Federal City, Executive City, Capital Of The Vast, whatever you want to call it, Washington DC is a enchantingly varied and historic US destination. Most famous for being home to the White House and the United States Capitol, DC has plenty more to offer in terms of cultural monuments, grand museums, green parks, and award-winning restaurants.
While a tour of the President’s residence or a photo at the Lincoln Memorial are popular tourist activities (and rightly so), branching out into DC’s many surrounding neighborhoods is highly recommended when planning that once-in-a-lifetime trip. With over 100 neighborhoods defined by the DC Office of Planning, we’ve compiled our favorite activities and experiences in our top ten favorite communities, so you can step away from the National Mall and see more of what makes DC so special!
From Potomac River dinner cruises to trendy farmers markets, there’s something for every budget and personality in Washington DC.
| Georgetown
Washington DC’s oldest neighborhood, Georgetown, sits on the bank of the Potomac River with Rock Creek bordering its westside. With lovely waterfront walkways, quaint cafes and restaurants, plenty of green spaces, and examples of 18th century architecture, Georgetown is a top attraction for history buffs. One of the cultural gems of the neighborhood is the free-admission Dumbarton Oaks Museum; “Home of the Humanities”.
Art lovers will delight in the collection of Pre-Columbian and Byzantine pieces, but one of the main draws for visitors is the Dumbarton Oaks Park, a sixteen acre landscaped garden designed by Beatrix Farrand (not free admission). Suitable for adults and children alike, a trip to Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown is a firm family favorite!
| Downtown
When it comes to Downtown neighborhoods of any major city, you can always expect some consistencies. The central business district of Washington DC is no exception, with a large number of high-end restaurants, boutique shops, trendy bars, historic cathedrals and museums, and the swankiest of swanky hotels.
The St. Regis on 16th and K is a 5-star hotel with a Mediterranean inspired restaurant, plus a plush red velvet-clad bar where they serve their own take on the Bloody Mary, the Capital Mary, and a traditional afternoon tea with all the trimmings. A few hours of fresh sandwiches, cakes, sweet treats and tea is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in DC, especially after a morning of Downtown shopping!
| Capitol Hill
Being home to the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress, you’d be forgiven for thinking Capitol Hill is not a particularly residential neighborhood – but it’s actually one of the most densely populated in all of DC! There are plenty of sightseeing tours around that will show-off the incredible architecture and fascinating history of the neighborhood, but you know what’s better than a sightseeing tour? A food tour!
Capitol Hill is packed with authentic global restaurants, markets, and eateries, so whilst learning about US history you can also taste some of the best Italian desserts, Indian dishes, and homestyle American cuisine in town. A great day out for tourists or a unique experience gift idea for foodies!
| Foggy Bottom
South along the river from Georgetown is Foggy Bottom, aptly named due to it’s low-lying location at the edge of the Potomac. Known for the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the US Department of State office, and the grand Constitution Hall, Foggy Bottom is another top pick for fans of US history and examples of classic architecture.
To explore DC from a new perspective, the Thompson Boat Center offers a variety of watersport rentals and tours, so you can have a go at stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and even sculling if you feel so inclined! Getting out of the city and enjoying a leisurely paddle is great for the body and mind, making a fun addition to a DC weekend getaway.
| Navy Yard
Nestled between Interstate 695 and the Anacostia River is the Navy Yard neighborhood, a highly nautical themed area. With a scenic riverfront boardwalk, popular seafood restaurants, and the historic U.S. Navy Museum, you can get your ocean-life fix for the day all in one 300 acre neighborhood!
Located in the green Yards Park along the waterfront is District Winery, an urban wine bar and working winery that offers tastings and tours throughout the year. Enjoy a seasonal selection of the winemakers favorites from around the country, and dine al fresco on hearty American food on the spacious patio. A wonderful gourmet experience to share with friends!
| Dupont Circle
Washington DC has over thirty road circles, many of which have become the centers of cultural, business, or entertainment hubs with trendy hotels and restaurants built up around them.
Dupont Circle is a prime example, featuring the Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Dupont Memorial at its core and eclectic bars and cafes along the tree-lined avenues. Explore this fascinating neighborhood on a free Dupont Circle Walking Tour, that’s right – free, and discover the more sinister side of Embassy Row, learning about assassinations, affairs, scandals and lots more. Guided tours are an entertaining way to explore a new neighborhood, or a fun day out for Dupont Circle locals!
| Cardozo/U Street
Once the African-American cultural heart of Washington DC, U Street Northwest is now a vibrant community of street art and authentic ethnic cuisine. The main draws of the neighborhood include Ben’s Chili Bowl established in 1958, the legendary Lincoln Theatre, the African American Civil War Museum, and the weekly 14&U Farmers Market.
Operating every Saturday between May and November, the market showcases some of the best artisanal produce in the city, with fresh fruit and vegetables, breads and pastries, pies and pickles, ice cream, cheese, and all sorts of other gourmet goodies. Farmers markets are one of our favorite ways to spend a morning in a new city, so don’t miss out!
| Observatory Circle
Everyone can agree on the time, right? But do you know who gets to actually set the time that we all follow? The United States Naval Observatory in Washington DC!
As well as establishing America's official time, the Observatory also conducts research on ocean depths, climate change, ice levels, meteorology and weather events, astronomy and space exploration – basically anything that’s useful towards scientific and military communities!
Tours of the Naval Observatory run regularly throughout the year and make a great morning out for science and nature fans, we recommend following the tour with a walk through Glover Archbold Park and a relaxing picnic by the river.
| Woodley Park
Just slightly north-east of Observatory Circle is Woodley Park, a beautiful residential neighborhood with access to many scenic parks and hiking trails, and a Historic District on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
On the eastern border of the neighborhood is the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, one of the largest zoos in the United States and free entry all year round! A fantastic day out for the whole family, the National Zoo features a huge variety of animals from America’s National Mammal, the bison, to exotic global creatures like giant pandas and zebras. There are also regular shows and camps for the kids to enjoy, so you can easily spend a whole day without ever seeing an exhibit twice!
| Southwest Washington
Last but not least, we had back south to where the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers connect in Southwest Washington. As well as rivers you’ll also find the Washington Channel, with lively waterfront restaurants, several yacht clubs, and piers with live music and entertainers. On one of these piers is where the elegant Spirit of Washington ship lives, offering gourmet sightseeing cruises that combine sophisticated dining with unparalleled views of the city.
Step on board and sail south along the DC and Virginia border, under the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, past the Jones Point Lighthouse, across from the Capital Wheel, and many more landmarks all while feasting on a delicious buffet meal. Sightseeing doesn’t get much better than this, perfect for topping off a fantastic trip to DC or a thoughtful experience gift idea!
| Thanks for reading!
Washington DC may be our nation’s capital, but hopefully we’ve convinced you that there’s plenty more to the city than museums, memorials, and monuments. Try one of these experiences in a new neighborhood on your next trip, and as always let us know what you think in the comments below!
