Timeline
11:05
Arrive at the National Building Museum right when it opens at 10:00. The massive Pension Building interior is best experienced in the quiet morning light before the tour groups arrive. Walk through the expansive central hall and admire the architecture.
13:05
Walk twelve minutes to Pearl's Bagels for a quick bite. This tiny shop serves some of the best bagels in downtown D.C. It is the perfect spot to grab a coffee and a pastry before heading south.
14:05
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
Walk eighteen minutes SSW to the Hirshhorn Museum. Explore the brutalist "spaceship" building and its stimulating collection of modern art. The spiral gallery offers unique perspectives on the city and the surrounding Mall.
16:29
Walk fifteen minutes WSW to the Old Post Office Tower. Ascend to the top of the Waldorf Astoria for one of the best views of the city. Time your arrival so you can watch the sun set toward the WSW.
Local tip
The Hirshhorn is a short walk from the Building Museum. If you prefer to skip the museum interior, you can spend more time in the Sculpture Garden at the Hirshhorn to enjoy the open space and views.
Check before you go
- The National Building Museum opens at 10:00 on weekdays and Saturdays.
- Pearl's Bagels closes at 14:00.
- The Old Post Office Tower is open in the evening for sunset views.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Washington, D.C. (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).