8 Things NOT To Do in Washington D.C

D.C. really does have a little bit of something for everyone. But there are also a lot of ways you can make a misstep that has an irrevocable impact on your trip. So with that in mind, here are a few things NOT to do while visiting Washington, D.C.

1. Don’t Go During the Summer
It’s hot, muggy, and packed with tourists trying to squeeze in a vacation before their kids head back to school.

It's worth it to take your kids out of school early for a few days. Trust me, there’s more than enough educational opportunities in D.C. to balance out a few missed days.

2. Don’t Drive
Washington D.C.’s metro line is big, clean, and extremely extensive. Anything and everything you could possibly want to reach is about three blocks away from a metro stop (max).Don’t bother with driving a car, the traffic is terrible and the city is confusing as hell to drive in anyway.

3. Don’t Go to Pentagon City
It’s just a huge mall. There’s little cultural significance to it beyond the fact that it’s seriously massive. If you want to get some good shopping done, head to Georgetown. It’s full of funky boutiques you can’t find anywhere else.

4. Don’t Go to Arlington National Cemetery.
Though it’s home to JFK’s crypt and eternal flame, don’t go to a real cemetery in a tourist mindset. It’s rude. Also, the eternal flame isn’t that impressive either.

5. Don’t Spend All Your Time in the Smithsonian
If you can afford to spend an entire month in the city, then by all means take your time but, if you’re in town for a week, make sure to hit one or two interesting branches of the Smithsonian, but keep some hours open to simply wander around.

6. Don’t Rely Too Heavily on Your Plans
For everything in Washington, D.C. that you know you want to do (hit the Lincoln Memorial, see the White House, etc.) there are ten things in the city that you didn’t know existed.

7. Don’t Go To the National Mall on the Weekend
The place is crawling with locals and tourists alike, who are wandering around in a daze just gumming up the works. The National Mall on a Tuesday is perfect.

8. Don’t Pass Up the E Street Cinema
Tucked into an expansive basement in the middle of the city’s commercial district, the E Street Cinema is always playing the newest and most exciting works of independent and foreign cinema. Seriously, if you’re a cinephile, it’s not something to be missed.

[SnowfurOfAwesomeness]

Anyone from dc who is watching this because they want to know how accurate it is?

[Etnad]

this is video from Washingtonian perspective is 70% legit, but I am surprised there was no mention of U Street, Dupont Circle or Chinatown/Penn Quarter or Bethesda, Silver Spring (downtown) and Tyson Corner.

[TheConfuzzledCat]

I know this is old, but... 😂 Did you just say that the Metro is "CLEAN"?

[alanakelly]

In Ireland you get a massive fine if you take your kids out of school

[twixieshores]

Seriously, don't drive in DC. Or around DC between 6:30 AM and 8 PM (8:30 AM to 9 PM on the weekends.)Traffic is massive pain, even by northeastern US standards.

[Jmeg]

I went in the summer and there was literally no one there

[Desiraeamani]

I’m from Washington D.C and the one thing I can tell you is to make sure you have good walking shoes because everyone walks fast....Also you Can Drive just make sure you have patience...it’s busy and Crowded there

[obartel]

Kind of rude saying don't go to Arlington cemetery. My grandfather fought in WWll and so of a ton of people there. Arlington is a beautiful place and I love it. My grandfather, grandmother, and uncle are buried there.

[ManMan-cnmv]

Thing not to do in India or Maryland or China

[gunnertrin]

When I went to D.C. On a school trip We went to Pentagon City, it was a waste of time. And Arlington Cemetery was such a wonderful place, despite being a cemetery, to visit. It's fascinating watching the changing of the guards.

[Pius-XI]

I've been 4 times and I love, love, love it!

[endless__trip]

do facts on "don't do in Pakistan"
&
what we should must do in USA

[cclayhammer]

Don't go to Pentagon City Mall. But if you must go to a mall, take the Silver Line to Tysons Corner Mall, the Red Line to Wheaton Mall, or the Green Line to Prince George's Mall.

[abigaylegeisel]

I'm ignoring 4 because we love going to cemeteries, we even go to ones at home.

[Scsmitty]

Ive been to parks their car on the side of the street and then we walk to our distantions

Don't make a schedule make a sort of map in your head to make sure you don't have to walk for hours

[TheTaterCowgirls]

I visited Washington DC in summer and loved it. We visited monuments and outdoor stuff in the morning and evening hours and the museums (yes pick the ones you want to see - there are tons of them) during the hot hours, a little bit coordination, no problem. We visited Arlington where you can hop on a bus and visit different points of interest to your liking, our main focus was paying respect to the tomb of the unknown soldier with my granddaughter to teach her that freedom is not free. (I can watch some stupid movie at home in Silicon Valley, don't need to go to a cinema for that in Washington). Yes you are correct with taking the Metro instead of driving. It is super easy and the other alternative, the circulator at the Mall was free in summer and has A/C to cool down between walking LOL (I think in other times it costs $1, not sure though). We had a tour by the team of our congressman which was awesome. Hotel during summer times are really cheap. We were in the Watergate Hotel with view to Potomac in the 6th floor, got to tour the "scandal" room. One thing I would do different: We took a river cruise to Mount Vernon - next time I would just take a water taxi which is cheaper and faster.) We had a really good time in Washington. Oh one no no, don't stand on the left at the escalator to the metro - you stand on the right and walk on the left. Summer in Washington rocked! We had free concerts in the evening at the Lincoln Monument and enjoyed walking in the warm evenings from the Watergate to Founding Farmers for dinner and later to the White House. Everything is so close and easy to reach.

[zacharymillercubing]

Colorado Springs, Or Honolulu!
Please do these!

[joshuadell]

I've been to Washington d.c during the winter and it was snowing I've been to the national mall and the cemetery, one of my dad's old friends is buried there.

[azulbul]

This is very accurate but another fact is to not to go to the outskirts of DC in Prince George’s County but please do go to Bethesda, Downtown Silver Spring, Georgetown, Chinatown, And Also don’t go to Dupont Circle if you are afraid of Heights since the Stairs are super long

[LeJacobsen]

Hello!
Can you please make a "things NOT to do in..." about Denmark or, specifically, Copenhagen? I'd appreciate it a lot! I always have fun watching your videos. Thank you!