first time to DC

Question

We are coming to DC the end of September for the first time. We are from a small town so we're a little intimidated by the hustle and bustle of everything. We will be staying in Arlington, VA near the Rosslyn metro stop and taking the metro to the Smithsonian stop. We've never been on anything like this. Is it easy to use? Our main areas of focus are the Museum of Natural History, the Library of Congress and the National Zoo and maybe the Holocaust Museum. How walkable would all of this be? We're pretty fit. Are things pretty close together? I see there used to be a bus called the Circulator that is no longer is service? Is there something that has replaced it? Do you think two full days would be suffice?

Thank you for your responses.

Answer

Visiting Washington DC for the first time can feel overwhelming, but staying near the Rosslyn Metro stop in Arlington gives you excellent access to the main attractions. The Metro system is generally straightforward and efficient. From Rosslyn, you can easily take the Orange or Blue lines into the Smithsonian station, which puts you right in the heart of the National Mall.

Regarding your sites:

Museum of Natural History: Located on the National Mall near the Smithsonian station. Very walkable once you exit the Metro.
Library of Congress: Located near Capitol Hill. You can take the Metro to Capitol South station; it’s about a 5-10 minute walk from there.
National Zoo: Part of the Smithsonian, located in the Woodley Park area. You can take the Red Line to Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan station. There’s a bit more walking and the zoo is larger, so allow plenty of time.
Holocaust Museum: Very close to the National Mall; walking from the Smithsonian Metro stop is feasible, but it can take 10-15 minutes depending on which entrance you use.

The main attractions around the National Mall are highly walkable, but some sites like the National Zoo and Library of Congress require using the Metro or a short ride-share/taxi. Distances between the Mall museums are usually manageable for someone fit, but plan for lots of walking and standing.

Regarding public transit, the DC Circulator buses still operate, although routes have evolved over the years. They are low-cost, convenient for short hops, and have routes that cover the National Mall, Georgetown, and other neighborhoods. Alternatively, Metro and ride-share services are reliable options.

Two full days is tight but doable if you focus your itinerary. You might dedicate one day to the National Mall and nearby museums (Natural History, Holocaust Museum, etc.) and the second day to Capitol Hill and the Library of Congress, with the Zoo potentially taking a half or full morning depending on your pace.

Consider starting early to avoid crowds at popular museums.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and plan breaks for food and water.
Use a combination of Metro, Circulator (if convenient), and occasional Uber/Lyft rides to maximize your time.

Overall, your Arlington location is ideal for first-time visitors. With good planning, you can comfortably see your priority sites over two days while keeping the pace enjoyable.