Scorecard/Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. Top 20

Monuments, free Smithsonian museums, and neighborhoods — ranked.

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Scorecard · 20 places

Top places in Washington, D.C.

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#1
Kennedy Center free Millennium Stage
Foggy Bottom
Free nightly performances — check calendar.
92
Free shows
#2
Library of Congress
Capitol Hill
Reading room grandeur — free timed entry.
91
Free
#3
Tidal Basin & cherry blossoms (seasonal)
Tidal Basin
Peak spring spectacle — shoulder hours best.
90
Free
#4
Jefferson Memorial
Tidal Basin
Dome on the water — evening glow.
89
Free
#5
White House exterior view
Downtown
North/South Lawn viewpoints — security perimeter.
87
Free (exterior)
#6
Smithsonian National Air and Space
Mall / Udvar-Hazy
Aviation icons — Mall or annex.
86
Free
#7
Supreme Court exterior
Capitol Hill
Steps and columns — quick civic photo.
86
Free
#8
Washington Monument grounds
National Mall
Obelisk base views — tickets for elevator when open.
85
Grounds free
#9
National Mall walk
National Mall
Monuments axis — America’s front lawn.
84
Free
#10
International Spy Museum
L’Enfant
Interactive espionage — ticketed fun.
73
Ticketed
#11
Lincoln Memorial
National Mall
Steps and statue at dusk — powerful and free.
73
Free
#12
National Gallery of Art
National Mall
East and West Buildings — free world art.
72
Free
#13
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, VA
Changing of the Guard — solemn and essential.
71
Free
#14
National Museum of African American History
National Mall
Powerful modern Smithsonian — timed entry.
71
Free timed tickets
#15
Wharf waterfront
Southwest
Dining docks and fireworks nights.
71
Dinner pricing
#16
United States Capitol tour
Capitol Hill
Book timed tours — democracy stage set.
69
Free timed tours
#17
National Zoo
Woodley Park
Pandas legacy and free Smithsonian zoo.
68
Free
#18
Smithsonian Natural History
National Mall
Dinosaurs and Hope Diamond — free.
68
Free
#19
Smithsonian American History
National Mall
Pop culture and presidential artifacts.
67
Free
#20
Georgetown waterfront & streets
Georgetown
Cobbles, shops, and Potomac path.
66
Free to wander