Hotels in Washington

Best time to visit Washington, DC

Washington, DC’s high tourist season is during the summer months from June – August. The weather is hot and humid and the average temperature hovers around 26 degrees Celsius. DC is less crowded when schools are in session, so consider visiting between September – November. The fall foliage that creates beautiful golden and red hue against the marbled monuments is an added attraction when you visit at this time. Another good time to visit is between March – May, when every park and garden in the city is covered with cherry blossoms. The winters here are cold and temperatures range from minus 4 – plus 4 degrees Celsius. Bring a pair of gloves, a hat and a warm winter jacket, and you are all set to go museum-hopping if you visit during this time. You could find attractive deals on hotel prices as this is a fairly lean season, except during the festive weeks of Christmas and New Year.

Getting around Washington, DC

Many of DC’s tourist attractions are clustered in a compact, walkable area, and can be easily explored on foot. If you wish to use public transport, you have the Metrobus or Metrorail. The Metrobus fare for regular routes is $2.00 USD, and for express routes, it is $4.25 USD. Metrorail peak-hour fares range from $2.25 USD – $6.00 USD. Off-peak fares are capped at $3.85 USD. You can hail a metered taxi anywhere in the city. Ride-sharing companies, such as Uber and Lyft also operate in and around DC. The city’s bike share program called Capital Bikeshare allows you to use a bike for a single trip under 30 minutes for $2.00 USD. A 24-hour pass costs $8.00 USD, and it allows you to unlock bikes from over 440 stations across the city with unlimited trips of under 30 minutes per trip.

Best places to stay in Washington, DC

The majestic city of Washington, DC is home to some of the grandest memorials and monuments, scenic parks, quirky and fun museums, and a fantastic food and drink scene. While most visitors are here to explore the city’s history, the Smithsonian museums and the iconic government institutions, DC offers plenty of attractions for art enthusiasts, nature lovers and foodies as well. Wherever you stay in DC, you’ll get a generous dose of all these attractions in various neighbourhoods.

Capitol Hill

This neighbourhood gets its name from the gleaming white Capitol building that dominates the area. Apart from residential blocks of charming Victorian townhomes, you’ll spot politicians, lobbyists and dealmakers mingling at the fine restaurants and bars. The H Corridor offers some hip shopping and nightlife options while the bustling Eastern Market’s farm-fresh produce is what this neighbourhood wakes up to each morning. Enjoy the chic rooms and suites of the elegant Capitol Hill Hotel, just a short walk from the popular sites in this area. You can also look at the contemporary rooms of Courtyard by Marriott Washington Capitol Hill / Navy Yard hotel, just a short walk from the National Parks.

Georgetown and Foggy Bottom

Georgetown is a popular high-end shopping destination, with everything from eclectic antiques and housewares to clothes and shoes. Along M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, there are plenty of options to eat, drink and be merry. The area’s tree-lined streets and waterfront parks offer wonderful views of the Potomac. The neighbouring area of Foggy Bottom is home to the White House, the war memorials and the George Washington University. Indulge in a luxurious stay with rooms decorated in gold tones and chic wood paneling at the stylish Rosewood Washington, D.C. hotel. Check out the fully equipped suites of Georgetown Suites, just an 8-minute walk from the Georgetown Waterfront Park. Enjoy a unique blend of historic charm and urban sophistication at Hotel Lombardy, set in a 1920s opulent building in the heart of Foggy Bottom.

Downtown Washington, DC

Downtown DC is a compact neighbourhood with wide streets, tall buildings, and a host of museums and art galleries. Enjoy the sleek contemporary rooms, atrium courtyard, heated indoor pool and a hip bistro in the Grand Hyatt Washington hotel. It’s located on H Street, in the heart of Downtown DC. You can also consider the bright rooms and modern amenities of the Hamilton Hotel Washington, D.C., set in a 1922-built building with an impressive façade that blends the Beaux Arts and Art-Deco styles.

Dupont Circle

Dupont Circle, an important DC landmark is the intersection that connects Connecticut, New Hampshire and Massachusetts avenues. This area is home to several museums, art galleries and embassies. You’ll also find a bunch of quirky shops, specialty bookstores, offbeat coffeehouses and a wide range of restaurants in this neighbourhood. Enjoy stylish accommodation in the literary-themed Akwaaba Bed and Breakfast, set in a 1890s historic townhouse. You have the choice of various individually decorated, antique-filled rooms that have been named after noted African-American writers. Also check out the sophisticated rooms of Embassy Circle Guest House, an elegant B&B housed in a former embassy mansion in the Dupont Circle area.

Cheap hotels in Washington, DC

Cheap hotels are not easy to come by in DC, but if you search carefully and plan, you’ll find a handful of good hotels at reasonable prices in convenient locations. In Downtown DC, just steps away from Pennsylvania Avenue, between the Capitol and the White House, you have the family-run Hotel Harrington, a historic structure that has been welcoming guests since 1914. Just a 7-minute walk from Dupont Circle, you can look at the stylish rooms of Kimpton Carlyle Hotel, an Art-Deco gem with modern amenities. Close to Dupont Circle, you also have The District Hotel, set in a 1913-dated brick building on a picturesque tree-lined street. Across the street from the George Washington University campus, stay in the contemporary, minimalist rooms of Hotel Hive.

Washington, DC is one of those cities that has a certain effortless charm and beauty. When you see the broad, tree-lined avenues, ornate front porches of stately mansions, imposing marble-stone monuments and sprawling lush green parks along the Potomac River, you know you’re in a monumental city. There is a lot to see and do here, so a single trip may not be enough. Try to include these activities in your itinerary to truly experience what DC has to offer.

• Start at the Smithsonian Institution Building (‘the Castle’) near National Mall, and pick up a guidebook to choose which of the 19 Smithsonian museums and galleries you wish to explore. A few that you should definitely visit include the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, the Smithsonian American History Museum, Smithsonian Freer Gallery, and the National Zoo .
• Tour the national monuments such as Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Korean War Veterans Memorial.
• Visit the 3 Houses of Government, The White House, The Capitol, and The Supreme Court.
• Watch a concert or musical at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Enjoy some pop, country, jazz, blues, or innovative performance arts at Wolf Trap National Park for Performing Arts.
• Enjoy the interactive exhibits of Newseum, a dynamic and engaging museum dedicated to journalism and free speech. Don’t miss a trip to the International Spy Museum that showcases the interesting world of subterfuge and spycraft.
• Get your fill of art at the National Gallery of Art, and check out some cutting-edge modern art at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
• Enjoy open mic nights, local art exhibits, and a delicious meal at any of the 4 outlets of Busboys and Poets.
• Stroll along Washington Harbour, and enjoy scenic views across the Potomac River.
• Enjoy a day of walking, biking or kayaking along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
• If you are in DC during spring, head to Massachusetts Avenue where over 40 embassies participate in cultural demonstrations, music and dance performances, and culinary exhibitions as part of the Passport DC event.
• Enjoy a Vietnamese feast at the Eden Center, a strip mall that includes over 100 Vietnamese shops and restaurants. Or mingle with foodies at Union Market, a warehouse-like food market with a host of artisans offering charcuterie, empanadas, gelato, and more.