What to do in Washington DC while house and pet sitting

With imposing neoclassical monuments and buildings, the capital city Washington DC is an unmissable place to visit with the Capitol, White House and Supreme Court – and it’s just one of the many unforgettable places you could visit on your next pet sit with TrustedHousesitters. 

So, if you’re still unsure of whether Washington DC will be your next pet sitting destination or if your trip there is already set up and you’re simply looking for some ideas for things to do in DC while you’re taking care of your new fur-friend, we’ve got you covered!

Washington DC attractions

Washington DC is known for being the cultural center of the U.S with its many National historic landmarks, museums and historic places, so what are some of the best things to do in Washington DC? Let’s start with things to do in DC as regards to cultural must-visits:

1. National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art’s collection includes some 141,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography and new media from the beginning of Western art from the Middle Ages to present day. There’s also plenty of temporary exhibitions that span the world and history of art, including lectures, tours, concerts and films offered all year-round. 

2. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (most commonly known as the Kennedy Center) is a performing arts center that first opened on September 8, 1971. It shows a variety of different performance theater shows including dance, ballet, orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular and folk music performances. 

3. Arlington National Cemetery

Take a short trip to Arlington County, Virginia across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. to pay tribute to the nation’s war dead at the Arlington National Cemetery. The military cemetery spans 639 acres and is where many of the war heroes from the nation's conflicts have been buried, beginning with the Civil War.

Free things to do in Washington DC 

Have you ever wondered what to do in Washington DC for free? We love a good budget-friendly activity so we’ve put together our top three: 

1. Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is a national memorial honoring Abraham Lincoln. It’s divided into three chambers (north, south, and central). Gaze up at these 50 foot high columns and discover the north and south side chambers containing carved inscriptions of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address and his Gettysburg Address.

2. Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials

One of the most moving war memorials, the Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorial – or "the Wall," as it's often known – is a long black granite wall with the names of more than 58,000 Americans who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. The memorial is open to the public 24 hours a day and is best reached using public transportation. 

3. The Tidal Basin

The Tidal Basin is a man-made reservoir located between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel in Washington, D.C. A part of the West Potomac Park, one of the main attractions is the beautiful National Cherry Blossom Festival held every spring.

Fun things to do in Washington DC 

Now, after all the galleries and memorials, what are some fun things to do in DC?

1. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

For an out-of-this-world experience, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum has aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets and other flight-related artifacts. The museum also has an IMAX theater with a cutting-edge 74-by-49-foot screen.

2. Washington Harbor 

Whatever time of year you’re visiting, Washington Harbour has running and biking trails, as well as the Georgetown Waterfront Park. In November, the fountain transforms into the Washington Harbour Ice Rink, where you can go skating until March.

3. International Spy Museum

Step into the shoes of a spy at the International Spy Museum. The non-profit Museum is a great attraction that is dedicated to educating people on the history of espionage both in the USA and internationally. In fact, it boasts the largest collection of spy-related artifacts anywhere in the world.

What to do in Washington DC with pets?

Looking for things to do in DC that involve your latest fur-friend? From dog parks, to quick-bite cafes, we’ve put together a short list of our favorites:

1. S Street dog park 

S Street dog park near Dupont Circle is a great way for dogs and owners to wile away a fun couple of hours. There’s an enclosed area for your pup to play off-leash and an antimicrobial turf to promote cleanliness as well as a water foundation for them to stay nice and hydrated. 

2. Silver

What’s better than a great restaurant with a dog-friendly patio? There’s lots to choose from in DC but one of our favorites is Silver. With several locations around the city, this self-styled American brasserie has a ‘pups on the patio’ happy hour on Thursday (4pm to 6.30pm) with special menus, and lots of dog treats. The best part? Ten percent of all sales during happy hour go to a rescue each week.

3. Crumbs & Whiskers - DC Kitten Lounge 

DC Kitten Lounge partners with cat rescues around the state who take in homeless cats and kittens. You can enjoy your coffee in the company of all the adoptable cats but book ahead once you know you’re coming. 

Best restaurants in Washington DC: Food and drink

After you’ve exhausted all the fun activities, the only thing left to do is take a look at the best restaurants in DC – so, here we go:

1. Elle

A must-visit bakery, Elle, is located inside the historic Heller’s Bakery building in Mount pleasant. Visit the takeout window from 8am to 3pm seven days a week for great coffee, a selection of turnovers or their famous cheesecake. 

2. Martha Dear

Craving pizza? Housed inside a dark basement hidden underneath an ice cream shop in Mount Pleasant, Martha Dear offers Greek pizza unlike anything else you’ll dry in DC. The naturally leavened pizzas are flavored with delicious Mediterranean cheese and traditional Greek ingredients. To really get your taste buds tingling, the squid and saganaki special is a must-try.  

3. Dacha Beer Garden 

Dacha Beer Garden in Navy Yard is dog-friendly, making it a go-to place while in Washington DC. It also offers up an extensive seasonal food menu inspired by traditional Bavarian beer gardens, including bratwurst, currywurst and traditional German schnitzel. They even offer a ‘Dacha Puppichino’ for your pooch to enjoy!

House and pet sitting in Washington DC

After perusing our top places to visit, we’re sure you now have enough ideas for what to do in Washington DC while you’re pet sitting. There’s so much to experience in historic DC – and lots of lovely pets and owners desperate to invite you over to take care of their four-legged friend while exploring their city. 

Now you're set on visiting Washington DC then all that’s left to do is find a house and pet sit. Just head right over here and connect with loving pet owners and their four-legged friends.