Solo Trip to Washington DC: 15 Things to Do in DC Alone

Have you been wondering About the Best Things to Do in DC Alone? I’ve got you covered!

So, you’ve taken the jump and finally booked that solo trip to Washington, DC. Congrats! In my opinion, it’s one of the best cities in the United States to visit solo because there are so many unique things to do in DC alone! I’ve traveled solo to Washington, DC on several occasions and I’ve also visited with friends and family. Still, even with numerous visits alongside loving companions, I can’t help but think that DC is best experienced solo–especially for the first time. 

The countless museums, restaurants, monuments, tours, and parks make DC one of the most thrilling destinations for solo travelers looking to indulge in art, history, unique cuisines, and perhaps even a bit of politics. You’ll never be short of things to do in DC by yourself considering the abundance of activities and attractions.

This blog post will help you narrow down possible choices for things to do in DC alone in preparation for your next solo trip. Not only will I highlight some of the main, most iconic things to do, but I’ll also share some of the more obscure things to do that are off-the-beaten-path. Plus, I’ll share some of my personal insights and provide answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about planning a solo trip to Washington, DC.

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a commission. I use various programs to include affiliate links in my blog posts to keep my content free for all to read. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Should you choose to book through any of my links, thank you so much!

Make sure to book a hotel, hostel bed, or place to stay for your solo trip to Washington, DC!

During one of my solo trips to Washington, DC, I stayed in the Adams Morgan neighborhood at HighRoad Hostel. Not only was I impressed with the abundance of great food in this neighborhood (falafel galore!), but I was equally as impressed by the colorful murals that decorated the streets. These public art pieces are amazing, and free to enjoy as you stroll through the area.

This self-guided mural tour is awesome, and gives you directions to see the murals for yourself. Not to mention it’s free to use and includes a bit of information about each mural!

Price: Free

Location: Adams Morgan Neighborhood — one of my favorite murals in this neighborhood can be found at 1941 Calvert St!

This is one of the most impressive museums in all of Washington, DC, and it’s definitely one of my favorites. The museum focuses on showcasing the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans in the United States, as well as promoting an understanding of the African American experience.

I spent several hours at this museum, and I recommend you take as much time as you need to fully immerse yourself in it — don’t try to rush through it. I’d suggest spending about 3-4 hours here, but no less than 2 hours.

Personally, I preferred visiting this museum solo because there is a lot to read, interpret, and process throughout the museum. And a lot of the topics covered in the museum are complex and sensitive, thus you may find that visiting alone gives you the time and space needed to fully process the experience.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is open 10am to 5:30pm daily (except Mondays when the museum opens at 12pm).

Price: Free, timed-entry ticket required

Location: 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560

3. Go on a Tour of the U.S. Capitol Building

If you love history and architecture, you’ll love touring the U.S. Capitol Building. The Capitol Visitor Center has several interactive exhibitions, as well, for visitors to enjoy.

Most of the general tours visit the Rotunda, the Crypt, and the National Statuary Hall. Tours run every 10 minutes until 3:20pm every Monday-Saturday, and the Capitol Visitor Center is open on those days from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. You don’t need to make reservations in advance, though it’s recommended to ensure you’re able to get a space on one of the tours for the day. You can schedule a tour here!

Another great option if you’re planning to visit The Capitol Visitor Center is to go on a specialty tour. These are supplementary tour offerings that focus on providing a more in-depth tour experience within a range of different topics. I personally enjoyed the Votes for Women tour, but I’m sure all of the specialty tours are extremely interesting and worth doing. Pick one that interests you the most to enhance your Capitol Building experience!

The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday 8:30am to 4:30pm, with the last tour running at 3:20pm.

Price: Free, tour reservations recommended

Location: First St SE, Washington, DC 20515

4. Visit Some of DC’s Most Famous Monuments and Memorials (At Night!)

Usually, the most popular monuments and memorials in Washington, DC are extremely crowded in the daytime. If you’re visiting in the summertime, it’s likely scorching hot among those crowds, too. I always recommend visiting these sites a night for a cooler (literally!), less crowded experience. Plus, I think visiting past dark provides a more interesting viewing perspective.

Some of the top sites to visit include the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Don’t forget about the FDR Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial! From the Lincoln Memorial, you also get a great view of the Washington Monument and its reflection. See my photos below for inspiration!

Price: Free, but small-group guided tours are available through 3rd-party companies

Location: All around Washington, DC

5. Admire the European Gothic Architecture of Georgetown University

Constantly cited as one of the most gorgeous campuses in the United States is Georgetown University. Did you know visitors can walk the grounds and admire the incredible Victorian Gothic architecture of famed Healy Hall and other prominent buildings on campus? It’s true!

You’ll feel like you’re in another era while walking among the towering campus buildings. In many ways, it feels a bit like Hogwarts! I visited Georgetown University’s campus during a solo trip to Washington DC in the fall and it was a phenomenal backdrop for my morning walk. Sipping coffee and admiring Healy Hall made me feel like a student again in the best ways!

Price: Free (I recommend buying a coffee to sip while you stroll the grounds!)

Location: 3700 O St NW, Washington, DC 20057

6. Bike or Walk the National Mall

The National Mall is incredibly vast. It covers an area of 146 acres, and spans nearly 2-miles in length. You could spend an entire day museum-hopping along the National Mall! It’s just as nice, though, to walk or bike the National Mall.

Not only is it a great workout, but you’ll have loads of fun people-watching and seeing all of the events happening on the lawn. It’s a vibrant, fun section of DC that is perfect for spending some alone time for reflection or experiencing a snippet life in the city. Pack a lunch or snack to enjoy somewhere along the Mall!

Price: Free (bike rentals start at $0.05/minute with Capital Bikeshare!)

Location: The National Mall

7. Visit The Renwick Gallery

The Renwick focuses primarily on American crafts and decorative arts from the 19th to 21st centuries, and the pieces on display are gorgeous! If you’re a decorative arts fan (like me), you’ll surely love this gallery.

The stunning staircase inside the entry is iconic, and reason alone to visit! It’s a smaller, quieter Smithsonian museum, which is part of why I love it. There are usually a couple exhibitions running in addition to the permanent collection, so be sure to check if something interests you ahead of your visit!

Renwick Gallery is open 10am to 5:30pm daily, and reservations are not needed.

Price: Free

Location: 1661 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC

8. Join a Food Tour of the Historic Georgetown Neighborhood

If you’re traveling solo, I highly recommend participating in a food tour or history tour. Going on a food tour has to be one of my favorite things to do in DC alone because this city is an awesome foodie city! For your trip in general, if you’re solo that means less food you’ll ultimately have to share.

Price: Food tours range in price, starting at $65/person

Location: Around the City

9. See the Cherry Blossoms (SPRING ONLY)

If you’ve ever seen photos of Washington, DC in the springtime, chances are you’ve seen pictures of the iconic cherry blossoms in full bloom around the Tidal Basin, Washington Monument, and East Potomac Park areas.

Every year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrated to honor and celebrate the friendship of the United States and Japan. There are events, concerts, parades, and more at the festival! This year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC will take place March 20th through April 14th.

Price: Free, tours available through 3rd-party companies for a fee

Location: Around Washington, DC, but predominantly in the Tidal Basin area and at the Washington Monument

10. Read Our Founding Documents at the National Archives

If you’re a history nerd (like me), you might enjoy stopping by the National Archives to see the nation’s founding documents on display. Though you can’t pull a Ben Gates/Nicolas Cage, you can certainly admire the documents and learn about their significance while at the Archives.

Important to note: Taking close-up photos of the documents themselves is strictly prohibited but you can take photos in the Rotunda!

The National Archives Museum is open 10am to 5:30pm daily.

Price: Free

Location: 701 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20408

11. Visit the National Gallery of Art (East and West Wings!)

If you’re attempting to visit the National Gallery of Art make sure to dedicate a full day to exploring both the East Wing and the West Wing! A common mistake visitors make at the National Gallery of Art is that they only visit sections in the West Wing, and they don’t even realize there is a whole other side to the museum!

The West Wing is home to European and American masterworks and features classic pieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Ginevra de’ Benci and Claude Monet’s The Japanese Footbridge.

The East Wing is focused on modern and contemporary artworks with iconic works from Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Mark Rothko. Modern art is my favorite artistic period, which is why I adore the East Wing so much! Take a look at some of my favorite pieces from the East Wing above!

The National Gallery of Art is open 10am to 5pm daily.

Price: Free

Location: 6th St and Constitution Ave NW (West Building), 4th St and Constitution Ave NW (East Building)

12. Go on a Day Trip to Mount Vernon and Old Alexandria

Technically this recommendation takes you outside of the city, but it’s a great day trip to enjoy if you’re planning a solo trip to Washington, DC. There are tons of tour providers who lead day trips out to Mount Vernon, so make sure to read the reviews!

You can find a wide variety of tours to Mount Vernon from sites like Viator that differ based on group size, tour length, add-ons, and more.

Price: Prices vary

13. Spend the Afternoon at the National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery is a great spot to relax and unwind after a long morning of exploring Washington, DC. The courtyard inside the National Portrait Gallery is worth visiting in and of itself! The National Portrait Gallery is truly one of my favorite museums in all of D.C.! If you enjoy learning all about United States history and culture through artwork, you’ll likely love this museum, too.

My favorite section of the museum is the America’s Presidents gallery, which showcases the portraits of presidents and leaders of the U.S. This is a very popular section, though, so be warned that there may be a lot of foot traffic. I recommend going right when the museum opens or just before it closes to enjoy it with the smallest amount of people.

The National Portrait Gallery is open 11:30am to 7pm daily.

Price: Free

Location: 8th St NW & G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

14. See a Show at DAR Constitution Hall

Built in 1929, the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall is the largest concert hall in all of Washington, D.C.! It’s a gorgeous living, breathing piece of history and they run shows regularly–from concerts to comedy shows to podcast recordings.

Back in 2019, I attended a live taping of Pod Save the World hosted by Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes at DAR Constitution Hall. It was an awesome experience considering Pod Save the World is one of my favorite podcasts. Plus, the hall itself is beautifully designed and preserved.

Price: Ticket prices vary

Location: 1776 D St NW, Washington, DC 20006

15. Browse Around an Open Air Market (or Walk Around a Christmas Market if You’re visiting in December!)

When I travel solo, I love visiting local farmer’s markets and art markets to get a feel for the energy of a city. If I’m staying in a place longer than a couple days, I usually use this activity as an excuse to stock up on local produce or unique snacks to enjoy during my visit.

If you’re in D.C. during the Christmas holiday, you will also find Christmas markets popping up around the city! I went to the Downtown Holiday Market in Penn Quarter this past Christmas and it was adorable! There are so many cute photo opps and stalls to explore.

Price: Free

Location: All around the city

Personal Recommendations for Your Solo Trip to Washington DC

Whether you’ve already booked your solo trip to Washington, DC, or you’re still in the planning stages, I’ve got you! Aside from all of the fun things to do in DC by yourself that I’ve shared above, I also wanted to highlight some of my personal recommendations for where to stay and where to eat!

Where to Stay:

Where to Eat:

• Founding Farmers
• Unconventional Diner
• Ben’s Chili Bowl
• Old Ebbitt Grill
• Falafel Inc.

FAQs About Things to Do in DC By Yourself

Is DC good for solo travel?

Washington, DC is a phenomenal city for solo travelers! With the plethora of museums and events, there is truly something for every solo traveler to enjoy. If you’re feeling nervous about making friends or meeting people as a solo traveler in DC, I suggest booking a stay at a hostel or going on a guided group tour.

Staying in a hostel is a sure way to meet new people and possibly even make friends for life! Group tours are also great as a solo traveler because you get acquainted with members of the group through general discussion, and it’s easy to find common interests considering you all booked the same tour!

Is it safe to travel to Washington, DC alone?

I’ve traveled to Washington, DC alone several times and I never once felt unsafe. It is important to mention here, though, that anything can happen in any city so it’s always best to be aware of your surroundings.

My personal recommendation in terms of staying safe while traveling alone is to never tell anyone you’re alone, or mention that you’re a solo traveler. If your Uber driver or other service provider asks what you’re doing in the city, you should default to mentioning something about meeting your family or friend group. Never directly mention your plans or the fact that you may be traveling by yourself.

Can you tour Washington, DC alone without a group?

Absolutely! DC is extremely well-connected and walkable, and most of the major museums and historic sites are free anyway! The benefit of going on guided tours is two-fold: you get to learn about history, culture, art, or general traveling tips from someone who’s local to the area and you also get the opportunity to meet new people while experiencing something unique!

If you want to fly under the radar and do your own thing, DC is perfect for that, as well. Plus, there are often many events and activities that occur around the city to partake in if you feel up to it! Your solo trip to Washington, DC can be whatever you want it to be–whether that’s socializing at a hostel, going museum hopping, or just enjoying a quiet meal from a local restaurant.

What is there to do in Washington, DC for free?

Museums, museums, and more museums! Washington, DC is one of the best US destinations to visit if you’re on a budget but still want a packed itinerary. According to WhichMuseum, there are 41 free museums to visit in Washington, DC! That means you could visit a new museum every day and not run out of things to do for nearly two months. Plus, think about all of the monuments, memorials, and massive parks in the city.

Which DC airport is best to fly into?

This is a hotly debated question, but in my mind there is no question: Reagan (DCA) is the best airport to fly into for a solo trip to DC. There are many reasons for this but mainly my decision is based on its convenience and proximity to Washington, DC. You can easily access public transportation from DCA, and Ubers are pretty affordable (I paid under $20 for an Uber between a downtown hotel and DCA). It doesn’t have a ton of bells and whistles, but what it lacks in decor it makes up for in ease of use and efficiency of travel.

The other two airports that many people fly into to visit Washington, DC are Dulles (IAD) and Baltimore (BWI). Those airports are significantly farther away from the city compared to DCA, and not the most ideal for solo traveling in my opinion. The simplicity of DCA coupled by its close proximity to the city make it the best airport to fly into for a solo trip to Washington, DC.

---