How many days

Question

We will be coming to Washington in July next Yr and would like any advice on places I have missed off and how many days will be needed to do what I have listed below.

1.Library of Congress

2.U.S Capitol building

3.National air and space museum

4.Top of Washington monument

5.Arlington national cemetery tour a9nd changing of guard

6.walk national mall and see all memorials walking tour

7.White House from outside

8.union Station

9.A marine barracksevening parade

10.Spy museum

Answer

Visiting Washington, D.C. in July can be quite hot, so planning your days efficiently will help you enjoy all the sites you listed without feeling rushed. Based on your list, a realistic approach would be 4–5 full days, depending on how much time you spend at each site and whether you want to include additional attractions.

Here’s a breakdown of your list with approximate timing and suggestions:

Library of Congress: 1–2 hours for the main reading room, exhibits, and architecture. Located near the Capitol, easy to combine with a U.S. Capitol visit.
U.S. Capitol Building: 1–2 hours for a guided tour. Book in advance. Can be paired with the Library of Congress visit.
National Air and Space Museum: 2–3 hours minimum. Exhibits are extensive, so plan accordingly.
Top of Washington Monument: 30–60 minutes including ticketing and elevator ride. Tickets often require advance booking, especially in summer.
Arlington National Cemetery tour & Changing of the Guard: 2–3 hours. Include time to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Kennedy gravesites, and possibly a driving tour if desired.
Walk National Mall & memorials: 2–3 hours or more depending on walking pace. Consider grouping memorials by proximity (Lincoln, WWII, Vietnam, Korean War, MLK).
White House (outside view): 15–30 minutes. Can be combined with Ellipse and nearby memorials.
Union Station: 30–45 minutes for architecture, shops, and quick meal or coffee. Can be done in transit between other sites.
Marine Barracks Evening Parade: 1–1.5 hours. Occurs on specific evenings; check the schedule. Best to plan around this as a standalone evening activity.
International Spy Museum: 1.5–2 hours. Interactive and fun, especially for older kids or adults. Can be done in the same day as nearby museums or monuments.

Suggested daily itinerary to cover your list efficiently:

Day 1: U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, Union Station, White House (outside)
Day 2: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian nearby museums if time permits, walk National Mall memorials
Day 3: Arlington National Cemetery, Changing of the Guard, optional additional memorials
Day 4: Washington Monument, International Spy Museum, free time for shopping or revisiting favorite spots
Evening options: Marine Barracks Evening Parade can be scheduled for one of the nights

Additional considerations:

Book tickets for Capitol, Washington Monument, and any guided tours in advance.
Plan early mornings for outdoor sites to avoid midday heat, especially in July.
Allow flexibility for walking pace and breaks. D.C. is very walkable but distances between some sites can be long in hot weather.

In summary, 4 full days will allow you to cover all your listed attractions comfortably, with the fifth day as a buffer for revisits, shopping, or extra museums if desired.

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