Woodley Park Travel Guide

Washington

A street lined with trees, a McDonald's restaurant, and a flower shop.
A large Gothic-style cathedral with intricate architecture and a prominent rose window.
A residential area with a row of houses, a tree, and a planter with flowers.
A large cathedral with intricate Gothic architecture, featuring two tall towers and a large rose window.
A brick building with large windows and decorative circular elements on the facade.

See the pandas and elephants in the acclaimed zoo, take a tour of a historic observatory and visit the cathedral in this upmarket residential area.

Woodley Park is a charming neighbourhood full of quaint cafés and open, green spaces. It is known for its vast zoo and impressive cathedral, among other intriguing landmarks in a leafy district. Bring your family to relax in the picturesque parks and encounter a range of exotic wildlife.

Wander along the trails of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in the eastern part of the neighbourhood. Admission is free for this family-friendly spot, which has a range of intriguing exhibits and animal enclosures. See the highlights of pandas, great cats, bears and elephants.

The western side of the district is known for the U.S. Naval Observatory, which is among the country’s oldest and most important sites providing astronomical data. Take a guided tour of the intriguing scientific instruments to learn about the role of the observatory.

Walk north for about 20 minutes to reach St. Sophia Cathedral, which was founded at the start of the 20th century. Admire its neo-Byzantine design and enjoy the serenity within. Adjacent to the cathedral is Bryce Park, where you can relax with a book in the shade of a tree during hot and humid summers. Note that winters are fairly cold and snowy.

Aside from the parks and historic structures, the neighbourhood has many noteworthy institutions. Spot the Washington International School, the British Embassy and the Embassy of Switzerland.

Stay at one of the historic hotels in this upscale area. The Omni Shoreham Hotel overlooks Rock Creek Park and dates back to the 1930s, while the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel was constructed a decade earlier.

The neighbourhood is close to Rock Creek in the northwestern part of Washington D.C. Take a bus to one of the many nearby stops or ride the metro to the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan metro station. Visit some of the surrounding districts, such as Cleveland ParkOpens in a new window, Mount Pleasant and Massachusetts Heights.

Woodley Park is a scenic, verdant neighbourhood with a range of parks, historic structures and family-friendly activities.

Stay near popular Woodley Park attractions

Embassy of Switzerland

After visiting Embassy of Switzerland, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Washington. Add the area's shops or notable monuments to your travel plans.
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Things to do

Washington by Day: Small Group Sightseeing Tour via Electric Vehicle

Washington DC Monuments & Highlights: Small-Group Electric Cart Tour

฿1,431
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Washington DC Monuments & Highlights: Small-Group Electric Cart Tour
LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.

LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.

฿992
per adult
LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.
Museum of the Bible Admission Ticket

Museum of the Bible Admission Ticket

฿1,158
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Museum of the Bible Admission Ticket
Skip-the-Line Washington Monument Observation Deck Tickets

Skip-the-Line Washington Monument Tickets + Self Guidebook

฿596
per adult
Skip-the-Line Washington Monument Tickets + Self Guidebook
The Hard Rock Cafe entrance in Washington DC

Dining at Hard Rock Cafe Washington DC

฿1,324
per traveller
Dining at Hard Rock Cafe Washington DC
DC at Dusk Night Tour

DC at Dusk Night Tour

฿2,151
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
DC at Dusk Night Tour
See all activities in Washington

Top hotels in Woodley Park

Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW Washington DC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿3,583 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
฿3,583
฿4,155 total
2 Sept - 3 Sept
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (5,401 reviews)
"Superb hotel"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2026

Washington Plaza Hotel
Arlo Washington DC

Arlo Washington DC

4 out of 5
333 G St NW Washington DC
The price is ฿3,217 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
฿3,217
฿5,091 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and 2 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Capital One Arena and Smithsonian Institution are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,935 reviews)
"I’d really like to rate the Arlo 3.5. Our room was relatively clean, but not spotless. The bathroom seemed cleaner. Overall a well appointed room, but it seemed heavily used. Perhaps it’s soon time for a refresh? The staff was friendly and the adjacent coffee shop was a plus. I found the parking ..."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2026

Arlo Washington DC
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW Washington DC
The price is ฿4,272 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
฿4,272
฿5,963 total
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,559 reviews)
"The air conditioner wasn’t working in the room. Finally moved me close to midnight to another room. The next room’s air conditioner worked but the carpeting was very stained and items were taken from the concierge frig."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2026

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 ฿3,249 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
฿3,249
฿3,767 total
23 Aug - 24 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,712 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay. The staff was helpful and polite. We would return for another stay."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2026

The Henley Park Hotel
citizenM Washington DC Capitol

citizenM Washington DC Capitol

4 out of 5
550 School St SW Washington DC
The price is ฿3,245 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
฿3,245
฿3,763 total
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,348 reviews)
"My teen was impressed with the “vibes and art”"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2026

citizenM Washington DC Capitol
Morrison Clark Historic Inn

Morrison Clark Historic Inn

4 out of 5
1011 L Street NW Washington DC
The price is ฿4,239 per night from 11 Sept to 12 Sept
฿4,239
฿4,915 total
11 Sept - 12 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,294 reviews)
"If you like classical music, you would love this place. The acoustic setup in the hall is one of the best I've ever seen."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2026

Morrison Clark Historic Inn
See all 6,277 properties in Woodley Park
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.

Where to stay in Woodley Park

Find the best Woodley Park areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Woodley Park
Learn more about Woodley Park
A historic building with a clock tower, a busy intersection, and a person riding a scooter.

Downtown Washington D.C.

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Washington D.C.. Check out top attractions like Capital One Arena and Smithsonian Institution, and jump on the metro at McPherson Sq. Station or Center Station to see more of the city.

A statue in a park with a paved walkway and benches.

Northwest

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Northwest. Check out top attractions like White House and Smithsonian's National Zoo, and jump on the metro at Cleveland Park Station or Van Ness-UDC Station to see more of the city.

A row of brick buildings with storefronts, a crosswalk, and a traffic light.

Georgetown

Georgetown is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Georgetown Park or Washington Harbour.

A brick building with a red door and a sign that reads "Old Fashioned Pop's Dream Company."

Old Town Alexandria

Take time in Old Town Alexandria to visit attractions like Alexandria City Hall and Market Square. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at King Street Station to see more of the city.

A fountain with a statue of a figure, surrounded by trees and benches in a park.

Dupont Circle

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.

Woodley Park Travel Guide