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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 · 11 days

Washington DC & Philadelphia in 11 days

5 sightseeing days in Washington DC, a dedicated relocation day, then 5 days in Philadelphia. Includes National Air and Space Museum and Philadelphia Museum of Art, 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 5 sightseeing days; move to Philadelphia on day 6, then stay for 5 sightseeing days. Book accommodation in both bases rather than returning each night.
  • The 198 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 7 · Vetri — Pasta. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 8 · Amada — Traditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 9 · Dahlak — Traditional. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. 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 & Philadelphia itinerary: 11 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: Capital Jewish Museum & National Postal Museum

  • · Capital Jewish Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to National Postal Museum · 30 min
  • · National Postal Museum · 120 min

Day 6: Washington DC → Philadelphia: travel and check-in

  • · Relocate: Washington DC → Philadelphia · 600 min

Day 7: Philadelphia: Philadelphia Museum of Art & Rodin Museum

  • · Philadelphia Museum of Art · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Rodin Museum · 30 min
  • · Rodin Museum · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Vetri (Pasta) · 150 min

Day 8: Philadelphia: Independence Hall & Liberty Bell Center

  • · Independence Hall · 75 min
  • · Transfer to Liberty Bell Center · 30 min
  • · Liberty Bell Center · 75 min
  • · Dinner: Amada (Traditional) · 75 min

Day 9: Philadelphia: Independence National Historical Park and Visitor's Center & National Museum of American Jewish History

  • · Independence National Historical Park and Visitor's Center · 120 min
  • · Transfer to National Museum of American Jewish History · 30 min
  • · National Museum of American Jewish History · 120 min
  • · Dinner: Dahlak (Traditional) · 75 min

Day 10: Philadelphia: Independence Seaport Museum & Museum of the American Revolution

  • · Independence Seaport Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to Museum of the American Revolution · 30 min
  • · Museum of the American Revolution · 120 min

Day 11: Philadelphia: The Mütter Museum & The Franklin Institute Science Museum

  • · The Mütter Museum · 120 min
  • · Transfer to The Franklin Institute Science Museum · 30 min
  • · The Franklin Institute Science Museum · 120 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
  • 09:30120m
    575 3rd Street NW

    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./East_End (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 (0.58 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
    2 Massachusetts Ave NE

    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./Capitol_Hill (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 6
  • 08:00600m
    Washington DC → Philadelphia

    Dedicated relocation day from Washington DC to Philadelphia; no transport is booked. The city centres are approximately 198 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 7
  • 09:30120m
    26th St and Benjamin Franklin Pkwy

    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/Philadelphia/Center_City_West (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Philadelphia

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.76 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
    2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy

    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/Philadelphia/Center_City_West (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:00150m
    Dining
    1312 Spruce St

    Pasta. 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: Mon-Sat 6PM-9PM, Sun closed. Recheck with the restaurant. About 1.9 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/Philadelphia/Center_City_East (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5386011; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 8
  • 09:3075m
    Chestnut St between 5th and 6th Sts

    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/Philadelphia/Old_City (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Philadelphia

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.1 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
    Market St between 5th and 6th Sts

    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/Philadelphia/Old_City (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    217-219 Chestnut St

    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. Guide-listed service: Weekday lunch/weekend brunch: 11:30AM-2:30PM daily; dinner: Mon-Fri 5-10PM, Sat Sun 4-10PM. Recheck with the restaurant. About 0.5 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/Philadelphia/Old_City (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5386014; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 9
  • 09:30120m
    6th and Market Sts

    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/Philadelphia/Old_City (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Philadelphia

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.18 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
    101 South Independence Mall East

    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/Philadelphia/Old_City (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    4708 Baltimore Ave

    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. Guide-listed service: Daily 4PM-10:30PM. Recheck with the restaurant. About 5.9 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/Philadelphia/West (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5360447; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 10
  • 09:30120m
    211 S Columbus Blvd

    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/Philadelphia/Old_City (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Philadelphia

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.53 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
    101 S 3rd 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/Philadelphia/Old_City (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 11
  • 09:30120m
    19 S 22nd 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/Philadelphia/Center_City_West (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Philadelphia

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.64 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
    222 N 20th 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/Philadelphia/Center_City_West (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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