From Mount Vernon to the Whitney Museum of American Art, you’ll see some amazing architectural sights on this roundup of super fun things to do in DC and NYC!

Looking for cool things to do in DC and NYC? These epic tours take in some of the most famous buildings in both cities, such as the White House and The Plaza!

  1. Whitney Museum of American Art

    Whitney Museum of American Art
    First up on our list of things to do in DC and NYC involving amazing architecture is the Whitney Museum of American Art. Originally opened in 1931, this blockbuster gallery’s new home since 2015 is a strikingly modern building in the Meatpacking District.

    Enjoying a prime spot between the High Line and the Hudson River, the design is the work of architect Renzo Piano. It boasts 50,000 square feet or indoor exhibition space, and 13,000 of outdoor exhibition space, plus 23,000 works of art by over 3,500 American artists! These include famous names such as Edward Hopper and Mark Rothko.

  2. A Walk in the Park – Central Park Walking Park

    Central Park Walking Park aerial view
    You’ve scaled the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center and many of the Big Apple’s other blockbuster buildings – what next? How about exploring the city’s skyline from the vantage point of Manhattan’s Central Park?

    On this 2.5 hour walking tour, you’ll get to enjoy many of the park’s most charming sights, such as the Pulitzer Fountain and the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, not to mention the fabulous buildings that dot the park’s edges.

    These include the dazzling French Renaissance Plaza building, designed by architects Henry Janeway Hardenbergh and Thomas Hastings. Standing 82m tall, it dates back to 1907. Plus there’s the amazing Emery Roth-designed San Remo apartment building, known for its striking towers, built 1929 and measuring 122m.

  3. Mount Vernon tour

    Mount Vernon tour
    Now we’ve looked at the best things to do in NYC for architecture lovers, we move on to the best things to do in DC. On the 4.5 hour Mount Vernon tour, you’ll depart DC and take a short bus ride to eastern Virginia, and the home and resting place of former US President George Washington.

    This 23-room mansion, known for its charming appearance and echoing Palladian and Neoclassical Georgian styles, overlooks the Potomac River. You’ll set the pace on this self-guided walk, exploring original objects dating back to 1740s, as well as Martha Washington’s well-kept gardens.

    The plantation, which dates back to 1758, also features historical reenactors to give you a feel of the era, as well as a lovely gift shop.

  4. Hour Hop-on Hop-off Washington, DC bus tour

    our Hop-on Hop-off Washington
    Last up is the 24 Hour Hop-on Hop-off Washington, DC bus tour! This is a super convenient way to see many of the US capital’s iconic sights: from the comfort of a climate-controlled DC Trails bus that you can jump on and off at your leisure.

    Stops include Capitol Hill, the Botanical Gardens and Garfield Memorial Explanation, the National Air and Space Museum, the Newseum and of course, The White House!

    The starkly whitewashed sandstone home of the president is an example of neo-classical Federal architecture, inspired by classic Greek Ionic styles, with construction started in October 1792.

Stay tuned! Next week we’ll be telling you about some of the best things to do in DC and NYC for culture lovers! Are you planning a trip to The Big Apple or Washington, DC, the US state capital, in the future? Plan your itinerary and check out an array of things to do in New York plus the top DC attractions with Vamzio today!