Washington Day Trips from New York
Washington DC is undoubtedly one of America's major cities and can be visited in just one day from New York.
One of Washington DC's main thoroughfares | ©Jorge Alcala
The illustrious city of Washington represents the spirit of the United States with its streets and museums presided over by the Capitol. On a trip to Washington you can see, among others, the White House or the Pentagon.
A trip to Washington from New York is one of the best trips you can take 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:
The best of Washington, in one day and at the best price.
Perfect if you want to leave New York for a day to see Washington DC and its most popular attractions, such as the White House, the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.
The best way to visit Washington from New York in one day, not miss anything of the city, and learn the history of each monument with the explanation in Spanish of a professional guide is with an organised tour. This is a full day tour (12-15 hours) with round-trip transportation by air-conditioned bus with WiFi. It takes about 4 hours to get to Washington from New York, and your group will consist of a maximum of about 50 people.
All entrance fees are included in this tour, and you will have free time at lunchtime (which is not included in the activity) to explore at your leisure and eat where you choose. If you'd like a few recommendations on where to eat in Washington, I'll leave a few at the end!
During the city tour you'll see the highlights of Washington, including the White House, the US Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon, the National Air and Space Museum, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean Memorial.
Why I like this tour: In addition to being good value for money, I recommend this tour because it includes a very comprehensive tour of Washington so you'll get the most out of the tour.
Recommended if... you want to visit Washington DC and see the main attractions but don't want to spend too much time or budget on it.
The most complete getaway to Washington
If you're looking forward to seeing Washington DC but are afraid that one day might be too short, join this tour that also stops in Philadelphia. Accommodation included.
If you prefer to make the most of your time and combine two tours in one, the two-day Washington tour includes a visit to Philadelphia and is a good choice. In Washington you will discover all the essential attractions, such as The White House, the US Capitol, the Arlington National Cemetery
U.S. Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon, the National Air and Space Museum, the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam and Korean Veterans Memorials.
On your way through Philadelphia you will also see an important part of American history by going to see the Liberty Bell. You will also be taken to see the legendary 'Rocky' Statue and its famous staircase and visit a traditional Amish Community.
Why I like this tour: This is a more comprehensive tour and takes you to the main points of interest, not only in Washington, but also in Philadelphia. You'll see the Liberty Bell and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where the famous 'Rocky' scene was filmed on the steps. This is a good way to make the most of your trip to Washington, to get to know another of the main cities on the East Coast.
Recommended if... you fancy a couple of days' getaway during your trip to New York and don't want to worry about organisation, transport or accommodation.
The best of the East Coast, in four days
The United States is much more than New York and this tour to Washington, Philadelphia and Niagara Falls will take you to the highlights of the East Coast. Accommodation included.
If you have time to spare for a tour of various points of interest on the East Coast of the United States, this trip is for you. In four days, you will visit Washington, Philadelphia and Niagara Falls from New York, seeing the highlights of each place. If you're only interested in Niagara Falls, you can read our article where we tell you all the secrets.
In Washington, you'll tour the city with a guide who will take you to the White House, the Capitol, the symbolic Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon, the National Air and Space Museum and the Lincoln Memorial, among many other things.
On your way through Philadelphia you will visit the Liberty Bell and the statue of Rocky, as well as the famous staircase where the legendary scene from his movie was filmed. You will also visit a traditional Amish community to see how the members of these traditional colonies still live.
Finally in Niagara, the wildest and most natural jewel of the East Coast, you will visit the National Park, Watkins Glen State Park and She-Qua-Ga Falls. Your guide will make sure you don't miss any of the best sights. On the way back to New York you will stop to do some shopping at the Crossings Premium Outlets.
Recommended if... you have four extra days on your trip to New York, this is definitely the best way to make the most of them. Firstly, because I think this four-day tour will offer you a great contrast to what you will have seen in the Big Apple. The wilderness 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 like the most efficient way to make the most of your time.
In summary, we 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 see Washington DC and its most popular attractions, such as the White House, the Capitol or the Lincoln Memorial
The most complete Washington getaway
If you're looking forward to seeing Washington DC but you're afraid that one day might be too short, join this tour that also stops in Philadelphia and includes accommodation.
The best of the East Coast in four days
There's more to America than just New York and this tour to Washington, Philadelphia and Niagara Falls will take you to the highlights of the East Coast. Includes accommodation.
What to see in Washington
Seeing Washington's major monuments is easy, as most of them are located within 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 day trips to Washington and two-day tours follow a similar itinerary:
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 Library of Congress
Start the day with a visit to the iconic Capitol, home of the United States Congress, and the Library of Congress, which is free to enter if you feel like it and marvel at its spectacular interior.
U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial
You'll know this memorial statue when you see it. It depicts American soldiers raising the flag on Iwo Jima, and if you're lucky 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 speech in 1963.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
To the southeast of the Lincoln Memorial you'll find a series of steel statues depicting a group of soldiers, arranged in the shape of a triangle in front of a wall of Korean War imagery.
The White House
A must-see if you take a trip to Washington. Even if you don't take a tour of the interior, you can still see the distinctive building from the outside fence (except on some occasions, such as official events).
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
Inaugurated in 2011, the monument consists of a granite statue of the leader of the Civil Rights Movement carved out of a rock behind him, which bears a series of inscriptions relating to Martin Luther King Jr.
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 out of the ground along a grove of trees.
Plan your trip to Washington from New York City
First of all, it's worth bearing in mind that the round trip will take you about seven hours. If you're reading this, you know that discovering new places is always worthwhile, and Washington is an interesting enough city in general to justify the long trip from New York. Plus, with an organised tour you won't have to worry about how to get to Washington from New York.
That said, one day is enough time to see the sights and buildings of interest in Washington, so some tours combine a visit to Washington with a tour of Philadelphia.
Best day of the week for a trip to Washington from New York
As you might expect, it's best to visit Washington during the week and avoid Saturdays and Sundays. Specifically, the best days to do this tour are Mondays and Wednesdays, and the sights tend to be less crowded after 2pm. Many of the museums and monuments are closed on public holidays, so try to avoid public holidays to see everything.
Best time of the year to tour Washington from New York
If you happen to be visiting New York in spring or autumn, you'll be lucky to be able to take a trip to Washington at the best time of the year. Winter in Washington is quite cold, and the problem with summer is that it tends to rain at least once a week and it's quite hot. The best time to visit Washington is in the spring, when you'll have the chance to see the city full of almond blossoms.
- Winter
- December - March
- Weather: Occasional blizzards
- High 7ºC
- Low -7ºC
- Spring
- March - June
- Climate: Changeable
- Maximum 25ºC
- Minimum -2ºC
- Summer
- June - August
- Climate: Hot
- Maximum 28ºC
- Minimum 13ºC
- Autumn
- September - November
- Climate: Sunny
- High 23ºC
- Minimum 1ºC
Where to eat on your trip to Washington from New York City
Beware of restaurants in the more touristy areas! A meal for two can easily run up to US$50. If you're on a tight budget, it's best to pack food in your backpack or look for cheaper dining options, as most tours to Washington from New York don't include food.
Some of my recommendations:
- Pho 75 - near Arlington National Cemetery you'll find this Vietnamese restaurant, which ranks 7 out of 712 on TripAdvisor.
- Five Guys, Swizzler Burger Truck or Proper 21 - Washington is known for its all-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, head here and take one (or more) of these treats to go.
What should I take with me to Washington?
As a general rule of thumb, wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for a full day's walking, as even if you take public transport you will have to walk a bit to visit each monument. Washington DC is an elegant city and the locals reflect this: the style of dress tends to be smart rather than casual. You won't find too many people wearing flip-flops, shorts or a T-shirt, so if you don't want to look like a tourist it's best to avoid this type of attire.
Check the weather before you travel
Bearing this in mind, it makes sense if you visit the city in summer to dress as cool as possible as temperatures are quite high. As you know, it tends to rain, so it's a good idea to bring a mackintosh or umbrella just in case. Winters are cold and temperatures rarely rise above freezing, so be prepared for extreme temperatures.
Alex's Traveler Tip
If you're visiting Washington during the warmer months, Arlington Cemetery will be swarming with mosquitoes - take repellent if you don't want to be massacred!
Final tips
You'll love Washington if you're interested in American politics and history, if you enjoy strolling through cities full of monuments, parks and imposing squares, and if you're interested in architecture and urban planning as Washington has a somewhat unique floor plan. If this isn't your style, since you're in New York, try some of the hundreds of tours of New York City that exist.
Washington with kids
And if you're visiting with kids, don't worry: it's easy to get around the city using public transport, which is also safe and good quality. You won't have to walk too far and the abundance of parks and esplanades means you can take a break from sightseeing when you need to.
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 be aware that some restaurants and local shops do not accept credit cards (for example, at Pho 75, you can only pay in cash). For the same reason, avoid carrying valuables and leave what you don't need at your hotel or flat.
Remember to carry your passport and be prepared to go through the occasional security check, especially at monuments and landmarks such as Arlington Cemetery. Washington DC takes security quite seriously, not least because of the city's political importance.
Let's travel!
Frequently asked questions
What places can I visit in one day in Washington DC?
You visit Arlington Cemetery, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Mall and pass through downtown Washington DC.
Will there be a visit to the White House?
For security reasons, you will not enter the White House, but you will see the outside. Depending on the day, you may be able to take a photo from outside the fence.
What is the best time of year to visit Washington DC?
A visit to Washington DC is worthwhile at any time of the year, but you might want to head to the city during the cherry blossom festival (between March and April) for some of the city's most unique sights.
How far is it from Washington to New York?
About 360 km, less than 4 hours by car.