Downtown Washington D.C.

Washington

Downtown Washington D.C. which includes a city, street scenes and night scenes
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 €98 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
€98
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,493 reviews)
"Staff are very helpful!"

Reviewed on 7 Aug 2025

Washington Plaza Hotel
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW, Washington, DC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €121 per night from 29 Aug to 30 Aug
€121
29 Aug - 30 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,590 reviews)
"Excellent hotel, clean and comfy bed."

Reviewed on 7 Aug 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Washington, DC/Downtown

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Washington, DC/Downtown

3 out of 5
500 H Street NW, Washington, DC
The price is €98 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
€98
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,118 reviews)
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Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Washington, DC/Downtown
Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House by IHG

Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House by IHG

3 out of 5
1501 Rhode Island Ave Nw, Washington, DC
The price is €103 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
€103
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,274 reviews)
"Ok"

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House by IHG
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 €109 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
€109
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,620 reviews)
"I have stayed here so many times. It is clean and convenient for meetings. I like to run the Mall in the morning and past the White House so the location is good. The blue orange and red lines are on Farrugut Square a couple of minutes away. However, not a lot of life nearby in the evening, not many ..."

Reviewed on 7 Aug 2025

Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC
Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown

Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown

3 out of 5
815 14th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is €122 per night from 22 Aug to 23 Aug
€122
22 Aug - 23 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,054 reviews)
"Allowed our party early check in which is great when traveling."

Reviewed on 7 Aug 2025

Hilton Garden Inn 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
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 showing 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 featuring a statue or sculpture, a city and a memorial

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.

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