help with 3 days in Washington DC

Question

My wife and I are planning a three-day stay (five if you include travel days) to Washington, DC, in early March and would like to know if this itinerary is doable. We both are in our late 50's and although we are no longer spring chickens we can get around without any issues. We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Capitol for its proximity to the metro and buses. We're both morning people, so we plan on having an early breakfast (depending on the mood) and we eat lunch when we get hungry and will do a search for nearby restaurants, nothing specific. Our goal is more the attractions than the restaurants. I marked the "required" attractions that we would like to visit if that helps.

Day 1

Fly into Reagan Airport

do a bus night tour of the memorials

Day 2

* Washington Memorial - early reservation

* Jefferson Memorial

* Lincoln Memorial

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

* Holocaust Memorial - $

Day 3

Arlington Cemetery tour bus - $

* Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

* Changing of the Guard

Kennedy Memorial

* Museum of the Bible - $

Day 4

US Capitol

* White House (both tours request in with our Representative)

Library of Congress

* Gallery of the Arts

Day 5

Fly out

I tried looking at the map and grouping the attractions but any help would be greatly appreciated. Of course, we plan on adding photos and a review and are excited to visit!

Answer

Your planned 3-day itinerary in Washington, D.C., plus travel days, looks very doable, especially since you’re both comfortable walking and using public transport. Staying at the Holiday Inn Capitol is ideal because it provides easy access to the Metro and bus lines, which will be very helpful for navigating between sites without worrying about parking. I’ve grouped and sequenced your attractions to optimize your time and minimize back-and-forth travel.

Day 1 – Arrival & Evening Memorial Tour

Flying into Reagan National Airport is convenient, especially since it’s close to downtown D.C. After settling into your hotel, an evening bus tour of the memorials is a great way to get an overview of the city’s iconic monuments with minimal walking. Many tours depart around 5–6 PM, so you’ll get to see the Lincoln, Jefferson, and WWII memorials beautifully illuminated at night.

Day 2 – National Mall Monuments

Washington Monument: Early reservations are wise to avoid long lines. Allocate about 1–1.5 hours including the observation deck.
Jefferson Memorial: Accessible via a scenic walk or short Metro/bus ride to the Tidal Basin.
Lincoln Memorial & Vietnam Veterans Memorial: These are close together on the western end of the National Mall. Walking between them is easy.
Holocaust Memorial Museum: Tickets are required; allow 2–3 hours to experience the exhibits fully.

This day is very walkable and clustered, minimizing transit time. Wear comfortable shoes.

Day 3 – Arlington & Museum Highlights

Arlington National Cemetery: A bus tour is ideal. Don’t miss the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Changing of the Guard, which happens on the hour.
Kennedy Memorial: Nearby, easily accessible on foot or by short rideshare.
Museum of the Bible: Reserve tickets ahead; plan 2–3 hours. Located near the National Mall, convenient after Arlington if using Metro or rideshare.

Day 4 – Capitol & Historic Buildings

U.S. Capitol: Consider a guided tour (reservation recommended).
Library of Congress: Adjacent to the Capitol; easily walkable. Allocate 1–1.5 hours.
National Gallery of Art: Allow 2–3 hours if you wish to explore main highlights. Located on the National Mall.
White House: Pre-arranged tour through your Representative. Time it in the morning or late afternoon to avoid congestion.

Day 5 – Departure

Plan to leave your hotel at least 1–1.5 hours before your Reagan flight, accounting for Metro or rideshare time to the airport.

Tips for a smoother visit:

Group attractions geographically: Day 2 focuses on the western National Mall, Day 3 combines Arlington with nearby attractions, Day 4 covers Capitol Hill and nearby museums.
Book timed-entry tickets in advance for popular spots: Washington Monument, Holocaust Museum, Museum of the Bible, and White House.
Use Metro and buses to save walking time; the Mall can be long if walking end-to-end.
Carry water and snacks; even with a flexible lunch plan, it’s helpful to have energy on long walking days.

Overall, your itinerary is well-paced, balancing early mornings with sightseeing, and it should allow you to see all “required” attractions without feeling rushed. Early planning for reservations and grouping sites geographically will make your trip enjoyable and efficient.

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