The single most important piece of advice anyone can give you about visiting Washington, D.C., is this. Have a good plan! If you battle anxiety like I do, you’ll need an even better plan. I learned this the hard way during my recent attack in the nation’s capital.
We the people needed a better plan.
My Capital Plan Was Deficient
I’m not saying my husband and I popped up in DC with no plan, but I didn’t sit down and give any thought to this trip until three weeks before our departure. Normally, I plan our national park trips nine months to a year in advance with itineraries worked and re-worked to death, copious notes scattered all over the house. Not this time. My Capital plan was deficient.
Did you know Washington, D.C. has over 30 national park sites? See the full list at District of Columbia (U.S. National Park Service).
Three weeks before we left for Washington, D.C., I wasn’t sure I even wanted to go. You don’t have to cruise my blog very long to know my heart lies west of the Mississippi in wide open spaces and grand landscapes where my mind can take a long, sweet sigh of relief. Did I really want to burn vacation days to being bombarded by crowds, traffic, and noise?
Was I really willing to trade this for Washington, D.C.?
And because I was stressed over other life “stuff” right up until the day we hit the road, I couldn’t focus enough to get my trip straight (if you know what I mean). Make no mistake, you MUST get your trip straight if you want to make the most of your time in Washington, D.C.
Anyone who says don’t sweat it, just show up in D.C. and see what you can see- don’t take that bulltrip.
My Capital Attack
We arrived in Washington, D.C. about 8:00 PM on a Sunday. We walked straight to the Capitol to see it at night and get our first look at the National Mall. As we walked, I took in the massive Columbus fountain, palatial Capitol building, massive gardens, hulking Smithsonian museums, and Washington Monument standing sentinel over it all. To say I was overstimulated is an understatement. A wave of panic washed over me and I said out loud,
“Howmagondoallthis?”
“Did I pick the right things to see? What if something doesn’t work out? What’s my back-up plan?” I barely had a plan, much less a back-up plan.
And then it happened. A full-on anxiety attack right there at 1st and Pennsylvania. Luckily, my husband was there for support, and I got through the next two days without curling up in the fetal position or losing my trip.
The best plan for tackling the sights in D.C. allows for flexibility. If one activity doesn’t work out, you have another well-planned option. And believe me, there are TONS of options in Washington, D.C.!
Now that you’ve got the preramble, I’m going to tell you my top three Capital mistakes, what we did and didn’t miss, and how you can avoid having an attack upon arrival. I hope what we learned from our time in D.C. helps you create your own better plan!
Top 3 Capital Mistakes
Keep in mind, these weren’t our only mistakes; just our top three.
Mistake #1- Unrealistic Expectations
My plan for our two full days in Washington, D.C. included visiting The Castle, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Archives, the Department of the Interior, the Thomas Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials by day and by night, the Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, the Washington National Cathedral, the White House, Union Station, and the Library of Congress.
And…
deep dives at the Smithsonian Natural History and U.S. Postal Museums, kayaking the Tidal Basin, climbing Washington Monument, touring Ford’s Theater, and earning National Park Junior Ranger badges everywhere possible.
Sounds reasonable, right? Wrong.
Mistake #2- Not Planning Far Enough Ahead
Advance reservations are often recommended/required for many of Washington, D.C.’s popular tours. Because I didn’t start making reservations until two weeks before our trip, we missed out on the White House tour, climbing the Washington Monument, and the Angels & Monsters tour at Washington National Cathedral.
The White House Tour
To get a free tour of the White House, you need a reservation arranged by a senator or congressman from your state, and guess what? Not everyone gets approved. Maybe if you’ve donated a million dollars to their campaigns, then you could score tickets. Maybe.
Request reservations as far in advance as possible. Congress members have a lot of constituents; there’s no way they can accommodate everyone.
To find your state’s U.S. Congress members, visit Congress.gov.
We didn’t even get good views of the White House. Construction for the UFC fight on the White House lawn ruined any possible photo ops.
Climbing the Washington Monument
To climb to the top of Washington Monument, you must make a tour reservation. Tickets are free and become available to reserve online 30 days in advance. When I tried to book- all gone. There are a limited number of tickets released 24 hours in advance of tours, but you have to be quick about getting online when they become available. I wasn’t quick.
Same-day tickets are available first come first serve beginning at 8:45 AM. They go fast, so get to the ticket office early. There was already a long line forming when we walked by the monument around 8:00 AM.
For more information about reserving Washington Monument tour tickets, visit the NPS website.
Specialty Tour of the Washington National Cathedral
The popular Tower Climb: Angels & Monsters Tour at the Washington National Cathedral was high on my list of things to do in D.C., but I waited too late to make reservations.
The Tower Climb is offered on a very limited basis. The tour features the cathedral’s gargoyles- including Darth Vader. Yes, there is a Darth Vader gargoyle on a church!
The Washington National Cathedral offers many tours both guided and self-guided. For reservations, visit the Cathedral’s website. (There are no free tours of the cathedral. You can attend worship services without charge, but an actual tour will cost you.)
Mistake #3- Walking Everywhere
Parking is a nightmare in Washington, D.C., so touring the city in your own vehicle isn’t recommended. Because my head wasn’t in the game, I didn’t put much thought into how we were getting around, so we walked everywhere. I figured our Airbnb was just two blocks from the Capitol, so why shouldn’t we?
Because we ended up walking over 25 miles in two days not including the distance walked inside the museums- that’s why.
Make use of public transportation, hop-on/off tours, and scooter/bicycle rentals. The options are plentiful. We’ll use the electric bicycles or scooters on our next trip, for sure. Why didn’t we use them on this trip? I wanted to save money and my husband predicted I’d freak out and wreck if I started going too fast. (I don’t know where he gets his outlandish ideas.)
What We Didn’t Miss in Washington, D.C.
Even though we missed quite a few things I wanted to see, we still did a LOT in a short period of time. Here’s a rundown of what we didn’t miss.
Smithsonian Institution Building or “The Castle”
For those visiting Washington, D.C. before September 7, 2026, seeing the Smithsonian Institution Building or “The Castle” is a must. The Castle was closed for major renovations in 2023 with no prospective re-opening date. Though the work isn’t finished, the powers that be decided to temporarily open The Castle for public tours during the historic America 250 celebration.
Because we arrived when The Castle opened at 8:30 AM, there was no crowd. We had plenty of space to view exhibits and marvel at the stunning nineteenth century architecture. And is it ever stunning!
The Castle will again be closed indefinitely as of September 7, 2026.
It is free to visit The Castle but be prepared for security screening upon entry. In fact, be prepared for security screenings at most D.C. indoor attractions.
Washington Monument
Although you can see Washington Monument from vantage points all over the National Mall, you’ve got to get a closer look. Looking straight up from the base of the monument will wow you. Hard to believe this granite and marble obelisk has been standing (at least partially) since 1848.
This is one of my favorite photos from our trip. There was a heavy National Guard presence on the National Mall, and I was so proud when my husband made a point to thank them for their service. Remember, these men and women give their lives to protect the sanctity of our nation and the individuals in it. Give them some props.
This photo of the Washington Monument was taken from inside the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. You can see the White House in the distance to the left of the Washington Monument.
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Everyone who found out we were going to D.C. said we had to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. They were not wrong. This is an experience you will never forget but to get the most out of your visit, you need to set aside plenty of time. We spent 2.5 hours there and I could have spent much more. Every exhibit will cut you to your core and leave a scar. No matter how many WWII themed movies you’ve seen or books you’ve read, nothing fully prepares you for what you’ll see in this museum.
Free timed entry tickets can be reserved online. We were there when the Memorial opened, so there weren’t a ton of other visitors. By the time we left, the crowd was much heavier.
This casting from an original gas chamber door salvaged from a Jewish concentration camp is an example of the items on display in the museum.
There are lots of exhibits with lots of signage. Unless you’re spending a full day there, don’t try to read everything. But you’ll definitely want to take a good, close look at the photos and artifacts, watch a video or two, and walk through the “Daniel’s Story” exhibit.
Don’t skip “Daniel’s Story”. The exhibit is designed to help children (and adults) understand the gravity of the Holocaust through the diary of a child who experienced it firsthand. Feel it. Talk about it. Remember it.
Department of the Interior Museum
I was dead set on seeing Thomas Moran’s famous paintings Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Chasm of the Colorado housed in the Department of the Interior Museum. Thomas Moran’s work was a major influence on the federal government’s creation of our national parks. To see these paintings up close was a privilege.
If you don’t share my passion for national parks and their history, skip this museum and do something else.
How did I come to love America’s national parks? Read about it in my post Just a Walk in the Park- The Magic of Grand Canyon.
Lunch at GCDC- Grilled Cheese Bar
We love grilled cheese sandwiches, and GCDC was reputed to have some of the best around. The sandwiches were good and very filling, but a bit overrated in our opinions. What we didn’t think overrated was GCDC’s killer mac & cheese. Holy cow, that stuff was delicious!
I enjoyed my ham and fig grilled cheese, but the star of the show was the mac. Next time I won’t be sharing. And I won’t be getting a sandwich.
GCDC is a great place for kids and a convenient lunch spot if you’re visiting the National Archives and the White House.
National Archives
Since we were visiting during the America 250 celebration, a tour of the National Archives was a no-brainer. This is where the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and other founding documents are on display.
But the National Archives was not a great experience for me. My anxiety shot up as soon as I walked in the door and got in line. Crowded. Noisy. Frustrating.
We had free timed entry tickets as I’m assuming most others did. I shuffled around the exhibit more focused more on keeping people out of my personal space than observing America’s most revered historical documents. People were “encouraging” me to rush through the line, and I was not too pleased about it. I barely had time to snap a few pictures.
My husband found a bench and declared himself done within the first five minutes.
I made it around the exhibit (annoyed) and escaped to the far less crowded David Rubenstein Museum. Don’t skip the museum! The original Magna Carta is on display as you enter. Kids will enjoy the museum’s interactive exhibits.
Visit the National Archives website for suggested itineraries and to discover all the Archives has to offer.
Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials
We had enough time at the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials to do what everyone does- see the statues, read the engravings on the walls, and get photos. We were there early and it wasn’t crazy crowded at either monument. We were told the crowds get very heavy later in the day. We spent about 40 minutes at each monument including shopping in the souvenir stores. If you’re into reading, both gift shops have a tantalizing selection of books.
The Memorials are a short distance from each other. Access the Tidal Basin trail (not far from the Lincoln Memorial) for a scenic 2-mile (1.6 km) walk/ride between monuments. On the way, stop by the Franklin D. Roosevelt and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorials.
There is a museum set to open in late June 2026 under the Lincoln Memorial. I’m not sure what it’s all about, but I heard from someone in the know that it’s going to be awesome. Let me know what it’s like if you get a chance to visit.
If you enjoy Lincoln history, make plans to visit Springfield, Illinois. Find out what we did in one jam-packed day in my post Springfield’s Lincoln- 3 Places You Need to See.
Lunch in Washington, D.C.’s Wharf District
The Wharf district is where it’s at for Washington, D.C. food. Quaint atmosphere, tons of restaurants, and awesome views of boats cruising the Potomac River make The Wharf a food scene you don’t want to miss! (Check out the giant swings on the pier while you’re there. So cool!)
I’m a die-hard Chef Gordon Ramsay (of Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares fame) fan, so when I found Gordon Ramsay’s Fish & Chips on the map, I had to go!
It was worth walking a long way out of our way to get those Biscoff shakes and truffle fries. So dang good!
If you’ve got a sugar craving, stop by Praline Bakery in The Wharf district for some knock-out treats. The coconut macaroons were to die for!
Dwight D. Eisenhower Monument
After lunch at Fish & Chips, we had one haul of a walk to get to get to the Capitol building for our 2:00 PM tour. Because we’d stopped by Praline Bakery, we were running a bit behind. My sugar and anxiety levels went into overdrive.
But on the way, we passed the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial and I couldn’t help but stop. Something about it grabbed me.
The first thing I noticed was the giant, strange looking screen behind the monument. Looked like a metal monstrosity made even more monstrous with graffiti if you asked me. What was that about?
A park ranger told us the screen is an art installation designed to break up the view of the Department Education building sitting behind the monument. The “graffiti” is actually a rendering of the cliffs of Normandy in France. He said the monument is best seen at night when everything is lit and the cliffs glow gold. I was so disappointed we didn’t have time to return that evening. Next time…
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial was one of my favorites. Maybe it was because my grandfather served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was part of the Normandy invasion. The memorial made me realize I need to get my grandfather’s incredible story documented before it’s completely forgotten. It’s movie material. But I digress…
U.S. Capitol Building Tour
The exterior of the Capitol is astounding on its own, but you must take a tour of its interior. I was so anxious about running late that I was ready to give up and skip the tour completely. My husband was not fine with skipping it, and I’m so glad, or we would have missed what is probably one of the best tours in the city.
You must make reservations online well in advance to get your free timed entry tickets or there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to join a tour. If you gamble on getting a same-day ticket, the Capitol website recommends getting there early (8:30 AM) before a long line forms. This place is busy!
I’ll be honest, the entry process for the Capitol tour was the worst experience we had on our trip to Washington, D.C. The line was ridiculous, even for those with timed entry tickets. School kids running all over the place, a crackpot blaring her political opinions on a megaphone- not an enjoyable wait, to be sure.
But it got worse. While in line, I dropped my backpack which promptly alerted the police dog. I think he was hoping to find something the way he was doggedly nosing back and forth. Maintaining my composure was excruciating. I was just trying to remove and empty my water bottle, for God’s sake! The rules say you can’t take liquids in the Capitol. I was just following the rules!
My anxiety got really jacked. Really, really jacked.
But the insanity wasn’t over yet. When we finally got to the security checkpoint, my husband forgot to remove his nail clippers from his pocket. He was forced to leave the building and reenter. He told security a second time that his pockets were empty. They weren’t. He forgot he’d stashed my keys in another one of his handy-dandy pockets. (Those dang cargo shorts.) Security pulled him out of the line.
My anxiety went to stroke level, so I just walked away. I didn’t even care if my husband was being allowed back in the building or not. I was doing that tour with or without him.
Everything inside the Capitol was so magnificent we (almost) forgot about all the hassle to get inside. We were surrounded by eye candy and the spirit of patriotism was palpable.
The dome was my favorite part of the Capitol building. Can you believe it weighs 9.1 million pounds? The painting’s detail and symbolism are amazing! TAKE. THIS. TOUR.
Our tour guide was excellent even though she claimed only one U.S. President came from Tennessee. We quickly corrected her on that! Jackson, Johnson, and Polk were all from the Volunteer State. Who thought we’d set a Capitol tour guide’s history straight? We were quite impressed with ourselves!
White House Visitor Center
If you can’t get a tour of the White House (which you shouldn’t count on), still go to the White House Visitor Center. I was not expecting it to be so impressive! I learned a lot of quirky facts about presidents and their families, and the gift shop was top notch. I could have dropped a fortune in there!
I loved the interactive dining table in the museum that revealed some of the presidents’ and first ladies’ favorite meals. Cottage cheese? On the White House menu?
U.S. Botanical Garden, Japanese American Memorial, WWI and WWII Memorials, Smithsonian U.S. National Postal Museum
We hit the Botanical Garden, Japanese American, WWI and WWII Memorials only because they happened to be on our way to somewhere else. They are all worth seeing. I especially recommend taking time to reflect at the Japanese American Memorial. It really inspired me to learn more about this not-so-pretty time in American history.
The Smithsonian U.S. Postal Museum was a quick stop I was determined to make to see the Owney exhibit. (Who was Owney? Find out at the end of my Historic Railpark and Train Museum article.)
But once I walked inside the Smithsonian U.S. National Postal Museum, I wanted to see everything! I could spend hours in there. Even though we were on a quick Owney mission, I couldn’t resist stopping at the make-your-own postage stamp kiosk. How cool is that? The museum will email your images to you. (Not to be used as real postage, of course.)
And That Was It for Washington, D.C.
I never needed a paper bag or whiskey; never needed a safe space. Yeah, there were some tense moments, but I was able to manage my anxiety enough for us to still have a wonderful time. So wonderful in fact, we the people are already planning another trip. Planning. For real.
How to Avoid Having an Attack in the Nation’s Capital
Washington, D.C. is overwhelming. It’s easy to get anxious when faced with that kind of energy, pomp, and grandeur- and no plan. To help you avoid having an attack like I did in the nation’s capital, here are a few tips:
Plan your itinerary at least a month or more in advance. Don’t overbook your schedule. Know that seeing and doing everything is impossible, so don’t kill your joy (or sanity) by trying. Plan for a “next time”.
What Did My Husband Think About Washington, D.C.?
“I liked it. Too much walking, but I liked what we saw.”
Since I Mentioned Our D.C. Airbnb
We stayed in a historic rowhouse two blocks behind Union Station and the Capitol building. Great location and tons of character. We would happily stay there again. You can check out the Home Sweet City property by visiting Airbnb’s website.
From the Library
American Gospel by Jon Meacham explores the role of God and religion in the founding of the nation. Many want to label America a “Christian nation”, but that’s not exactly what the founding fathers set out to create.
What they set out to create was a nation that upheld freedom of religion and freedom from religion. A nation where a person is free to believe in religious principles or not and whether they believe or not doesn’t make them any more or less of a citizen.
I guarantee you’ll be surprised by some of what you read in American Gospel. What you think you know about our founding fathers and their principles may prove to be half-truths. The book will certainly make you appreciate the personal and professional difficulties the writers of the Declaration of Independence faced when creating this grand republic we call the United States of America.
Attribution: White House Photo- AramilFeraxa, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; edited by author
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