Any advice on how to determine this itinerary?

Question

Hi! My husband and I will be visiting Washington DC (first time) at the end of February. We are in our mid 60s and enjoy walking - 5 to 7 miles per day is fine. We will be staying at the JW Marriott just north of the Mall. We will be there 5 nights with 4 full days to sight see. I have been going over maps, but finding it hard to realistically figure out a plan for what we are interested in. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Things we would like to see/do:

Museum of Natural History

Museum of American History

American Art Museum

National zoo

US Botanical Garden

All the mall memorials

The People’s house

White House (outside)

Arlington Cemetery

Georgetown

A night time Memorial tour

Capitol building and Library of Congress (struggling to figure out a tour here)

National Archives

If anyone has specific tour ideas please let me know. I have been going over things, but would love first hand knowledge. If anyone has specific routes or ways to manage time that would be great too! We would also love to have a Theatre night is anyone can suggest anything. We will be there February 21 - 25. Thanks so much!

Answer

Visiting Washington DC for the first time with a full 4-day schedule can feel overwhelming, but with careful planning, you can cover a lot comfortably while enjoying walking 5-7 miles per day. Since you’re staying at the JW Marriott near the National Mall, most of the major attractions are within easy walking distance or a short Metro ride.

Here’s a suggested itinerary based on your interests and walking preferences:

Day 1 – National Mall Museums: Start with the Museum of Natural History in the morning, then walk to the Museum of American History. Afternoon can be spent at the National Gallery of Art (American Art Museum). This keeps you focused along the central Mall corridor.
Day 2 – Memorials & Night Tour: Spend the day walking the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and World War II Memorial. Add the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial if time allows. Consider a guided night-time memorial tour for a unique perspective after dinner.
Day 3 – Capitol & Nearby Sights: Book a tour of the Capitol Building in advance, and explore the Library of Congress next door. Walk over to the US Botanic Garden and National Archives. Evening: consider a theatre performance; the Shakespeare Theatre Company or Kennedy Center often has shows in February.
Day 4 – Zoo & Georgetown: Take a morning visit to the National Zoo (free admission). In the afternoon, take a short ride or walk to Georgetown for shopping, riverside walks, and dining. This day is lighter on museum walking and includes a scenic neighborhood experience.

Additional practical tips:

For White House viewing, stand on the north side along Pennsylvania Avenue for the classic view; no tours without advance security clearance are possible.
Plan timed entries for Capitol tours and National Gallery to avoid long waits.
Use a combination of walking and short Metro rides or taxis if fatigue sets in.
Carry water and snacks, especially when walking long distances on the Mall.
Book theatre tickets in advance as February shows can sell out.

This itinerary balances museums, memorials, and neighborhoods, keeping most activities geographically grouped and manageable within your walking range. You can swap the order of days depending on weather or ticket availability, but this structure gives a good mix of indoor and outdoor experiences while minimizing backtracking.

Any advice on how to determine this itinerary?

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