The Perfect 24-Hour Washington DC Itinerary with Kids
Do you only have 1 day to spend in Washington DC? If so, the good news is that it's a great place for a quick visit!
I recently spent 24 hours in Washington DC with my 3-year-old toddler and my mom, and we managed to fit in so many famous landmarks, memorials, and museums. Our 1-day itinerary included the highlights of the National Mall which were all within walking distance of each other and our hotel! Bring your walking shoes and a stroller for any little ones, because you'll be doing a lot of walking to see all Washington DC has to offer.
I think this is a wonderful destination to visit with kids, since everything is so educational, and all of the major sites are free to visit! If you're visiting with young children you can just pop in and out of the museums that catch your interest, and if you have older kids who have learned about our country's history you have the chance to really dive deep.
I went for a weekday visit with just my toddler while my older kids were in school this time, but I definitely want to come back with the whole family! Here's everything you need to know about visiting Washington DC for 1 day.
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WWII overlooking the Lincoln Memorial at Sunset
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Washington DC will depend on what you're looking for.
If you want to catch the cherry blossoms, late March to early April is the best time to visit. The blossoms arrived early this year, so by the time we arrived on April 5 most of the cherry blossoms were gone. Fortunately, there were still many spring blooms to make the city a beautiful sight to behold.
The spring weather in DC can be unpredictable, but pretty mild, making it a prime destination for spring break! (Check out all of my other spring break destination ideas here!) We weren't sure whether to pack jackets and pants or sundresses and tank tops until the forecast came out. We lucked out with sunny 80-degree weather, but the weeks surrounding our visit brought rain and 60-degree temps. Be prepared for either situation!
It was definitely crowded when we went in early April, but we didn't find the crowds to be overwhelming. We also saw lots of school groups on field trips and school trips.
The summer months tend to be extremely humid and hot, with some crowds visiting on summer vacation.
The fall and winter months tend to be the low season with the fewest crowds.
The street right outside our hotel in Washington DC. Spring is such a beautiful time to visit!
Where We Stayed
If there's one thing to prioritize when you only have 24 hours in Washington DC is the location of your hotel. We chose one that was within walking distance of the National Mall since that's where the majority of the museums and monuments are located.
Since I was visiting with a toddler, I didn't want to have to deal with a car seat on this trip, so I also wanted to choose a hotel with a public transportation option to and from the airport.
That's why I ended up choosing the Hyatt Place Washington DC/White House. It was just a block away from a Metro stop, so we could easily take the metro to and from the airport. We flew into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in DC which is connected to the metro station. We took the Dulles Airport Metro Line to McPherson Square, which is located just 0.1 miles away from the hotel.
We arrived at our hotel by 1 p.m. which I assumed would be too early to get in our room, but we had booked the Metro Package which meant we could drop our bags off at the hotel. To my pleasant surprise, they had our room all ready, so we were able to put our bags in the room and freshen up before heading out to see the city.
Our hotel room at the Hyatt Place Washington DC/White House
There is a Starbucks right across the street from the hotel, so I had to stop there for a Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew since I didn't have time for coffee at the airport and it was 80 degrees out. The weather could not have been more beautiful for us since we were escaping the freezing cold spring weather in Wisconsin.
We could see the Washington Monument from the end of the block our hotel was on, so we just headed in that direction. In just a few blocks we arrived at the White House!
A note on why I chose a Hyatt Hotel:
I'm fairly new to the world of using credit card points and miles (otherwise known as "travel hacking." But with the prices of flights and hotels lately, I figured it can't hurt to educate myself and see what I can do to make travel more affordable for our family of 6.
I've learned that Hyatt is one of the best reward programs for families since hotel reward nights go for a very low number of points, AND you can easily transfer points from your Chase Ultimate Rewards to Hyatt in order to book a room on points.
I did not book this particular room on points, but I looked online and saw that the award stays start at only 9.000 points per night (depending on the time of year, how far in advance you book, availability, etc). I am trying to earn status with Hyatt, though, so I booked the cash rate which was around $400 per night. To save tons of money, I would highly recommend looking into the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which is my all-time favorite travel credit card for multiple reasons (including trip insurance and flexible points!). Here is my referral link if you're interested in looking into this card!
Things to Do in Washington DC with Kids in One Day
As I mentioned above, it was around 1:30 p.m. when we started exploring Washington DC. We brought my favorite travel stroller which is the Zoe Tour+ because it's lightweight, easy to maneuver, has a great organizer for my water bottle (it was hot and we were doing a lot of walking), and a nice shade canopy so my 3-year-old could easily nap on the go. Use my code EMILYK15 for $15 off your stroller!
Here's the perfect 1 Day Itinerary and the best things to do with kids in Washington DC.
Day 1
The White House
We just took pictures outside the White House instead of taking a tour. We had a lot to fit into our day, plus I wasn't sure my 3-year-old would be up for a guided tour after traveling all morning, so we did not bother making reservations.
The Washington Monument
Just a short walk from the White House you'll find the Washington Monument. It's hard to miss the 555-foot obelisk towering above the city. This incredible monument built to honor George Washington is a must-visit with kids, and there are several ways to experience it.
You can do as we did and simply walk around the base of the monument, admiring the spring blooms and appreciating the beautiful architecture.
Or you can get a free same-day ticket in person at the kiosk at the bottom of the monument to take an elevator to the top of the 500-foot observation deck, but be aware that the tickets are first come first serve and often run out quickly. You can also reserve your tickets in advance online with a $1 service charge per ticket, and this can be done up to 30 days in advance.
Explore the National Mall
The Washington Monument, as well as many of the famous world-class museums and memorials you will want to visit, is located on the National Mall. The National Mall is not a shopping center, but rather a National Park that stretches from the Lincoln Memorial to the US Capitol. Its museums, memorials, and monuments honor our forefathers and the heroes of our country.
The National Mall is very walkable, so it's easy to visit all of the important attractions you came to see in our nation's capital! There is lots of green space to spread out and have a picnic or simply relax if you need a break from the hustle and bustle of sightseeing.
This is one of the reasons I think Washington DC is such a family-friendly destination because you don't have to go far to fit in a lot of activities on your trip. There's no need to navigate complicated city streets or public transportation because it's all right there! Plus, all of the museums on the National Mall are free to visit. It doesn't get much better than that when you're planning a family vacation!
National Museum of American History
We went east from the Washington Monument and decided to start with the National Museum of American History, one of the many Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall.
We walked through many of the exhibits with my toddler, including the "America on the Move" transportation exhibit which she absolutely loved!
The nice thing about the museum being free is that you can see as much or as little as you want without worrying about wasting the cost of your entry ticket. This is such a relief with a toddler in tow because sometimes they are just not in the mood to stop and look at educational exhibits. I'll admit we did a lot of chasing her around the museum as one thing after another caught her attention.
National Museum of Natural History
My toddler absolutely loves animals, so we decided to check out the Museum of Natural History right after the Museum of American History, another great museum with free entry!
She had a great time seeing the giant elephant in the entryway, as well as many of the engaging exhibits around the museum. She especially loved the Hall of Mammals and the Barro Colorado Island 100 Years of Discoveries and Wonder (which is a temporary exhibit). I'm really sad we missed seeing the Butterfly Pavilion because I think she would have enjoyed that, too! Fortunately, we had recently visited the Butterfly Conservatory on our trip to Key West.
With a toddler, you definitely don't need more than an hour in the natural history museum, unless you're trying to stay in the air conditioning to escape the heat. With older kids, you might want to explore for a bit longer, especially the Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt exhibit. What kid isn't obsessed with Ancient Egypt?
Stop at the Food Trucks
At this point, we were starting to get a bit hungry, and I could tell my toddler was getting a little cranky, so we decided to get her comfortable in the stroller and stop at one of the many food trucks parked around the National Mall. There are so many food options, but the most popular is definitely the ice cream trucks.
We picked an ice cream cone and a shake, and the cost actually shocked me. It was around $20 for just those 2 treats! Yikes. Just be aware of that if you think you'll be saving money by trying to tide the kids over until dinner with ice cream. There are plenty of cafes inside the museums with more substantial food options to keep your family full.
We did end up skipping the Smithsonian National Air Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of African American History, but I really want to make it a priority to explore those museums when we eventually come back with our older kids, too! I know they would get so much out of those educational experiences. We also skipped seeing the US Capitol Building this time around.
Walk the Tidal Basin
After her ice cream, my daughter quickly fell asleep in the stroller, so we decided to head down to the Tidal Basin which is just south of the Washington Monument.
There's a nice walking path around a body of water with the Jefferson Memorial at the other end of it, so we decided to make our way there and enjoy the last remnants of the cherry blossom trees surrounding the basin.
If you're able to be in Washington DC during the cherry blossom bloom, this is the best way to see them!
Jefferson Memorial
I was actually thankful my daughter was still asleep when we reached the Jefferson Memorial. My mom and I took turns sitting on the steps by the stroller while the other went up to the memorial to take it all in.
It has such a solemn and inspirational site, and it was nice to be able to take my time reading the inscriptions on the walls. I already stated why I think Washington DC is such a great destination for toddlers and young children, but I also am convinced that my older kids will love it, too, because of the incredible architecture and history all around the city. I think my elementary-age kids would learn so much about the founding fathers and the ideals and vision they had for our country.
While my mom went inside the memorial, I took in the views of the Tidal Basin and felt so content with the sun warming my skin and the beautiful views before me.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
As our walk around the Tidal Basin continued we happened upon the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. It's located in West Potomac Park and is easy to visit on a quick walk-through.
Read some of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt's inspiring quotes, listen to a ranger talk, or wander through the 5 outdoor rooms detailing the accomplishments of Roosevelt's presidency.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
This is one of the last stops along the Tidal Basin, and it's a beautiful place to learn about MLK's legacy and work during the Civil Rights Movement. You can read the engraved quotations around the memorial and take in the towering stone sculpture.
World War II Memorial
After walking the Tidal Basin, our feet were beginning to ache and the sun was beginning to set, so we decided to start walking back to our hotel, but the World War II Memorial looked so stunning framed by the brilliant sunset that we couldn't help but stop to take it in.
After walking around the granite columns with inscriptions detailing the sacrifices and efforts of the United States Armed Forces in World War II, we made our way to the pool in the center of the memorial. There are signs around the pool letting visitors know they can soak their feet in the pool, but not to splash or swim.
This ended up being a great way to end our first day in Washington DC. By then my toddler was up from her nap and happy to put her feet in the water. And so was I! It felt so nice to soak my feet after a long day of walking.
We watched the sunset and the sky turn brilliant colors behind the fountain and stone columns, and it all felt so patriotic and beautiful! This is one of my favorite memories from our trip.
We ended the day with some McDonalds for my daughter, which we walked past on the way back to the hotel, while my mom and I ordered dinner from the rooftop restaurant at our hotel.
Day 2
Our hotel had a free continental breakfast with a few great options for hot food, which is another reason I'm glad we booked it! So we got an early start and made sure we were all packed up so we could fit in as much exploring as we could in the morning before we had to leave for our late afternoon flight.
I, of course, had to grab another Starbucks, then we made the pleasant walk down to the National Mall. We had seen so much on our first day that we only had a few more items to check off our Washington DC bucket list on Day 2.
Lincoln Memorial
Our first stop was the Lincoln Memorial. Before walking up the stairs to the memorial, we took a few pictures with the reflecting pool and the Washington Monument in the background. Then we parked our stroller and walked up the steps to visit the Parthenon-inspired building honoring Abraham Lincoln and all of his achievements to preserve the union.
The stone and marble memorial with the Gettysburg Address inscribed on the wall and the imposing 19-foot statue of President Lincoln is so incredibly majestic that it brought me to tears. Especially after our visit to Springfield, Illinois in 2021 where we learned so much about Lincoln the man before he became Lincoln the President, I have so much respect for all he did to unite our divided nation.
I could have spent an hour here if it weren't for my 3-year-old wanting to get her wiggles out. At that point we didn't want to disturb the other memorial visitors, so we made our way down the steps.
Visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Korean and Vietnam Memorials are located on either side of the Reflecting Pool. It's a nice place to walk through, but I will admit that it's maybe not the most toddler-friendly spot to add to your itinerary.
It's a wonderful spot to pay your respects if you have a relative who served in one of these wars (my Grandpa served in the Korean War), so we did walk through while my daughter started to fall asleep in the stroller. If she had been awake and energetic I don't know if we would have done this.
Definitely take your older kids, though!
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
We actually thought we would skip this museum on this trip to Washington DC since we were with a toddler and it's such a somber and serious museum, but when my daughter fell asleep in the stroller and we were nearby, we thought we would try to fit it in as our last stop before heading back to the airport.
Unfortunately, going through the security line at the museum ended up waking up my daughter, so we decided to just walk through the "Remember the Children: Daniel's Story" walk-through exhibit. This only takes around 30 minutes, and it is a really great way for young children to learn a little bit about the horrors of the Holocaust in a way they can understand; that is, from a child's perspective.
The rest of the exhibits we determined were probably not toddler-friendly, and they definitely required some time and quiet reflection to visit, so we added this to our list of places to return to on our next visit to Washington DC. I think this museum is essential to visit with older kids, but if you have younger kids maybe consider just doing the "Remember the Children" exhibit.
Notes from our Washington DC Itinerary
At that point, we had to go back to the hotel and check out before heading back to the Metro which took us to the airport. It was a whirlwind 24 hours of exploring Washington DC, and at no point did we feel rushed or overwhelmed. I think the fact that everything is close together and free to visit helped us feel like we could just get a taste of some of the bigger sites without "wasting money."
I also looked at this 24-hour Washington DC trip with my toddler as a scouting mission for a future family vacation to DC with kid whole family. I know we will want to come back, so it helped to get the lay of the land so we could really plan our itinerary for a longer stay.
If you want to really dig deeper and see all that Washington DC has to offer including Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, and other neighborhoods in this historic city, I think a 3- or 4-day stay would be absolutely perfect!
We were really hoping to catch the National Cherry Blossom Festival, but as I mentioned, they blossomed early this year so we just missed them by a few days. It's tough to plan around something so unpredictable!
We had a really good time visiting Washington DC with a toddler, and I truly felt like one day was enough time to see the highlights. If you had a little more time, you might like to add the Botanical Garden or the Smithsonian's National Zoo to see the giant panda.
Overall, I was thrilled with how smoothly the trip went, and I felt like Washington DC was one of the best places for a 24-hour visit with a toddler.
What to Bring
We packed very light since we were only visiting for 24 hours, but here are a few items I was very glad to have on our visit:
Comfortable walking shoes - I wore my Xero Sandals which make me feel like I'm walking on clouds
A rain jacket - we didn't end up needing this, but the weather in DC is unpredictable in spring! Better to be prepared!
My mirrorless camera. I love my iPhone, and I think it takes great pictures. But there's something about the quality of the photos from my mirrorless camera. Worth it to bring along!
A reusable water bottle that keeps water cold - the temperature was in the 80s during our visit and we walked a lot!
A lightweight stroller that folds up easily. The Zoe Tour+ really fits the bill for us, and it was so nice that my daughter had a comfortable place to nap while we continued to go sightseeing.
Protein bars and filling snacks - we didn't really want to stop and eat because we were trying to fit so much in during our 1-day visit. It was nice to be able to eat on the go!
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Emily Krause is a Wisconsin-based travel blogger who writes about exploring the world with kids. On A Mom Explores you’ll find best family travel destinations, Disney World tips, and how to make travel with babies and toddlers a little easier.
Emily believes that exploring starts in our own backyards, and adventure can happen anywhere with the right mindset.
