Downtown
The
National Mall sits at the center of Washington’s Downtown. Stay near the eastern end of the Mall to be close to
Capitol Hill and the long-distance trains from
Union Station. A Washington hotel
near the
White House promises luxurious lodging and moonlight walks along the Mall. Downtown is most convenient for visiting the museums and monuments that crowd the city. Try the Asian flavors of
Chinatown or the formal steak-and-seafood restaurants near the
White House. With its large selection of Metro stops, Downtown is never more than a short subway ride from the rest of Washington.
See all hotels in Downtown Arlington
On the western shore of the Potomac River, Arlington is outside Washington, in the state of Virginia, but is a convenient place to stay when visiting Washington. Home to
Arlington National Cemetery and the
Pentagon, large numbers of military families live and work in Arlington, , making it a good location for reasonably-priced lodging, dining and shopping. Arlington’s
Iwo Jima Memorial and nearby
Lady Bird Johnson Park provide sweeping views of Washington’s Downtown monuments. Just south of Arlington lies
Reagan National Airport as well as
Alexandria, easily reached by Metro.
See all hotels in Arlington Dupont Circle
North of the
White House and
George Washington University Dupont Circle radiates out to streets brimming with fashionable boutiques, brasseries and bars. Washington’s largest concentration of international embassies lies along Massachusetts Avenue, or
Embassy Row, guaranteeing international flair at restaurants and cafés. Relax with possibly the world’s largest beer selection at
The Brickskeller or pore over Picasso and O’Keefe at the
Phillips Collection galleries.
See all hotels in Dupont Circle Georgetown & Foggy Bottom
Set along the Potomac River west of the
National Mall, Georgetown houses Washington politicos and dozens of bistros, bars, antique stores and designer boutiques. Begin your morning with a jog along the
C&O Canal Towpath or a stroll through
Dumbarton Oaks. You’ll walk a bit to reach the nearest Metro stop, but Georgetown’s redbrick colonial architecture makes the trip worthwhile. Sandwiched between Georgetown and the National Mall is Foggy Bottom, home to
George Washington University and the
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The resident students draw a good selection of independent coffee houses and cafés. Visiting artists and diplomats have encouraged the growth of stylish boutique hotels and top-rate chefs.
See all hotels in Georgetown Alexandria
South of Downtown Washington, Alexandria lies on the western bank of the Potomac in the state of Virginia. Founded in 1749, the city’s
Old Town has charming colonial architecture and eclectic boutique shopping. The largest collection of international restaurants in the Washington area lies in the Old Town, including
Gadsby’s, where Thomas Jefferson entertained guests. Alexandria’s five metro stations make trips to Washington’s attractions quick and simple.
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