One day, 3rd visit

Question

Hi,

We will be arriving before 8am, and will have the full day to spend before taking the metro to a stop in Maryland to meet family. This will be our 3rd visit: we have toured the White House, the Capitol, been to the zoo, seen all the monuments and memorials, visited Arlington, and been to a few Smithsonian museums. We are thinking of visiting the National Archives and the Library of Congress this time. Would we have time to do more? If so, what would you recommend? Can’t do the Holocaust museum, too sensitive. Thanks for any ideas- also a good place for lunch?

Answer

Since this will be your third visit to Washington DC and you have already seen most of the major highlights, focusing on the National Archives and the Library of Congress is a great plan. Both sites are located on the National Mall and can be explored in a few hours, depending on your pace and interest in their exhibits.

Here’s a suggested itinerary for your day:

Morning: Arrive early and start at the National Archives. The main attraction is the Rotunda, where the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights are displayed. Plan to spend about 1–1.5 hours here, including time for any special exhibits.
Late morning: Walk to the Library of Congress, which is only a short distance away. A standard visit can take 1–1.5 hours. Highlights include the Main Reading Room, historic collections, and rotating exhibitions.

If you have additional time and energy, here are some other worthwhile options nearby:

Supreme Court: Free tours of the courtroom and exhibits are available if the court is not in session. Even a quick visit to the exterior and visitor center is interesting.
Smithsonian American Art Museum / Renwick Gallery: Both offer compact, high-quality exhibits that can be seen in an hour or so.
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden: A relaxing, short outdoor walk that is ideal if you want a lighter option before heading to Maryland.

For lunch, consider spots that are convenient to your itinerary and have quick service:

Union Station: Close to the Library of Congress and National Archives, with a variety of cafés, casual restaurants, and a food court.
Pavilion Café at the Sculpture Garden: Offers casual sandwiches and salads if you include the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden in your visit.
Nearby local cafés: There are small cafés along Pennsylvania Avenue and 1st Street NE for quick bites without straying far from your main attractions.

With careful planning, you could comfortably visit both the National Archives and the Library of Congress, fit in a light lunch, and possibly squeeze in a brief additional museum or outdoor stop before catching the Metro to Maryland.

One day, 3rd visit

More Washington DC Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions