Home to the White House, US Capitol building, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument – the tallest building on the skyline – the National Mall is a one-stop destination for many of the best Washington DC attractions. There are also several museums, gardens and memorials to discover across this impeccably landscaped park, so we’d recommend reserving a full day for exploring.

As the seat of the country’s legislative branch, the US Capitol building has a powerful presence. With a free guided tour, you can experience history occurring in real-time. While members of Congress debate, propose laws and shape policy, explore the incredible frescoes, sculptures and iron-domed rotunda. Tours also include the Library of Congress, which is the world’s largest library with more than 160 million books, recordings, maps, photographs and more.

Wondering what to do in Washington DC after seeing the monuments? Eat, eat and eat some more. Owing to its international makeup, the city has developed an incredibly diverse culinary scene. Come hungry, because you’ll find everything from artisanal bites at the DuPont Circle Farmers Market to restaurants serving Peruvian tasting menus, hearty pasta dishes, smoked turkey, Thai curries and delicious dim sum.

Beyond the city, there’s lots of nature to discover. In the 1930s, landscape architects transformed a neglected island in the Potomac River into Theodore Roosevelt Island, a beautiful park boasting 4 kilometres of hiking trails through woods and marshes. At 709-hectare Rock Creek Park, you can go horseback riding, enjoy a picnic, golf, hike, bike or go boating. And don’t miss the National Arboretum, a sprawling hub of botanical research.

Considering its vibrant, globe-spanning cuisine, it’s no surprise that the city boasts an equally exciting nightlife scene. Craft beer at local breweries, creative cocktails in speakeasies and live music ranging from pop stars to indie bands are just the start. Grab a seat at one of the city’s many rooftop bars and toast to your Washington DC holiday while soaking up views of the White House or sunset over the Potomac.

Overlooked for decades, the city’s waterfront has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. The Wharf – a nearly 2-kilometre-long stretch of restaurants, shops and residences – has quickly become one of the most popular things to do. Catch a concert, join a yoga class on the pier, shop indie fashion, rent a kayak or visit the Municipal Fish Market, an open-air seafood destination dating back to 1805.

A manmade reservoir just south of the Washington Monument, the Tidal Basin is one of the top places to visit in Washington DC. Each spring, cherry blossom trees – a gift from Tokyo – transform the area into a picture-perfect sea of pink. No matter what time of year you visit, you can also explore the 3.4-kilometer-long loop encircling the pond, where the Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr memorials await.

Home to over 20 museums and the National Zoo, the Smithsonian Institution stands alone as the world’s largest museum complex. With approximately 157 million artifacts in its trust, there’s a lot to discover. Don’t miss the National Portrait Gallery, housing images of every president; the National History Museum, with its 16-metre-long model of a mega-tooth shark; or the National Museum of African American History, offering a poignant look at the experiences of Black Americans.

Go back in time with a side trip to Harpers Ferry and Mount Vernon. The former was a key Civil War site at the border of the Union and the Confederacy. Today, you can wander the historic town’s cobblestone streets or hike in the surrounding hills. Closer to the city lies Mount Vernon, better known as George Washington’s estate. Visit his carefully preserved mansion, then cycle along the 27-kilometre Mount Vernon Trail by the Potomac River.

The capital may surprise you with its thriving creative side. After visiting the National Gallery of Art and American Art Museum, check out the contemporary spaces and funky street murals peppered around the city. In Georgetown, for instance, you can spot the long-standing “Great Wave” and colourful “Alma Indígena”, a mural inspired by Diego Huerta’s photography.