Trip to Washington DC

Looking to learn more about the history of our country? There’s no better place to visit than Washington DC! The city has no shortage of patriotic monuments, museums, and attractions, and its extensive public transportation system allows easy access to each and every single thing for you to do. If you’re still not sure whether or not you want to take a bus trip to Washington DC, keep reading our city guide to prepare yourself!

Top 5 things to do on a trip to Washington DC

Climb the steps to see the Lincoln Memorial
Take in the view atop the Washington Monument
Pay respects at Arlington Cemetery
View the many exhibitions at the National Gallery of Art
Gawk at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s exhibits

If you’ve never been to our nation’s capital, you’re in for a treat. There’s no other city jampacked with so much history and patriotism.

The number of things to do on a trip to DC can be daunting, but there are monuments, museums, and other attractions just about anywhere you go. You’ll struggle to find any downtime during your visit.

If you’ve never been to Washington DC, you owe yourself a proper adventure to explore the history and heritage of our country.

Many of the monuments and landmarks are truly astonishing, which is why you’ll find that they’re consistently listed among the top things to do on a trip to Washington DC.

Need more help planning your Washington DC trip? Keep reading for some more tips!

Transportation options in Washington DC

When you book a bus trip to Washington, D.C. with Megabus, you can rest assured knowing you'll be dropped off in the heart of the city. Visit our bus stop page and see our schedules for specific details on where to go to catch your bus.

Once you arrive, getting around on your DC trip will be a breeze. Like many East Coast cities, public transportation and the Metro lines make the city an extremely accessible place.

Alternatively, you can get around via taxis and ride shares, renting a bike, or even just walking.

If you need help navigating on your trip to DC, you can download the DC Metro Map App on your smartphone.

Some of Megabus’ most popular routes to the nation’s capital include:

Learn more about Megabus' top bus routes.

Best places to stay in Washington DC

After your long, exhaustive day of sightseeing, you’re going to need a place to crash. Washington DC is widely known for its amenities and extensive hotel accommodations.

There are over 100 hotels to choose from in the city itself, so you likely won’t have any problem finding a place to stay.

The Hay-Adams is not only historical, but it’s also one of the most elegant hotels in Washington DC.

Many other hotels such as the Capitol Holiday Inn, Hyatt, and Embassy Suites, or other rentals are also within close proximity to the National Mall.

Alternatively, many hotels in Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia are located just outside of the city and provide cheaper lodging options during your trip to DC.

Nightlife in Washington DC

Though the city is known for its history, that doesn’t mean it comes without nightlife activities. When the sun goes down and Congress is out of session, downtown Washington DC comes alive.

If you’re looking for cocktails while on your trip to Washington DC, Off the Record is considered one of the best spots downtown by locals and tourists alike. This subterranean bar in the lavish Hay-Adams hotel is known for its political cartoons scattered across the walls and many of their craft cocktails.

Another great spot for drinks on your trip to Washington DC is ChurchKey. A destination for beer lovers, ChurchKey offers over 500 beverage varieties as well as delicious bar food.

For live music fans, The Black Cat is an outstanding venue to round out your DC trip.

Where to shop on your trip to Washington DC

Though the city boasts the National Mall, you won’t find many shopping options there. Not to worry, though, as there are plenty of places to do so!

Make sure to hit up CityCenterDC on your trip to Washington DC. Newly built and containing over 10 acres of stores and restaurants, it’s a great space for all of your retail and culinary needs.

However, you can’t talk about shopping in Washington DC without mentioning Georgetown.

Georgetown features small independent shops, high-end boutiques, restaurants, and all sorts of other stores. Make sure to grab a famous Georgetown cupcake on your trip to Washington DC – assuming the line isn’t around the block!

Best free things to do in Washington DC

Looking to travel to Washington DC on a budget? You can definitely do so!

Whether you want to stroll through all the enthralling monuments, museums, and other attractions, there are countless ways to travel to DC on a budget.

One of the best parts about visiting Washington DC is the absurd number of free activities to do!

Benefits of taking a bus trip to Washington DC

When you plan your trip to Washington DC, you likely want to do it in the cheapest, safest, and most flexible way possible. If that’s the case, you should choose Megabus!

Megabus’ easy, safe, and affordable intercity options make us the best way to travel to Washington DC. You can make the most of your trip to DC by saving money on your bus ticket(s). With over 500 destinations available, you don’t want to go any way other than Megabus!

Ready to book a trip to Washington DC via bus? We hope to see you aboard soon!