Downtown Washington D.C. Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Downtown Washington D.C. showing a city, night scenes and street scenes
Downtown Washington D.C. showing a city, night scenes and street scenes
Old Post Office Pavilion featuring interior views, views and a monument
Old Post Office Pavilion featuring heritage architecture, night scenes and a city
Downtown Washington D.C.

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

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$319 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
AU$319
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,175 reviews)
All in all the hotel is in a great location and is a great value. We will look to stay again in the future.

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW Washington DC
The price is AU$178 per night from 6 Mar to 7 Mar
AU$178
6 Mar - 7 Mar
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,948 reviews)
Nice clean room

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Washington Plaza Hotel
Hotel Washington

Hotel Washington

5 out of 5
515 15th Street, NW Washington DC
The price is AU$442 per night from 6 Mar to 7 Mar
AU$442
6 Mar - 7 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,417 reviews)
Location location location! This place is fantastic. We will be back!

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Hotel Washington
Hotel Lombardy

Hotel Lombardy

4 out of 5
2019 Pennsylvania Ave Nw Washington DC
The price is AU$247 per night from 13 Mar to 14 Mar
AU$247
13 Mar - 14 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,550 reviews)
Exactly what I expected. Excellent food and drink and a very courteous staff. Always looking to help the traveler.

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2026

Hotel Lombardy
The Henley Park Hotel

The Henley Park Hotel

4 out of 5
926 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington DC
The price is AU$175 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
AU$175
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,415 reviews)
Clean

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

The Henley Park Hotel
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$263 per night from 5 Mar to 6 Mar
AU$263
5 Mar - 6 Mar
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,224 reviews)
10/10 only complaint parking was not more transparent about the pricing before booking

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2026

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.

The Annual Holiday Sale

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Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Washington D.C.

Bronze Statue on Logan Circle in Washington DC: man on a horse.

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
Connecticut Ave - K Street

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
Aerial photo overlooking the Penn Quarter, Constitution Avenue & north-side of the Mall, District of Columbia

Penn Quarter

While you're in Penn Quarter, take in top sights like Sidney Harman Hall and jump on the metro at Archives Station to see more of the city.

Penn Quarter
Colorful townhouses before sunset in spring, Washington DC, USA. Historic brick townhouses in Shaw neighborhood on a quiet street with trees.

Shaw

Visitors often come to Shaw for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Howard Theatre and Carter G. Woodson Residence. 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
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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