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Two places I always recommend (I'm a native of the DC area)

National Arboretum - has every kind of tree and bush that can grow here. Unfortuantely, no picnicking

The Textile Museum. Privately-owned, not far from the Phillips Collection (N. of Dupont Circle)

Neither of these places attracts a lot of tourists.

We visited in 1989. Didn't know anything about the Metro, but learned quickly, the hard way. It's easy once you understand it. We started at a station nearest Manassass, Va. The station was empty, no one around to ask for info. We wanted to get to the central station in DC. A train pulled up, but it's destination sign didn't have our destination listed. Hubby says, "Wait here, I'll ask passengers on the train." Big mistake!!!! When he found out this train would take us to our destination, he turned and motioned for me to get on the train...just as the doors slammed shut. Hubby began beating on the doors looking a little like a madman. That was the last I saw of him for the next 2 hours. The other passengers got a little leery of this Texan with cowboy hat and boots beating on the doors, but once he realized his behavior and calmed down, they were very helpful.

I had time to read some signs before the next train pulled up and figured out that any train would take me to the central station. I hopped the next train and got off at central station expecting hubby to be waiting there. Nope, he had gotten off at the next stop and was going to get on the next train expecting me to be on it. For some reason, my train didn't stop there. Anyway, it took about 2 hours for us to find each other at the central station. After that, we always held hands getting on and off the train. So, learn the Metro before you leap!

I agree with many of the suggestions already made. The Museum of American History was one of our favorites. Had to see Big Daddy's race car! The Tupperware display and 1950's era kitchen display were amusing. Collections of all kinds of American products are there...motorcycles, farm equipment, radios, TV's, and many more. It gives one a sense of the great American ingenuity throughout our history.

The Air and Space Museum was excellent. A capsule from one of the Apollo missions and the satellites on display puts things in perspective. I was amazed at how small they are.
Seeing the Apollo capsule was special for us because hubby was on the USS Ticonderoga during an Apollo capsule recovery mission.

The one thing I'm most thankful for not missing was the walk along the Viet Nam Memorial Wall. It was the most emotional event of our visit. My reaction surprised me. Take tissues. You will need them!

We did a bus tour of Arlington Cemetery. It was a great way to go. Get on and off at any stop and spend as long as you want at any stop. Don't miss any of it.

Mt. Vernon is a must see. Soak in the history of the Father of our country. I loved his pedal powered fan chair...cool idea! George Washington was many more things besides the Father of our country. He wore many hats.

A visit to DC and surrounding areas is a history lesson and something every American should do at least once in their lifetime. We spent two weeks in the area and still didn't see it all.

Oh yeah, the Skyline Drive is spectacular. Just don't plan to grill burgers during winter up there. We did. Of course we're south Texans, what do we know about mountains and winters? We learned you had to put your burger back on the fire about every 2 bites unless you wanted to eat it frozen.

We were totally out of our element and ill prepared, but it was still the best vacation ever.

Gosh, I forgot about the Arboreatum! I've not yet gone myself, but all I hear is how great it is!