Go deeper into the story of America, from civil rights struggles to immigrant experiences and beyond.
There’s no better place to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than Washington, DC. In the itinerary below, we guide you through crucial but perhaps lesser-known moments, places and people that have shaped U.S. history.
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 DC plans to honor the semi quincentennial.
Your stay: Consider Hotel Zena, with its lobby that showcases DC artists and the contributions that courageous women have made to the city. Peruse historic hotel options as well.
Day 1
Morning
National Museum of African American History and Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) awaits you with five levels of stories, exhibits and artifacts (free, timed-entry passes are required). Begin your day at the monumental tribute to Black life in the United States. Before you depart, enjoy lunch at the museum’s in-house restaurant, Sweet Home Café, which offers up both traditional and contemporary takes on classic Black cuisine as well as seasonally rotating items. Note that the museum celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026.
Afternoon
Once you’re fueled up and ready to dive back into U.S. history in the most tangible of ways, head to the National Archives, truly a treasure trove in DC. Appropriately located on Constitution Avenue, here you’ll find the original Constitution and Declaration of Independence along with photographic exhibits (check out Power & Light: Russell Lee's Coal Survey) and thousands of other documents that have featured in the nation’s making.
Evening
@immigrantfood
Have dinner at Immigrant Food (located near the aforementioned Hotel Zena), a culinary standout that reminds us why multicultural hubs are always the most delicious. With a menu that pulls from all over the globe and includes vegan and vegetarian options, you can’t go wrong in the hands of Michelin-star chef Enrique Limardo, himself an immigrant from Venezuela and commonly credited as the pioneer of modern Venezuelan cooking in the U.S.
Day 2
Morning
Lincoln Memorial
For a hidden history both metaphorically and literally, try the first-of-its-kind 51 Steps to Freedom – an augmented reality trail that spans more than eight miles, effectively turning DC into “the world’s largest outdoor museum.” From scientific discoveries to athletics to Black history to women’s rights, you’ll see the District through a fresh lens at each step.
Afternoon
Ben's Chili Bowl in DC's U Street neighborhood - Where to enjoy all-American eats in Washington, DC
Fortunately, one of the most iconic locations in DC is featured in the 51 Steps: Ben’s Chili Bowl. Have your lunch at this famous diner that more than once served lunch to Martin Luther King, Jr. and has been a hub for civil rights, city pride and chili dogs since it opened in 1958. Try the half-smoke, an insanely popular item among locals.
After lunch, it’s time to satisfy your appetite for art at the National Portrait Gallery. Mark the calendar for when Wendy Red Star’s Whispering Spirit arrives in 2026, an exhibit that focuses on the histories of her Apsáalooke ancestors and community. Isaac Julien’s moving image installation Lessons of the Hour pays homage to Frederick Douglass.
Evening
José Andrés’ China Chilcano is a short walk from the Portrait Gallery. The dynamic restaurant offers you a culinary fusion of Peruvian Criollo, Chinese Chifa and Japanese Nikkei.
An extraordinary day deserves a sparkling conclusion, so it’s the perfect time for a Monuments by Moonlight tour. After all your walking, sit back on an all-weather trolley and see the gorgeous city by night as the moonlit National Mall takes on new meaning.
Day 3
Morning
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House
Spend your third day honoring the women who helped make DC and this country a haven for freedom. In the morning, visit the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument and the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House, two erstwhile private homes that now stand as tributes to two remarkable women. The former has served as headquarters of the National Woman's Party since 1929 and was the epicenter of the struggle for women's suffrage and women's rights; the latter was the first national headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
Afternoon
Nina May
Lunch presents a litany of options. Pappe focuses on north Indian cuisine while New American flavors color the menu of Shaw gem Nina May (so do creative cocktails). After lunch, check out the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, a unique place that brings the various features of the American experience together through artifacts from the home. Fighting for Freedom: Black Craftspeople and the Pursuit of Independence is an exhibit not to be missed (open through Dec. 2025).
Evening
The Kennedy Center
Treat yourself to a free Millennium Stage show at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, held Wednesdays through Saturdays in the Grand Foyer at 6 p.m. Gaze at the calendar and reserve your free ticket to any number of concerts across every genre. Cap the evening off at Jardenea, the Melrose Georgetown Hotel’s signature farm-to-table restaurant. With handcrafted cocktails and sustainable (even foraged) ingredients, you can reflect on all your local nourishment, both culinary and educational.