District of Columbia, United StatesThe Nation's Capital
Washington
Washington is a walkable capital where the museums, monuments and government buildings sit side by side on the National Mall. It makes an easy stop on any trip along the East Coast.
- Best months
- Mar to Nov
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Train
- Not confirmed
- Bus
- Not confirmed
Sign in or create an account to build a route through Washington and the cities around it.
Best months
- January
- February
- March, a good time to go
- April, a good time to go
- May, a good time to go
- June
- July
- August
- September, a good time to go
- October, a good time to go
- November, a good time to go
- December
Known as
- Capital
- Historic
- Big city
- River city
- Arts city
- Food city
Getting there
- Highway / road trip
- Commercial airport
- Local public transit
Train and bus
- Train
- Not confirmed
- Bus
- Not confirmed
People
689,545
in the city, 6,465,724 in the metro area
Languages
English
Washington is a city of wide avenues, low-rise streets and white stone buildings, laid out around the National Mall. It was planned from scratch as a capital, and you can see that in the diagonal avenues and circles that cut across the grid. The federal buildings draw the crowds, but people also live here, and the neighborhoods behind the monuments have rowhouses, corner cafes and farmers' markets. Visitors tend to spend their first day on the Mall and then discover the city beyond it. The pace is formal on weekdays and relaxed on weekends, and the leafy side streets reward a slow walk.
The National Mall is the center of any visit. The Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the Capitol bracket a long green park, and the Smithsonian museums line both sides. The National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture are popular picks, and the National Gallery of Art fills two linked buildings. The Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin are lovely when the cherry trees bloom. Arlington National Cemetery sits just across the Potomac, and Georgetown has a canal path and old houses to wander.
The food scene is much broader than the political steakhouse image suggests. Ethiopian restaurants cluster around Shaw and U Street, and Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street serves the local half-smoke sausage. Union Market has a food hall, and Eastern Market on Capitol Hill is a Saturday habit for many locals. The Wharf along the Potomac has waterfront dining. Nights out center on U Street, Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle, with live music at the 9:30 Club and plenty of rooftop bars. Go-go is the city's own style of music and still turns up at neighborhood venues.
Capitol Hill is a calm base near Union Station, the Capitol and Eastern Market. Dupont Circle and Foggy Bottom put you within reach of the Mall and have many mid-range hotels. Georgetown is pretty but has no Metro station, so you will rely on buses and walking. The Metrorail system is clean and reaches most sights, including Arlington and the airport, and buses fill in the gaps. Traffic is heavy and parking is scarce, so a car is a burden here. Many road-trippers park at a Metro station in Virginia or Maryland and ride in.
Spring is the favorite season, when the cherry blossoms open around the Tidal Basin in late March or early April. Autumn is also pleasant, with crisp air and gentle light on the monuments. Summers are hot and humid, and the crowds are thick on the Mall. Winter is quieter and the museums are easy to enjoy. Plan three days to cover the main Mall sights, the Capitol and a couple of neighborhoods. A long weekend works if you pick just a few museums, because the choices are huge and the walking adds up.
Washington sits on the Northeast Corridor, so Amtrak trains from Union Station run north to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. Road trips can head south to Virginia, where Alexandria, Mount Vernon and the Shenandoah Valley are within a day. Annapolis and the Chesapeake shore lie to the east. Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge are a short drive west. The city works as a base for several side trips or as a single city stop between New York and the Carolinas. Baltimore is a short train ride north and makes an easy second stop.
Highlights
- National Mall
A long park lined with the Smithsonian museums and the main memorials.
- Lincoln Memorial
A monument at the western end of the Mall with a view down the reflecting pool.
- National Air and Space Museum
Aircraft and spacecraft collections on the Mall.
- U.S. Capitol
The home of Congress at the eastern end of the Mall, with tours for visitors.
- Tidal Basin
A walk around the water, beautiful in cherry blossom season.
- Georgetown
Cobbled streets, the C&O Canal towpath and waterfront views.
- Arlington National Cemetery
A solemn site across the Potomac with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
- Library of Congress
The ornate Thomas Jefferson Building on Capitol Hill, open to visitors.
Neighborhoods
- Capitol Hill
Rowhouses, Eastern Market and quiet streets just behind the Capitol.
- Georgetown
An old riverside district of brick houses, boutiques and the canal path.
- Dupont Circle
A lively traffic circle with bookshops, cafes and embassy-lined avenues.
- U Street
A historic Black cultural district, now full of music venues, bars and restaurants.
- Adams Morgan
A busy strip of bars and international restaurants on 18th Street.
- The Wharf
A newer waterfront on the Potomac with restaurants, boats and a concert hall.
Getting around
Metrorail and buses reach most sights, and the National Mall area is best covered on foot. Capital Bikeshare and rideshare help for the rest.
Scores
Very good
- Rated by Route By Design.
- About 926 violent crimes per 100,000 people a year in the city itself; the US average is about 370. Source: Violent crimes per 100,000 residents in the city, 2024 (FBI/agency data compiled on Wikipedia).
- The other scores are estimated from the city’s size, attractions and transport links.
Where to stay
- Camping nearby
- Some
- Hostels
- Yes
5 places
HostelsDC International Hostel1418 9th St NW, Washington, DC HostelsDuo Housing1223 11th St NW, Washington, DC HostelsDuo Nomad1010 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC HostelsU Street Hostel1931 13th St NW, Washington, DC HostelsWashington International Student Center2451 18th St NW, Washington, DC
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Things to do
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Entertainment9:30 Club815 V St NW, Washington, DC EntertainmentAngelika Pop-Up at Union Market550 Penn St NE, Washington, DC Sightseeing & toursArlington National Cemetery Museums & galleriesArtechouse DC1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC stadiumsAudi Field100 Potomac Ave SW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsBartholdi Fountain and Gardens245 1st St SW, Washington, DC stadiumsBender ArenaSports Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC ToursBiPartisan Tour Company325 7th St NW, Washington, DC EntertainmentBlack Cat1811 14th St NW, Washington, DC climbing gymsBouldering Project - Eckington1611 Eckington Pl NE #150, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsBreezy Point Beach & Campground5300 Breezy Point Rd, Chesapeake Beach, MD Parks & outdoorsBundy Dog Park498-400 P St NW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsCalvert Cliffs Park BeachCalvert Cliffs State Park, Lusby, MD EntertainmentCapital Laughs2323 18th St NW, Washington, DC stadiumsCapital One Arena601 F St NW, Washington, DC stadiumsCharles E. Smith Center600 22nd St NW, Washington, DC Family activitiesChildren's Learning Center1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsCommunity Park19th St & Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsConstitution GardensConstitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC EntertainmentDC Comedy Loft and Bier Baron Tavern1523 22nd St NW, Washington, DC EntertainmentDC Improv1140 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC Family activitiesDunbar Aquatic Center101 N St NW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsFarragut Square1666 K St NW, Washington, DC ActivitiesFive Iron Golf575 7th St NW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsFlag Ponds Nature Park1525 Flag Ponds Pkwy, Lusby, MD Parks & outdoorsFrancis Field25th St NW, Washington, DC Family activitiesFrancis Pool2435 N St NW, Washington, DC Museums & galleriesGallery Al-Quds2425 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsGeorgetown Family activitiesHappy Hollow Children's Pool2200 Champlain St NW, Washington, DC casinosHollywood Casino at Charles Town Races750 Hollywood Dr, Charles Town, WV Parks & outdoorsHolocaust Memorial100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington, DC casinosHorseshoe Casino Baltimore - A Caesars Rewards Destination1525 Russell St, Baltimore, MD EntertainmentHotbed2477 18th St NW, Washington, DC Museums & galleriesIDB ArtLAC Gallery1300 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC ActivitiesInsomnia Escape Room DC2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC Family activitiesKID Museum Bethesda Metro Center3 Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, MD ActivitiesKick Axe Throwing DC1401 Okie St NE, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsLansburgh Dog Park95 M St SW, Washington, DC zoos aquariumsLeesburg Animal Park19246 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg, VA Sightseeing & toursLibrary of Congress Sightseeing & toursLincoln Memorial casinosLive! Casino & Hotel Maryland7002 Arundel Mills Cir, Hanover, MD casinosMGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino101 MGM National Ave, Forest Heights, MD Family activitiesMagic Ground3100 14th St NW, Washington, DC Sightseeing & toursMartin Luther King, Jr. Memorial1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsMayo Beach Park4150 Honeysuckle Dr, Edgewater, MD EntertainmentMiracle Theatre535 8th St SE, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsMorrison GardenEagle Nest Rd NE, Washington, DC climbing gymsMovement Crystal City1235 S Clark St, Arlington, VA climbing gymsMovement Rockville725 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD zoos aquariumsNOVA Wild1228 Hunter Mill Rd, Vienna, VA Museums & galleriesNational Air and Space Museum zoos aquariumsNational Aquarium501 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD Museums & galleriesNational Children's Museum1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC Museums & galleriesNational Gallery of Art6 Constitution Ave NE, Washington, DC AttractionsNational Mall stadiumsNationals Park1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington, DC ToursNightly Spirits1475 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC ActivitiesPuttery800 F St NW, Washington, DC EntertainmentRegal Gallery Place701 7th St NW, Washington, DC EntertainmentRoom 808808 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC Museums & galleriesS. Dillon Ripley Center1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsSandy Point State Park1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD ToursSee DC Today1000 H St NW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsShaw Dog Park1673 11th St NW, Washington, DC Museums & galleriesSmithsonian National Museum of Asian Art1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC Museums & galleriesSmithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC zoos aquariumsSmithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC EntertainmentSongbyrd Music House540 Penn St NE, Washington, DC climbing gymsSportrock Climbing Centers - Sterling45935 Maries Rd, Sterling, VA climbing gymsSportrock Performance Institute5314 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA EntertainmentSuns Cinema - Theater & Bar3107 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, DC EntertainmentThe Anthem901 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC EntertainmentThe Avalon Theatre5612 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsThe EllipseWashington, DC ActivitiesThe Escape Game DC950 F St NW, Washington, DC zoos aquariumsThe Maryland Zoo in Baltimore1 Safari Pl, Baltimore, MD casinosThe Rose Gaming Resort17680 Colonial St, Dumfries, VA Sightseeing & toursThomas Jefferson Memorial16 E Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC AttractionsTidal Basin Sightseeing & toursU.S. Capitol EntertainmentUnion Stage740 Water St SW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsUnited States Botanic Garden100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsUnited States National Arboretum3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC Family activitiesVolta Park Pool1555 34th St NW, Washington, DC Parks & outdoorsWalter Pierce Dog Park1973 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC Family activitiesWegmans Wonderplace14th Street and Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC Family activitiesWilliam H Rumsey Aquatic Center635 North Carolina Ave SE, Washington, DC
Food & dining
Showing 1 to 6 of 39
Breweries & wineriesAtlas Brew Works1201 Half St SE, Washington, DC Breweries & wineriesBluejacket300 Tingey St SE #180, Washington, DC Markets & food hallsBryant St Market670 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC Bakeries & dessertsCaptain Cookie and the Milk Man2040 I (Eye) St NW, Washington, DC RestaurantsChina Chilcano418 7th St NW, Washington, DC Cafés & coffeeCompass Coffee650 F St NW, Washington, DC Breweries & wineriesCotton and Reed1330 5th St NE, Washington, DC Bars & pubsCrimson Rooftop627 H St NW PH, Washington, DC Breweries & wineriesDC Brau3178 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, DC Cafés & coffeeDUA DC Coffee923 15th St NW, Washington, DC NightclubsDecades DC1219 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC Bars & pubsDirty Habit555 8th St NW, Washington, DC Breweries & wineriesDistrict Winery385 Water St SE, Washington, DC Breweries & wineriesDon Ciccio & Figli1907 Fairview Ave NE, Washington, DC Markets & food hallsFRESHFARM Mount Vernon Triangle Market499 I St NW, Washington, DC Breweries & wineriesFounding Spirits600 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC Markets & food hallsFreshfarm810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC Markets & food hallsFreshfarm CityCenterDC1098 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC Cafés & coffeeGregorys Coffee1000 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC RestaurantsHard Rock Cafe999 E St NW, Washington, DC Bakeries & dessertsInsomnia Cookies614 E St NW, Washington, DC Cafés & coffeeLa Colombe Coffee Workshop900 6th St NW, Washington, DC Breweries & wineriesLost Generation Brewing Company327 S St NE, Washington, DC RestaurantsMastro's Steakhouse600 13th St NW, Washington, DC NightclubsNext Level DC15 K St NE, Washington, DC Bakeries & dessertsNino's Bakery2101 L St NW, Washington, DC RestaurantsOcean Prime1341 G St NW, Washington, DC RestaurantsOld Ebbitt Grill675 15th St NW, Washington, DC Cafés & coffeePeet's Coffee1701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC Bakeries & dessertsPraline Bakery965 7th St SW, Washington, DC Bars & pubsProper 211319 F St NW, Washington, DC Bars & pubsPublic Bar Live1214 18th St NW, Washington, DC Breweries & wineriesRed Bear Brewing Co209 M St NE, Washington, DC Breweries & wineriesRepublic Restoratives Distillery and Craft Cocktail Bar1369 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC NightclubsRosebar Lounge1215 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC NightclubsSaint Yves1220 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC NightclubsUltrabar911 F St NW, Washington, DC Markets & food hallsUnion Market1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC Bars & pubsbarmini501 9th St NW, Washington, DC
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Work remotely
Washington scores 6.6 out of 10 for remote work (good), in the top 7% of the cities we score.
Showing 1 to 6 of 11
CoworkingCarr Workplaces - The Willard1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW suite 400, Washington, DC - Fast wifi
- Private desks
- Meeting rooms
- Open late
CoworkingHQ - 1200 G St NW1200 G St NW #800, Washington, DC - Fast wifi
- Private desks
- Meeting rooms
CoworkingIndustrious - 601 13th St NW601 13th St. NW 12th Floor, Washington, DC - Private desks
- Meeting rooms
- Open late
CoworkingMetro Offices - Farragut West1725 I St NW Suite 300, Washington, DC - Fast wifi
- Private desks
CoworkingNavigate Workspaces - 1501 M St1501 M St NW, Washington, DC - Fast wifi
- Meeting rooms
CoworkingOSI Offices - K Street1629 K St NW, Washington, DC - Fast wifi
- Private desks
Cafés & coffeeCompass Coffee650 F St NW, Washington, DC - Fast wifi
CoworkingDistrict Offices - Pennsylvania Ave1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW Ste 700, Washington, DC - Fast wifi
Cafés & coffeeDUA DC Coffee923 15th St NW, Washington, DC - Fast wifi
CoworkingMetro Offices - Metro Center700 12th St NW STE 700, Washington, DC - Fast wifi
Cafés & coffeePeet's Coffee1701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC - Fast wifi
Where to next from Washington
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7 cities within 100 mi of Washington by road.
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Pick a city on the map to see how far it is and add it to a route.
All 7 cities within 100 mi, with travel times
- Alexandria Virginiaabout 8 mi · about 12 min by car · estimated
- Baltimore Marylandabout 44 mi · about 50 min by car · estimated
- Middleburg Virginiaabout 47 mi · about 54 min by car · estimated
- Annapolis Marylandabout 37 mi · about 59 min by car · estimated
- Harpers Ferry West Virginiaabout 60 mi · about 1 h 8 min by car · estimated
- Shepherdstown West Virginiaabout 68 mi · about 1 h 18 min by car · estimated
- Gettysburg Pennsylvaniaabout 81 mi · about 1 h 32 min by car · estimated
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