What to Do on Your 4 Hour Layover in Washington, DC

We’ve all been there before. That dreaded layover that’s simply too long to just stay put in the airport. The good thing about a layover at DCA (Ronald Reagan International Airport), however, is that you’re in a city with plenty to see! Better yet, there’s a metro there that will take you where you need to go!

My favorite thing about DC is the monuments, so my recommendation is to get out of the airport and take a look at the sights.

The airport has its own metro stop (the Ronald Reagan National Airport stop on the blue/yellow lines).

From there, you can make your way to the Smithsonian stop. It’s there that you’ll be in the middle of all of DC’s best attractions.

You’ll want to hit three main memorials because they’re all in a line, all are free to view, and are super accessible:

1. The Washington Monument

First and foremost, you’ll see the Washington Monument right by the Smithsonian stop. Literally, you can’t miss it!

Head that way, take some photos, stop at a food truck, grab some food, and then onto the next stop:

2. The WWII Memorial

The next memorial is straight ahead and on your way to the Lincoln Memorial. It’s the WWII Memorial where you can find your home state and honor the veterans who fought for our freedom.

There are 4,048 stars on the Freedom Wall of the WWII Memorial, each star representing 100 Americans who died in the war.

3. The Lincoln Memorial

Get prepared for a long walk down the Reflecting Pool followed by some steps to reach the top. It’s worth the exercise- there’s something extremely powerful about seeing the giant statue of Lincoln.

Don’t forget pause and take in the incredible history at each monument. Some bad, some good, and all woven to create the freedom we have today.

4. Have more time? Check out these places:

  • The Jefferson Memorial
  • The Natural History Museum
  • The Cherry Blossoms along the Tidal Basin

XO,

Jasmine

 

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Jasmine Alley

Jasmine Alley

I'm a Dallas-based, full-time travel blogger with a serious case of wanderlust! Through my website and Instagram, I hope to help others plan picture-perfect trips to the most beautiful places in the world! When I travel, I like to emphasize nature, hidden gems, and unique places.
Jasmine Alley

Jasmine Alley

I'm a Dallas-based, full-time travel blogger with a serious case of wanderlust! Through my website and Instagram, I hope to help others plan picture-perfect trips to the most beautiful places in the world! When I travel, I like to emphasize nature, hidden gems, and unique places.

2 Responses

  1. DCA (Reagan National Airport) is off the Blue/Yellow line, not Orange. Just a helpful correction! 🙂

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Hi, I’m Jasmine! I’m a nature-obsessed, beauty-finding, Jesus-loving dreamer with a serious case of wanderlust. I love to create photo-worthy travel content and hope to fill your travel plans with incredible beauty and breathtaking views! Thanks for following along on my adventures!

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