Tay’s 4 Day Guide to DC

Washington DC recently became one of my favorite cities ever! It's clean, easy to get around, and there's so much to explore!

I’m sharing the itinerary I made for my recent trip because it was PERFECT! We did one big adventure a day. Everything we did was flexible, which is the best way to make vacation plans!

Be aware that I am a walker! I hate paying for transportation! So this guide is walkable and budget-friendly!!

DAY 1: GEORGETOWN

Wandering around Georgetown made me really excited for our time in DC! It's lively, cute, and there's so much to see! We walked and parked in Georgetown with ease!

Georgetown Itinerary

1. Park on Thomas Jefferson Street for the best views of the historic & iconic Georgetown neighborhood next to the C & O Canal. Grab THE BEST cupcakes, bread, quiche, and drinks from Baked & Wired.

2. Walk along M St NW, up to Wisconsin Ave, and across P st for cute local shops! We loved stopping in Shop made in DC, Just Paper & Tea, Lantern Book Shop, and seeing the colorful Georgetown townhomes

3. Make your way to O St for sights of Georgetown University, the famous Wave Wall, and the amazing Call Your Mother Deli!

4. Walk down 36 st and you’ll run into the well-known Exorcist Stairs (as seen in the movie The Exorcist). I recommend walking down the stairs so you end up back on M st!

5. If you’re hungry after walking around, stop by Restaurante Piccolo for an authentic Italian meal! Their pasta is housemade and oh so good!

DAY 2: OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA/MOUNT VERNON

Visit George Washington’s hometown! Old Town Alexandria is a beautiful and quaint small town just south of DC. You can easily spend an entire day exploring the area.

Old Town Alexandria/Mount Vernon Itinerary

1. The best parking is on Union St to put you in the best place for the beginning and end of your time in Old Town Alexandria.

2. Shop local! Grab a drink from Misha’s Coffee, then visit The Old Town Shop and Lou Lou’s for locally made goods & souvenirs!

3. Walk over to Queen St to take in the cobblestone streets, homes from the 1800s, and the famous Spite House!

4. Hungry? Stop by the Fontaine Caffe & Creperie for a delicious French brunch!

5. For a pleasant post-brunch walk, head to the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. You'll have amazing views of DC, the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, and local art!

6. End your day touring Mount Vernon!

DAY 3: SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL ZOO

This is the most low-key zoo I've ever been to! It's very nice, calm, no lines on a weekday, shaded, and family-friendly!

*Pro Tip: Although the entrance to the park is free, I recommend buying the $30 parking ticket. Parking at the zoo allows you to go in and out of the zoo all day long, rather than booking tickets for a specific time. It allows more flexibility with kids, allows you to leave the zoo to eat local at Duke’s Counter or Hot N’ Juicy Crawfish, or if you’re not sure of your plans for the day!

DAY 4: NATIONAL MALL

The National Mall is HUGE! It blocks upon blocks of museums and monuments. Go to DC with the expectation that you won't be able to hit everything you want to see! I recommend planning to hit one museum and 2-3 monuments/memorials a day. That way you can enjoy yourself and not get overwhelmed!

National Mall Itinerary

1. Before you park for the day (which should only be once because it's EXPENSIVE), grab pastries and drinks at Un Je Ne Sais Quoi! It’s the cutest French cafe with the best croissants!

2. Hit up a museum. Most are on the east side of the mall, and then you'll want to make your way over to the west side for sights after!

*Pro Tip: Trying to plan ahead but all the museums are sold-out? Most museums release a certain number of tickets for that day every morning by 8 am. Make sure you’re on the website or phone with them around that time to see if you can snag a few!

3. White House & secret service sightings

4. National Monument

5. Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

6. Lunch at Immigrant Food, DC’s first cause-casual restaurant located on Pennsylvania Ave. You can choose from a diverse range of culturally authentic dishes, and then view and donate on their cause menu!

I hope this guide was helpful! I can’t wait to update it after my next trip to DC! Remember to tag me on Instagram when you use it to explore this diverse city!