What to do in DC while house and pet sitting

We’ve put together a handpicked list of the best things to do in Washington DC if you’re heading that way for house and pet sitting. The US capital is packed with fantastic museums and incredibly famous monuments, mostly centred around the three-kilometre-long National Mall that stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol. But even though these noted attractions are clustered together, there’s so much to see and do that you’ll need several days to get around it all!

DC attractions

1. Lincoln Memorial: At the western end of the National Mall lies one of the most famous sights in the United States: a Greek-style temple enclosing a huge, 5.8-metre-tall statue of Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Memorial was finished in 1922, and it looms large in American popular culture – perhaps most famously, Martin Luther King Jr gave his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech in front of the monument in 1963, an event commemorated by an inscribed marble pedestal. The Lincoln Memorial is free to view at any time of day, although to avoid the crowds, it may be best to head there in the evening.

2. Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials: Located on opposite sides of the National Mall, right next to the Lincoln Memorial, you’ll find these affecting tributes to the American soldiers who died in the Korean War and Vietnam War. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial takes the form of two 75-metre-long black granite walls inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 Americans who fell in Vietnam. Nearby are bronze statues of three soldiers, along with the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, dedicated to the more than 265,000 women who served in the war. On the opposite side of the Mall, the Korean War Veterans Memorial depicts 19 soldiers, cast in stainless steel, marching forwards as if on patrol. Each is slightly larger than life at just over two metres high, and they make for a sombre and memorable sight. 

3. U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress: The United States Capitol is an utterly enormous building at the eastern end of the National Mall, with around 600 rooms and a floor area of around 67,000 square metres. The building is home to the Senate and the House of Representatives and was originally constructed more than 200 years ago, although it has been altered significantly over the decades, notably with the addition of its distinctive dome in the mid-1800s. Behind the U.S. Capitol is the Library of Congress, one of the largest libraries in the world, with more than 170 million catalogued items. Both the library and the U.S. Capitol can be visited on a pre-booked tour, although this may be subject to the latest COVID-19 regulations – check the official websites for details.

Free things to do in DC

1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is one of the most popular museums in the world, attracting more than 7 million visitors every year. Its varied and fascinating collection includes dinosaur skeletons, neolithic artefacts, Egyptian mummies, an insect zoo, precious gems, a Moai head from Easter Island, and much, much more. In fact, the museum’s collection of around 150 million objects is the largest natural history collection in the world, although only a fraction of that is on display at one time. Spread across five enormous levels, it could easily take a day – or longer – to take in the whole museum.

2. The Tidal Basin: Just off to one side of the National Mall, the Tidal Basin is a 0.43 square kilometre reservoir that looks spectacular in springtime when the cherry blossom trees surrounding it burst into bloom. Several impressive monuments surround the lake, including the domed Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the George Mason Memorial.

3. National Gallery of Art: Another one of the world-class museums on the Mall, the National Gallery of Art traces the development of Western art from the Middle Ages, with a collection that includes artworks by luminaries such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. The Sculpture Garden, which was opened in 1999, features an array of contemporary sculptures around a central fountain, which is converted to an ice rink in the winter months.

Fun things to do in DC

1. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: This museum on the Mall hosts an absolutely astounding collection of famous aircraft and spaceships, including the Apollo 11 command module and the Spirit of St Louis, the plane Charles Lindbergh used to complete the world’s first solo non-stop transatlantic flight in 1927. Other highlights include the rocket-powered Bell X-1, which was the first manned aircraft to achieve supersonic speeds, and the Wright Flyer, the plane flown by the pioneering Wright Brothers in 1903.

2. 9:30 Club: If you’re a big music buff, why not check out the upcoming concerts at the 9:30 Club? The legendary venue opened in 1980 and was later named one of the 10 best live music venues in America by Rolling Stone. It soon became a magnet for Washington DC’s alternative music scene, attracting acts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., the Foo Fighters and the Smashing Pumpkins. While you’re there, make sure to pick up one of the famous 9.30 cupcakes – but be warned, they sell out quickly!

3. International Spy Museum: This fun museum is housed in a building that somewhat resembles an inverted pyramid – or possibly a supervillain’s lair. The exhibits chart the history of espionage from ancient times to the present day, with a fascinating collection of artefacts that includes a bodice worn by First World War spy Mata Hari, a 1960s shoe with a hidden transmitter in the heel, a lipstick pistol used by the KGB, and a spy-recruitment letter sent by George Washington.

What to do in DC with pets

1. Fort Dupont Park: Run by the National Park Service, this 1.52 square kilometre park is one of the largest in DC, and has plenty of winding trails to explore with your pooch. It was the site of a fort during the Civil War, and although little of the fort remains, you can still explore the original earthworks. Outdoor concerts are often held here in the summer months, and it’s a popular picnic spot – just make sure to keep your furry friend on a lead at all times.

2. Art & Soul: If you’re looking for things to do in DC with your dog, Art & Soul has a large patio area that’s perfect for al fresco eating with your fuzzy friend. There’s even a ‘Pooch Patio Menu’ for your dog, featuring things like frozen beef bones and peanut-banana ‘pupsicles’. Art & Soul is located on the ground floor of the DC Yotel, and it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday (except Sunday evenings).

3. Boat rides along the Potomac River: City Cruises operates a dog-friendly sightseeing cruise out of the historic seaport of Alexandria on the western bank of the Potomac, just south of Washington DC. Dogs are welcome up on deck for the 45-minute Canine Cruise, although they must be kept on a lead at all times. Advance booking is recommended, as the cruises are popular!

Best restaurants in DC

1. Rose’s Luxury: This Michelin-starred restaurant offers some astonishingly delicious modern cooking in a surprisingly casual setting, all bare wood tables and exposed light bulbs. Diners rave about the truffle pasta and pork and lychee salad, and there’s an emphasis on sharing: each guest is encouraged to pick two dishes, and then everyone samples the food at their pleasure.

2. Equinox: The celebrated, family-owned Equinox restaurant – located just a block from the White House – has been serving seasonal, locally sourced fare since 1999. The menu is vegetarian friendly, and guests particularly praise the crispy artichoke starter, served with red pepper aioli and sweet garlic. But meat eaters are equally well served with delicious dishes like Kurobota pork and pan-roasted duck leg confit. 

3. L’Ardente: L’Ardente serves up some absolutely stunning Italian food in a beautiful setting: all glittering chandeliers and wooden beams. The Washington Post raved about the restaurant’s signature 40-layer lasagne, along with a pizza that combined pomegranate seeds, Brussels sprouts, gorgonzola and creamed onions into something that “looks like Christmas”. You’ve never had Italian food like this before.

House and pet sitting in DC

We hope this list helps you – and your pet – to find some fun things to do in DC, have a great time in the US capital!

If you’re new to pet sitting and want to find out more about how TrustedHousesitters works, head on over to find more about it here. And if you’d like to peruse more travel guides and pet advice, take a look at our blog.