Washington DC on my own?

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DH is working there so i can get in on his free accommodation and just pay for my flight.

id be alone all day, is it a nice city for a lone woman to walk around in? It seems there’s plenty of museums/things to do. Has anyone been and what did you enjoy?

We went this summer. I loved it. The Smithsonians are incredible. Truly incredible. For those alone, I'd jump at the chance!

There's a great food scene dotted around if that's your thing.

We also went to a baseball game which was great and felt a very safe crowd.

It didn't feel unsafe at all to me in the summer but we were in a family of 4 so possibly my experience would have been different alone. I don't think so though.

My vote would be to do it!

I was there last year on my own. I found it was fine and happy to wander round all the sights on my own. If you go book museums in advance. Many are timed slots and do sell out.

I’m happy (daytime) on my own, I was just wondering if there was lots to do. I’ve seen there are a lot of museums and I enjoy culture. I hate booking in advance though I’m such a spontaneous traveler! It sounds like I need to make a plan and stick to it

How easy is it to get around?

my other option is to leave him in Washington and catch the train to NYC, but I’ve been there before.

Definitely do it. It’s a great city. So much to see. Most of it is all within walking distance.

As others have said the museums are all incredible. I want to go back as we only had a couple of days.

I spent a day there on my own a couple of years ago. I was staying in a fairly central hotel and wandered round the White House, Lincoln monument etc, it was absolutely fine.

Which museums would you prioritize?

I have:

capitol and library
national museum of African American history
American history museum

I went about 15yrs ago on my own for three days. Had a lovely time. Lots of museums, you can book to go into Congress. I combined it with a longer trip and took a bus to NYC.

It’s been almist 20 years since I last went but in all the main touristy areas I’d feel safe

The National Mall is all museums and all free - you will have a ball. Book some group sightseeing tours too so you are not alone all the time. I really like the DK top 10 guidebooks and would just what's in that !

I have been to DC on my own. It’s a great city for solo sightseeing.

i would add the air and space museum, the National Archives and Ford Theatre to your list.
Also the monuments.
i did a trolley tour first to get an idea where everything was and then went back to places I wanted to see.

I'd add the Smithsonian Art Museum and National Museum of the American Indian to that list.

The Spy Museum is slightly cheesy but really super interesting. If you can stretch to it, we booked on a guided tour - the guy was ex "something in intelligence" and really knew his stuff - it was an absolutely fascinating addition to any already great museum!

Smithsonian natural history

I spent time alone there in my early 20s. Touristy DC is very different to some residential areas- really great, interesting, loads to see and do, very walkable.

NB for the African American Museum you'll definitely need a ticket - i think its one of the newer ones and is often fully booked apparently.

It will sound odd but I thought Arlington was very moving and well worth a few hours. Easy to get to too.
I went full tourist and did the bus tour.

There are also some really interesting residential neighbourhoods in easy distance of the centre. Georgetown, Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle are all fun with nice architecture (particularly Georgetown) and shops, cafes, etc.

Recommend all the above, Arlington and a boat trip down the Potomac!

I had a couple of days on my own in Washington last year and absolutely loved it. I went to the museum of African American history and culture and it was one of the best museums I've ever been to. Also went on open top bus tour round the sites and wandered round Georgetown. All felt very safe and enjoyable.

If you go for a wander around Georgetown you could have coffee/pancakes in Martin’s Tavern.

Agree with previous poster about booking museum times slot well in advance as they do get fully booked. I think I booked about a month in advance.

I stayed Dupont Circle

Yes the Mall area is fine and I think there is a hop-on hop-off bus that does the circuit of all the major museums and sights.

You used to be able to book a tour of the US Capitol building, not sure if that is still open to visitors. Also one to go up to the top of the Washington Monument.

Of the many memorials, I especially like the Vietnam war one and ghe one to ML King.

I would not wonder away from the Mall area on my own unless I really knew where I was going. You can be very quickly in less safe areas.

We had a wonderful trip to WDC this summer. Highly recommend and it felt very safe, clean and easy to navigate.

Just adding to all the great recommendations: The People’s House, A White House experience.

When are you planning on going there?.

Washington metro is easy to use and to get around on.

Re the Capitol building due to a lapse in Federal funding the building is currently closed and all tours are cancelled.

more information here
https://www.visitthecapitol.gov

If the government shutdown continues past October 11, the Smithsonian will then close to the public.

I’ll be there in March. Hopefully they’ll have reopened by then! I also imagine it’ll be quite cold. I’m a runner so I quite fancy the idea of jogging around all the monuments if that’s a possibility