Washington DC in The Fall

DAY 1

Washington, D.C. in the Fall: Exploring Museums and History

Our first day in Washington, D.C., was a crisp fall Sunday, perfect for a day dedicated to exploring the city’s incredible museums. We drove into the city and parked in a garage conveniently located next to Ford’s Theatre, our first stop of the day. A great first day exploring Washington DC in the Fall.

Ford’s Theatre & Peterson House

Our tickets, which I had to purchase online in advance, granted us access to the Ford’s Theatre Museum, the historic theater itself, and the Peterson House, where President Lincoln spent his final hours. (For more details, click here.) Walking through these historic sites was a moving experience and set the tone for a day filled with history and culture.

Exploring the Smithsonian Museums

From Ford’s Theatre, we made our way to the National Mall and began our Smithsonian museum visits.

The National Museum of American History – This museum was a highlight, especially seeing the original Star-Spangled Banner and Julia Child’s iconic kitchen, a must-visit for any food lover.
The National Museum of Natural History – A favorite stop for us, with the stunning Hope Diamond stealing the show.

Lunch Break at the American History Museum

Midday, we took a break at the museum’s café, which offered BBQ sandwiches, a fresh salad bar, soups, and even a seasonal section with fall treats and apple cider. While the food was pricey, it was quick and convenient—perfect for maximizing our time in the city.

The Holocaust Museum & A Change of Plans

Our next stop was the deeply moving Holocaust Museum, an experience that left us reflecting on history and resilience. We had hoped to visit the Air and Space Museum afterward, but we hadn’t realized it required timed-entry tickets. Since we couldn’t get in that afternoon, we decided to save it for the next day.

Dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill

To end the day, we dined at Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington, D.C.’s oldest saloon. The warm, historic atmosphere was the perfect way to unwind after a full day of exploring.

Stay tuned for day two of our D.C. adventures, where we finally make it to the Air and Space Museum!

DAY TWO Washington DC in the Fall

Capitol Tour

We parked at the Union Station Parking Garage. From here we walked to the Capitol Visitor Center for our tour at 9:40. It was a 15 minute walk from the parking garage. We had to arrive twenty minutes before our tour started. Tour was about 45 minutes long. I had to order tickets ahead off time. They were free.

After our visit to the Capitol, we walked to the nearest trolley stop. Although it wasn’t the first stop on the route, the driver allowed us to board after I showed our pre-purchased tickets for the Trolley Tour. We rode to our next destination—the Air and Space Museum—where I had reserved timed-entry tickets in advance for an 11:00 AM–12:00 PM window.

By the time we arrived, we were already hungry. Unfortunately, the museum’s food court only offered prepackaged sandwiches, chips, coffee, and sweets—overpriced and underwhelming. In hindsight, I wish we had taken the recommendation to eat at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, which was conveniently located near the Capitol and would have been a better option.

Air and Space Museum

While at the Air and Space Museum, we also attended a Planetarium show. If you’re planning a visit, I highly recommend purchasing tickets for the show as soon as you arrive so you can choose the time and presentation that interests you most. During peak seasons, it may be wise to book them in advance.

After leaving Air and Space Museum we loaded back on hop on hop off Trolley. The next stop was the water front. That also looked like it would have been a good stop for lunch (but would have taken more time. We got off at the Lincoln Memorial stop, and the stop at The White House.

White House at Halloween

The White House was decorated for Halloween and children were trick or treating. Somehow, they purchased tickets ahead of time for this event. You can see the White House from the Trolley. We got off at the White House Stop. I wanted to try and get a closer look at the White House. This was hard to do and we ended up walking to Lafayette Park (15-20 minute walk). The view was the back of The White House and I’m not sure I would get off at this stop again to try and get a closer look at the White House ended tour at Union Station, right back at the parking garage.