If you are thinking of visiting Washington D.C., then do it!
I high recommend visiting this historic city. The capital of the United States is filled with remnants of the past, from the huge monuments of the National Mall to its charming residential neighborhoods lined with row houses.
Even Union Station is historic, dating back to 1907. So if you arrive here by Amtrak, you can feel the history the moment you step off the train.
Hotels and Airbnbs vary across the city and depend very much on the neighborhood you choose.
It can be hard to make a decision on the best area to stay in Washington D.C. for you. Trust me: I’ve been there!
So, I have made this handy guide of where to stay in Washington DC to make this a little easier for you.
Booking.comWhere to stay in Washington DC
Georgetown
Georgetown is a cool place to be! It’s one of the most upscale neighborhoods of Washington D.C. and is pretty historic to boot.
Did I mention charming? No? Well, it is!
Think cobblestone streets, designer shops, narrow lanes to wander down. and some fantastic dining choices with great restaurants dotted around.
Set along the banks of the Potomac River, being here means you can enjoy the riverside location. Just think about strolling down a charming street and all those Insta shots you can take!
Staying in a Georgetown hotel offers you the chance to see a super historic part of town, catch live jazz, and lunch and brunch like a local. It’s one of the best areas in Washington D.C.
If you’re looking for a hotel with a good location, comfort, and a great price, The Georgetown Inn provides just that, and with a historic touch too.
Dupont Circle
Dupont Circle is pretty much the central point of the city: a residential neighborhood with all the top hotels Washington can offer. It’s almost like a downtown area with easy access to tons of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.
Centered around a large—and famous—traffic circle, this area is just a stone’s throw away from top sights in the city, such as Capitol Hill and, of course, the National Mall. Neither of which need any introduction!
Today, it’s a vibrant area with a selection of local hangouts and traveler hotspots to enjoy. There’s a great selection of coffee shops, as well as chances to simply people-watch from the benches around the marble fountain of the Circle itself.
Dupont Circle also hosts Washington Pride in June!
Opt to stay for the weekend at The Fairfax at Embassy Row for a classically stylish time in the city.
Adams Morgan
One of my favorite neighborhoods in Washington D.C., Adams Morgan is a culturally diverse neighborhood that is as historic as it is multicultural.
Filled with row houses and close to tourist attractions, and just a short walk away from places such as the Smithsonian Museums, Adams Morgan truly makes an awesome base for any visitor to the nation’s capital.
Centered around the junction of 18th Street, there’s a whole load of pretty cool establishments to acquaint yourself with around here.
I’m talking everything from yoga studios to vintage shops and bookstores. By day, it’s fun to explore and family-friendly, while at night, the energy ramps up, with gourmet burger joints and speakeasy bars to soak up.
All about the retro-chic, you will want to make sure you book into The LINE DC for the Insta shots alone.
Logan Circle
Logan Circle is a good choice if you are looking for a cool place to stay in Washington.
It’s young, it’s hip, and it’s basically full of people who look cool!
Just like Dupont Circle, this area takes its name from another traffic circle—Logan Circle, with the man himself (John Logan, a Civil War general) atop a horse in the middle of it.
Focused on 14th Street NW, there is a load of indie establishments to get to check out in this area. There are quirky stores and old-time charms to be had, among the new eateries here.
A mix of old and new, it’s easy to explore the rest of the city from here, thanks to the metro. Yep, that’s right; the Shore-Howard U metro station is a couple of blocks to the north.
Book a room at a gorgeous Victorian 3-bedroom duplex in Logan Circle for a comfy stay in a home away from home.
Penn Quarter
Penn Quarter is a pretty high octane area of the city.
Think sports bars, shopping opportunities, and high capacity venues. It’s where the fun’s at!
It’s a great neighborhood of Washington if you want city life, rather than a home away from home feeling that you might get in some of the more historic districts of the city and their row houses.
Penn Quarter is also where you will find Chinatown, marked by its 60-foot gate. It is also home to the Capital One arena, where you can view sports games and big concerts alike.
Stay at Riggs Washington DC, a former home of Riggs National Bank with endless views of Penn Quarter. Take advantage of Cafe Riggs and the lounge for American cuisine.
Foggy Bottom
Foggy Bottom sounds more British than American, but it’s actually a neighborhood of Washington D.C. The name comes from the fog which kind of just hangs around here!
Situated just a few blocks from the White House itself, this handy area is also within walking distance of the Lincoln Memorial. It also happens to be the location of George Washington University, which dominates the neighborhood.
The location is great! It’s one of the best places to stay in Washington D.C.!
There’s an interesting mix of old town atmosphere and modern redevelopment in Foggy Bottom, which is convenient thanks to its transport connections and multiple hotel deals.
The historic district also happens to be where you will find places like the Kennedy Center and Lisner Auditorium.
Close to the sites, The River Inn is a low-key hotel option with comfy and clean rooms where you can easily relax in your free time.
Woodley Park
The place to stay for affluence and a getaway in a high-end hotel, Woodley Park—in the northwest of the city— is one of the best places to stay in Washington.
Originally developed as a suburb, it’s since become a part of the city and has a pleasant, leafy, and historic appeal. It’s peppered with a selection of cool bars and eateries and has a number of attractions nearby.
There’s Rock Creek Park, for example, with 32 miles of biking, hiking, and jogging trails. You can also find Washington National Zoo here.
For night-time escapades, there’s the beautifully restored Uptown Theater—an Art Deco style building that dates back to 1936!
The Omni Shoreham Hotel is another of the area’s 1930’s buildings. It’s a top choice for a hotel in Washington DC, too. With manicured lawns, sizable rooms, and an outdoor pool, booking a room here also means you’re within walking distance of the metro.
Whether arriving from New York or San Francisco, travelers to Washington D.C. will be wowed the moment they arrive.
The sense of almost regal history here is really cool! It’s a charming place to be.
So, those were my top choices for the best places to stay in Washington D.C. Tag me (@wtfab) in your Insta stories and pics and let me know which neighborhood you settled in—I want to see what cool area you’ve picked!
FAQs
Yes, Washington DC is definitely worth visiting considering it is the capital of the United States and has lots of history to see and explore.
The off-season in Washington DC tends to be from mid-March till cherry blossom season in mid-April.
The metro system is the best way to get around Washington DC.
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
