Where To Stay in Washington DC for First Time Tourists

This article shows you where to stay in Washington DC for tourists. If you are visiting for the first time, the best area to stay at is the National Mall, because it is home to the main attractions in Washington DC. These include the iconic monuments, federal buildings and Smithsonian museums. Other prime locations are Downtown and Capitol Hill. There are also several other interesting areas in DC that has a lot to offer in terms of shopping, dining, culture, and nightlife. Therefore, I have created a list of six best places to stay in Washington DC below. You can refer to the map to get a better sense of where the areas are.

Map of Washington DC

1. National Mall

We stayed in the National Mall area, which is the most popular area to stay for tourists. This is because it is a convenient location near the major attractions of DC (the White House, US Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian museums, etc). It was surreal to see the iconic federal buildings, as well as the grand monuments commemorating historic U.S. figures and events. If you are visiting Washington DC for the first time, this is the perfect place to stay.

What to Do in National Mall

U.S. Supreme Court – This is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It felt surreal to see the place where so many significant laws that impact the world are evaluated.

U.S. Capitol –  Also known as the Capitol Building, this building houses the U.S. Congress and the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. Unfortunately when we visited, the iconic dome was covered in scaffolding for maintenance works.

White House – This is the official residence and office of the U.S. President. It houses the executive branch of the U.S. federal government. It was surreal to finally see this iconic building!

National Air and Space Museum (NASM) – This Smithsonian museum exhibits a wide collection of original production (or original backup) spacecrafts and aircrafts. I was excited to check out this museum because of all the cool space and aircrafts on display.

National Museum of Natural History – This Smithsonian museum has a massive 126 million specimens of human remains, human cultural artifacts, fossils, minerals, plants, animals, and meteorites.

Washington Monument – This huge obelisk commemorates George Washington, the first U.S. President. It was one of our favourite attractions!

Lincoln Memorial – This monument commemorates Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. President. We were in awe of the architecture built in the style of a Greek Doric temple, as well as the huge Lincoln sculpture inside the structure. This is a must-visit for any first time tourist to Washington.

Where to Stay in National Mall

Trump International Hotel Washington D.C.
If you are looking to pamper yourself in a luxury hotel, you can’t go wrong with staying here. This building was originally the “Old Post Office” and served as the city’s general post office. Today, it is a five-star hotel that offers fantastic service and luxurious rooms in a prime location. Click here to see the latest prices for Trump International Hotel Washington DC.

Kimpton George Hotel
During our holiday in DC, we stayed at this great value-for-money hotel that offers extremely comfortable rooms at very affordable prices. The staff were helpful and friendly, and there was even a wine hour every evening. It is just a short walk from the U.S. Capitol and another main attractions in the National Mall. We really enjoyed our stay at this wonderful hotel. Click here to see the latest prices for Kimpton George Hotel.

2. Downtown

The Downtown district is conveniently above the National Mall area, but it is also relatively near to the bustling and hip enclaves of Dupont Circle, Shaw, and Logan Circle. These are great spots for dining, shopping, and nightlife. Therefore, Downtown is an ideal place for a good balance of tourists attractions and happening spots.

What to Do in Downtown

National Mall – Downtown is very near the White House as well as other main attractions in the National Mall area.

Dupont Circle – Downtown is near to Dupont Circle, a vibrant neighbourhood known for its awesome dining and shopping scene.

Where to Stay in Downtown

The St. Regis Washington DC
This is another great luxury hotel to stay at if you have deep pockets. The hotel lobby is gorgeous and the rooms are luxurious. Service is great as well. It is a five-minute walk to the White House. Click here to see the latest prices for The St. Regis Washington DC.

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
This great value-for-money hotel offers clean comfortable rooms at very affordable prices. The interior decor is beautiful and the hotel also has a decent gym, a nice hotel bar, Starbucks and a nice restaurant. Click here to see the latest prices for Hamilton Hotel Washington DC.

3. Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is another prime location near the National Mall. In addition, this charming district is also home to popular local neighbourhoods like Eastern Market and Barracks Row. This is a great place to experience local culture while still being conveniently near the main Washington attractions.

What to Do in Capitol Hill

National Mall – Capitol Hill is very near the U.S. Capitol as well the other main attractions in the National Mall area.

Eastern Market / Barracks Row – In there area, you will find markets with local purveyors selling meats, baked goods and cheeses. There are also flea markets, weekend markets, and great restaurants.

Where to Stay in Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill Hotel
This stylish boutique hotel offers clean modern rooms at very affordable prices. Service is great and there is even a wine hour every evening. It is located in a fantastic location that is just a few minutes’ walk away from both the National Mall and Eastern Market. Click here to see the latest prices for Capitol Hill Hotel.

4. Foggybottom

Foggybottom is located relatively near the National Mall district. It is home to the famous Kennedy Center, which hosts free shows every night. The district is also known for its university vibe as the prestigious Georgetown University is located here. Outdoor enthusiasts can visit the beautiful Rock Creek Park.

What to Do in Foggy Bottom

Kennedy Center – This is a performing arts center which hosts free art performances every night from 6pm onwards for the whole year. You can check out the show schedule here.

Georgetown University – You can tour the college campus where the buildings are uniquely built in the collegiate Gothic and Georgian architectural styles.

Rock Creek Park – This beautiful landscaped park is popular with both tourists and locals. You will get to enjoy lush greenery, walking trails, picnic areas, and even a planetarium.

Where to Stay in Foggy Bottom

The Watergate Hotel Georgetown
This luxury boutique hotel offers modern and comfortable rooms at a relatively affordable price. Some of the rooms also have views of the Potomac river. It is just a five-minute walk from the Foggy Bottom–GWU metro station. Service is good and the hotel boasts a top-notch whiskey bar for the whiskey connoisseur. Click here to see the latest prices for The Watergate Hotel Georgetown.

5. Dupont Circle

Dupont Circle is probably the most popular and happening neighbourhood in Washington DC. It is known for its amazing dining, shopping and bar scene. This is a good place to stay if you want to immerse yourself in a happening enclave but still be relatively near the main attractions in National Mall.

What to Do in Dupont Circle

Dupont Circle Fountain – This iconic landmark in DC is a great place to picnic or people watch.

Connecticut Avenue – this vibrant thoroughfare is lined with boutique shops and great restaurants, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Where to Stay in Dupont Circle

Washington Marriott Georgetown
This relatively new hotel offers clean and modern rooms at very affordable prices. It also has a well-equipped gym. Service is good. If you are welling to spend a bit more, you can get access to the exclusive concierge lounge which offers complimentary excellent bites and illy coffee. The hotel is about ten minutes’ walk away from the Dupont Circle metro station. Click here to see the latest prices for Washington Marriott Georgetown.

The Dupont Circle Hotel
If you are willing to splurge just a little bit more, you can consider staying at The Dupont Circle, a boutique hotel with beautiful rooms and great service. The hotel is known for its luxurious bathrooms with marble and mosaic tiles, complete with comfortable heated floors. The hotel bar is a great place to chill after a tiring day of exploring Washington DC. It is located in a great location – the Dupont Circle metro station is just one block away. Click here to see the latest prices for The Dupont Circle Hotel.

6. Georgetown

Georgetown is the oldest neighbourhood in DC. This charming district exudes a European vibe with its quaint cobblestone streets and pretty architecture. It is known for its awesome Michelin restaurants, fantastic shopping scene, family events, and waterfront views.

What to Do in Georgetown

Georgetown Waterfront Park – You can enjoy great views here or even have fun with water activities.

Shopping – Georgetown is known for its amazing shopping scene, with plenty of fashion boutique shops for the fashionistas.

Washington Harbour – This waterfront development is home many great restaurants. In winter, the popular ice skating rink here opens for the season.

Where to Stay in Georgetown

The Georgetown Inn
This is a decent hotel located in a great location near the prime shopping district. The rooms are quite spacious with modern bathrooms. Click here for the latest prices of The Georgetown Inn.

The Graham Washington DC Georgetown
This boutique hotel offers pretty rooms and great service at a relatively affordable price. It even has a nice rooftop bar. It is located in a great location with plenty of great dining and shopping. Click here to see the latest prices for The Graham Washington DC Georgetown.

Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC
If you are looking to pamper yourself, the Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC offers luxurious rooms, excellent service, and a wonderful location. The food at the hotel’s restaurant is excellent as well. But be prepared to burn a hole in your wallet in this splendid hotel that is ranked top on TripAdvisor. Click here to see the latest prices for Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading our article on the best places to stay in Washington DC for tourists! If you are visiting for the first time, I highly recommend staying in the National Mall area, as it is closest to all the main DC attractions. However, if you prefer to stay at a less touristy location, you can consider the other areas listed in this article. And that’s it! Please feel free to ask any questions you have in the comments section below.

This article is part of our completely free and fantastic Washington DC Travel Guide. Why spend days researching when all your holiday information is simply a click away?