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 Theater. 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$176 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$176
10 Aug - 11 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! (4,493 reviews)
"Staff are very helpful!"

Reviewed on 7 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$216 per night from 29 Aug to 30 Aug
AU$216
29 Aug - 30 Aug
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! (2,582 reviews)
"Just wonderful"

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Washington, DC/Downtown

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Washington, DC/Downtown

3 out of 5
500 H Street NW, Washington, DC
The price is AU$176 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$176
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,118 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on 6 Aug. 2025

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Washington, DC/Downtown
Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House by IHG

Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House by IHG

3 out of 5
1501 Rhode Island Ave Nw, Washington, DC
The price is AU$191 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$191
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star 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! (1,278 reviews)
"Cool pool! Parking"

Reviewed on 3 Aug. 2025

Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House by IHG
Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC

Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC

3 out of 5
839 17th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is AU$189 per night from 22 Aug to 23 Aug
AU$189
22 Aug - 23 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,621 reviews)
"Comfortable . Friendly staff . convenient locatiion. No food . internet fine"

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2025

Club Quarters Hotel in Washington DC
Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown

Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown

3 out of 5
815 14th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is AU$218 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$218
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,057 reviews)
"The staff at the front desk are excellent! However, the waitress really need to improve their attitude and serving manner. Let me explain, I got the free breakfast (buffet) and they give us the couple for it. Everyone knows buffet is people serving themselves. So, the tips are not really “mandatory”. ..."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Hilton Garden Inn 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
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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