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 €99 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
€99
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! (4,489 reviews)
"The staff was very friendly and helpful. The neighborhood is a decent area but not a lot to offer if looking for going out without walking closer to Chinatown. The hotel interior is dated as well. Overall was good for the money I spent."

Reviewed on 1 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 €121 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
€121
24 Aug - 25 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! (2,555 reviews)
"Location was excellent, bar tender and concierge very helpful."

Reviewed on 1 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 €99 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€99
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (1,112 reviews)
"Great staff. Curteous. My one issue was the city shut off the water so couldn’t take a shower in the morning. There should have been some kind of discount or refund"

Reviewed on 4 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 €111 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
€111
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! (1,271 reviews)
"The location is very convenient, on site parking available with extra fee, dining options were good"

Reviewed on 30 Jul 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 €118 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
€118
10 Aug - 11 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! (1,609 reviews)
"There were none. No restaurant and only limited restaurants nearby"

Reviewed on 1 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 €114 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
€114
23 Aug - 24 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)
"The staff at the front desk are excellent! However, the waitress really need to improve their attitude and serving manner. Let me explain, I got the free breakfast (buffet) and they give us the couple for it. Everyone knows buffet is people serving themselves. So, the tips are not really “mandatory”. ..."

Reviewed on 2 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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