Arlington hotel and the free Mall — 4 days in Washington, DC
Photo: APK · CC BY 4.0

🏛️ Washington, DC · 4 days

Arlington hotel and the free Mall

The Mall, the museums, and the monuments. 4-day Washington, DC trip for 4 people: Smithsonian museums, two of them, Eastern Market lunch, Smithsonian National Zoo. Stay at Hilton Garden Inn Arlington / Courthouse. About $679 per person, estimated, checked Oct 27, 2026.

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Costs

Restaurants$72
Activities$0
Flights$2,080
Lodging$564
About $679 / person for 4 people (estimated, checked Oct 27, 2026)$2,716 estimated

Estimate · prices last checked 2026-10-27.

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Where you stay

Getting there

Day by day

Day 1 2026-12-27

Metro in and two museums, not the whole Mall. Free does not mean short.

  • MorningSmithsonian museums, two of themThe Mall museums are free. Timed entry still applies at some doors. Pick two, not six.FreeBook this on ViatorWe may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money
  • EveningEastern Market lunchA counter-lunch estimate. Saturday is the busy market day.$72
  • OvernightHilton Garden Inn Arlington / CourthouseAn Arlington hotel on the Metro. One standard room. The Mall is a train ride.$188Book on Booking.comWe may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money

We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money

Day 2 2026-12-28

The zoo in the morning. Little kids get one animal hour, then a train back.

  • MorningSmithsonian National ZooFree. The pandas are not a promise. Go early if you have little kids.FreeBook on nationalzoo.si.eduWe may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money
  • OvernightHilton Garden Inn Arlington / CourthouseAn Arlington hotel on the Metro. One standard room. The Mall is a train ride.$188Book on Booking.comWe may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money

We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money

Day 3 2026-12-29

Memorials at dusk. The walk is the long part. Strollers earn their place.

  • AfternoonLincoln, MLK, and the war memorialsA free evening walk. The monuments are lit. The distance is longer than it looks on a map.FreeBook this on ViatorWe may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money
  • OvernightHilton Garden Inn Arlington / CourthouseAn Arlington hotel on the Metro. One standard room. The Mall is a train ride.$188Book on Booking.comWe may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money

We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money

Day 4 2026-12-30

Checkout. Reagan is the close airport and still wants a time cushion.

  • Free day.