Washington Hilton

From earning a badge to simply snapping photos of US currency against its matching building or memorial, our itinerary can be customized for your preferences. Want to do it all? Start at the National Zoo at 8am, get a bite to eat for lunch, then follow up with visits to either the U.S. Botanic Garden, Newseum, National Bulding Museum or the National Archives. All of these destinations close at 5pm.

Re-energize with a cool drink before going to the Spy Museum, which closes at 7pm. Entry is free to all but the National Building Museum, the Newsum and the Spy Museum.      

Stroll along Embassy Row where you might see the Obamas or Ivanka Trump. Georgetown's M Street, CityCenterDC and Logan Circle promise charm, abundance and eclectic boutiques for your shopping experiences. Check out Hillwood Estate for Russian imperial art and The Phillips Collection for the masters, but not on Mondays.  

Evening hours are great for reflecting at Barmini, Compass Rose and Jack Rose after your relaxing appointments at Cosmo Nail Bar and Blowout in Dupont Circle.

Washington DC is home to America's heritage and free to anyone to see. Washington Hilton has its own story to tell. Ask us about it.

Stand where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did when he gave his famous speech, survey the presidents at the National Portrait Gallery, or sense the history in the stillness at Washington National Cathedral.    

Newseum is a great spot for interactive exhibits. As the sun starts to set, snap a photo of the Iwo Jima Memorial. DC monuments and memorials are even more stunning after dark. If you want to visit the Library of Congress, be sure to check their schedule before arriving.

When your dog travels with you, this itinerary lets both of you enjoy the trip. Walk along Embassy Row to admire the architecture or stop at the FDR Memorial for a pic with a statue of the president's beloved terrier. S Street Dog Park is a few blocks from the hotel and lets everyone play off-leash.

Ask about the specialty tours for dogs and their humans at Mount Vernon in the spring and fall. Trails and interesting smells await at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens and Rock Creek Trails; both of these attractions are free. Your dog will appreciate water bowls on the patio of Medium Rare restaurant and the open-air ambience at Dacha Beer Garden.

The area around the District of Columbia is full of historic sites, hiking trails and wineries. National landmarks on the list include George Washington's Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Plan on at least 3 or 4 hours for exploring here. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center houses an artifact restoration area for the National Air and Space Museum.

Climb a mountain for the best vantage of the Shenandoah Valley. Harpers Ferry park features river views and a 19th century restored town. We recommend four wineries situated in Clifton, Centreville and Leesburg. If time is shorter, you can always visit Old Town Alexandria, complete with waterfront, art center, museums and shopping. 

Get around like a local but keep your camera handy to capture all the touristy images you want. The DuPont Metro Station, just 4 blocks away, will take you to neighborhood stops with beautiful architecture.  Get your fill of contemporary and community art with visits to our free galleries, including Renwick Gallery, National Gallery of Art and Blind Whino.

Prefer nature? Try the National Arboretum and U.S. Botanic Garden, both free and worthy of 2 hours of your time. Refresh at Union Market and snap another at The Heart Wall by Mr. Brainwash. Finally, we recommend a walk on the National Mall after the sun has gone down for those monumental buildings in the moonlight.

Run, bike, kayak. You can do it all in DC. If you enjoy multi-tasking and can keep a 10-minute-per-mile pace, run with a ranger around the mall for a history lesson. Bikes are available to rent and the Mount Vernon Trail  provides about 18 miles of paved paths. The Potomac River supports both kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.

Kids of all ages enjoy the National Zoo. If you and your family like to hike, consider Rock Creek Park and Hains Point, both in the city, and the Potomac River's Great Falls in McLean. Entry to these are free.