The best TikToks of Washington DC: Things to do in Washington

With over a million videos being uploaded to TikTok every day, you could spend hours looking through things people discover in cities all over the world. Back in the day (as in just a few years ago!), if you wanted to find out about things to do in a destination or find places to eat, you would have to get a city guide or research for hours on forums on the internet. Thanks to TikTok, you can now get inspiration and find true hidden gems in under a minute. 

We've done the heavy lifting for you and found the best TikToks for a trip to Washington, DC that will take you to more than just the White House! 

1) Top Spots to Visit in Washington, DC 

@florencemaillot Top spots in Washington, DC✈️ #washington #dc #dctiktok #dcfinds #thingstodoindc #travel ♬ Following the Sun - SUPER-Hi & Neeka

This TikTok is probably the most comprehensive one we discovered and covers pretty much all top spots in Washington, DC. 

Explore CityCenter DC, a beautifully decorated outdoor mall in the Penn Quarter with high-end shops and fine-dining restaurants.

Next up, the White House. Your trip to DC wouldn't be complete without seeing one of the most well-known buildings in the US! Take a stroll or cycle along the National Mall to discover other iconic memorials and monuments, as well as the Capitol. 

For a great selection of international restaurants, visit Washington Harbour (yes it has the U in its spelling!), also known as the Georgetown Waterfront. There are plenty of fun things to do all year round - in November the fountain transforms into an ice rink! 

From the waterfront you can make your way up to the charming neighborhood of Georgetown with its cobblestone streets, trendy restaurants and intimate live music venues. Known for their federalist architecture, the brick and frame houses and estates date back to as early as the 1700s! 

Georgetown is known for its federalist architecture and lively streets.

From Georgetown head to Chinatown - enjoy the city's best Asian restaurants in this historic area that is decorated with lanterns. 

Farragut Square is a hub of downtown D.C. at the center of the busy commercial district. You will find lots of food trucks surrounding it, especially when events are taking place; such as movie screenings, yoga in the park, or art installations. 

If you've ever been to NYC, you know Grand Central Station. Washington, DC's version is Union Station, an elegant and restored station with shopping and entertainment. A must see! While you're at the station, why not venture out and visit Alexandria? This small city on the Potomac River is just a 15-minute train ride from DC, and has a beautiful Old Town, brick sidewalks and well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Visit the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, where the founding fathers used to dine, or stroll along the wharf and enjoy some fresh seafood. 

2) Free Places to Visit in Washington, DC 

@slctravels free places to visit in washington dc!!🤩✨ #visitwashingtondc #travelbucketlist #bestplacestovisit #freethingstodoindc #freeplacestogo #dc #exploredc ♬ Believe Me - Navos

Going on holiday, especially a city break, can be really expensive. But exploring the coolest places in the city doesn't have to break the bank. This TikTok is taking us through fantastic activities and places to discover in Washington, DC for free! 

Just 30 minutes north of Washington, DC, along the Potomac River, you can find the Great Falls Park. This small national park has some powerful rapids and waterfalls with hiking trails nearby. Perfect for spending a day in nature, picnics and kayaking. 

Visit the U.S. National Arboretum to see trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants from all over the world. 

Washington, DC has over 70 unique museums to explore - and a lot of them are completely free! The city's most renowned and popular museums are Smithsonian such as the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Zoo. It would take you a good few weeks to get through all of them, so you will always have something new to visit when you return to Washington, DC. 

Most museums are located along the National Mall. This is also where you can find the United States Botanic Garden, the oldest continuously operating botanic garden in the United States. Established in 1820, it is located on the grounds of the Capitol and has a conservatory, a butterfly garden, a rare plant gallery and much more. The huge conservatory is divided into separate rooms, each simulating a different habitat such as the desert, the jungle and even primeval plants! This is an absolute must-see in DC and the US. 

Visit the National Mall for historic monuments, memorials and museums.

Ever wanted to know how the President lives? You can! The White House is open for public self-guided tours, just make sure to book your visit well in advance through either your local congressional representative or for international visitors through your local US embassy. You can visit Friday and Saturday mornings. If you want to be guided, we recommend a tour of the Capitol. This is open from Mondays to Saturdays, and has a few different exhibitions to explore. Again, make sure to book your visit in advance. 

Just a few minutes away from the Capitol building, in the Capitol Hill area of DC, sits the biggest library in the world - the Library of Congress. It has an unfathomable number of over 170 million items on-site in over 470 languages, and also hosts concerts, lectures and exhibitions. To enter you need to get a timed pass (free of charge), and you can only use items on-site. Even if you are not a bookworm, visiting the biggest library in the world is pretty amazing. 

Not quite in the center of the city, but quite close to the zoo, you can find Washington National Cathedral. Although the US isn't known for its religious buildings, this cathedral is the sixth-largest in the world. Enjoy the scenic views from the top or listen to an organ recital. This cathedral has been the site of presidential funerals and many historic moments, including the final Sunday sermon delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. 

3) Cool spots in DC I wish I could experience for the first time again

@jessicarosehood oh what I would give to see these for the first time again. Comment yours below! #dc #dctiktok #washingtondc #dcthings #thingstodoindc #dctok ♬ Just a Cloud Away - Pharrell Williams

Some places are so beautiful, so breathtaking, so memorable, nothing will ever come close to that feeling you had when you saw them for the first time. Here are five places in Washington, DC that will make you feel exactly that. 

The Hirshhorn Museum is an art museum with a sculpture garden near the National Mall. It is the national museum of modern and contemporary art, with events and regularly changing exhibitions by internationally renowned artists. What makes this art museum special and stand out is the way it explores art and ideas of our time through its mind bending exhibitions and installations. One installation that has taken over the internet recently is 'One with Eternity' by Yayoi Kusama, which is immersive and interactive. You can also wander through the serene sculpture garden and plaza, or meet your favorite artist at an event hosted at the museum. Admission is free. 

There is more for art lovers and tech nerds alike: the ARTECHOUSE DC is a first-of-its kind art space with rotating immersive installations. Just a short walk from the Washington Monument, the ARTECHOUSE brings to you experimental experiences centered around art, science and technology. If this doesn't make much sense to you, just imagine the complete opposite of a typical museum. And if that still doesn't make sense, then there is a futuristic cocktail bar onsite to help you make sense of it all! You have to see it to believe it. It's open seven days a week. 

Seeing Japan during cherry blossom season is definitely a bucket list trip. Until that dream comes true, you can visit the Tidal Basin during spring for an equally beautiful spectacle. The Tidal Basin is a man-made reservoir between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel, by the National Mall. Built in the 19th century, it provides a beautiful and serene respite from the noise and hustle of the city. The Cherry Blossom festival usually takes place between March and April, when the beautiful blossoms bloom and give the city a soft pink touch. Paddle boats can be rented too for unique views of the city. 

Visit the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Tidal Basin between March and April.

Everybody loves a good market, right? Located in the heart of the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood, you can find the Eastern Market, a huge public market housed in a 19th century brick building. Wander through hundreds of vendors offering fresh locally sourced and produced food. On the weekends the streets and plazas surrounding Eastern Market fill up with local farmers selling fresh produce, as well as the flea market with antiques, locally-made arts and crafts and ethically-imported goods. 

Last but not least on our list is a place called Urban Roast. This family-owned cafe and cocktail bar promises an unforgettable experience, whether you're enjoying a gourmet coffee, a specialty cocktail or one of their contemporary shared plates. This is probably one of the most instagrammable places in DC, especially at Christmas. Walls on the inside are covered in flowers, seasonal decoration hangs from the ceilings, and neon signs glow in the background. You won't be able to decide between taking photos of the food or the place!

4) Welcome to the only LGBTQ+ cemetery section in the world 

@ghostlyarchive Happy #pridemonth from the only cemetery with an LGBTQ+ section #cemetery #graveyard #cemeterytiktok #graveyardtiktok #gravestone #washingtondc #fy ♬ Lo-fi hip hop - NAO-K

Many people visit Arlington National Cemetery when they go to Washington, DC as it's just across the river in Virginia and you can visit the grave of John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. However, if you're wanting to pay tribute at the graves of some well known LGBTQ+ activists, then you should visit the Congressional Cemetery that has a 'gay corner'. Located near Capitol Hill, it is the resting place for many members of Congress who died in service, as well as other government officials. At 'gay corner' you will find tombstones of many important gay rights activists such as Frank Kameny and Leonard Matlovich, a gay Vietnam veteran who was dismissed from the military for his sexual orientation. On his gravestone you'll find the poignant words: "When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one." 

The section has become an inspiring gathering place for the living, with Matlovich’s grave being a shrine-like centerpiece. Many gay couples have married in front of the memorial, yoga sessions take place in the chapel, and even movie nights take place occasionally. But no matter how you choose to honor the dead, this site remains an important LGBTQ+ site in America's capital. 

For more information about what Washington, DC has to offer, visit Washington.org/LGBTQ.

Read more about Washington, DC on TravelGay! The Essential LGBTQ+ Travel Guide to Washington, DC and Iconic LGBTQ+ Spots To Visit In Washington, DC.