Building.
DC is a city where history, art, and culture converge at every turn — and nowhere is that more evident than in its world-class museums. Not to be missed are the National Museum of African American History & Culture which explores African American history, culture, and resilience, bringing powerful stories to life through deeply moving artefacts and immersive displays.
Read more: Dupont Circle Hotel: the perfect base for doing Washington DC in style
From pop culture icons to the very fabric of the nation’s founding, the National Museum of American History (americanhistory.si.edu) offers a vivid walk-through America’s defining moments. Highlights include the original Star-Spangled Banner and Dorthy’s iconic ruby slippers worn from The Wizard of Oz, worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film.
Home to the world-famous Hope Diamond, the National Museum of Natural History (si.edu/museums) is a treasure trove of natural wonders, from prehistoric fossils to dazzling gems.
National Portrait Gallery (si.edu/museums) boasts the only complete collection of portraits of every US president from George Washington to the present day outside the White House — a must for anyone with an interest in American politics or portraiture.
Step inside Hillwood Museum (hillwoodmuseum.org), the lavish former estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post — once America’s wealthiest woman and a force of nature in business, philanthropy and collecting. Renowned for her refined taste and international flair, Post transformed her Washington residence into a showcase of opulence. Today, visitors can wander through grand rooms filled with one of the world’s finest collections of Russian imperial treasures and 18th-century French decorative arts — a glimpse into a life lived with extraordinary style and purpose.
Take a guided tour of Washington’s iconic Tidal Basin with DC Design Tours (dcdesigntours.com) and uncover the history and symbolism behind its most famous landmarks. Along the scenic route, you'll visit the memorials of Martin Luther King Jr, Thomas Jefferson, and Franklin D Roosevelt, as well as the Japanese Pagoda and Lantern — a gift from Japan symbolising enduring friendship.
Explore Georgetown, DC’s most historic neighbourhood, and enjoy a spot of shopping along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
Made in DC (shopmadeindc.com) only sells products from local artists and makers. While Ella Rue https://ella-rue.com offers the best pre-loved items as well as waitlisted items from recent seasons.
Athleta (thleta.gap.com) is the place to go for stylish sportswear, and Outerknown (outerknown.com) is the sustainable clothing brand founded by famed surfer Kelly Slater.
Visit select spy sites as part of a Georgetown Spy History Tour with a former CIA officer (viator.com) who shares personal anecdotes from their time overseas and interprets the remarkable history shaped by the people who called this neighbourhood home, including leaders, heroes and traitors.
Visit the National Zoo – and see pandas. The Smithsonian's National Zoo (si.edu) spans 163 acres in Washington DC's Rock Creek Park and is home to over 2,100 animals representing nearly 400 species. It welcomed two new giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, earlier this year. Admission is free but entry passes are required.
Where to drink
The Green Zone (thegreenzonedc.com) in trendy Adams Morgan areas, is a cocktail bar serving up creative drinks infused with flavours from the Middle East. Its most popular drink is the Mint Lemonade & More, a frosty, frothy green glass topped with fresh mint leaves and stirred with gin or vodka.
Tucked above DC’s newest and most talked about restaurant — Minetta Tavern (minettataverndc.com) — is the reservation-only Lucy Mercer bar, fast becoming the place to be seen in DC. Named after the mistress of President Franklin D Roosevelt, it channels vintage Parisian glamour with a mischievous edge.
UK-based interior designer Rebecca Simmons worked her magic on the space, drawing inspiration from Napoleon III elegance with bespoke upholstery, antique lamps, and richly textured furniture sourced from Parisian flea markets. Hand-painted replicas of 16th-century portraits—depicting political figures alongside their mistresses or rumoured lovers—line the walls, adding a provocative twist.
No phones are allowed, encouraging guests to linger in the plush, early 20th-century-inspired space, while enjoying martinis and French-accented cocktails.
Small plates include truffle-and-ricotta flatbread, smoked salmon mille-feuille topped with salmon roe, and wagyu carpaccio crowned with caviar—this is indulgence, with a wink.
Chicatana (chicatanarestaurant.com) is a spot loved by locals. Its spot-on menu of mezcals, tequilas, and cocktails keeps people coming back. The line-up includes several margarita variations — choose from hibiscus, prickly pear, mango, or its new al pastor-inspired pineapple option with guajillo chili.
Where to eat
Tatte Bakery & Café (tattebakery.com) is the go-to destination for homemade bread and pastries, brunch, breakfast, coffee, lunch, dinner and dessert. Found in various locations across DC, be warned, this place is addictive!
Yellow Café (yellowthecafe.com) is great for Levantine-inspired pastries and coffee. Known for its mouthwatering wraps, it's no surprise to see crowds flocking at lunchtime in its Georgetown and Union Market locations.
Clyde’s (clydes.com) in Georgetown and Old Ebbitt Grill (ebbitt.com) are two of DC’s oldest and most iconic dining saloons, known for their warm and lively atmosphere, mahogany bars with traditional decor, and vintage memorabilia.
Their renowned oyster programme, featuring a rotating list of selections, and a seasonal menu spanning from house-made pastas to perfectly prepared steaks and chops, make it a go-to destination for both locals and visitors in the heart of the nation’s capital. The Oyster Happy Hour, held twice daily, offers the best seafood at unbeatable value.
Duke’s Grocery (dukesgrocery.com), DC’s buzzy gastropub features cool British design cues and décor. Found in Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom and Woodley Park locations, they also have an outpost inside the British Embassy in the capital, where it serves its famed Proper Burgers (voted DC’s best burger) to UK staff and invited visitors. Great for a British breakfast, beer, and a chance to watch an all-important game, it’s a lively, fun spot.
When hitting the museums or Capitol Hill, Mitsitam Native Foods Café (americanindian.si), located within the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, is perfect for lunch. Offering a menu of native-inspired foods such as its signature bison chilli, green chilli braised turkey, and corn pudding with maple butter, walnut and cranberry gremolata, it honours Native American cultures through authentic flavours.
Minetta Tavern (minettataverndc.com), brought to Union Market by renowned restaurateur Keith McNally — the mastermind behind beloved spots like Balthazar in London and the original Minetta Tavern in New York — brings an upscale French bistro experience to the heart of DC.
With its slick red leather banquettes, checkered floors, and walls adorned with illustrations, photographs, and whimsical caricatures, the restaurant offers a nostalgic yet stylish ambiance and should be on the list of anyone visiting DC.
The menu boasts several standout dishes that have garnered a cult following, including the legendary Black Label Burger, widely considered one of New York's best.
For a taste of something more indulgent, the coq au vin – cooked for 48 hours – is incredible, while other favourites like roasted bone marrow, rich onion soup, and a perfectly dry-aged bone-in New York strip never disappoint. For dessert, Minetta Tavern’s soufflés are an experience in themselves — impossibly tall, light, and airy yet decadently rich, with options like the classic chocolate or the fragrant, floral Grand Marnier.
For a more intimate dinner, visit The Red Hen (theredhendc.com), a favourite spot of the Bidens, known for its refined Italian menu. Start with the whipped ricotta crostini with black truffle sauce and wildflower honey (a dish not to be missed) and follow with homemade pastas and delicious seafood – all exceptional.
Osteria Mozza (osteriamozzadc.com) is one of the hot new places in DC and getting well-deserved attention with award winning, Netflix chefs table executive chef Nancy Silverton. The restaurant, located in Georgetown M Street, is buzzing.
Notable dishes include its Deconstructed Caesar salad – just incredible, the Foccacia di Recco straccino cheese is one you will dream about forever, and handmade pastas, like the orecchiette with sausage and Swiss chard, are bold, soulful, and perfectly executed. Female sommeliers lead the charge, narrating diners through its wine list, and pre-dinner cocktails found at its bar are not to be missed. Be sure to book ahead.
La Casina (lacasinadc.us), nestled in the vibrant Eastern Market (which operates on weekends), offers a truly authentic Roman dining experience with a modern twist. Run by a passionate couple from Rome, this cosy pizzeria serves Pinsa — a traditional Roman-style pizza made with a blend of three flours that rise for one to three days, using minimal yeast. After being hand-pressed into an oval shape, the dough is topped with the freshest ingredients and perfectly baked in a wood-fired oven. It’s among the best pinsa you will eat anywhere in the world.
Osteria Mozza (osteriamozzadc.com) is one of the hot new places in DC and getting well-deserved attention with award winning, Netflix chefs table executive chef Nancy Silverton. The restaurant, located in Georgetown M Street, is buzzing.
Notable dishes include its Deconstructed Caesar salad – just incredible, the Foccacia di Recco straccino cheese is one you will dream about forever, and handmade pastas, like the orecchiette with sausage and Swiss chard, are bold, soulful, and perfectly executed. Female sommeliers lead the charge, narrating diners through its wine list, and pre-dinner cocktails found at its bar are not to be missed. Be sure to book ahead.
Where to stay
Situated at the top of Dupont Circle, The Dupont Circle Hotel is in one of DC's vibrant and historic neighbourhoods.
The five-star hotel has 327 rooms and suites which come with Nespresso machines, while marble bathrooms have heated floors and Malin + Goetz amenities. Its fitness centre is open 24 hours a day for those in want of a workout.
Breakfast at The Pembroke is excellent. Guests can choose from traditional American pancakes, Grand Marnier-soaked French toast, and a range of à la carte dishes.
Doyle is its lively 1950s-inspired cocktail bar offering panoramic views of Dupont Circle. Its Great Irish Tour cocktail list has been crafted to honour the legacy of Irish American history, with each cocktail representing a different county, its unique flavours and stories.
The Dupont Circle Hotel's prime location ensures easy access to Washington's historic landmarks. Additionally, the Dupont Circle Metro station, just a minute’s walk from the hotel, offers quick access to explore the city.
Rooms from £210 per night. doylecollection.com
Getting there
British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Washington DC from £562 return, including taxes and carrier fees. britishairways.com
