Foggy Bottom Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Foggy Bottom which includes a memorial, a city and a statue or sculpture
Foggy Bottom
Foggy Bottom featuring signage
Foggy Bottom
Foggy Bottom showing a memorial and a statue or sculpture

Once a crumbling DC district; now a pleasant area where government buildings meet a cool student and artistic hub.

Named after the habitual fogs that hung above the Potomac River, Foggy Bottom was first settled by labourers and factory workers back in the 1760s. Nowadays, it has radically transformed to become an upmarket residential area, as well as becoming home to major government departments including the US Department of State, the offices of the President and Vice President, as well as many international embassies.

Here in this part of town you’ll also be able to see the Watergate complex, the place where the eponymous burglaries took place that would ultimately lead to the downfall of President Nixon in the 1970s. As well as the federal business that occurs here, there is plenty more for visitors to enjoy.

Head to the Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts, one of the world’s foremost venues for the arts, which opened back in 1971, to catch one of the 2,000 annual shows – everything from music and dance to comedy and theatre. Free nightly performances are held every evening at 6 pm. Nearby, you’ll find the Corcoran Gallery of Art, home to a wide range of American art dating back to the 18th century, as well as great works by Rembrandt and Degas, Monet and Picasso. Take some time to admire the outdoor sculptures in the area as well.

For over a century, Foggy Bottom has been home to the George Washington University campus, so plenty of students gather around the bars and restaurants in these parts. You can also see the rest of the capital at its finest from the P.O.V. (Point of View) Rooftop Lounge at the W Hotel.

Located between the National Mall to the south and Georgetown to the north, Foggy Bottom is an ideal base from which to explore the rest of DC. It is easy to reach on the MetroRail from Federal Triangle Metro Station, or on the L1 bus from Chevy Chase Circle.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Foggy Bottom Hotel Deals

The River Inn

The River Inn

4 out of 5
924 25th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is AU$203 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$203
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,734 reviews)
"Wonderful staff!"

Reviewed on 13 Jul. 2025

The River Inn
The Watergate Hotel

The Watergate Hotel

5 out of 5
2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC
The price is AU$509 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
AU$509
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Excellent location if you are going to the Kennedy Center. Literally just a quick walk around the corner from it"

Reviewed on 13 Jul. 2025

The Watergate Hotel
Hotel Hive

Hotel Hive

3.5 out of 5
2224 F Street NW, Washington, DC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$185 per night from 31 July to 1 Aug
AU$185
31 July - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,230 reviews)
Wonderful stay.
"Great hotel. Great area. Wonderful staff who are pmeasant and helpful. This hotel what is what's in walking distance to the mall area and White house. We walked everywhere. This hotel also it has a they're wonderful rooftop bar area. The pizza is delicious!"

Reviewed on 13 Jul. 2025

Hotel Hive
Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC
The price is AU$194 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$194
17 Aug - 18 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! (4,478 reviews)
"Wonderful staff! Cleanliness is on point! Loved the entire stay!"

Reviewed on 15 Jul. 2025

Washington Plaza Hotel
Omni Shoreham Hotel

Omni Shoreham Hotel

4 out of 5
2500 Calvert St Nw, Washington, DC
The price is AU$225 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$225
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,987 reviews)
"I came for the pool for July 4th. I got a chair and umbrella so I was all set, but the pool was way too crowded and people were sitting on the ground. The staff were very nice and brought out chairs for people, but there should have been a capacity limit. Otherwise stay was great!"

Reviewed on 13 Jul. 2025

Omni Shoreham Hotel
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is AU$239 per night from 15 Aug to 16 Aug
AU$239
15 Aug - 16 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! (2,496 reviews)
"Great location!"

Reviewed on 16 Jul. 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
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 Foggy Bottom

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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
Georgetown which includes street scenes, a city and a house

Georgetown

5/5(5 area reviews)

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.

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

Downtown Washington D.C.

4.5/5(95 area reviews)

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

Downtown Washington D.C.
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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


Foggy Bottom Travel Guide

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