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washington dc

10 Shocks to Expect on Your Washington DC Vacation

Posted on July 14, 2022July 11, 2022 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Washington, DC. DC is the capital city of the United States, so there are many cool things to see in Washington DC. It’s a must for any family traveling in the United States. As with any travel destination, there are many surprises in store for Washington DC visitors. If you’re thinking about planning a Washington DC vacation, don’t be surprised at these “shocks.”

So many things to see and do in DC.

Free Attractions in DC

Washington DC is not a cheap place to visit when you look at the accommodation or dining out, but it’s shocking how many of the DC attractions are free. The entire Smithsonian collection of museums and art galleries are free to enter, plus all of the outdoor monuments that you can see for free. It’s really a great bargain to have so many free things to do in Washington DC.

That said, don’t get sucked in to just doing free things; there are some things worth splurging on when you visit DC. Hiring a tour guide to show you around is totally worth it, especially if it’s your first trip to DC!

Seven Reasons to Hire a Private Tour Guide

Washington DC Prices

Unfortunately, outside of the free DC attractions, Washington DC is expensive to visit. Washington hotels are expensive, and it’s expensive to go out to eat as well. The museums that aren’t free can be pricey; for example, the International Spy Museum is over $25 per person for admission. That’s almost $90 for a family of four!

Follow these Washington DC Travel Budget Tips to help soften the blow on Washington DC prices:

  • Save money on Washington DC accommodation by visiting in the offseason. Washington hotel rates can double or triple from summer to winter. Local events like conventions and sports games can also affect lodging prices. 
  • You can also save money by not staying right on the National Mall; there are tons of areas to stay in DC. TripHacksDC has 11 different areas of DC to explore.
  • If you don’t want to break the bank on dining in Washington DC, check out some of the fast casual restaurants and food trucks. You can also take advantage of Happy Hour specials if you’re willing to go out a bit earlier than the typical dinner hour. Food tours are another way to get a lot of bang for your buck; you’ll typically get tons of food, plus a walking tour with lots of information.
  • When it comes to getting around DC, walking is going to be the only free option. The Metro is convenient and easy to use, but fairly expensive for public transportation. There is the Circulator bus that’s only $1 and connects most of the major DC attractions.

Distance Between Attractions

When you are planning your Washington DC itinerary, you’ll be shocked at how spread out some of the attractions are. Everything looks close on the map, but it’s actually pretty well spaced. Make sure you have good walking shoes and take advantage of the public transportation system, which is really easy to use.

DC is fun for the whole family, but be prepared to sweat a lot if you come in summer.

Washington DC Weather

Most people visit Washington DC in the summer when the kids are out of school. Summer weather in DC can be shocking as it can be really hot and humid. Add to this the crowds and being outside walking from one attraction to another, and it can be pretty miserable. Plan your day accordingly to spend the heat of the day indoors and see the outdoor attractions early in the morning or in the evening.

The National Mall

The National Mall is where you’ll find the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, among others. While the monuments get pretty crowded, the Mall itself can often feel pretty dead, especially in the evenings. Aside from tourism, this is kind of the business center of the city, so it clears out in the evenings. You won’t find a lot of restaurants or things to do in the evenings here.

Poverty in DC

When you visit DC, you can expect to see a lot of homeless and impoverished people. It’s a sad contrast to the wealth of the surrounding neighborhoods and great monuments.

DC Attitude

While there are certainly exceptions to this, in general, DC is not a friendly city. You’ll find that out if you stand on the left side of an escalator. They will let you know you are in their way. Aside from friends we know here, we haven’t found locals to be outgoing or friendly like we have in other cities. Don’t expect to get a lot of insider tips from locals because they pretty much keep to themselves.

Changes in DC

For such a historic city with iconic memorials and monuments, DC actually changes a ton each time we visit. The restaurant scene and the bar scene particularly seem to change often; what may have been the “hot” neighborhood on your last visit, may not be any longer. Chefs move on, restaurants change ownership, and that amazing restaurant you loved four years ago may be gone or changed. Blogs are the best way to stay on top of DC restaurants because the scene changes too fast for guidebooks to keep up.

So don’t be afraid to explore areas of DC that are new to you, because you never know what you’ll stumble on! You can really find some great ethnic food once you step off the beaten path, too.

Five Things to Eat When You Visit Washington DC

Day Trips from Washington DC

Besides all of the great places to visit in Washington DC, there are also some really great day trips from the city. A few of the best day trips from DC include:

  • Mount Vernon, President George Washington’s Home
  • Alexandria, Virginia
  • Annapolis, Maryland
  • Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
  • Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens
  • Shenandoah National Park

DC Tourist Traps

Washington DC doesn’t have the typical tourist traps you might expect, as most of the attractions are historic or educational, but there are a few tourist issues to look out for on a trip to DC.

  • DC attractions can get crowded, so plan out your day to start early so you can beat the crowds at the best museums. Also, many museums have a second entrance on the back side of the building that may be less crowded.
  • When you are booking tours, be careful! Some DC tours don’t actually have a tour guide; some of them are literally just a bus ride around the monuments. Not all DC tour companies brought their guides back after the pandemic. If you just want a ride around town, you can hop on The Circulator for $1.
  • You won’t find restaurants on the National Mall; you may see a few food trucks, but if you want a sit-down meal, you’ll need to veer away from the National Mall. It’s worth noting that some of the Smithsonian Museums have great cafeterias, but you’ll pay a premium to eat there!
  • Watch out for tourist scams; anyone who asks you to make change for them, or asks to use your phone, don’t fall for it. If someone tries to give you something, don’t let them, just walk away.
  • Don’t try to see it all in one trip. Washington DC has too many attractions; it would take a full week to see the major attractions, let alone the hidden gems and off the beaten path spots. Allow yourself the freedom to explore on your own, and know that you’ll probably need a return trip to DC. Not to mention the day trips from DC!

Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!

Don’t let these “shocks” keep you from planning a trip to Washington DC. It’s really a fun city with lots of museums, monuments, restaurants and day trips. If you’re ready to start planning your trip to DC, our friend Rob at TripHacksDC has some great tours you can book!

Want more of our USA travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts:

  • What Not to Do in California
  • What Not to Do in Nashville
  • The Best Stops on Route 66
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