I would have a look on bookings now and see if you can lock into a hotel that offers free breakfast/ridge/microwave/sink with the option to "PAYER LATER". Do not pay up front, you will not get your money back if you have to cancel.
Check the map to see how far the hotel is from the attractions.
DC is expensive for food/metro/hotel.
The metro card costs $2 and comes with $8 in stored fare value for a total price of $10.
The metro is per ride/distance. It's a lot more expensive than NY. IF you travel before 9:30 a.m. and between 3:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m., there is a peak fare. Other times and weekends its off peak.
From metro to bus and vice versa there is what is called a transfer.
The museums are all free, except the private ones.
You will need tickets to visit the Capitol - do a search online and type in visit to US capitol , instructions are there.
The Library of Congress with right across the street from the Capitol is definitely worth a visit. They also do tours, do a search for that.
You will also be able to visit the Supreme Court in the same area as the Capitol/Library of Congress.
All the museums are on the Mall and within walking distance.
You will need tickets to visit the new African American Museum. Tickets are issued three months in advance. I believe the next tickets will be for September either on 5 or 6 June. Do a search on African American Museum and it will ell you how to go about obtaining tickets.
Or you could take a chance on the day and walk up between 11:00 and 1:00 p.m. (I think) and they will let you in
It's worth doing the hop on hop off bus even for one day.
You must visit the:
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a prominent Roman Catholic basilica and national shrine located in Washington, D.C.,
Address: 400 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017
Beautiful place. The metro or Bus #80 will take you right across the street.
They do tours and you can even attend service.
The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington, commonly known as Washington National Cathedral, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States.
Address: 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
This is equivalent to the Anglian Church. Also beautiful and they also English tea on the premises - think you have to book up.
Buses #32, 34, 36 will drop you off right outside. Also the hop in hop off will take you there.
Mount Vernon: George Washington's estate: you can take travel by boat on the Potomac or my train - do a search.
Washington is a beautiful like the rest of America, but one can always tell tourists. Be very aware of your surroundings and pay attention.
It's a very safe city, but I find when people go on vacation they left their guards down too much.
Lastly, when you visit the museums/The Capitol/Library of Congress etc, its like going to TSA security and maybe even worse.
Take as little with you as possible and most definitely no food and water.
Enjoy.