Downtown Washington D.C. Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Downtown Washington D.C. showing a city, night scenes and street scenes
Downtown Washington D.C.
Downtown Washington D.C.
Downtown Washington D.C.
Downtown Washington D.C. showing heritage elements

Shopping, fine dining and museums aplenty: Downtown really is where the business happens.

You may expect towering skyscrapers in D.C.’s CBD, but you’ll be surprised to find very few. What you will find is an extremely walkable neighbourhood teeming with suit-clad professionals, as well as the International Spy Museum, the National Aquarium, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Theatre. Downtown D.C. also comprises Penn Quarter—or “Old Downtown”—which is an emerging hotbed of arts and entertainment, as well as Chinatown, where you can get your fill of delicious Asian food.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Downtown Washington D.C. Hotel Deals

Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC
The price is AU$177 per night from 22 Aug to 23 Aug
AU$177
22 Aug - 23 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! (4,560 reviews)
Great stay
"Everyone we encountered were very accommodating. The room was clean and comfortable. We enjoyed the pool and bar. Nice restaurant with good food too. All at a very reasonable price."

Reviewed on 19 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 AU$227 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$227
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (2,634 reviews)
"From arrival to departure, the Valet, Porter, House Cleaning and Front Desk personnel were corteous, helpful, and attentive. The room was clean, and all amenities nice."

Reviewed on 16 Aug. 2025

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 AU$171 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
AU$171
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,151 reviews)
"Staff was very nice and helped with everything we needed"

Reviewed on 19 Aug. 2025

The Henley Park Hotel
Hotel Lombardy

Hotel Lombardy

4 out of 5
2019 Pennsylvania Ave Nw, Washington, DC
The price is AU$213 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$213
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,284 reviews)
Excellent
"The customer service and staff was a 10/10. I would stay here again. Loved everything ab the hotel"

Reviewed on 17 Aug. 2025

Hotel Lombardy
Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center

Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center

3.5 out of 5
627 H Street NW, Washington, DC
The price is AU$150 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
AU$150
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,649 reviews)
Convenient location and good value.
"We had a one night stay. It's conveniently located across the street from the Green Line Gallery Place stop which was perfect for us. The hotel is very modern and very clean. The staff was very friendly. We didn't realize that this was a different type of Hilton. The rooms are very small! Just big ..."

Reviewed on 18 Aug. 2025

Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center
Moxy Washington DC Downtown

Moxy Washington DC Downtown

3 out of 5
1011 K Street NW, Washington, DC
The price is AU$189 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$189
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,029 reviews)
First stay at Moxy
"My stay was pretty good. Room was small but clean. Downside was the view...looking into another building. Wish the food options in the hotel were better."

Reviewed on 17 Aug. 2025

Moxy 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
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Shaw

Visitors often come to Shaw for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Howard Theatre and Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Shaw Station.

Shaw
Dupont Circle featuring a monument and a statue or sculpture

Dupont Circle

4.5/5(26 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 which includes 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


Downtown Washington D.C. Travel Guide

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