Washington

Travel Guide

Washington
Washington
Washington
Washington
Washington

Washington Travel Guide Video

Visit the nation’s capital to admire presidential monuments, tour fascinating museums, watch professional sports and see modern history being created.

Washington D.C. is an important destination to learn about the U.S., its historic past and eventful present. Tour monuments and museums and appreciate nonpolitical aspects of this impressive city.

The National Mall and Memorial Parks is a good place to begin, with a 2-mile (3-kilometer) stretch of attractions. Stand on the steps of the Lincoln Monument and remember Lincoln’s actions in freeing slaves and establishing a path to race equality in the U.S. Gaze over the reflecting pool to see the tall Washington Monument for the nation’s first president at the center of the mall and the dome of the U.S. Capitol in the distance.

View poignant memorials recognizing American veterans of the Vietnam War, Korean War and World War II near the reflecting pool. Monuments to Franklin Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King, Jr. surround the Tidal Pool just south of the mall. Take a paddleboat across the water for different monument perspectives. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is just east.

The Smithsonian has 13 sites along or near the National Mall. Stop at the Smithsonian Castle visitor center to plan your days of exploration, whatever your interests. Among the options are the Air and Space Museum, the Natural History Museum, the American History Museum, the American Indian Museum, the African American History and Culture Museum and the African Art Museum.

North of the National Mall is the president’s residence, the White House. For tours of the White House or observations of sessions in the U.S. Capitol, contact your member of congress or country embassy well in advance of your trip to D.C.

Other attractions in Washington D.C. include the National Gallery of Art, the Newseum, filled with interactive stories about freedom and free expression, and the Library of Congress,recognized asthe world’s largest library. Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was assassinated, is now a working theater. Enjoy outstanding performances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. See professional football, baseball, hockey and basketball in nearby venues.

Where to stay in Washington

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

Downtown Washington D.C.

4.5/5(156 area reviews)

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.

Downtown Washington D.C.
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Northwest

3.5/5(4 area reviews)

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

Northwest
Georgetown showing heritage architecture, a city and a house

Georgetown

4.5/5(14 area reviews)

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.

Georgetown
Alexandria featuring heritage elements

Old Town Alexandria

5/5(5 area reviews)

Take time in Old Town Alexandria to visit attractions like Market Square and Alexandria City Hall. 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.

Old Town Alexandria
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Capitol Hill

4/5(41 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Capitol Hill. Check out top attractions like United States Capitol and Folger Shakespeare Library, and jump on the metro at Capitol South Station or Eastern Market Station to see more of the city.

Capitol Hill
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
Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC
The price is €109 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
€109
1 Aug - 2 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! (4,449 reviews)
"Please give my compliments the manager, thw hotel was well taken care and the stadd were wonderful. One staff member in particular took very good care of us at the pool area. His name was Majid"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Washington Plaza Hotel
Omni Shoreham Hotel

Omni Shoreham Hotel

4 out of 5
2500 Calvert St Nw, Washington, DC
The price is €152 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€152
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,995 reviews)
"Property is dated but nice."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Omni Shoreham Hotel
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is €134 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
€134
11 Aug - 12 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! (2,492 reviews)
"The hotel itself was clean and the staff were friendly. However, the restaurant attached messed up our order- not a big deal for one of us but they were made aware of a severe allergy and included that ingredient. When told about it they said they gave me a different order but just replated the contaminated ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
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.
Glover Park - Georgetown

Glover Park - Georgetown

4 out of 5
Washington
Stay at this aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,507 reviews)
"Staff, service were great. Parking for big suv was a challenge"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Glover Park - Georgetown
The Dupont Circle Hotel

The Dupont Circle Hotel

4.5 out of 5
1500 New Hampshire Ave Nw, Washington, DC
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,673 reviews)
"Another great visit to The Dupont Circle Hotel - Irish hospitality in the heart of DC. Food in The Pembroke was very good - recommend the branzino and side of mushrooms. Cocktails looked great but didn’t partake this time. Efficient, friendly service. Will be back!"

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

The Dupont Circle Hotel
The Churchill Hotel near Embassy Row

The Churchill Hotel near Embassy Row

4 out of 5
1914 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC
Stay at this 4-star luxury aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,803 reviews)
"Great location! Wonderful staff."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

The Churchill Hotel near Embassy Row
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Washington

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
141
5 - Excellent 64%
4 - Good
75
4 - Good 34%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great place to visit would recommend Washington dc a lot if historical monuments and buildings great time in dc

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Washington and it’s history makes for a brilliant trip

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A lot to see but easy to see in 2 days. Nice to walk around or Uber. Did not bother taking public transport as that was difficult to find. Had a cloudy day and a sunny day 

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love Washington, this was our third trip. So much to see and do, very safe, fab metro service.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Excellent Postal Museum

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I love this city and have seen the attractions on many occasions before. Great place to visit!