Downtown Washington D.C. Travel Guide

Washington

Downtown Washington D.C. showing street scenes, night scenes and a city
Downtown Washington D.C.
Downtown Washington D.C.
Downtown Washington D.C.
Downtown Washington D.C. which includes heritage elements

Art galleries, museums and theatres as well as vibrant entertainment, nightlife and shopping districts await in this city centre neighbourhood.

Downtown Washington D.C. is an urban city center neighborhood where people live, play and work. It’s a clean, safe and walkable area with wide avenues and tree-lined pavements. In Downtown Washington D.C. you’ll discover some of the city’s best galleries and museums, eclectic restaurants and bustling nightlife. Watch sporting events, attend star-studded concerts and relax in leafy parks.

Art and history enthusiasts are spoiled for choice in Downtown Washington D.C. Retrace the history of American architecture, design and urban planning at the National Building Museum. Interact with the hands-on displays and inspect the photography exhibitions at the National Geographic Museum. Visit the galleries of the National Archives Museum and see a celebration of women’s art at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Find more museums in the Penn Quarter, including the International Spy Museum and Marian Koshland Science Museum. Admire presidential portraits at the National Portrait Gallery and a showcase of national art at Smithsonian American Art Museum. Catch a performance at the Ford’s Theater and Shakespeare Theatre Company or spot celebrity waxwork models at Madame Tussaud’s Washington D.C. Watch concerts by famous acts or basketball and ice hockey matches at the Verizon Center.

Stroll through Chinatown, where Asian shops and restaurants share the streets with lively pubs and nightclubs. Check out the Friendship Archway, a Chinese gateway decorated with a multi-tiered roof and around 270 painted dragons.

Go to Lafayette Square, from where you can catch a glimpse of the iconic White House. Like nearby Farragut Square, Franklin Square and McPherson Square, it’s a great place to sit and watch the world go by.

Downtown Washington D.C. is served by six metro stations, which provide access to the city’s five Metrorail lines. It’s also one of the city’s most bike-friendly neighborhoods.

Visit the official websites of the Downtown Washington D.C.’s galleries and museums for admission fees, opening times and event schedules.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Downtown Washington D.C.

Washington Plaza Hotel
Washington Plaza Hotel
4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC
The price is Rp1.777.136 per night from 30 Jun to 1 Jul
Rp1.777.136
Rp2.060.590 total
30 Jun - 1 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,355 reviews)
"Excellent service and location!"

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

Washington Plaza Hotel
Hotel Lombardy
Hotel Lombardy
4 out of 5
2019 Pennsylvania Ave Nw, Washington, DC
The price is Rp2.266.256 per night from 2 Jul to 3 Jul
Rp2.266.256
Rp2.627.724 total
2 Jul - 3 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,182 reviews)
"Staff were all super friendly, helpful and eager to please. Food was delicious in the restaurant, just pricey. Our room was very nice and clean. Only downside to the room was the lack of counter space & vent in the bathroom."

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

Hotel Lombardy
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is Rp2.086.912 per night from 5 Jul to 6 Jul
Rp2.086.912
Rp2.916.557 total
5 Jul - 6 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,388 reviews)
"Great location. Clean rooms. Maintenance is needed in some of the rooms - lights out, no exhaust fan, air conditioner wasn’t working properly."

Reviewed on 13 Jun 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington D.C. – Convention Center
Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington D.C. – Convention Center
3.5 out of 5
900 10th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is Rp2.984.936 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
Rp2.984.936
Rp3.461.033 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness centre and Wi-Fi (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,844 reviews)
"Nice hotel Large rooms,clean and simple. Good location."

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington D.C. – Convention Center
Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC
Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC
3 out of 5
839 17th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is Rp2.171.693 per night from 29 Jun to 30 Jun
Rp2.171.693
Rp2.518.078 total
29 Jun - 30 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,484 reviews)
"Location was perfect! Staff were all wonderful!"

Reviewed on 12 Jun 2025

Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC
Morrison Clark Historic Inn
Morrison Clark Historic Inn
4 out of 5
1011 L Street NW, Washington, DC
The price is Rp2.103.216 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
Rp2.103.216
Rp2.438.679 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,769 reviews)
"Lovely hotel. Nice and central to walk around, particularly if you need to be at the Walter E Convention center. Enough shops and restaurants around while still feeling a little out of the busy area, but not a far walk to town/shopping. The room was very nice, just missing a coffee machine although ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

Morrison Clark Historic Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Washington D.C.

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Logan Circle

A noteworthy feature of Logan Circle is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out National City Christian Church and Studio Theatre.

Logan Circle
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Penn Quarter

While you're in Penn Quarter, take in top sights like Navy Memorial & Naval Heritage Center and jump on the metro at Archives Station to see more of the city.

Penn Quarter
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Connecticut Ave - K Street

While you're in Connecticut Ave - K Street, take in top sights like National Geographic Museum or K Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Farragut North Station or Farragut West Station.

Connecticut Ave - K Street
Dupont Circle showing a statue or sculpture and a monument

Dupont Circle

4.5/5(91 area reviews)

Visitors to Dupont Circle love its fantastic nightlife, and you can check out Dupont Circle and Mansion on O Street. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Dupont Circle Station.

Dupont Circle
International Spy Museum featuring interior views

Southwest Federal Center

While you're in Southwest Federal Center, take in top sights like Smithsonian Institution or L'Enfant Plaza, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at L'Enfant Plaza Station or Federal Center Station.

Southwest Federal Center
Foggy Bottom which includes a city, a memorial and a statue or sculpture

Foggy Bottom

4.5/5(39 area reviews)

Important monuments a university vibe and top sights from Potomac River to Chesapeake and Ohio Canal – discover Foggy Bottom, a destination also famous for its historic sites.

Foggy Bottom

Downtown Washington D.C. Travel Guide