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 centre neighbourhood 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 Theatre 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 Centre.

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 neighbourhoods.

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 ฿3,224 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
฿3,224
฿3,738 total
27 Aug - 28 Aug
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! (4,551 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Washington Plaza Hotel
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is ฿3,294 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
฿3,294
฿4,802 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,650 reviews)
"Excellent hotel! Great staff, great location"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
The Henley Park Hotel

The Henley Park Hotel

4 out of 5
926 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC
The price is ฿3,100 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
฿3,100
฿3,595 total
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,154 reviews)
"Overall, the room was very nicely done. The bed was comfortable. Its downtown DC, so the was constant honking and sirens, but that was minor. Only one elevator was working at the time, so expect a little bit of a wait. The only offputting thing i experienced was a manager chewing out the person behind ..."

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

The Henley Park Hotel
Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center

Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center

3.5 out of 5
627 H Street NW, Washington, DC
The price is ฿2,741 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
฿2,741
฿3,178 total
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,649 reviews)
Convenient location and good value.
"We had a one night stay. It's conveniently located across the street from the Green Line Gallery Place stop which was perfect for us. The hotel is very modern and very clean. The staff was very friendly. We didn't realize that this was a different type of Hilton. The rooms are very small! Just big ..."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center
Hotel Lombardy

Hotel Lombardy

4 out of 5
2019 Pennsylvania Ave Nw, Washington, DC
The price is ฿3,875 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
฿3,875
฿4,494 total
25 Aug - 26 Aug
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! (1,292 reviews)
"Very comfortable and roomy accommodations. Perfect location convenient to GWU as we were dropping off child for college. Opted for nearby lot parking which saved some $. Inadvertently left laptop at hotel; called and mailed it promptly back to me. Would happily stay there again."

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

Hotel Lombardy
Moxy Washington DC Downtown

Moxy Washington DC Downtown

3 out of 5
1011 K Street NW, Washington, DC
The price is ฿2,827 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
฿2,827
฿3,278 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,033 reviews)
First stay at Moxy
"My stay was pretty good. Room was small but clean. Downside was the view...looking into another building. Wish the food options in the hotel were better."

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

Moxy Washington DC Downtown
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 Studio Theatre and National City Christian Church.

Logan Circle
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Penn Quarter

While you're in Penn Quarter, take in top sights like FBI Headquarters 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
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Shaw

Visitors often come to Shaw for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Howard Theatre and Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Shaw Station.

Shaw
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

Downtown Washington D.C. Travel Guide