Washington, DC, the U.S. capital, is a compact city on the Potomac River, bordering the states of Maryland and Virginia. It’s defined by imposing neoclassical monuments and buildings – including the iconic ones that house the federal government’s 3 branches: the Capitol, White House, and Supreme Court. It's also home to iconic museums and performing-arts venues such as the Kennedy Center. Here is our travel guide to Washington D.C.

STAY

THE LINE HOTEL Inspired by the District and housed inside a 110-year old historic neoclassical church. Many of the original features have been thoughtfully reimagined—the church organ pipes, for example, are now the lobby’s provocative chandelier—and there are five restaurants and bars helmed by local chefs Spike Gjerde and Erik Bruner-Yang.

THE DUPONT CIRCLE Now a member of Europe’s Doyle Collection, this 1960s hotel unveiled multimillion-dollar renovations led by two international design powerhouses: Martin Brudnizki, who created a clubby cocktail bar and a chic farm-to-table restaurant, and Clodagh, responsible for the spacious-yet-intimate lobby and several floors of suites. Both studios drew inspiration from the building’s midcentury roots, filling spaces with brass light fixtures, mirrored surfaces, slatted wood paneling, and curvaceous seats covered in velvet and leather. 

THE FOUR SEASONS Located in charming Georgetown (cobblestone streets, beautiful row houses, C&O Canal waterways) and close to the campuses of Georgetown University and George Washington University, which are both about a mile from the hotel, in either direction.

THE HAY ADAMS The Hay Adams is as classic a hotel as you’ll find in D.C. It’s named after John Hay (who served as personal secretary to Lincoln, U.S. Ambassador to the U.K., and Secretary of State) and Henry Adams (historian, Harvard professor, grandson of President John Quincy Adams and great-grandson of President John Adams)—who both lived in homes where the hotel now stands. Many historic details (like original wood paneling) have been preserved. Steps away from the White House, National Mall, and the Smithsonian museums. It is also home to Off the Record, a subterranean bar.

HOTEL MONACO Located across from The National Portrait Gallery, this luxury boutique hotel is set in an old post office that’s now a national landmark.

THE PALOMAR A Kimpton hotel with modern, unique designs, and prime Dupont Circle location.

ST. REGIS Opened in 1926 as the Carlton Hotel, this property has been frequented by U.S. presidents (including Reagan, who regularly got his hair cut by the hotel barber) and celebrities like Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Cher. Howard Hughes famously had a permanent suite at the hotel during World War II, which he made available to uniformed servicemen during his absence at no cost. 

WATERGATE While the luxurious Luigi Moretti–designed hotel is, of course, most famous for its role in the 1970s DNC scandal, it is also a local hot spot that regularly welcomes high-profile guests and residents. The property underwent a major remodel by Ron Arad, who restored the landmark to its posh, midcentury-modern glory. 

THE JEFFERSON As its name intimates, the 95-room accommodation is an homage to the life of our third president, Thomas Jefferson. Furnishings and decorative objects in the guest rooms are inspired by the Founding Father’s stays in Paris and at Monticello, while the library boasts some of Jefferson’s favorite titles. Other Jeffersonian details include a dumbwaiter in the private dining room (the president invented an improved version of the device) and a hotel restaurant and bar named Plume and Quill, respectively. 

OMNI SHOREHAM A registered Historic Hotel of America, the grand Omni has been the preferred D.C. lodging of politicians and celebrities for more than 50 years. It’s hosted such notable guests as the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama, who stayed in the Presidential Suite while on the campaign trail. The hotel has also been the venue for every inaugural ball since the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL This historic property, which opened its doors almost 200 years ago, has hosted almost every U.S. president since Franklin Pierce in 1853. Martin Luther King Jr. is said to have completed his “I Have a Dream” speech while staying here in 1963, and Mark Twain penned two books there. 

EATON WORKSHOP This new hospitality brand, with properties in D.C. and Hong Kong also takes its community-building ethos seriously. Founder Katherine Lo used her background in anthropology and filmmaking to create a lifestyle hotel that includes an artist-in-residence program, wellness classes, and workshops led by grassroots leaders. Interiors are designed by Parts and Labor and Gachot.

DINE | DRINK

LE DIPLOMATE Old-fashioned restaurant with outdoor seating serving familiar French fare, brunch staples & drinks.

MARTIN'S TAVERN A Georgetown tradition since 1933, and purportedly where JFK proposed to Jackie— there is even a special booth with a plaque commemorating it.

TAYLOR GOURMET Taylor Gourmet was opened by two Philadelphia transplants who brought sandwiches to D.C. Today, the chain is a lunchtime staple for everyone from college students to President Obama. The Italian sandwich and the Philly cheesesteak are obviously the signature items.

BEN'S CHILI BOWL D.C. natives will tell you that Ben’s Chili Bowl is the most D.C. place in D.C. They have multiple locations, but the original one is on U Street. As the name suggests, it’s all about the chili dogs, chili burgers, and chili fries.

MARVIN A jazz bar with a soundtrack by a member of Thievery Corporation, and a menu that blends Belgian classics with the flavors of the neighborhood (ie fried chicken with Belgian waffles), plus a rooftop beer garden.

CENTRAL MICHEL RICHARD This French-American bistro comes from one of DC's most celebrated chefs, serving up everything from French classics to American comfort food.

JALEO José Andrés laid the foundation for the Chinatown/Penn Quarter dining scene, with a number of unique restaurants within just a few blocks. (Mediterranean Zaytinya and Mexican-inspired Oyamel have also become neighborhood favorites.) Jaleo introduced authentic Spanish tapas to the city when it originally opened in 1993. The impressive menu remains, with a slight revamp including additions like black-footed Spanish pig’s feet and six new types of gin and tonics (one of Andrés’ favorite drinks). Barcelona-based designer and architect Juli Capella’s goal was to express the meaning of Jaleo (translation: merrymaking and revelry) and she succeeds.

DBGB DC A French bistro with local takes on Chef Daniel Boulud's iconic dishes, plus a large beer & wine selection.

MINIBAR As a study in avant-garde cooking and molecular gastronomy, Minibar highlights Andrés’ time with Ferran Adrià of famed (and now former) El Bulli in Spain. Meals here are a delightful combination of imagination, science, and technique. Over the 27 courses you may try anything from cotton candy eel to popcorn blasted with liquid nitrogen.

BOURBON STEAK Bourbon, located in the Four Seasons, serves some of the best steak in the city, from a 50-day dry-aged ribeye to a wagyu flat iron and more. But what makes this Michael Mina restaurant a standout is also the incredible seafood, from local oysters to his signature lobster pot pie, and impressive new American dishes. The trio of duck fat fries and black truffle rolls, compliments of the chef, foreshadow the decadence to follow. Cocktails are particularly well-made using small batch cordials and homemade bitters, making the bar and lounge great for an evening drink.

KAZ SUSHI BISTRO It’s all about the incredible sushi here, a fact that the business-heavy lunch crowd appreciates. The best seat in the house is the sushi bar, where you can watch the chefs preparing the excellent and inventive nigiri like the outrageously good seared salmon belly with sweet soy lemon or tuna with foie gras miso.

LITTLE SEROW This is the little sister to Dupont Circle’s acclaimed Komi, which is also very much worth the visit.The menu changes weekly, and they only accept walk-ins.

NORA'S Organic dining pioneer Nora Pouillon opened Restaurant Nora in 1999 as America’s first certified organic restaurant. The fantastic seasonal menu, which remains devoted to organic and biodynamic practices, attracts politicians and environmentalists alike.

RASIKA This is the second location of the popular Penn Quarter original. Order the Palak Chaat, crispy baby spinach, or the Dal Dhungaree.

THE TABARD INN The brick-walled garden patio in this historic hotel is perhaps the most romantic dinner setting in town. The New American menu features local and seasonal ingredients, with a focus on fresh seafood and meats. Brunch in the garden on a sunny day is particularly pleasant.

THE GIBSON Behind a nondescript entrance on the 14th Street stretch is the bar that began the mixology craze in DC.

COLUMBIA ROOM Though à la carte drinking is an option at this reservation-only cocktail den, the meticulously-crafted cocktail tasting menu is the real reason to come. Each party gets their own personal mixologist.

OFF THE RECORD Tucked away in the basement of The Hay Adams hotel, this grown-up lounge offers a taste of old Washington. Everything seems like a little secret down here amidst the alcove seating and red velvet hues.

JACK ROSE Located in nightlife-heavy Adams Morgan, the three-story saloon Jack Rose boasts over 1,500 bottles, including over 100 rare Kentucky whiskey varieties and some pretty great Scotch (Bruichladdich and Glen Grant). There’s no shortage of well-crafted cocktails, like the eponymous blend of applejack and grenadine, which are best enjoyed on the fantastic and spacious rooftop in warmer months.

BRASSERIE LIBERTÉ Classic French fare served in a stylish & spacious restaurant that has outdoor seating & a bar.

BOULANGERIE CHRISTOPHE Cozy spot for baguettes, pastries, espresso & French bistro classics with courtyard seating.

BISTRO BIS Located at the Hotel George, a few blocks from the Capitol, and the perfect spot for a breakfast meeting.

DOLCEZZA A coffee and gelato spot near NW 14th.

TRYST A bustling Adams Morgan coffee shop.

LAPIS An Afghan restaurant. Order the karayee—eggs with tomatoes, potatoes, onions, peppers, and beef.

JOE'S SEAFOOD, PRIME STEAK & STONE CRAB An outpost of the Miami Beach restaurant, always buzzing with reporters, lawmakers hosting fundraising dinners, White House officials, and the K Street set. Order the ice cold key lime pie.

BLT STEAK A modern American steakhouse known for its signature warm popovers & hearty meat-centric dishes.

ESPITA MEZCALERIA Sit at the bar, order the Mayahuel (be careful, it’s strong) along with guacamole and a few of the salsas.

THE BIRD  A bar that offers ripped-from-the-headlines drink specials. Think Five-dollar “Moscow Muellers” every time the special council indicts someone, and happy-hour deals when someone is fired from the White House.

QUILL Classic cocktails & signature drinks with house-infused liquors are served in a sleek bar setting in the Jefferson Hotel.

ROOM 11 For a date night, order a glass of wine at this cozy bar in Columbia Heights.

CHLOE After cutting his culinary chops at local hot spots Estadio and Doi Moi, chef Haidar Karoum decided to strike out on his own with Chloe. For his menu, Karoum honors his Lebanese roots while drawing inspiration from his global travels. From crispy cauliflower tossed with tahini to Vietnamese roasted chicken, there’s something for every appetite.

DEL MAR  Perched on the southwest waterfront in the Wharf, the latest restaurant by celebrated chef Fabio Trabocchi pays homage to his wife Maria’s Spanish roots, from the food (pan con tomate, txangurro, and fideuà) to the interiors, which were envisioned by superstar Barcelona designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán.

BRESCA This contemporary bistro helmed by chef Ryan Ratino on 14th Street is quirky and colorful. Awash in a bold palette of cerulean, yellow, and white, the room features other eye-catching details like a moss wall, hexagonal lattice space dividers, and golden fish heads. Ratino’s cuisine and plating are equally playful. Try the indulgent foie gras “negroni”—which is topped with a pretty pink campari jelly and bits of spring green celery.

GRAVITAS Gravitas in the Ivy City neighborhood serves Matt Baker’s customizable five-course tasting menu, which earned him a Michelin star in less than a year. Expect seasonal offerings like sunchoke and lobster velouté, and Sardinian fregola with uni emulsion and bay scallops. 

ANCHOVY SOCIAL Coming soon and set inside the brand new Thompson Washington D.C.  by Studios Architecture) this whimsical rooftop bar by acclaimed restaurateur Danny Meyer brings a dose of la dolce vita to the capital. The nautical-themed decor was inspired by the seafood menu at sister restaurant Maialino Mare on the ground floor,.

MAKETTO 1351 This multiconcept business by Erik Bruner-Yang and Will Sharp on H Street is equal parts restaurant, café, and boutique. The retail component is the real standout, with its stylish mix of menswear, accessories, and shoes, from up-and-coming brands like Norse Projects to established heavyweights like Comme des Garçons. 

STEADFAST SUPPLY Located in a 3,000-square-foot space in the Yards, Steadfast Supply represents and supports more than 60 independent artists and brands from all over the country by both selling their goods and sharing their individual stories.

ARTS | CULTURE | ACTIVITIES

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE From the moment it was unveiled in late 2016, this striking bronze-clad building became both an architectural landmark and a cultural icon. Lead designer David Adjaye, together with lead architect Philip Freelon, sought to convey America’s deep and longstanding African heritage through a corona-shaped structure that was inspired by the Washington Monument, yet also references a type of tiered crown used in Yoruban art from West Africa.

THE WHITE HOUSE The official residence and workplace of the president of the United States, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Available to tours, by appointment only.

UNITED STATES CAPITOL The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress and the seat of the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. It is located on Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Available to tour, by appointment only.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART The National Gallery of Art, and its attached Sculpture Garden, is a national art museum in Washington, D.C., United States, located on the National Mall. The East Building was designed by architect I.M. Pei.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS The Library of Congress is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the de facto national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Book an appointment to visit.

HIRSHHORN MUSEUM When it opened in 1974, this contemporary art institution was the city’s most distinctive building, a monumental Brutalist cylinder designed by Pritzker-winning architect Gordon Bunshaft. Four decades later, on the heels of reimagining the museum’s lobby (now outfitted with a metal-walled coffee bar and tables crafted from 700-year-old nutmeg trees), Japanese artist and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto was commissioned to overhaul its sculpture garden. His design, with plans for reopening a long-shuttered underground tunnel connecting the garden and museum entrance, will transform this peaceful outdoor area into the “front door” to the National Mall. 

FREER GALLERY OF ART The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, are located on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Committed to preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting exemplary works of art, the National Museum of Asian Art addresses broad questions about culture, identity, and the contemporary world. The museum cares for exceptional collections of Asian art, with more than 45,000 objects dating from the Neolithic period to today and originating from the ancient Near East to China, Japan, Korea, South and Southeast Asia, and the Islamic world. Nearly a century old, the Freer Gallery of Art also holds a significant group of American works of art largely dating to the late nineteenth century. It houses the world’s largest collection of diverse works by James McNeill Whistler, including the famed Peacock Room.

SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM Together with its branch museum, the Renwick Gallery, SAAM holds one of the world's largest and most inclusive collections of art, from the colonial period to the present, made in the United States.

UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDEN The United States Botanic Garden is a botanical garden on the grounds of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., near Garfield Circle. The Botanic Garden is supervised by the Congress through the Architect of the Capitol, who is responsible for maintaining the grounds of the United States Capitol.

JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Designed by Steven Holl Architects, the Reach is the first-ever expansion of John F. Kennedy’s living memorial on the Potomac River. A trio of futuristic white pavilions adds a new restaurant and multiple performance spaces with an impressive lineup that includes contemporary ballets, operas, comedy shows, jazz jams, and even experimental DJ sessions. The surrounding landscape reflects various aspects of Kennedy’s life: a grove of 35 ginkgo trees are a nod to his position as the 35th president of the United States, and a reflecting pool and mahogany landscape deck reference his WWII boat, the PT109. The Center hosts ballet, opera, the philharmonic, and more.

THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION The Phillips Collection is an art museum founded by Duncan Phillips and Marjorie Acker Phillips in 1921 as the Phillips Memorial Gallery located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Phillips was the grandson of James H. Laughlin, a banker and co-founder of the Jones and Laughlin Steel Company.

UNITED STATES NATIONAL ARBORETUM The United States National Arboretum is an arboretum in northeast Washington, D.C., operated by the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. It was established in 1927 by an act of Congress after a campaign by USDA Chief Botanist Frederick Vernon Coville.

DUMBARTON OAKS Dumbarton Oaks is a historic estate in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. It was the residence and garden of wealthy U.S. diplomat Robert Woods Bliss and his wife Mildred Barnes Bliss.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent agency of the United States government charged with the preservation and documentation of government and historical records. It is also tasked with increasing public access to those documents which make up the National Archive.

LINCOLN MEMORIAL A 1930s structure commemorates the life of Abraham Lincoln with artwork & exhibits.

WASHINGTON MONUMENT The Washington Monument is an obelisk within the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate George Washington, once commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War and the first President of the United States. Wikipedia

WASHINGTON UNION STATION Washington Union Station is a major train station, transportation hub, and leisure destination in Washington, D.C. Opened in 1907, it is Amtrak's headquarters and the railroad's second-busiest station.

SHOP

HU'S A boutique stocking brands like Chloé, Jimmy Choo, and Proenza Schouler.

MADE IN D.C. Their mission is to support the local community of artisans. Three locations in D.C. sell leather and canvas weekender bags by Stitch & Rivet, which donates unused remnants to school groups, and delicate jewelry with semiprecious stones, such as rare druzy gems from Istanbul, by artist Hatice Rosato. 

SALT AND SUNDRY A one-stop shop specializing in unique gifts. Its sister shop, Little Leaf, is two blocks down the street and stocks plants and stationery.

SPA

GEORGETOWN SALON & SPA A full service spa and beauty salon in Georgetown.

GEORGE A premier salon in the Four Seasons Georgetown.

Text: Veronica H. Speck