Mistakes tourists make in Washington, DC, according to a 30-year resident — and what to do instead

Jamie Davis SmithJul 1, 2023, 19:12 IST

Insider's writer has lived in Washington, DC, for 30 years.Jamie Davis Smith

I've lived in DC for 30 years and have seen many tourists make the same mistakes when visiting.
While many of DC's attractions are free, they often require tickets to be booked in advance.

I moved to Washington, DC, 30 years ago for college. I thought I'd only stay for four years before moving on, but I fell in love with the city and never left.

Over the decades, I've grown to know the city in a way few visitors do and learned to navigate the crowds of over 20 million visitors that come to my adopted hometown every year.

Away from the crowds of the National Mall, Smithsonian Museums, and the White House, DC has a vibrant local culture. Here are my top tips for exploring beyond the city's better-known sights as well as how to see those famous attractions.

Don't stay in the suburbs — choose a hotel in DC proper for walkable access to major sites and more public transit options.

The author at an above-ground metro station in DC.Jamie Davis Smith

Go see the monuments after dark, not during the day — it's one of my tricks to avoid big crowds (and the views are magical).

The Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool at night.Orhan Cam/Shutterstock

Don't miss out on DC's parks. There are miles of nature to enjoy.

An early spring morning at Boulder Bridge and Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC.Getty Images

Don't underestimate how long it takes to see the museums and how much walking you'll do.

Tourists often underestimate how much walking is involved when they visit DC.Jamie Davis Smith

I love experiencing DC's higher-end venues with affordable workarounds most visitors don't know about.

The pipe organ inside the Concert Hall at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on June 21, 2023.Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Tickets for museums, the zoo, and popular tours are free, but you should reserve them in advance.

Visitors who want to tour the White House have to request a visit at least three weeks ahead.Jamie Davis Smith

Look beyond DC's national sites to learn more about the city's local history.

Attendees listen to Go-Go music during opening day at The Retail Village at Sycamore & Oak in Washington, DC, on June 19, 2023.Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images

DC's off-the-Mall museums are not as well known, but still worth a visit.

Visitors tour the Washington, DC, International Spy Museum during a media preview on May 7, 2019.Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

I eat local whenever possible to support our homegrown restaurants, and wish more tourists did, too.

The author at one of the locations of Ben's Chili Bowl, a favorite among DC locals.Jamie Davis Smith

Museums are wonderful but don't forget to see how the locals live.

A person walking through Meridian Hill Park in the Columbia Heights neighborhood in Washington, DC.Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images

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Mistakes tourists make in Washington, DC, according to a 30-year resident &mdash; and what to do instead