Travel To Washington – DC
Things to Do and See in Washington – DC
Other Popular places to see in Washington – DC
Best Washington Neighborhoods for Travelers
Georgetown – DC
Georgetown has a majestic and ancient charm with its elegant terraced houses, local history museums, gardens and the landscaped campus of Georgetown University. Georgetown is full of food, fashion, home décor, and art shops, with the best selection on Book Hill on Upper Wisconsin Avenue. Rent a kayak at a riverside boathouse for a paddle on the Potomac or a bike ride along the C&O; Canal. The Blues Alley has hosted talent ranging from Dizzy Gillespie to Tony Bennett and still offers live jazz every night. Georgetown is located west of the Rock Creek Parkway, between the Potomac and the Naval Observatories, and is accessible by the DC Circulator bus.
Anacostia – DC
Anacostia and the southwest bank of the river were long considered the wrong side of D.C. due to the high crime rate, but residents and business owners have worked tirelessly to revitalize the area. You’ll now find murals rivaled by those of Adams Morgan’s and a handful of restaurants as good as the ones over the 11th Street Bridge. Cedar Hill offers excellent picturesque views of the nation’s capital. The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site and the historic Uniontown district are both worth a visit. As urban renewal efforts continue, it is best to visit Anacostia during the day. The area can be reached via the Anacostia subway station.
Chinatown – DC
The Chinatown in DC is smaller than the ones in New York or San Francisco, but it is very welcoming and guides visitors through the Friendship Arch. Among the bistros serving Asian-fusion cuisine, you’ll find authentic hole-in-the-wall establishments serving regional Sichuanese cuisine and homemade noodles. Chinatown is accessible from Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro Station.
Dupont Circle – DC
Dupont Circle is the cosmopolitan heart of Washington, D.C., with Embassy Row along Massachusetts Avenue and some of the best small museums outside the Smithsonian system. The museums range from the famous Phillips Collection of Modern Art to the fascinating Textile Museum and the haunting Laogai Museum, which documents Chinese forced labor camps. With its boutique hotels and fine restaurants, Dupont Circle is a great place to relax after a day of sightseeing in Washington..
Adams Morgan – DC
Adams Morgan is by far the most socially and culturally diverse neighborhood in DC, offering a unique and funky character to balance the most isolated areas of DC. The walls are covered with murals like cows on bicycles, and the nightlife is notoriously rough. You will find popular gay and lesbian clubs, ethnic restaurants, dive bars, and the best place in the district for karaoke, the Karaoke Luzette. The Adams Morgan partnership is working to tame the bad-boy image of the neighborhood with volunteer security guards patrolling the streets from noon to 3 am. Adams Morgan is accessible from Woodley Park/Adams Morgan subway station and the DC Circulator Bus.
Penn Quarter – DC
Penn Quarter is a success story of revitalizing Washington that began with the opening of the Verizon Center, the largest sports and entertainment arena in the district. Today, Penn Quarter has a modern and stylish urban look with excellent restaurants ranging from a casual protein bar chain to the mini-bar, the flagship of the food scene. Here you’ll find the entertaining International Espionage Museum and the world-famous National Portrait Gallery, all within walking distance of the White House, the Mall, and Dupont Circle. If you are traveling by subway, take the Gallery Place/Chinatown or Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter stops.
Foggy Bottom – DC
Foggy Bottom, once a modest community of terraced houses for workers, is now known for the Watergate Hotel, the World Bank, the State Department, and the world-class Kennedy Center. Even if tickets for the symphony or opera at the Kennedy Center are sold out, you can still attend the Millennium Stage’s nightly shows free of charge. George Washington University is located in downtown Foggy Bottom and keeps the area young and full of student-friendly bars like the noisy Froggy Bottom Pub. Some areas on Pennsylvania Avenue have a higher crime rate, so avoid walking the avenue at night. Foggy Bottom is accessible by the DC Circulator bus and the Foggy Bottom subway station.
Capitol Hill – DC
The Capitol is mainly a residential area, but it is a relaxing place to escape the tourist traffic jam along the shopping center. The centuries-old townhouses and tree-lined streets of Capitol Hill, protected by history-conscious residents, are perfect postcards. Shakespeare lovers will revel in the Folger Shakespeare Library, and lovers of hardcore books should visit Capitol Hill Books (don’t bring your e-reader, you’ll get kicked out). Eastern Market is the heart of the region, where vendors sell fresh, farm-fresh lunches and the weekend farmers’ market offers seasonal produce from nearby farms. The neighborhood can be reached via the Capitol South and Eastern Market subway stations.