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Washington DC: Rowhouses in Dupont Circle
Photo: Flickr user: Andrew Bossi Laurel https://www.flickr.com/people/thisisbossi/ · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Destination template · 9 days

Washington DC & Charleston in 9 days

4 sightseeing days in Washington DC, a dedicated relocation day, then 4 days in Charleston. Includes National Air and Space Museum and Charleston Museum, with guide-listed dining suggestions.

Adapted from community travel guides · Researched Sources & notes

The stops are drawn from the guides below; daily order, times and durations are our suggested adaptation. Available map pins are approximate, not provider-verified; missing coordinates remain unset. Prices are left unknown; check tickets, opening hours and transport before booking.

Route data adapted from Wikivoyage contributors, with our own selection and suggested timing; shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source pages link to contributor histories. This is an editorial multi-day schedule; the source community has not rated this itinerary.

  • Stay in Washington DC for the first 4 sightseeing days; move to Charleston on day 5, then stay for 4 sightseeing days. Book accommodation in both bases rather than returning each night.
  • The 728 km figure is approximate straight-line separation, not transit distance. The relocation day reserves room for travel and check-in without promising a direct service or a same-day connection. Verify the journey before booking this two-base plan.
  • City visits and restaurants are adapted from the linked retained community-guide material, not newly verified opening hours, live menus or first-hand visits. Suggested times are editable planning blocks. Check closures, reservations, accessibility and dietary needs.
  • Cover photo shows the first city. Original source and photo credits remain attached. Adapted community route selections retain CC BY-SA 4.0 attribution; source research dates remain in the individual stop and dining notes.
6 local dining picks added to this itineraryDining sources

These picks have positive travel-guide coverage or a named professional recommendation; they are not live customer ratings. Suggested times are not reservations. Confirm service days, dietary needs and prices. Other days remain open for your own food discoveries.

  • Day 1 · Lalibela — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 2 · Le Diplomate — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 3 · Komi — Seafood. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 6 · Husk — Traditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 7 · 82 Queen — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 8 · Hyman's Seafood Restaurant — Seafood. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Wikivoyage contributors ↗

Sources checked 2026-10-30. Community-guide dining data is adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; source pages link to contributor histories.

Washington DC & Charleston itinerary: 9 days at a glance

Review the original daily plan before editing below. Times and durations are suggested planning blocks; dining stops are not reservations. Your personal edits appear in the editor and downloads.

Day 1: Washington DC: National Air and Space Museum & Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

  • · National Air and Space Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden · 30 min
  • · Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Lalibela (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 2: Washington DC: National Museum of Natural History & National Gallery of Art

  • · National Museum of Natural History · 120 min
  • · Transfer to National Gallery of Art · 30 min
  • · National Gallery of Art · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Le Diplomate (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 3: Washington DC: Lincoln Memorial & National World War II Memorial

  • · Lincoln Memorial · 75 min
  • · Transfer to National World War II Memorial · 30 min
  • · National World War II Memorial · 75 min
  • · Dinner: Komi (Seafood) · 75 min

Day 4: Washington DC: National Museum of the American Indian & United States Botanic Garden

  • · National Museum of the American Indian · 120 min
  • · Transfer to United States Botanic Garden · 30 min
  • · United States Botanic Garden · 120 min

Day 5: Washington DC → Charleston: travel and check-in

  • · Relocate: Washington DC → Charleston · 600 min

Day 6: Charleston: Charleston Museum & International African American Museum

  • · Charleston Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to International African American Museum · 30 min
  • · International African American Museum · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Husk (Traditional) · 75 min

Day 7: Charleston: The Battery and White Point Gardens & Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist

  • · The Battery and White Point Gardens · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist · 30 min
  • · Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist · 90 min
  • · Dinner: 82 Queen (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 8: Charleston: Waterfront Park & Gibbes Museum of Art

  • · Waterfront Park · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Gibbes Museum of Art · 30 min
  • · Gibbes Museum of Art · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Hyman's Seafood Restaurant (Seafood) · 75 min

Day 9: Charleston: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens & Middleton Place

  • · Magnolia Plantation and Gardens · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Middleton Place · 45 min
  • · Middleton Place · 75 min

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Day 1
  • 09:30120m
    Washington DC

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C./National_Mall (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Washington DC

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.26 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    Washington DC

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C./National_Mall (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    1608 7th St NW

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: 9AM-11PM daily. Recheck with the restaurant. About 2.5 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C./Shaw (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5357971; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 2
  • 09:30120m
    Washington DC

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C./National_Mall (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Washington DC

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.51 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    Washington DC

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C./National_Mall (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    1601 14th St NW

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. About 2.4 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C./Shaw (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5357971; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 3
  • 09:3075m
    Washington DC

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C./National_Mall (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Washington DC

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.84 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Washington DC

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C./National_Mall (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    1509 17th St NW

    Seafood. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Tue-Thu 5:30-9:30PM; Fri Sat 5:30-10PM. Recheck with the restaurant. About 2.3 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C./Dupont_Circle (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5388383; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 4
  • 09:30120m
    Washington DC

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C./National_Mall (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Washington DC

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.31 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    100 Maryland Ave SW

    Check weather and access conditions; arrange any required ferry or return transport separately. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C./Capitol_Hill (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 5
  • 08:00600m
    Washington DC → Charleston

    Dedicated relocation day from Washington DC to Charleston; no transport is booked. The city centres are approximately 728 km apart in a straight line, not a measured road or rail route. Choose and book a suitable flight, train, bus or ferry; confirm operating days, total door-to-door time, luggage rules and arrival before making reservations. This full-day block is reserved time, not a timetable. Move the following day if your journey needs longer.

Day 6
  • 09:30120m
    360 Meeting St

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Charleston_%28South_Carolina%29 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Charleston

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.92 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    14 Wharfside St

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Charleston_%28South_Carolina%29 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    76 Queen Street

    Traditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. About 1.3 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Charleston_%28South_Carolina%29 (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5397316; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 7
  • 09:30120m
    Charleston

    Check weather and access conditions; arrange any required ferry or return transport separately. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Charleston_%28South_Carolina%29 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Charleston

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.85 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0090m
    120 Broad St

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Charleston_%28South_Carolina%29 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    82 Queen St

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. About 0.2 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Charleston_%28South_Carolina%29 (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5397316; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 8
  • 09:30120m
    from Vendue Range south to Water St. along the Cooper River

    Check weather and access conditions; arrange any required ferry or return transport separately. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Charleston_%28South_Carolina%29 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Charleston

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.6 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:00120m
    135 Meeting Street

    Check admission, timed-entry availability and the current exhibition or visitor route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Charleston_%28South_Carolina%29 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    215 Meeting St

    Seafood. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s local popularity. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. About 0.3 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Charleston_%28South_Carolina%29 (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5397316; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 9
  • 09:30120m
    3550 Ashley River Rd

    Check weather and access conditions; arrange any required ferry or return transport separately. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Charleston_%28South_Carolina%29 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0045m
    Charleston

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (5.79 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    4300 Ashley River Rd

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Charleston_%28South_Carolina%29 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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