Southwest Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A large red brick building with multiple towers and a flag.
A nighttime cityscape with prominent landmarks including a tall obelisk, a large domed building, and a historic monument.
A large white building with columns, a calm body of water, and cherry blossom trees in the foreground.
Cherry blossoms along a river with the Washington Monument in the background.
Cherry blossoms, a large white dome structure, and a body of water.

Stay near popular Southwest attractions

A calm river reflecting trees and a tall monument.

National Mall

9.4/10 (20,772 reviews)
Washington’s famous strip is teeming with American history in each and every monument and museum that you’ll see.
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Activities

DC Monuments with River Cruise, Cherry Blossoms, Entry Tickets

DC in a Day: 10+ Monuments, Boat Cruise, National Mall, Tickets

AU$96
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
DC in a Day: 10+ Monuments, Boat Cruise, National Mall, Tickets
No-Wait Washington Monument Direct Entry Tickets & Guidebook

No-Wait Washington Monument Direct Entry Tickets & Guidebook

AU$35
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
No-Wait Washington Monument Direct Entry Tickets & Guidebook
See DC In A Day: Guided Small Group Ultimate Day Tour

Washington DC Small-Group Sightseeing Experience

AU$138
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Washington DC Small-Group Sightseeing Experience
LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.

LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.

AU$39
per adult
LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.
Ghosts of Georgetown & The Exorcist Steps Walking Tour

Ghosts of Georgetown & The Exorcist Steps Walking Tour

AU$54
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Ghosts of Georgetown & The Exorcist Steps Walking Tour
Smithsonian "Big 3" Highlights Tour

Smithsonian "Big 3" Highlights Tour (Air & Space Entry Included)

AU$124
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Smithsonian "Big 3" Highlights Tour (Air & Space Entry Included)
See all activities in Washington

Our pick of the best Southwest Hotel Deals

citizenM Washington DC Capitol

citizenM Washington DC Capitol

4 out of 5
550 School St SW Washington DC
The price is AU$194 per night from 19 July to 20 July
AU$194
19 July - 20 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,260 reviews)
"The staff are professional and friendly. In particular, Whitney was a huge help with securing an Uber for me despite all of the road closures. I needed to get to my start point to have the honor of running in the final segment of Relay for America. Whitney went way above and beyond. Outstanding."

Reviewed on 5 July 2026

citizenM Washington DC Capitol
Salamander Washington DC

Salamander Washington DC

5 out of 5
1330 Maryland Ave, SW Washington DC
The price is AU$495 per night from 10 July to 11 July
AU$495
10 July - 11 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,109 reviews)
"The Salamander DC is the very best kind of posh. By that I mean that yes, the place is one marble floor or stunning sculpture after another, and the hotel room is vast and gorgeous...but the absolute best thing about it is the universal smile and willing spirit from every member of the staff. If ..."

Reviewed on 5 July 2026

Salamander Washington DC
Hyatt House Washington DC/The Wharf

Hyatt House Washington DC/The Wharf

3.5 out of 5
725 Wharf Street SW Washington DC
The price is AU$229 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
AU$229
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,007 reviews)
"Best views, clean rooms, the breakfast was a great way to start the day. Roof top pool. Can’t say enough about the location. So many restaurant around."

Reviewed on 5 July 2026

Hyatt House Washington DC/The Wharf
InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf by IHG

InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf by IHG

5 out of 5
801 Wharf Street SW Washington DC
The price is AU$526 per night from 12 July to 13 July
AU$526
12 July - 13 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,198 reviews)
"I did not appreciate not receiving points because we booked through Expedia"

Reviewed on 5 July 2026

InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf by IHG
Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf

Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf

4 out of 5
480 L'Enfant Plaza Washington DC
The price is AU$286 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
AU$286
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,260 reviews)
"Room cleaned every day without having to ask like pre covid! Staff super friendly and happy to help!"

Reviewed on 5 July 2026

Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf
Holiday Inn Washington Capitol - Natl Mall by IHG

Holiday Inn Washington Capitol - Natl Mall by IHG

3 out of 5
550 C St SW Washington DC
The price is AU$277 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
AU$277
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,918 reviews)
"Clean, convenient hotel with good breakfast buffet. Very close to the National Mall and museums."

Reviewed on 5 July 2026

Holiday Inn Washington Capitol - Natl Mall by IHG
See all 6,150 properties in Southwest
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.

Our guide on where to stay in Southwest

Find the best Southwest areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A historic building with a clock tower, a busy intersection, and a person riding a scooter.

Downtown Washington D.C.

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Washington D.C.. Check out top attractions like Smithsonian Institution and National Museum of Women in the Arts, and jump on the metro at McPherson Sq. Station or Center Station to see more of the city.

A statue in a park with a paved walkway and benches.

Northwest

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Northwest. Check out top attractions like White House and Smithsonian's National Zoo, and jump on the metro at Cleveland Park Station or Van Ness-UDC Station to see more of the city.

A row of brick buildings with storefronts, a crosswalk, and a traffic light.

Georgetown

Georgetown is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Georgetown Park or Washington Harbour.

A brick building with a red door and a sign that reads "Old Fashioned Pop's Dream Company."

Old Town Alexandria

Take time in Old Town Alexandria to visit attractions like Athenaeum and Alexandria City Hall. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at King Street Station to see more of the city.

A fountain with a statue of a figure, surrounded by trees and benches in a park.

Dupont Circle

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.

Southwest Travel Guide

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