Best Things to Do in Washington DC in March
Things to Do in Washington DC in March
- Book tickets in advance even though it’s free to enter – I would say book around a month before you go to ensure to get a ticket, especially during peak times. Since the pandemic, you used to be able to simply just walk into the museum. Now when you enter a museum you will need a ticket with a specific time slot. This overcomes overcrowding and a more pleasant experience in the museum even though it is a little bit more inconvenient.
- Places I’d advise booking tickets in advance are Spy Museum, Going inside the Washington Monument, National Museum of African American History and Culture (free timed entry passes are required), Space and Air Museum and Ford’s Theatre.
- Don’t stay in Washington DC. When visiting Washington DC try to stay outside the capitol to save on costs. I stayed in Virginia and got the metro into the centre which was more cost-effective as it was cheaper accommodation and the public transport was cheap. Another option is to stay in Maryland.
- Metro: To get on the metro you will need to buy a metro card (currently Washington DC does not accept contactless payment on their metro). If you have an Apple iPhone you can add this digitally to your Apple wallet. Simply find the Wallet app, click on the plus icon top right, travel card, scroll down to the United States and click on SmarTrip. You will then need to top up that card which will be stored on your Apple wallet to use when you need.
DC in March on a budget?
Although Washington DC is the capital of the United States you can do it on a budget, a lot of the museums are free to explore and the metro is affordable to get around. I would recommend staying in either Maryland or Virginia to keep the cost of your accommodation down. These states border DC and are a short journey away by metro.
What to do in Washington DC
Did you know that Washington DC is only a 10-mile radius? There is a lot to do and the best part is most of it is FREE! All 19 Smithsonian museums are free to enter (although some require you to prebook).
- A choice of 19 Smithsonian Museums: (all free to enter)
- National Mall (free to see)
- Arlington Cemetary (free to enter)
- Spy Museum ($)
Free things to do in Washington DC in March
All the following memorials are all inside the National Mall which is completely free to see and explore. They are all outside and can be viewed 24/7. Be aware that there is no public transport around the National Mall.
Lincoln Memorial
Free to see and explore.
The Lincoln Memorial is a popular place to visit when in Washington DC. Do not forget to see the plaque where Martin Luther King made his “I Have a Dream” speech. You can also go inside the memorial where you will find Lincoln sat down in the middle. The Parthenon in Greece inspired the memorial itself. You can also walk all the way around the memorial and see how the Greeks inspired the architecture of this building.
Washington Monument
If you are in Washington DC you will probably see the Washington Monument a lot. You can even see it from the Lincoln Memorial. You can also go inside the Washington Monument and take the lift all the way to the top.
To go up the Washington Monument, you must book in advance here. These tickets sell out very quickly so I’d highly recommend booking in advance.
Tidal Basin
This 2.1-mile loop is a must-see location, especially during cherry blossom season. The loop is filled with cherry blossom trees all around. The tidal basin was made to prevent Washington DC from flooding. When the tide is high the gates are open to fill the basin and at the low tide, the water exists into the Washington Channel. It also gives water to the pool near the Washington Monument so that you can see it reflected in the pool.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
On the tidal basin, you will find Martin Luther King Jr Memorial. Along the wall, you see some quotes of his speeches in different cities in the US.
World War II Memorial
This memorial is a dedication to all who fought in World War 2. The World War II Memorial is also lit up at night if you would like to visit then.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial known as the Vietnam Memorial lists 58,318 Americans who gave their lives in service to their country. It is listed chronologically to make it easier to find people.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Memorial is located on the south side of the Tidal Basin and consists of 26 Ionic columns and is a circular open-air structure. The 19 Feet Jefferson statue is featured inside on top of a pedestal.
Thomas Jefferson was a founding father and his memorial is a direct line from the White House which I am sure is no coincidence.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
The Korean War Veterans Memorial consists of 19 stainless steel soldiers around 7 feet tall all placed so wherever you are at the memorial there will be a soldier looking at you (eerie I know). If you see this memorial at night it is even spookier as they are lit up from underneath.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Also known as the FDR Memorial the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is situated in West Potomac Park between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials. It honours Franklin Roosevelt the 32nd president of the United States and one of America’s most influential leaders giving courage and optimism during the Great Depression and World War II. There are four open-air rooms to represent the four terms of office that Roosevelt was elected.
Visit one of the 19 Smithsonian Museums for FREE
All Smithsonian museums are completely free to enter however some do require you to book a free ticket in advance. This is so you can fully enjoy the museums with adequate crowd control. It would be impossible to go into all 19 Smithsonian museums on one trip however here are my favourites.
National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History remains one of the most popular museums in DC. If you want to learn about the transformation of our planet and the history of evolution this museum is for you. Don’t forget to check out the butterfly pavilion, this is a visitor’s favourite.
National Museum of American History
This museum has something for everyone. I particularly liked the entertainment section. They had Judy Garland’s ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz on display as well as Elmo and costumes from Superman. I have heard that they do rotate the museum often so that guests can come back and see something new.
At the National Museum of American History, you do not have to book a ticket in advance and can just show up.
National Museum of African American History and Culture

Due to its uniqueness, the National Museum of African American History and Culture is one of my favourite museums in DC. The outside looks like an African headdress. This is one of the bests things to do in Washington DC.
Top tip: start from the bottom of the museum and work your way up to the top. The museum is laid out chronologically. The bottom floor is always the busiest for this reason and you may have to wait to enter.
If you are interested in doing an African American tour check out USA Guided Tours. They also offer you a ticket to the African American History and Culture Museum which you can attend after the tour. It’s particularly good if you are in DC at peak season and can’t get a ticket. The tour ends around lunchtime and there is a cafe in the African History Museum.
Tickets for the National Museum of African American History and Culture are free but you will need a timed entry pass to enter. It is advised to book in advance, particularly during the holidays and weekends as they are known to sell out. You can book your free ticket here.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is one of the largest collections of aviation and space artefacts in the world. I found this museum fascinating.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is considered a living memorial to the Holocaust. This museum has a permanent place on the National Mall and has welcomed 47 million visitors including 11 million school children.
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
The Smithsonian National Zoological Park is a very popular activity in Washington DC. Tickets are free however it is advised that you book in advance due to its popularity.
National Archives museum
The National Archives Museum is the home of the Declaration of Independence document signed in 1776. This is a must-see if you decide to go to the National Archives Museum. There can be long queues to enter and also to the exhibition hall in the museum to see the Declaration of Independence document – to avoid overcrowding.
United States Capitol
The Capitol Visitors Centre and a tour of the United States Capitol are completely free. You would need to book a free tour of the historic capitol to enter this includes the Rotunda, National Statuary Hall, and the Crypt. These tickets sell out fast so make sure you book in advance.
If you want to combine your ticket with the Library of Congress and have guaranteed entry to the United States Capitol click here.
Washington DC in March Cherry Blossom
Did you know that Washinton DC has cherry blossoms? It is tough to predict when they will bloom as this depends on the weather and other factors. Cherry blossom season is a very popular season in DC they say it’s the most popular season throughout the year. There is also a cherry blossom festival in DC which you can attend during this time,
Best place to see Cherry blossom? head to Tidal Basin where you can see Washington Monument in the distance.

Where to eat in Washington DC
- Try a jumbo slice. This is a huge slice of pizza that you have to fold in half to eat. These are affordable
- Be aware of Food Trucks. You will see food trucks all over Washington DC but ALWAYS ask about the cost BEFORE you make a purchase. They are very clever and don’t include their prices on their menu. You may end up paying $12 for a hot dog.
- Museum Cafes. All the museums will have a restaurant or cafe however the wait times may be long and can be costly.
- Look for food courts. If you are with a bunch of fussy eaters or you are not sure of what you want to eat try looking for a food court. These will have a bunch of fast food options which allows you all to eat together even though you are not eating from the same place.
Things to do in Washington DC at night
Go to the National Mall and see the Lincoln Memorial and Korean War Memorial lit up. It is also less popular during this time so I would come back if you have time. Word of warning the Korean War memorial is lit in such a way it looks like they are at war. I found it particularly spooky.
Note: The National Mall isn’t close to public transport so you may need to use Uber/Lyft to get you there and back. Although this is slightly more expensive than public transport it is still relatively affordable especially if there are 2 or more of you.
Unique Things to Do in DC
Arlington National Cemetary
With over 400,000 graves Arlington National Cemetary is the biggest military cemetery in the US. It spans over 639 acres and is said within 4 years it will run out of space.
Must-see things in Arlington National Cemetary are:
- JFK’s grave along with his wife and children
- The tomb of the unknown soldier where The Changing of the Guard happens every hour on the hour.
As Arlington National Cemetary is large you can purchase a tram tour which takes you to all the sights including JFK’s grave and the tomb of the unknown soldier. It is a hop-on hop-off service. If you choose to not have the tram just note the cemetery is pretty large so make a note of where you want to go and the easiest way to get there.
The funerals happen daily but not on Sundays or federal holidays.
Spy Museum DC
I highly recommend the Spy Museum if you want something fun to do in the city. It remains one of the best things to do in Washington DC. It is super interactive and fun for children and adults. At the start, you are given a badge where you pick your favourite pictures and receive an assignment which you complete throughout the museum. It will ask you questions like which gadget you would like and also gives you a mission.
The Spy Museum DC has real stories of real-life spies who have kindly gifted their gadgets to the museum. It was incredibly interesting to hear their stories and how they became a spy. I think it’s fair to say I would be awful at this job as I am a terrible liar.
Spy Museum DC sells out very fast. I would book a ticket before you leave. Also, there are no restaurants inside the spy museum however there is a food court around the back. I would give you a decent amount of time to see everything in the museum. The Spy Museum DC layout is a bit like Ikea where you get to see everything this museum has to offer. I loved that they had percentage stamps on the floor to let people know how far they were in the museum.
Artechouse
Artechouse is a science and tech experience which is unique and a fun thing to do whilst in Washinton DC (they also have one in New York with a completely different experience). There is a room from floor to ceiling filled with movement with 9 different installations. They also have smaller rooms where the boards move with your touch. This experience was so unique and nothing I had ever seen before.
There is also a bar located in Artechouse that has specially designed cocktails and mocktails. The coasters are interactive with the Artechouse app and come to life once you get a drink – super cool.
To book you can click here.
Washington DC Tours
Come on board a tour with USA Guided Tours. If you are short on time and want to make the most of your stay booking a tour may be the perfect option for you as you can see all the major sights in under 6 hours. Do a tour of George Washington’s house at Mount Vernon and see how he lived as the USA’s first president.
Here are some other tours that may tickle your fancy:
From the UK and want to visit the USA? Check out Visiting the USA from the UK for Beginner Backpackers