Dec 26th- 28th

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington is a powerful, solemn stop — and for a brief trip, you could do a focused visit: the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Arlington House, and a few of the major memorials. If you want, you can join one of the cemetery’s bus tours, which offer an efficient way to see key spots. Even in winter, the grounds are dignified and quiet, which can make the experience more reflective.

Other High-Impact Destinations (Beyond the Smithsonians)

Here are some “must-sees” or memorable places that are very doable in a 3-day trip and give you more than just museums:

• Washington National Cathedral: Its Gothic architecture is breathtaking, especially in winter.
  • You can do a self-guided tour which includes the nave, crypt, and stained-glass windows using their digital guide.
  • Or take a guided “Spotlight” tour (or a tower climb) to see the gargoyles, carved stone, and get panoramic views of the city from high up.
• Kennedy Center Roof Terrace: The Kennedy Center has a publicly accessible rooftop terrace (open without tickets much of the day) where you can get some of the best 360° views of DC — including the Lincoln Memorial, Potomac River, and more.
• Holiday & Seasonal Highlights: Since you're there right after Christmas, check out:
  • The Norwegian Christmas Tree at Union Station — a huge holiday tree tradition.
  • Festive lights or winter markets — depending on what’s running that year, DC often has light displays or markets around this time.
• Historic Fort & Scenic Spots:
  • Fort Stanton: A little-known Civil War-era fort in Anacostia — good for a walk and some historical perspective.
  • Thomas Circle & Kalorama: Walking around circles like Thomas Circle gives you a feel for old DC neighborhoods and stately architecture.

A Suggested 3-Day Outline (With Your Priorities)

Here’s a way to mix your tour goals, Arlington, and other sites without feeling like you’re rushing the Smithsonians:

• Day 1 (Dec 26):
  • Try for your White House tour (if approved). If not, do a walk around President’s Park and visit the Visitor Center.
  • Walk the Mall at dusk / night — the monuments often look magical lit up.
  • Finish with a rooftop view at the Kennedy Center for a sunset or evening skyline.
• Day 2 (Dec 27):
  • Morning: Tour the U.S. Capitol (if arranged), or at least walk the grounds and visit the iconic dome.
  • Midday: Head to Arlington National Cemetery — see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and pay respects.
  • Afternoon or evening: Visit the National Cathedral — do a self-guided tour, or if booked, a tower climb or guided tour.
• Day 3 (Dec 28):
  • Use this day for a few “other gems”: Fort Stanton for a quieter historic walk, or Thomas Circle / Kalorama for architecture.
  • If your schedule allows, do one Smithsonian museum that's most meaningful to you, but don’t feel pressured to “do them all.”
  • Wrap up with a relaxing dinner or evening walk — maybe revisit a monument in evening lights or find a cozy spot overlooking the city.

Final Thoughts

Given how short your trip is, I would *not* try to cram in too many Smithsonian museums — instead focus on a few high-impact experiences (White House, Arlington, Cathedral) plus some seasonal or architectural moments. That will give you a memorable, balanced, and “Washington” feeling — not just museum fatigue.

Make sure your tour requests (especially White House and Capitol) are submitted *as soon as possible* via your congressman’s office. And when you're not touring, pick a couple special viewpoints (Kennedy Center terrace, Cathedral tower) to soak in the city in a different way.

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