Exclusive for America's 250th
Explore landmarks and icons related to democracy, the struggle for civil rights, the First Amendment and more.
There’s no better place to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than Washington, DC. In the itinerary below, we present sites and activities that reflect the history of democracy and free speech in the U.S. along with some dining suggestions to fill out your day.
Whether you plan to visit the nation’s capital in 2025 or 2026, the itinerary below will serve your adventure well. Learn more about how the District plans to honor the semi quincentennial.
Your stay: Consider a room at the Willard Hotel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. stayed before the March on Washington. DC also has plenty of additional hotel options.
Day 1
Morning
DC’s centerpiece has also been the site of numerous protests and demonstrations over the years. Walk along the National Mall and relive moments that transformed American history. Make sure to spend time at the Lincoln Memorial, especially; the marvelous monument is also the place where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech. Of course, Abraham Lincoln was a great orator himself (more on Honest Abe later).
Afternoon
Visit Le Pain Quotidien in Penn Quarter for brunch/lunch. Breakfast items are served throughout the day and the café (which has four total locations in DC) also offers delicious baked goods. Afterwards, walk over to Planet Word, which brings language to life through engaging and interactive exhibits. Housed inside the historic Franklin School, the world’s first voice-activated museum features immersive displays that speak to the power of words and how language can foster joy, empathy and connection around the world. The museum does not charge admission but a donation is recommended.
Evening
Spend your night at The Wharf, an on-the-water development that has become a town square of sorts. Shopping, dining and recreation options are plentiful. Hotel Hive has &pizza, Hive Bar for craft cocktails and Hive Rooftop for awesome views. Reckon with the power of voice at The Anthem, The Wharf’s 6,000-seat, state-of-the-art concert venue that hosts musical acts as well as leading comedians, podcasts and orators.
Day 2
Morning
A Tour Of Her Own is the first tourism company in DC to focus exclusively on women’s history, so join their Capitol Hill excursion that focuses on the 1913 women’s suffrage procession and ends at the Belmont-Paul House. The 200-year-old house was home base for the National Woman’s Party, founded by Alice Paul and responsible for shifting perspectives towards the equality of women in the U.S.
Afternoon
For lunch, indulge in Balkan cuisine at Ambar, a sophisticated Capitol Hill locale that offers a “Dining Without Limits” experience. Once you’re satisfied, it’s time to make your way to the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, also known as Cedar Hill. Book a guided tour of the historic home of one of America’s greatest orators and abolitionists. Douglass was the most important leader of the movement for African American civil rights in the 19th century.
Evening
It’s been a busy day of touring, so nighttime is for relaxation. The Capitol Riverfront neighborhood provides lots of options, including Shilling Canning Company, a family-owned restaurant that honors the flavors of the Chesapeake through Chef Reid Shilling’s menu. After the meal, take a peaceful walk around Yards Park or grab post-dinner drinks at either District Winery or Bluejacket Brewery.
Day 3
Morning
Few American figures represent the power of speech more than Abraham Lincoln, so a voyage to President Lincoln’s Cottage is a must for this itinerary. Located in Petworth, the estate offers guided tours of the iconic President’s summer home where he is said to develop some of his greatest ideas, the Emancipation Proclamation.
Afternoon
Make your way back downtown for lunch. We highly suggest trying the elevated Mexican food at Mi Vida or dining at any one of José Andrés' three restaurants in Penn Quarter (Zaytinya, China Chilcano, Jaleo).
Spend the rest of the afternoon navigating the halls of the National Museum of American History, where you can learn about the importance of free speech in exhibits like American Democracy and Many Voices, One Nation.
Evening
U Street, once known as “Black Broadway” thanks to Duke Ellington’s influence on his home city and the neighborhood’s abundance of jazz clubs, is still at the epicenter of cultural expression in the nation’s capital. Concert venues like the 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre and The Howard Theatre mean there’s always a show going on and the street is packed with nightlife spots as well.