While many may know Washington D.C. as the United States’ capital, it is also a great tourist city. It hosts many historical monuments, identifiable government buildings, and centuries of history. You could spend days exploring the museums and monuments, but make sure you leave time for the award-winning restaurants in the city. With so much to do here, you’ll have days filled with activity, and you want to make sure that you stay at one of the best Washington D.C. hotels. With this guide, we’ll make sure you’re set up to stay at all of the best places and have the best things to do and the best places to eat.
Best Washington D.C. Restaurants
In Washington D.C., you can find almost any food flavor you’re looking for in nearly every type of restaurant. In this list, you’ll find some of the best Washington D.C. restaurants for fine dining:
Inside the Georgetown Four Seasons Hotel, you’ll find the fantastic Bourbon Steak, a trendy steakhouse with a long cocktail list. If it’s a gorgeous day, you’ll want to make sure that you sit outside in the garden courtyard and enjoy the green oasis. Make sure you order the classic Steak and Potatoes when you’re here.
This Belgian Brasserie blends casual and chic in a restaurant modeled after a vintage Brussels train station. The food is very rich here, ranging from entrée salads to large fruits de mer platters and an extensive lineup of Belgian beers. Don’t miss out on the brunch Belgian waffles, either.
If you’re looking for a restaurant that focuses on local and sustainable ingredients at affordable prices, Equinox is your place. Vegans and vegetarians can rejoice knowing that there are several options on the menu. Don’t miss out on dessert options such as banana napoleon and coconut-lime sorbet.
Called one of the Best Washington D.C. Restaurants by the Washington Post, Fiola Mare is a high-end Italian restaurant located at the Georgetown waterfront. Brunch is a great time to visit with dishes like lobster rolls, spaghetti with clams, or a tuna caesar. Don’t miss out on the bottomless prosecco!
This MICHELIN starred restaurant is a Contemporary French restaurant known for its delectable dishes and excellent wine list. This restaurant has shown up on many “top restaurant” lists and will definitely impress visitors who try it. Many dishes here are meant to be shared, including an entire roast chicken.
Best Washington D.C. Hotels
This historically famous hotel has modern amenities that are sure to delight. With a 5-star rating, visitors can’t go wrong if they’re looking to stay at a luxurious hotel with a great restaurant and bar on site. Accommodations range from complete suites to king-sized rooms. This is one of the best Washington D.C. Hotels.
Look no further than the Mandarin Oriental for a fun and airy hotel with a design based on feng-shui vibes. This space features an on-site art gallery and a 10,000-square-foot-spa. Rooms come with a view of the Marina or the Jefferson Memorial. This is one of the best Washington D.C. Hotels for modern experience lovers.
After a brief time as the W Washington, this hotel reverted back to being independently owned as The Washington Hotel. After an interior redo, this hotel offers modern luxury and beautiful colors in this historic building that was built in 1900. So bring your furry friends and pick a room size, varying from queen size to the presidential suite.
Situated in the best location, The Line D.C. used to be the First Church of Science building, built-in 1912, and is now a beautiful hotel in the Adams-Morgan Neighborhood. Many of the rooms here pay homage to the former use of the building, and the best room is the vast main suite which provides a 1,300-square foot terrace with panoramic views of the capital.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington D.C.
While there are several Kimpton properties in D.C., The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington D.C. is one of the most luxurious. Located in the Penn Quarter, it’s close to the top museums, great restaurants, and other fun activities. The hotel lives in the historic general post office, which was initially built in the 1840s.
Best Time to Visit Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. experiences all four seasons. It’s cold and snowy in the winter and hot weather with occasional storms in the summer. So if you’re looking for the best time to visit Washington D.C., it depends on what you’re looking for on your trip.
Spring is the best time to see the Cherry Blossom trees and avoid the busiest tourist season (summer). However, winter is a great time to visit if you’re planning on spending most of your time inside museums and want to see the National Christmas Tree. Otherwise, summer will bring you the most sunshine and warm weather.
All the museums are open year-round, and Washington D.C. always has a different street fest or activity happening, so you’re sure to find something to do no matter when you visit. The most popular time to visit Washington D.C.is March to May and September to November. If you’d like to save a little money on your trip, booking during the less popular times will save money on accommodations.
Best Washington D.C. Museums
If you enjoy art, stopping by the National Gallery of Art is a must. It’s one of the most impressive museums in the city and one of the most classic collections. The permanent art collections focus on European and American paintings, sculptures, photographs, and decorative art. It’s one of the top five museums in the world
National Museum of African American History and Culture
This four-story museum opened in 2016 and became the only national museum solely dedicated to documenting African American life, history, and culture. This museum addresses nearly every aspect of the African American experience and has rotating exhibits. It’s been on the top-visited list of Smithsonian museums since it opened.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History boasts more than 126 million artifacts on display. With millions of visitors coming through the doors each year, it’s no surprise they are interested in exploring some of the museum’s sights like giant whale replicas and live tarantulas. This vast space has something for everything, and it’s free!
At the National Portrait Gallery, you’ll find a crossing of history, biography, and art demonstrated through portraits of individuals who have shaped United States history. The museum is housed in the historic Old Patent Office, which was built between 1836 and 1863. The gallery features prints, paintings, pictures, and sculptures of individuals ranging from George Washington to modern celebrities.
This is a gold mine of historical documents and a must-stop on your trip to Washington D.C. It’s one of the best museums in Washington D.C. to get up close and personal with the history of the United States, as you can see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Magna Carta, and Emancipation Proclamation here. This is a do not miss for history lovers.
Washington D.C. Events
Washington D.C. welcomes every Spring with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which commemorates the March 27, 1912, gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City to Washington D.C. Events include an opening ceremony each year, kite festival, parade, and more.
Filmfest D.C. is an international film festival that has been around for more than three decades, showing thousands of films to residents and visitors to the nation’s capital. Each year individuals submit their films to the festivals, and typically in April/May, the festival will occur and show the films and movies will be judged for awards. For the past few years, they’ve held a remote option due to COVID.
A Capitol Fourth – 4th of July Celebration
Every Fourth of July, the nation’s capital puts on a massive show for Independence Day that is broadcast live across the country. If you’re lucky enough to attend while in Washington D.C., you can see the musical performances and massive fireworks displays in person.
This year will be D.C. JazzFest’s 18th annual year, with the event happening from August 31st to September 4th, 2022. Guests can expect fantastic live music on two stages and over 33 food and drink vendors at the event.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting
The National Christmas Tree Lighting has been an American tradition for almost 100 years, with the story beginning with President Calvin Coolidge lighting the first tree with electric bulbs in 1923. Now, every year the National Park Service hosts a music program while lighting the tree to honor this history.
