US · District of Columbia · 38.90°N 77.02°W

washington, dc

Smithsonian museums, big memorials and cherry trees beside the Tidal Basin.

Best time
March–May and September–October are comfortable for walking, with cherry blossom usually at its peak in late March or early April. July–August are hot and humid; winter is cold and can bring snow.
How long
3–4 days
Getting there
Fly to Washington Dulles with one stop, usually via Tokyo or Seoul, about 21–24 hours all in. The Silver Line Metro takes about an hour from Dulles to central Washington. DC is 12 hours behind KL, 13 from November to early March. Malaysians need a US B1/B2 visitor visa, usually with an interview at the embassy in KL; ESTA isn't open to Malaysian passports.
Save postcard
US · District of Columbiawashington, dc38.90°N 77.02°Wgowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Smithsonian museums, big memorials and cherry trees beside the Tidal Basin.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingWashington, DCUS, District of Columbia
KLwashington, dc
≈ 15,339 km from KL, as the crow flies
Washington Monument, Tidal Basin and cherry blossoms.

Photo: Meihe Chen · CC BY-SA 4.0

1 / 3

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Washington is made for museums, with the Smithsonian's free collections lined up along the National Mall. Between them are the big memorials, and beyond them older neighbourhoods like Georgetown that feel far from the government buildings.

Makan

  1. Ethiopian foodDC has one of the biggest Ethiopian communities outside Africa. Tear off spongy injera to scoop up spiced stews.Map ↗
  2. Blue crabFrom the Chesapeake Bay, in crab cakes or steamed whole with Old Bay spice.Map ↗
  3. Wings with mumbo sauceDC's own sweet, tangy red sauce, poured over fried chicken wings from neighbourhood carry-outs.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. National MallAbout 3 km of lawns from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, with the Washington Monument in the middle.Map ↗
  2. Smithsonian museumsAir and Space, Natural History, American History and more, all free and enough to fill several days.Map ↗
  3. Tidal BasinA loop past the Jefferson and FDR memorials, ringed by cherry trees that flower in spring.Map ↗
  4. GeorgetownOld brick streets, the C&O Canal towpath and a riverside park on the Potomac.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The Smithsonians are free, but Air and Space and the African American History museum need free timed passes booked online.
  • Halal food trucks park near the Mall museums, and the Virginia suburbs have plenty of Afghan, Pakistani and Middle Eastern restaurants.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.