Screenshot it, print it, or save it as a PDF — this is the whole Mall on one sheet, for the dead zones around the big government buildings.

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DC CHEAT SHEET VISIT DC NOW · 2027 EDITION

The icons, the perfect-day order, and Metro survival — everything below is free unless marked.

🏛️ The icons — all free

  • Lincoln Memorial45–60 min
    Sunrise or after dark · Foggy Bottom
  • Washington Monument60–90 min
    Free timed tickets — book the moment your dates are set · Smithsonian
  • WWII · Vietnam · Korean War Memorials30–45 min
    The WWII fountains after dark are the city's best free show
  • Jefferson · FDR · MLK MemorialsTidal Basin loop
    Cherry-blossom season (late Mar–early Apr) or lit up at night
  • U.S. Capitol tour60–90 min
    Free — book online ahead · Capitol South
  • National Archives1 hr
    Declaration + Constitution under glass · Archives
  • Library of Congress1–2 hrs
    The most beautiful interior in Washington · Capitol South
  • Air & Space · Natural History2–3 hrs
    Free — reserve timed passes online first

💡 Local truths

  • Every Mall memorial is free and open 24/7 — only the Monument interior needs a ticket.
  • Timed passes sell out — book museums before flights.
  • The Mall is 2 miles end to end — real walking shoes, 15,000+ steps a day.
  • Monuments at night are safe, patrolled, and spectacular.
  • DCA airport is 15 minutes downtown with its own Metro stop — always pick it if the fare is close.

🗓️ The perfect day, in order

  • 8:30 — U.S. Capitol tour (booked ahead)
  • 10:30 — Library of Congress, across the street
  • 12:00 — Quick lunch near the Mall
  • 1:30 — One Smithsonian, done deep
  • 3:30 — Mall walk west: Monument → WWII → Reflecting Pool → Lincoln
  • 6:30 — Sunset on the Lincoln steps
  • 8:00 — Dinner in Penn Quarter

🚇 Metro survival

  • Fares: $2.25–$6.75 weekday by distance · $2.25–$2.50 late nights & weekends
  • Hours: Mon–Thu 5 AM–midnight · Fri 5 AM–3 AM · Sat 7 AM–midnight · Sun 7 AM–midnight
  • Pay: SmarTrip card ($2) or just tap your phone / contactless card at the gate
  • Rules: stand right, walk left · no eating or drinking · kids under 5 ride free
  • Key stations: Smithsonian (Mall) · Metro Center · Gallery Pl · L'Enfant Plaza · Union Station · Foggy Bottom (Lincoln)
  • Weekend track work is common — check wmata.com before heading out

🆘 If plans break

  • Rainy day → any Smithsonian (all free, all indoors)
  • Tired feet → the Circulator bus loops the Mall for $1
  • Hungry fast → Eastern Market (Capitol Hill) or Union Market (NoMa)
QR code for the Visit DC Now app

Want live trains, audio walking tours, and 36 spots with local tips?
Scan for the free Visit DC Now app — works offline on the Mall.
visitdcnow.com/app · Made with care in Washington, DC