More about: Washington Day Trips from New York
The illustrious city of Washington represents the spirit of the United States with its streets and museums presided over by the Capitol. On a tour to Washington you can see, among other points of interest, the White House or the Pentagon.
The excursion to Washington from New York is one of the best tours you can do from the Big Apple, and in fact, there are several types of tours to suit all budgets and trip lengths. Here are the ones that, for me, are the best:
Washington D.C. Day Trip From NYC
The best of Washington, in one day and at the best price
Perfect if you want to leave New York for a day to get to know Washington DC and its most popular attractions, such as the White House, the Capitol or the Lincoln Memorial.
The best way to visit Washington from New York in one day and learn about the history of each monument of the city with a professional guide, is with an organized tour. The Washington tour is a full day tour with round trip bus transportation and takes about 4 hours.
During the city tour you will see the highlights of Washington such as The White House, the U.S. Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, The Pentagon and the Lincoln Memorial, among others. You will have free time to explore at your leisure and have lunch where you choose.
Why I like this tour: in addition to its good value for money, I recommend this activity because it includes a very complete tour of Washington and you will get the most out of the tour.
Recommended if... you want to visit Washington DC and see its main attractions, but do not want to spend too much time or budget.
Philadelphia and Washington DC 2-Day Trip from New York
The most complete getaway to Washington
If you are looking forward to seeing Washington DC but are afraid that one day will be too short, join this tour that also stops in Philadelphia. Lodging included.
If you prefer to make the most of your time and combine two tours in one, I recommend booking the two-day tour of Washington with a visit to Philadelphia. In Washington you will discover all the essential attractions, such as the White House, the Capitol, the Pentagon and the Vietnam and Korean Veterans Memorials.
On tours to Philadelphia from New York you will also visit an important part of the history of the United States, going to see the Liberty Bell. You will also get to see the mythical Statue of Rocky and its famous staircase and visit a traditional Amish Community.
Why I like this tour: this is a more complete tour and takes you to the main points of interest, not only in Washington, but also in Philadelphia. It's a great way to make the most of your trip and get to know the major cities on the East Coast.
Recommended if... you're looking to get away for a couple of days during your trip to New York and don't want to worry about organization, transportation or accommodations.
America 4-Day Tour from New York City (Niagara Falls, Washington and Philadelphia)
The best of the East Coast, in four days
The United States is much more than New York and with this tour to Washington, Philadelphia and Niagara Falls you will see the highlights of the East Coast. Lodging included.
If you have time to spare for a tour of the East Coast of the United States, this trip is for you. In four days, you can tour Washington, Philadelphia and Niagara Falls from New York, seeing the highlights of each place.
In Washington you will tour the city with a guide who will take you to the White House, the Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon and the Lincoln Memorial, among other points of interest. And on your way through Philadelphia, you will visit the Liberty Bell and the Rocky Statue, as well as a traditional Amish community to see how members of these colonies still live.
Finally, in Niagara, the wildest and most natural jewel of the East Coast, you will enter the National Park, Watkins Glen State Park and She-Qua-Ga Falls.
Recommended if... you have extra days on your trip to New York, because this tour will offer you four days of contrast to what you will have seen in the Big Apple. The nature of the Falls, the history of Philadelphia and the stately spirit of Washington will seem like another world.
Why I like this tour: If you were to do this tour on your own, it would be impossible to fit it into such a short time, so this seems to me to be the most efficient way to squeeze the most out of your time.
Let's compare the three options
The best of Washington, in one day and at the best price
Perfect if you want to leave New York for a day to get to know Washington DC and its most popular attractions, such as the White House, the Capitol or the Lincoln Memorial. Free time included.
The most complete getaway to Washington
If you're looking forward to seeing Washington DC but are afraid that one day will be too short, join this tour that also stops in Philadelphia and includes lodging.
The best of the East Coast in four days
With this tour to Washington, Philadelphia and Niagara Falls you will see the highlights of the East Coast. Lodging included.
What to see in Washington?
Seeing Washington's major monuments is easy, as most of them are located inside the National Mall. As you might imagine, the main interest of these monuments is related to the political history of the United States and its presidents. Most Washington day trips and two-day tours follow an itinerary similar to this:
- National Mall: National Mall (also known as the National Mall) is the expanse that contains the Capitol, the famous Obelisk, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Institution building, and other points of interest.
- The Capitol and the Library of Congress: Start the day by visiting the iconic Capitol, home of the U.S. Congress, and the Library of Congress, which you are free to enter at your leisure and marvel at its spectacular interior.
- U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial: You'll know this memorial statue when you see it. It depicts U.S. soldiers raising the flag on Iwo Jima, and hopefully you'll see a military parade passing in front of it.
- Lincoln Memorial: Located at the west end of the National Mall, the memorial dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln has been the site of numerous historically significant speeches, including Martin Luther King's famous 1963 speech.
- Korean War Veterans Memorial: Southeast of the Lincoln Memorial you will find a series of steel statues depicting a group of soldiers, arranged in a triangle shape in front of a wall with images of the Korean War.
- The White House: A must-see if you take a trip to Washington. Even if you do not take a tour of the interior, you can see the unmistakable building from the outside fence (except on some occasions, such as official events).
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial: Unveiled in 2011, the memorial consists of a granite statue of the leader of the Civil Rights Movement quarried from a rock behind him, where a series of inscriptions related to Martin Luther King Jr. are located.
- Arlington National Cemetery: This military cemetery holds the remains of more than 14,000 veterans of wars as old as the American Civil War. Arlington National Cemetery is quite unique, with headstones rising above ground along a grove of trees.
Plan your Washington tour from New York City
First of all, if you book a tour to Washington from New York, the round trip will take you about seven hours. If you're reading this, you know that discovering new places is always worthwhile, and the truth is that Washington is an interesting enough city overall to justify the long trip from New York.
Plus, with an organized tour you won't have to worry about how to get to Washington from New York That said, one day is enough to see the sights and buildings of interest in Washington, so some tours combine a visit to Washington with a tour of Philadelphia.
What is the best day of the week to tour Washington?
As you might imagine, it is best to visit Washington during the week and avoid Saturdays and Sundays.
Specifically, if you book a tour to Washington from New York, the best days are Mondays and Wednesdays, as the sights tend to be less crowded after 2 p.m. Many of the museums and monuments are closed. Many of the museums and monuments are closed on holidays, so try to avoid holidays to see everything.
What is the best time of the year to take a tour to Washington from New York?
If you happen to be visiting New York in the spring or fall, you will be lucky to be able to book a tour to Washington at the best time of the year. Winter in Washington is quite cold, and the problem with summer in Washington is that it tends to rain at least once a week and it is also quite hot.
Without a doubt, the best time to visit Washington is spring, when you will have the opportunity to enjoy the city full of almond blossoms.
- Winter
- December - March
- Weather: Occasional blizzards
- High 7ºC
- Low -7ºC
- Spring
- March - June
- Climate: Changeable
- High 25ºC
- Low -2ºC
- Summer
- June - August
- Climate: Hot
- High 28ºC
- Minimum 13ºC
- Autumn
- September - November
- Weather: Sunny
- High 23ºC
- Low 1ºC
Where to eat on your trip to Washington from New York City
If you book a tour to Washington from New York, bewareof restaurants in the more touristy areas! A meal for two can easily run up to $50 (approximately $46.50).
If you are on a tight budget, it is best to pack food in your backpack or look for cheaper dining options, as most tours to Washington from New York do not include food.
Some of my recommendations
- Pho 75: near Arlington National Cemetery you'll find this Vietnamese restaurant, ranked #7 of 712 on TripAdvisor.
- Five Guys, Swizzler Burger Truck or Proper 21: Washington is known for its typically American food and especially its burgers, so any of these options will delight any meat lover.
- Lincoln's Waffle Shop: Another option is to have a hearty, American-style breakfast. If the combination of pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs makes your mouth water, this is the place for you.
- Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken: if doughnuts are your thing, come to this place and take one (or several) of these delicacies to go.
What should I take with me if I take a tour to Washington?
If you book a tour to Washington from New York and as a general rule, I advise you to wear comfortable clothes and footwear suitable for walking for a whole day, as even if you take public transportation you will have to walk a bit to visit each monument.
Washington DC is an elegant city and its inhabitants reflect this: the style of dress tends to be more smart than casual. You won't find too many people wearing flip-flops, shorts or T-shirts, so if you don't want to look like a tourist, it's best to avoid this type of attire.
Check the weather before traveling to Washington
With this in mind, it makes sense that if you visit the city in summer, you should wear the coolest outfit possible, as temperatures are quite high. As you know, it tends to rain, so it is a good idea to bring a raincoat or umbrella just in case.
Winters in Washington are cold and it is rare for temperatures to rise above 0º, so be prepared for some pretty extreme temperatures. And if you visit Washington during the warm season, Arlington Cemetery will be full of mosquitoes - take repellent if you don't want to get massacred!
Latest tips on your Washington from New York tour
If you book a tour to Washington from New York you will love it if you are a lover of American politics and history, if you enjoy strolling through cities full of monuments, parks and imposing squares and if you are interested in architecture and urban planning, as Washington has a somewhat unique floor plan. If you find it's not your style, since you're in New York, try some of the hundreds of New York City tours that exist.
Washington with kids
And if you 're visiting Washington with kids, don't worry: it's very easy to get around the city using public transportation, which is also safe and quality. You won't have to walk too far and thanks to the large number of parks and esplanades you can take a break from sightseeing when necessary.
Don't forget
- Some tips we can give you before your trip is not to carry too much cash to avoid having it stolen or lost, but keep in mind that in some restaurants and local stores credit cards are not accepted (for example, in Pho 75, you can only pay in cash).
- For the same reason, avoid carrying valuable belongings and leave what is not essential at your hotel or apartment.
- Remember to carry your passport and be prepared to go through the occasional security check, especially at monuments and points of interest such as Arlington Cemetery. Washington DC takes security quite seriously, and in fact, it is not for less given the political importance of the city.
All that's left for me to say is... get on the road!