Top things to do in Washington, D.C.
Attractions, tours, and activities in Washington, D.C.
Recommended museums in Washington, D.C.
Where to find art and culture in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Washington, D.C.
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Georgetown
1.4 miles from downtown
By George! The sweet smell of privilege wafts through this affluent district. Cutesy cupcake boutiques and high-end fashion stores line M Street, and pristine townhouses sit on sleepy streets. Shopaholics carry designer bags and rowers zip along the Potomac. For posh nosh, head to 1789 restaurant (don’t miss the foie gras with peach-thyme jam).
Places to stay from $90 a night
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Capitol Hill
2.2 miles from downtown
Landmarks and markets. Capitol Hill dazzles with monumental grandeur – the Supreme Court’s classical portico and the Capitol Building’s colossal cupola are icons of the area. At ground-level, Eastern Market offers a local taste of the earth’s bounty. If you’re an oyster buff, indulge your shellfish passion at Johnny’s Half Shell restaurant.
Places to stay from $110 a night
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Downtown D.C.
In downtown
Head honchos and big cheeses. Downtown is where DC’s movers and shakers do their thing. Alongside power suits and briefcases, you’ll see bum-bags and city maps galore, as tourists traipse between the White House and the Washington Monument. Dine like a power player at Old Ebbitt Grill, a favourite of former top dogs Roosevelt, Grant and Harding.
Places to stay from $22 a night
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Dupont Circle
0.7 miles from downtown
A perfect circle. This well-to-do district is a haven of tree-lined streets, elegant embassies and swanky bistros. At the weekend, it comes alive as the city comes out to play. Join the carefree diners on Lauriol Plaza’s terrace, go organic at Restaurant Nora or hang out with the yoga bunnies and dreadlocked jugglers on Dupont Circle Park’s lawns.
Places to stay from $95 a night
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Foggy Bottom
0.7 miles from downtown
Won’t you take me down to Funkytown? Foggy Bottom started life in 1763 as Funkstown, named after the German settler Jacob Funk. Since then, this formerly funked-out area’s gone straight-edge. Fresh-faced students walk around, and government officials zoom in and out of offices. Get into the groove at POV, a bar with views to turn legs to jelly!
Places to stay from $89 a night
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Adams Morgan
1.4 miles from downtown
The name may sound like an estate agent, but Adams Morgan is actually the hottest ticket in D.C. It’s a diverse neighbourhood with a Latin twist, a hipster edge and a lust for life. Everywhere you go, music wafts along the street, from wistful blues to saccharine salsa. Go cuckoo for Cuba at Habana Village, or tuck into Asian fusion at Perry’s.
Places to stay from $25 a night
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Logan Circle
0.6 miles from downtown
Eccentric, funky, whimsical… just some of the words used to describe Logan Circle. This quirky district abounds with curious boutiques and niche bars, which draw a flamboyant and alternative crowd. Jazz up your wardrobe with a vintage piece from Buffalo Exchange. And for a fabulous, rainbow-flag night out, sashay down to Number Nine.
Places to stay from $26 a night
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Shaw
1 miles from downtown
Looking for a chilled-out, cosmopolitan district? Shaw thing! This area’s roots are African-American – jazz legend Duke Ellington was born here – but today it’s acquiring a hipster flourish. Shaw has DC’s most eclectic culinary scene, and no hipster hangout is complete without a craft beer house – sip rare brews at Right Proper Brewing Company.
Places to stay from $22 a night
About Washington, D.C.
Including tips for the best time to visit Washington, D.C.
Home to the emblematic White House, the capital city of the United States owes its name to the country’s first president, George Washington. Beyond being a political powerhouse, Washington also has swathes of lush parks and is situated near the Potomac River.
Monuments, museums and memorials dominate the cityscape with their historical architecture. On your visit to Washington, you can stroll through ‘America’s front yard’ – the National Mall, a sprawling park that houses landmarks, such as the Capitol Building, Supreme Court Building and Washington Monument. The storied setting of the Mall pays its respect to noteworthy figures and events. You’ll pass by iconic statues, structures and engravings like the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
You can delve deeper into the city’s history on your Washington trip with visits to an array of museums. Some of the significant museums are the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History, National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of the American Indian.
Take a hike through the woodlands of Theodore Roosevelt Island to switch up your view of Washington DC. You can also spend some time admiring the colourful foliage of the National Arboretum or at the Rock Creek Pa, an oasis within the city.
Tonight
From $116 per night
This weekend
From $234 per night
Next weekend
From $203 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | USD |
| Language | |
| Average weekend price | $171 per night |
| Average weekday price | $175 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Washington, D.C.
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Washington, D.C.
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The White House
0.2 miles from downtown
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Smithsonian Institution
1 miles from downtown
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Lincoln Memorial
1.1 miles from downtown
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Nationals Park
2.5 miles from downtown
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National Air & Space Museum
1.2 miles from downtown
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National Gallery of Art
1.2 miles from downtown
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US Holocaust Memorial Museum
0.9 miles from downtown
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RFK Stadium
3.5 miles from downtown
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Washington National Cathedral
2.8 miles from downtown
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National Portrait Gallery
0.8 miles from downtown
Washington, D.C. reviews
What other travelers say about Washington, D.C.
I came down from New York and a friend came up from central...
August 18, 2022
I came down from New York and a friend came up from central Virginia. We caught the African Diaspora International Film Festival at George Washington University. We enjoyed the films and the nearby restaurants. It was nice to be near a Whole Foods supermarket and the Metro too. We also went up to the area near Howard U. to visit the Sankofa Bookstore and Cafe. There were road repairs all along the route to get there. However, the bookstore/cafe was very nice.
The White House and the National Mall are a must-see.
August 14, 2022
The White House and the National Mall are a must-see. Also, you can't miss all the free museums (The Smithsonian Institution), including the National Museum of American History. There's a lot to see and do in Washington.
Washington is a fantastic place for a week or shorter trip.
August 9, 2022
Washington is a fantastic place for a week or shorter trip. So many free activities to do with adults & kids. Museums are top notch with lots of variety. Transportation around the city is terrific - Circulator buses for $1 and metro stops ($2 on weekends) throughout. City is very clean considering how many tourists are there - amazing job to keep it so tidy. Also, we felt very safe the whole time and everyone was very nice and helpful. Loved walking around the monuments at night with all the lights. I highly recommend visiting Washington DC.
It was interesting to see the monuments and architecture...
August 9, 2022
It was interesting to see the monuments and architecture that we hear about so much up close. Seeing Washington in person gives an idea of the scale of the monuments and distances between the important buildings. It was not so good to be there in the heat and humidity of summer.
Washington DC , the historical and Capital City of the...
August 8, 2022
Washington DC , the historical and Capital City of the United States. There are lots of spots to visit, like the restaurants, Bars, Meseums, Tourist attractions, Amusement Parks Monuments, easy to move around with the city bus , commercial taxi, Uber etc.DC is a wonderful city to visit at any time.
For me, DuPont circle is one of the best places in DC to...
August 2, 2022
For me, DuPont circle is one of the best places in DC to stay. Access to great food, easy public and private transport, central location for most of the touristy things and conferences make it a hub if you plan on staying in the city for a day or a couple weeks.
Popular places to stay in Washington, D.C.
Stay in some of the best accommodations Washington, D.C. has to offer
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Waldorf Astoria Washington DC Northwest, Washington, D.C.
From $601 per night
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Big Bright 1 BR at U/Shaw + 14th on Quaint Swann Northwest, Washington, D.C.
From $94.50 per night
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The Hay - Adams Downtown D.C., Washington, D.C.
From $329 per night
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Modern Suite in Petworth, Washington, DC *FREE off-street parking, walk to Metro and restaurants* Northwest, Washington, D.C.
From $125.93 per night
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