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$175 per night from 17 Dec to 18 Dec
AU$175
17 Dec - 18 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,868 reviews)
Helpful staff; adequate room size; great location for convention and affordable restaurants; cleanliness

Reviewed on 29 Nov 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 AU$184 per night from 13 Dec to 14 Dec
AU$184
13 Dec - 14 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,972 reviews)
Staff was friendly and courteous. Would have liked cleaner sheets and towels.

Reviewed on 26 Nov 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC

Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC

3 out of 5
839 17th St NW Washington DC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$208 per night from 29 Dec to 30 Dec
AU$208
29 Dec - 30 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,733 reviews)
We had a wedding and it was close to venue.. very convenient!

Reviewed on 28 Nov 2025

Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC
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$149 per night from 17 Dec to 18 Dec
AU$149
17 Dec - 18 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,778 reviews)
Beautiful, clean and friendly staff! Not so great area though.

Reviewed on 27 Nov 2025

Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center
Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington DC Convention Center

Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington DC Convention Center

3.5 out of 5
Washington DC
The price is AU$197 per night from 19 Dec to 20 Dec
AU$197
19 Dec - 20 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Washington. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,105 reviews)
The menu was no the best for us but it was good and available all the time definitely great place to stay in DC

Reviewed on 23 Nov 2025

Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington DC Convention Center
Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington D.C. – Convention Center

Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington D.C. – Convention Center

3.5 out of 5
900 10th St NW Washington DC
The price is AU$225 per night from 22 Dec to 23 Dec
AU$225
22 Dec - 23 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness centre and Wi-Fi (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,049 reviews)
Wonderful location and hotel

Reviewed on 26 Nov 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington D.C. – Convention Center
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 Mary McLeod Bethune Council House.

Logan Circle
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Penn Quarter

While you're in Penn Quarter, take in top sights like United States Navy Memorial 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 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
Foggy Bottom which includes a memorial, a city and a statue or sculpture

Foggy Bottom

4.5/5(21 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. Travel Guide

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