Help with itinerary

Question

I will be flying into DCA July 2-5, female solo, wont be renting a car and staying at Hampton Inn, Crystal City Arlington. Suggest an itinerary for covering must-see attractions. Instead of being out the entire day, I'd like to do a few hours in the morning and a few in the evening. I don't mind walking provided the areas are safe, please suggest public transport I should use as well.

Answer

Here is a detailed, safe, easy-to-follow itinerary for your July 2–5 solo trip to Washington DC while staying at the Hampton Inn Crystal City. Your hotel location is excellent for car-free travel: Crystal City Metro Station is on the Blue & Yellow lines, giving you direct access to the National Mall, Old Town Alexandria, and DCA. The area is safe, walkable, and filled with office workers, shops, and restaurants.

Your preference for sightseeing in the morning and evening in shorter segments works perfectly in DC, especially in July when mid-day heat can be intense. Below is a structured plan, including walking notes, safety considerations, and which Metro to take.

Public transportation you'll use most:

Metro: Blue & Yellow Lines from Crystal City (your main transit option)
Circulator Bus: $1 routes around the National Mall and Georgetown
Walk + Metro mix: Walking is safe in tourist zones, especially the Mall, Capitol Hill, museums, Old Town Alexandria

Safety notes: Tourist areas (National Mall, Capitol Hill, Old Town Alexandria, museums, monuments) are very safe during morning and early evening. Crystal City is safe and well-lit. Avoid deserted areas late at night, especially around large federal buildings where foot traffic drops off.

DAY 1 – July 2: Arrival + Monuments at Sunset

Morning / Early Afternoon (depending on arrival):

Check in at your hotel and get familiar with the area. Crystal City has an indoor underground walkway system (“Crystal City Shops”) that is great if it's hot.

Evening (5pm–9pm): Monuments Loop

DC monuments are magnificent at sunset and after dark, and it’s cooler. This is a perfect, safe solo activity.

Take the Blue Line from Crystal City → Smithsonian Station
Walk the National Mall west toward the monuments
Suggested walking loop:
- Washington Monument
- World War II Memorial
- Reflecting Pool
- Lincoln Memorial (must see at sunset)
- Korean War Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Return by walking back to Smithsonian Metro or use a Circulator bus

This loop is extremely popular and well-lit with many people around.

DAY 2 – July 3: The Smithsonian Highlights

Morning (9am–12pm): Choose 1 or 2 Museums

National Museum of American History – very engaging, easy to navigate
National Museum of Natural History – great for a shorter visit
National Gallery of Art (West Building) – beautiful, calm, air-conditioned

Take the Blue/Yellow Line → L’Enfant Plaza Station or Smithsonian Station depending on your museum choice.

Afternoon Break:

Return to Crystal City to rest, cool off, or grab lunch.

Evening (6pm–9pm): Explore the Capitol & Eastern Mall Area

Take the Blue Line → Capitol South Station
Walk the area around the U.S. Capitol (safe, peaceful in the evening)
Optional: Walk to the Supreme Court and Library of Congress
Walk toward the eastern side of the Mall for great sunset photos

This area stays active and is safe until around 9pm.

DAY 3 – July 4: Georgetown, Waterfront, and Fourth of July Festivities

Morning (9am–12pm): Georgetown Stroll

Georgetown is great in the morning. No Metro station, so you’ll use the Circulator:

Take Blue/Yellow Line → Rosslyn Station
Walk across the Key Bridge into Georgetown (safe, scenic walk)
Stroll M Street and Wisconsin Ave
Relax at the Georgetown Waterfront Park

Afternoon Break: Return to hotel for rest.

Evening (varies): July 4 Fireworks Options

DC fireworks are spectacular but crowds are enormous. For a more comfortable solo-friendly evening:

Option A: Watch from Long Bridge Park – an easy, safe 10–15 minute walk from Crystal City with good views
Option B: Watch from your hotel area – many Crystal City rooftops/parklike spaces offer partial views
Option C: National Mall (only if comfortable with very large crowds) – Metro closes some entrances so follow signs carefully

The safest and easiest option is Long Bridge Park.

DAY 4 – July 5: Old Town Alexandria + Departure

Morning (9am–12pm): Old Town Alexandria