Our second day in DC was jam-packed with iconic landmarks and a few of the Smithsonian museums. We started by revisiting a couple of spots we didn’t finish on Day 1, then explored some new destinations. If your schedule differs, feel free to adjust! Here’s how we laid out Day 2 of our family-friendly itinerary in Washington, DC.
Day Two Suggested Washington, DC Itinerary
- Library of Congress 8:45-10
- US Capitol Visitor Center 10-10:45
- National Archives 11-11:30
- National Museum of Natural History 11:30-1:15
- National Museum of American History including lunch 1:15-3:45
Library of Congress
We started our morning bright and early at the Library of Congress, which opens at 8:30 AM—ahead of most other attractions. There was no line at the security checkpoint, so we breezed right through and began exploring on our own. You can make the most of your visit with a self-guided tour PDF.
Founded in 1800, the library is the largest library in the world with more than 170 million items. Check out these fascinating facts about the library, including:
- Thomas Jefferson’s Personal Library: After the Library of Congress’ original collection was destroyed during the War of 1812, Congress purchased Thomas Jefferson’s personal library of 6,487 books for $23,950 in 1815.
- The Smallest and Largest Books: The Library houses the smallest book, Old King Cole, measuring just 1/25” x 1/25”, as well as the largest book, a 5-by-7 foot photo book of Bhutan, showcasing the ancient culture and life of the South Asian country.
- The Gutenberg Bible: One of the Library’s treasures is a rare Gutenberg Bible, printed in the 15th century. It’s one of just three perfect copies on vellum in the entire world.
- Cartographic Wonders: The Library holds the 1507 world map by Martin Waldseemüller, famously known as “America’s Birth Certificate,” because it’s the first document to name the New World “America.”
- Extensive Comic Book Collection: The Library boasts the world’s largest collection of comic books, with the oldest being Popular Comics from February 1936—perfect for both history buffs and superhero fans alike.
Although we would’ve loved to go through the books, we were visiting to enjoy the artwork and architecture. Built in the style of the Italian Renaissance, this building will leave you breathless. This was one of my favorite stops.
Highlights from our visit:
- Learning about Thomas Jefferson’s Personal Library: After much of the library was destroyed in the War of 1812, Jefferson sold his collection of nearly 6,500 books to help rebuild what is now the largest library in the world.
- Seeing the Smallest and Largest Books in the library: From a tiny book the size of a fingernail to an enormous photo book of Bhutan, the collection amazed us.
- Glimpsing the Gutenberg Bible, stored alongside the Giant Bible of Mainz in the stunning Bible Gallery.
- Marveling at the rare Martin Waldseemüller world map called “America’s Birth Certificate.”
- Strolling through the Early Americas Exhibition and Thomas Jefferson’s Library Exhibit, all while soaking in the ornate Italian Renaissance-style architecture.
Visiting tip: If you’re not visiting as early as we did, consider the daily one-hour guided tours that begin at 10:30 AM. A guide will walk you through the library’s treasures and history, leaving plenty of time to explore on your own.
US Capitol Visitor Center
Taking the convenient underground tunnel directly from the Library of Congress, we returned to the US Capitol Visitor Center Museum to finish what we had missed on Day 1. With no line at security again, we quickly made our way inside.
This time, we spent about an hour touring the museum, getting a better understanding of the Capitol’s evolution and significance in American history.
Highlights from our visit:
- The 3D model of the Capitol Dome, which allows you to see its design up close.
- The exhibits detailing the timeline of the Capitol’s creation, from George Washington placing the cornerstone to its role in modern-day democracy.
Tip: Go through the exhibits in a counterclockwise direction to start at the beginning of the Capitol timeline. This helps tie together the museum’s various displays for a more cohesive experience.
National Archives Museum
Our next stop was the National Archives Museum, which was about a 10-minute walk from the Capitol. While we were only there briefly, it was still incredible to view the Charters of Freedom on display:
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Constitution of the United States
- The Bill of Rights
The museum itself didn’t take long to explore since our focus was on these key documents, but we did pause to appreciate the gorgeous Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. Don’t forget to look up and admire the murals and ceiling art!
Tip: Reserve timed entry passes during the busy travel season to skip any long lines, tickets are normally available 90 days in advance. Timed-entry begins at 10:15 AM and ends at 4:30 PM. The museum also offers daily guided tours at 10:30 AM for an informative overview into the history of the nation’s founding documents.
National Museum of Natural History
We then moved on to the Natural History Museum. We had to wait about 10-15 minutes to get through security here. We only spent an hour going through this museum. Honestly, if you have a good local science museum like we do, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, you could skip this one altogether.
National Museum of Natural History Visiting tip:
Short on time? Check out these top exhibits.
- Hope Diamond
This world-famous blue diamond is displayed in the Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals. Its fascinating history, stunning size, and vibrant color make it a natural draw for kids and adults alike. - Dinosaur Hall
Featuring towering skeletons like the Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and other prehistoric creatures, this exhibit gives kids a fun and educational glimpse into the age of dinosaurs. - Mummies
Located in the Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt exhibit, kids can learn about the ancient mummification process and view real mummies from thousands of years ago. - Butterfly Pavilion
This living exhibit lets kids interact with hundreds of butterflies and see them up close as they fly freely in a rainforest-like environment. - Ocean Hall
Featuring a life-sized replica of a North Atlantic Right Whale, this exhibit introduces kids to the wonders of marine life, including coral reefs, deep-sea creatures, and giant squid.
National Museum of American History
Finally, we ended the day at the National Museum of American History, conveniently eating lunch first at the Stars and Stripes Cafeteria inside. With minimal lines and plenty of seating, this was an easy spot to refuel. Helpful hint: Have your kids share fountain drinks to cut down the cost of lunch!
We then spent the next two hours exploring the museum, which felt like a cross between a history lesson and a treasure hunt. Some exhibits provided fascinating insights into American culture, while others felt more nostalgic.
Some parts of the museum have cool old things, but it started to seem like an American Pickers episode. Or a visit to an older relative’s barn with neat old relics that aren’t necessarily must-sees. For example, you’ll see Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers, Bert & Ernie, and Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves.
Don’t-miss exhibits:
- The Star-Spangled Banner: Located on the second floor, this massive flag inspired the national anthem and is beautifully displayed in a dimly lit viewing room.
- The First Ladies Exhibit: Featuring elegant gowns and china sets used by previous first ladies.
- The American Presidency Exhibit: Displays iconic relics like George Washington’s military uniform and Abraham Lincoln’s hat.
- The Price of Freedom Exhibit: Covering the country’s military history, from the Revolutionary War to modern conflicts.
- The Gunboat Philadelphia: A real artifact from the Revolutionary War.
Tip: The viewing room for the Star-Spangled Banner flag has a nice padded bench along the opposite wall. If crowds aren’t too thick, this is a nice place to rest your tired feet, enjoy the flag, and maybe learn the other three stanzas to the national anthem.
Day 2 was another exciting, educational, and full day in Washington, DC! With so much to see and do, we kept a steady pace while allowing time to really appreciate each stop.
Check out our Day 3 itinerary, where we wrap up our adventure with more family-friendly destinations and DC highlights!
For meal suggestions, check out our guide to Where to Eat Lunch on the National Mall. Need a family-sized hotel? We’ve got you covered with recommendations for Great Hotels for Big Families in Washington, DC.
