Photo By: Kaboompics.com

Planning a weekend as an international student in a new city can feel like a big adventure, and Washington, D.C.

But with so much to see and do—monuments, museums, food, and more—figuring out where to start can be a little overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling a student budget and limited time. 

In this blog, you’ll get a simple, student-friendly guide to the top five things to do in D.C. over a weekend

• Visit the Lincoln Memorial and National Mall

Photo By: Pixabay

Location: Right at the west end of the National Mall, near 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, Washington, D.C.

The Lincoln Memorial and National Mall are those classic D.C. spots you’ve probably seen in pictures—think a big statue of Abe Lincoln and a huge stretch of green lined with monuments. 

The Memorial went up in 1922 to honor Lincoln and what he stood for, unity and freedom.

What to Do:

• Head up the steps to check out the giant Lincoln statue, it’s huge—and look at the Gettysburg Address carved into the wall.
• Take a walk along the Mall to click some instagram pictures by the Washington Monument or the Reflecting Pool.
• Go to the location at night; the lights make the Memorial look amazing and calm.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t go climbing on the statue or pillars—it’s a strict no-go.
• Skip tossing trash around; it’s a nice spot, so let’s keep it that way.
• Leave the bike or scooter outside—you can’t drive through the Memorial itself.

Cost: It’s free to visit both! No entry fees at all. If you’re driving, parking nearby might cost $2-$3 an hour.

Metro’s your friend—$2-$6 a trip from spots like Foggy Bottom or Smithsonian stations, depending on how far you’re coming from student housing in Washington, D.C.

• Discover the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Photo By: Big Dee

Location: 600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C., right on the National Mall.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is this awesome spot where you can nerd out over planes, rockets, and all things sky-related. 

It opened back in 1976 and is packed with stuff like the Wright brothers’ flyer and actual moon rocks—basically, it’s there to show off how humans went from dreaming about flight to landing on the moon. 

What to Do:

• Check out the Apollo 11 Command Module, the real one that went to the moon.
• Wander through the big hangar and click pics of old-school planes hanging from the ceiling.
• Hit up a free tour if you’re there at the right time; the guides talk about some fun facts.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch the exhibits—hands off, keep everything in one piece.
• Skip trying to sneak food in; they’re strict about that, and you’ll just get caught.
• Don’t rush through—give yourself a couple hours to soak it all in.

Cost: It’s free to get in—zero admission fees. Metro’s the easiest way there, L’Enfant Plaza station’s close, about $2-$6 a ride, or parking nearby might cost you $15-$25 for a few hours if you drive.

• Taste Global Flavors at Eastern Market

Location: 225 7th Street SE, Washington, D.C., in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Eastern Market has been a foodie hangout since 1873, one of D.C.’s oldest markets where you can grab fresh bites and feel the community. 

It’s got this cool mix of indoor stalls and weekend outdoor vendors, dishing out flavors from all over—like Mexican street food and Filipino home cooking. 

What to Do:

• Grab a maizope from Mano’s de Maiz—thick corn tortillas with toppings like beef tinga or mole.
• Try the blueberry buckwheat pancakes at Market Lunch; they’re a local favorite worth the early trip.
• Sip a “Fresh” limeade from Kem’s stand outside—pick a flavor like ginger or cinnamon.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t show up on Monday—it’s closed, and you’ll be out of luck.
• Skip asking for a discount too hard; prices are fair.
• Cash is king here, so bring some, some vendors don’t take cards, and ATMs can be a hassle.

Cost: Entry’s free, and food’s pretty wallet-friendly—think $5 smoothies, $8-$12 for meals like crepes or maizope. 

Metro from Eastern Market station runs $2-$6, or parking’s about $15-$25 nearby if you drive. 

• Walk Around Georgetown’s Historic Streets

Location: Georgetown neighborhood, centered around M Street NW and Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C.

Georgetown’s this charming old part of D.C. that’s been around since the 1700s, full of cobblestone streets and brick row houses that scream history. 

It started as a port town and now mixes that vintage feel with cute shops and waterfront views.

What to Do:

• Stroll down M Street to window-shop or grab a coffee at spots like Compass.
• Head to the Georgetown Waterfront Park for a laid-back walk with amazing views of the Potomac River.
• Click a photo by the colorful row houses on N Street—they’re straight out of a postcard.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t bother driving in from your off-campus housing, the streets are narrow, and parking’s a nightmare.
• Skip wearing heels; those cobblestones are not heels friendly.
• Don’t miss the side streets—sticking to just M Street skips the real wonders.

Cost: Walking around is free. A coffee or snack might cost you $3-$7—Compass Coffee’s at $3.50 for a drip. 

Metro to Foggy Bottom’s $2-$6, then a 15-minute walk, or give $20-$30 parking if you insist on driving.

Conclusion

Finishing off a D.C. weekend as an international student is honestly pretty simple—you don’t need a big plan or tons of cash to have a good time. 

Hit up a couple of these spots, and you’ll walk away with some cool history, tasty eats, and a real feel for the city, all without stressing out.

How can amber help you?

amber helps you secure student accommodation of your choice on your study abroad journey. Having served 80 million students (and counting), amber is your one-stop shop for all your accommodation needs. Download the amber app from the Google Play Store or App Store to book an affordable home for your adventure.

About the author:

Archit is an avid writer who is keen to get his doctorate. When not writing, he can be found reading, taking the metro and then questioning this decision, and haunting local bookstores.