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When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.

If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape鈥攊t's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.

Indeed, even if you've lived in Washington, D.C. your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for Washington, D.C. reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.

compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in Washington, D.C. using data from . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 15, 2025.

Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in Washington, D.C., read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.

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Tripadvisor

1 / 30

#30. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

- Rating: 4.7/5 (5,996 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

2 / 30

#29. The Phillips Collection

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,443 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

3 / 30

#28. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

- Rating: 4.6/5 (5,861 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

4 / 30

#27. Jefferson Memorial

- Rating: 4.6/5 (6,556 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

5 / 30

#26. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,923 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

6 / 30

#25. Korean War Veterans Memorial

- Rating: 4.7/5 (11,115 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

7 / 30

#24. National World War II Memorial

- Rating: 4.7/5 (10,232 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

8 / 30

#23. Museum Of The Bible

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,262 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

9 / 30

#22. Georgetown

- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,038 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

10 / 30

#21. Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

- Rating: 4.2/5 (4,682 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

11 / 30

#20. Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,331 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

12 / 30

#19. Vietnam Veterans Memorial

- Rating: 4.7/5 (12,013 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

13 / 30

#18. Cath茅drale nationale de Washington

- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,138 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

14 / 30

#17. The National Archives Museum

- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,617 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

15 / 30

#16. National Portrait Gallery

- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,621 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

16 / 30

#15. United States Botanic Garden

- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,896 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

17 / 30

#14. Ford's Theatre

- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,450 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

18 / 30

#13. American History Museum

- Rating: 4.4/5 (5,142 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

19 / 30

#12. National Museum of African American History and Culture

- Rating: 4.8/5 (3,819 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

20 / 30

#11. International Spy Museum

- Rating: 4.0/5 (5,761 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

21 / 30

#10. White House

- Rating: 4.1/5 (8,282 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

22 / 30

#9. Washington Monument

- Rating: 4.5/5 (9,574 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

23 / 30

#8. National Mall

- Rating: 4.6/5 (8,449 reviews)
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24 / 30

#7. U.S. Capitol

- Rating: 4.5/5 (7,216 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

25 / 30

#6. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (11,394 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

26 / 30

#5. Library of Congress

- Rating: 4.7/5 (9,209 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

27 / 30

#4. National Air and Space Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (23,671 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

28 / 30

#3. National Gallery of Art

- Rating: 4.8/5 (10,021 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

29 / 30

#2. Lincoln Memorial

- Rating: 4.7/5 (32,125 reviews)
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Tripadvisor

30 / 30

#1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

- Rating: 4.6/5 (12,644 reviews)
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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