One Day Exploring Dog Friendly DC Around the National Mall

On one Christmas vacation, we visited dog-friendly DC with our dog Snoopy.

Snoopy has traveled to different places with us, and we thought it was time to take his picture in front of the White House.

Finding dog-friendly attractions in DC was challenging for tourists from out of town like us. It’s because DC is more than just the White House, and we didn’t have much time there.

We felt one day around the National Mall area with our dog Snoopy would be enough after seeking and digging for information. On future trips, we’ll explore more dog-friendly DC neighborhoods.

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We traveled from Texas to DC, but we spent a few days with family in Pittsburgh for Christmas first. It was cold and gloomy in Pittsburgh. That way, Snoopy adjusted to the winter weather because it was in the 70s and beautiful in Texas before we left for the trip.

It was our second trip to the Capital, and we spent four days in dog-friendly DC. Our first trip was without a dog, and we stayed in DC for six days.

From Pittsburgh to DC it takes around 4 hours drive. Since we drove through Shanksville, we decided to make a second visit to Flight 93 National Memorial in the town of Stoystown. They were building the Visitor Center Complex the first time we went there, and now we could visit it.

When you plan to stop here with your dog, they must be on leash at all times. They are permitted only in the parking area and around the parking area. However, there’s a mown path that parallels the formal Memorial Plaza walkway that does allow dogs on a leash.

Arriving in DC we went straight to our hotel in Arlington, Virginia. It’s not too far from the US Marine Corps War Memorial, commonly known as the Iwo Jima Memorial. After checked-in, we made a quick stop at the Iwo Jima Memorial because it was almost dark. It’s a pet friendly place and parking is free.

Exploring Dog Friendly DC in One Day

Before leaving for DC, I searched for parking options in the city, including asking fellow bloggers who were based in the city. After a discussion with my husband, we decided to explore the Capital with Snoopy on Sunday. Parking in DC is free on Sundays.

Our hotel is located in Rosslyn, Virginia, only a bridge away from the Constitution Ave. in DC. In less than 10 minutes we arrived in DC and parked on 22nd St. NW, right by the Statue of Albert Einstein. Yes! In case you do not know, there is a bronze statue of the celebrated scientist in DC, at the corner of the National Academy of Sciences.

So, the Capital is not only about visiting statues or monuments of our Presidents. My husband is a middle school science teacher, and our son has loved science since he was little. Moreover, the statue is pet-friendly, so Snoopy could take pictures with Albert Einstein, too. Also, it’s the right place to start our day visit to dog friendly places in DC, especially around the National Mall.

Across the street is the west end of the National Mall, where The Lincoln Memorial is located. That’s where we went next. Unfortunately, you can’t bring your dog to the memorial, but you can take a picture from the stairs area to the Memorial. You can’t really see Sitting Lincoln from here, but you definitely can see the whole memorial. Right in front of the memorial is the Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument is standing tall in the distance.

From here we stopped at Lincoln Retail Refreshment and Gift Shop for breakfast sandwiches and hot chocolates. It was cold that morning and we arrived in DC around 8 a.m. Our hotel room only came with coffee for breakfast, and we wanted to secure a parking space in DC as fast we could.

After breakfast we visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial. One of my favorite memorials in DC. We entered the area after we made sure we didn’t see any signs that said dogs are not allowed. Unless we missed the sign, it is very important to read the sign before you enter the memorial areas.

From here we crossed the Independence Ave SW to see the famous dog in DC, Fala. We hit Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial first, but too bad it’s not pet friendly.

Right after that is FDR Memorial where Snoopy got to see Fala, America’s favorite presidential pet. Fala was FDR’s favorite dog that travelled on planes and ships to countless meetings, speeches, and engagements around the world with him. He was a Scottish Terrier, and you just have to stop here when you visit DC with your dogs.

One thing to remember, the National Mall is huge. From one memorial to another memorial is quite a distance. You must bring enough water and treats for your dogs. If you have a small dog, you might have to carry them at some points.

When we left FDR Memorial, rain started to fall. We walked fast to our next destination, the Washington Monument. But rain didn’t want to compromise with us that morning, so we had to take cover around the restrooms.

Once the rain changed to droplets, we continued to the Washington Monument. Not too many people around because of the wet weather. I think visiting DC when it’s raining is a good time also, as long as you don’t mind getting wet.

From Washington Monument we turned around towards our car. We walked through the World War II Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Arriving in the car, we took a bit of a rest before we continued to the next stops.

Visiting White House and The Capitol

Our next stop was the White House. After all, you must visit the United States President’s residence when you are in the Capital, right?

Most streets around Pennsylvania Avenue are one way. When we spotted a parking spot in front of the US Post Office on E St. NW, we parked right away. It’s still far from the White House, about 4 blocks, but we weren’t sure whether we would find another parking spot.

That day they closed the road in front of the White House for cars. Barriers were put up on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Nine years ago, the barriers were on the concrete walkway. When my parents visited in the early 80s, my dad could put his hands through the fence. Looking at his pictures, as if he took them from the White House lawn.

In case you do not know, The National Mall is a National Park, and the most-visited one. After visiting National Parks for several years, our son decided to get the National Park Passport a year before our trip to DC. So, he used this time to get his passport stamped all around the Mall.

From the White House we continued to the White House Visitor Center that is located at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue NW and 15th St NW. Since dogs are not allowed inside, we visited the Boy Scout of America statues first, right across the Visitor Center. Then my husband took Snoopy back to the car, while my son and I went to the Visitor Center.

Our last stop in DC is the Capitol. Since we were here on Friday, without Snoopy, we just made a quick stop for pictures with Snoopy. There weren’t people around at all. I guess because of the weather condition, people decided to spend time in covered areas.

Other pet friendly places around DC

When we arrived in DC on Thursday late afternoon, we went to Iwo Jima Memorial like I mentioned above. It’s pet friendly and spacious, dogs will love it there.

On Friday we went to tour the Capitol and visit museums and several places that we didn’t get to see on our first visit. Fortunately my cousin and her husband live in the area, so we dropped Snoopy off at their apartment. They took Snoopy to a pet store and a dog park near where they live.

Then on Saturday we went to Mount Vernon to visit George Washington’s house. It’s a pet friendly place and your dog will like walking around the estate. Just make sure you take turns when doing the mansion tour. Also, there are buildings when they conduct events where dogs are not allowed, so someone has to stay outside with the doggo.

From here we made a stop at Old Town Alexandria. A dog friendly town where you will see lots of dogs walking around on a leash with their hooman.

On Monday morning we left for Philadelphia and Ocean City in New Jersey.

Where to stay in DC with your dog

You have choices of hotels, apartments, or Airbnb in and around DC that will accommodate you and your dog. It all depends on your budget, what type of travelers you are, locations (close to Metro), and what activities you want to do while in the capital.

There are hotels that don’t have pet fees, there are hotels that will charge you a fee (normally one time.) You must think about parking, as most hotels don’t have free parking. Also, check with the hotels whether they will let you leave your dog in a room by itself, on the day you will visit places that are not pet friendly (like the Smithsonian Museums, the Capitol, the Arlington Cemetery, etc.)

Most of the time, our family used hotels for sleeping and shower only.  If we go to a resort, it’s a different story.

For this trip, we stayed in Red Lion Hotel Rosslyn Iwo Jima in Arlington. It’s far from the top pet friendly hotels in DC, but the price was right for our family. There’s a charge for a one time pet fee, parking is free, and close to a Metro Station. The downside for this place, there’s only a couple of small flower beds for your dogs to do their business. I didn’t ask whether we could leave Snoopy by himself in the room since my cousin and her husband had him the day we tour the Capitol. We didn’t use the Metro Station by the hotel either, because we could park our car in their apartment’s parking lot – for free – and they drove us to the nearest Metro Station by their place.

Remember! Nothing is free in the capital and parking from Monday to Saturday can choke you.

We enjoyed our trip to DC with our dog Snoopy in December. Of course, we would like to visit again during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Have you been to DC with your dog in December or any other months? Let me know your experiences by leaving a comment below.

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