Hotels in Washington

Washington: Federal Capital on the Potomac

Washington, D.C. sits on the east bank of the Potomac River, 38 miles southwest of Baltimore. Pierre Charles L'Enfant's 1791 grid plan — overlaid with diagonal avenues named for states — still shapes the city today. The National Mall stretches 1.9 miles from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, flanked by 19 Smithsonian museums, all free to enter. Beyond the Mall, neighborhoods define distinct characters: Capitol Hill holds dense rowhouses and the Eastern Market; Georgetown, established 1751, predates the capital itself and lines the C&O Canal; Dupont Circle anchors the gallery and embassy corridor.

Where to Stay in Washington

Hotels concentrate in three zones. Downtown/Penn Quarter places guests within walking distance of the National Portrait Gallery and Ford's Theatre. Foggy Bottom, near Georgetown University, suits visitors with business at the State Department or Kennedy Center. Capitol Hill hotels serve early-morning committee watchers and Library of Congress researchers. Metro's six lines connect all three zones; a SmarTrip card covers buses and rail.

Practical Tips

• Transit: Metro runs daily; peak fares apply 5–9:30 a.m. and 3–7 p.m. weekdays.
• Museums: Smithsonian sites require timed passes for popular galleries — book online several days ahead.
• Seasons: Cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin peak late March to early April; crowds are heaviest then.
• Airport access: Reagan National (DCA) sits 4.5 miles south and links directly to the Blue/Yellow Metro lines.