A Capital Designed to Tell the Story of a Nation
Few cities were planned with as much intention as Washington D.C. Its avenues, monuments and marble buildings were designed to reflect the ideals of a young country, and walking through them is like reading a history book in stone. That is why knowing the stories behind each place changes the visit completely.
In this guide we tell you how the capital was born and the history behind its most important monuments, and then how to see them in one day from New York.
Last updated: October 21, 2026.
How the Capital Was Born
After independence, the United States needed a permanent capital that did not belong to any state. In 1790 Congress chose a site on the banks of the Potomac River, and in 1791 George Washington commissioned the French engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant to design it. L’Enfant imagined wide diagonal avenues and open plazas, inspired by European capitals, connecting the seats of power. The government moved to the new city in 1800.
In 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops burned the Capitol and the White House. Both were rebuilt, and the capital grew around the green strip that today we know as the National Mall.
Arlington National Cemetery
Across the Potomac, in Virginia, Arlington National Cemetery was established in 1864, during the Civil War. Today it is the final resting place of hundreds of thousands of veterans and historic figures. There you will find the grave of President John F. Kennedy and his family, with its eternal flame, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded 24 hours a day. Nearby stands the Marine Corps War Memorial, known as the Iwo Jima Memorial.
The National Mall: America’s Front Yard
The National Mall is the stage of the nation’s great moments. At one end stands the Lincoln Memorial, a Greek-style temple where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. In front of it, the Reflecting Pool mirrors the Washington Monument, a marble obelisk of about 555 feet that is still the tallest structure in the city. Look closely and you will see a change in the color of the stone: construction stopped for more than two decades in the 1850s and 1860s, due to lack of funds and the Civil War, and the new marble never quite matched.
Along the Mall you will also find the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the World War II Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
The White House and the Capitol
The White House has been the official residence of the president since 1800. It was rebuilt after the 1814 fire and, over time, became one of the most recognized buildings in the world. At the other end of the Mall, the Capitol, seat of Congress, is crowned by a cast-iron dome built during the Civil War and finished in 1866. Nearby is Ford’s Theatre, where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865.
The Smithsonian Museums
The Smithsonian Institution, founded in 1846 thanks to a bequest from British scientist James Smithson, is the largest museum complex in the world, and most of its museums are free. The National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of Natural History, with the famous Hope Diamond, are among the most visited.
How to Visit Washington in One Day From New York
The trip takes about four hours each way, so a day trip starts early. Our tours depart at 6:00 a.m. from the Hotel Riu Plaza, 305 West 46th Street, stop for breakfast in Delaware, and return to Times Square between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. In our full guide to the Washington day trip we explain the logistics step by step.
Choose Your Washington Tour
The Washington D.C. tour with immersive presidential experience visits Arlington, the National Mall, the White House and the Capitol, and includes an interactive visit with a full-size replica of the Oval Office, where you can take a photo behind the presidential desk. Lunch is not included; you have 45 minutes of free time to eat. For a smaller group, there is the VIP Washington D.C. tour. If you want to add Philadelphia, choose the Washington D.C. and Philadelphia tour, and to discover the colonial city of Annapolis, our Washington D.C. and Annapolis tour. All are guided in Spanish.
Our Guides’ Tips
Bring a valid ID and comfortable shoes, because there are several walks between monuments. The White House and the Capitol are visited from the outside for security reasons. And in summer, carry water: the National Mall has little shade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get from New York to Washington D.C.?
About four hours each way, depending on traffic.
Can you see Washington’s main sights in one day?
Yes. A day trip covers Arlington, the National Mall, the White House and the Capitol, with time for photos and lunch.
Do the tours go inside the White House or the Capitol?
No. For security reasons, both are visited from the outside.
Are the Smithsonian museums free?
Most of them are, although some special exhibitions may require a timed ticket.
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Sources
Sources: Real’s Tours NYC, Washington D.C. tour itineraries (realstoursnyc.com); Wikipedia, Washington, D.C., Arlington National Cemetery, Washington Monument and Smithsonian Institution; National Park Service, National Mall and Memorial Parks (nps.gov). Schedules and itineraries may change.
Real’s Tours NYC is not affiliated with the U.S. government, the Smithsonian Institution or any organization mentioned in this article. Schedules, access rules and itineraries may change, so please confirm current details when you book.
