{"id":1306427,"date":"2026-10-12T11:45:48","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T11:45:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306427"},"modified":"2026-10-12T13:58:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:58:14","slug":"washington-dc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/washington-dc\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington DC"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306307,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-state","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":"","hw_hub_country_team_intro":"","hw_hub_country_team":"","hw_hub_country_faq_title":"","hw_hub_country_faq_note":"","hw_hub_country_faqs":"","hw_hub_country_cta_title":"","hw_hub_country_cta_body":"","hw_hub_country_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_country_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_country_hub_te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guide","hw_hub_state_hero_h1":"Things to do in Washington DC","hw_hub_state_hero_intro":"The capital of the United States: monuments on the National Mall, free world-class Smithsonian museums, lively neighbourhoods and Virginia and Maryland across the river.","hw_hub_state_hero_image":"1307983","hw_hub_state_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_state_hero_cta":"Pick a neighbourhood | #regions\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_state_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_state_stats":"3\u20134 | Days to do it properly","hw_hub_state_intro_title":"The capital, and its free museums","hw_hub_state_intro_body":"Washington DC is not a state but a federal district, built from scratch in the 1790s to be the nation's capital. Its centre is the National Mall, a long green park lined with the Capitol at one end, the Lincoln Memorial at the other, the Washington Monument in the middle, and some of the world's finest museums along both sides.\r\n\r\nThe best thing about visiting is that most of those museums, run by the Smithsonian Institution, are free. You could spend a week in the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture alone. Away from the Mall, DC has real neighbourhoods: historic Georgetown, the bars of U Street and Adams Morgan, and the waterfront at the Wharf and Navy Yard.\r\n\r\nGive DC three or four days. It is easy to combine with Philadelphia and New York by train, and Alexandria and Arlington, just across the Potomac in Virginia, are easy to add. Spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom, and autumn are the best times to visit.","hw_hub_state_facts":"Main airports | Reagan National, Dulles and BWI\r\nTime zone | Eastern Time\r\nSales tax | 6%, 10% on restaurant meals\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants\r\nGetting around | Metro, bikes and walking\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Safe to drink\r\nMuseums | Most are free\r\nHow long to stay | Three to four days\r\nBest months | April, May, September and October","hw_hub_state_areas_title":"Neighbourhoods of Washington DC","hw_hub_state_areas_intro":"Stay central for the Mall, or in a neighbourhood for food and nightlife. The Metro links them all.","hw_hub_state_areas_zoom":"12","hw_hub_state_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_state_areas":"National Mall | Sights, museums | The monuments and Smithsonian museums. Few places to stay, but everything to see. | 38.8893 | -77.0230 | \nCapitol Hill | History, quiet streets | Rowhouses, Eastern Market and the Capitol and Library of Congress. | 38.8899 | -76.9950 | \nGeorgetown | Historic, shopping | Cobbled streets, the C&O Canal and waterfront, older than the city itself. | 38.9097 | -77.0654 | \nDupont Circle | Central, LGBTQ+ nightlife | Grand townhouses, embassies and bars around the circle. | 38.9096 | -77.0434 | \nU Street and Shaw | Nightlife, food | DC's music and nightlife hub, with history, bars and restaurants. | 38.9170 | -77.0290 | \nAdams Morgan | Cheap bars, late nights | A lively, multicultural strip of bars and restaurants. | 38.9216 | -77.0425 | \nNavy Yard and the Wharf | Waterfront, baseball | New waterfront districts with bars, rooftops and Nationals Park. | 38.8760 | -77.0050 | ","hw_hub_state_itin_title":"","hw_hub_state_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_state_itin":"","hw_hub_state_do_title":"Things to do in Washington DC","hw_hub_state_do_body":"Walk the National Mall from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, past the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial, and go back at night, when the monuments are lit up. Visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial around the Tidal Basin.\r\n\r\nSpend days in the free Smithsonian museums: the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which needs timed passes at busy times. The National Gallery of Art is also free. Free tours of the Capitol can be booked online.\r\n\r\nOutside the centre, walk the streets of Georgetown and the C&O Canal, cross the river to Arlington National Cemetery, and visit Old Town Alexandria. Mount Vernon, George Washington's estate, is around 30 minutes south.","hw_hub_state_do_points":"National Mall | Monuments, best lit at night\r\nSmithsonian museums | World-class and free\r\nCapitol tour | Free, book online\r\nArlington National Cemetery | Across the Potomac","hw_hub_state_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_state_do_more":"All things to do in Washington DC","hw_hub_state_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_state_free_body":"Washington DC is one of the best free cities in the world. The Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art, the National Zoo, the monuments and memorials, the Capitol tour and the Library of Congress are all free.\r\n\r\nIn summer, there are free concerts and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall. Walking Georgetown, the waterfront and the C&O Canal towpath costs nothing.\r\n\r\nSome popular museums need free timed passes, so check before you go.","hw_hub_state_free_points":"Smithsonian museums | All free\r\nNational Zoo | Free, with giant pandas\r\nMonuments | Open around the clock\r\nLibrary of Congress | Free to visit","hw_hub_state_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_state_free_more":"All free things to do in Washington DC","hw_hub_state_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_state_food_body":"DC's signature dish is the half-smoke, a spicy sausage, famously served at Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street. The city has one of the largest Ethiopian communities in the USA, and Ethiopian restaurants around U Street and Shaw are excellent value. Maryland blue crabs and crab cakes are a summer treat.\r\n\r\nUnion Market and the Wharf have food halls, and the restaurants of Shaw and 14th Street are among the best in the city. Eating near the Mall is limited, so bring snacks or use the museum caf\u00e9s.\r\n\r\nAdd 18 to 22 per cent tips and the 10 per cent restaurant tax to bills.","hw_hub_state_food_points":"Half-smoke | At Ben's Chili Bowl\r\nEthiopian food | Around U Street and Shaw\r\nCrab cakes | From Maryland's blue crabs\r\nUnion Market | A food hall","hw_hub_state_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_state_food_more":"All food guides for Washington DC","hw_hub_state_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_state_nightlife_body":"U Street and Shaw have DC's liveliest nightlife, with bars, clubs and live music, including at historic venues such as the Lincoln Theatre and the 9:30 Club. Adams Morgan has cheap bars and late-night food, and Dupont Circle is the centre of LGBTQ+ nightlife.\r\n\r\nNavy Yard and the Wharf have waterfront bars and rooftops, busy before and after baseball games at Nationals Park.\r\n\r\nBars stay open until 2am on weekdays and 3am at weekends.","hw_hub_state_nightlife_points":"U Street | Bars, clubs and live music\r\nAdams Morgan | Cheap bars, late food\r\nDupont Circle | LGBTQ+ nightlife\r\nClosing time | 3am at weekends","hw_hub_state_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_state_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Washington DC","hw_hub_state_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_state_transport_body":"The Metro is clean and covers the city and the suburbs in Virginia and Maryland. Fares depend on distance and time of day; tap a contactless card or phone at the gates, or use a SmarTrip card. Buses, Capital Bikeshare and walking fill the gaps, and the Mall is best on foot.\r\n\r\nReagan National Airport is on the Metro, a few minutes from the centre. Dulles Airport is on the Metro's Silver Line, around an hour from downtown, and Baltimore-Washington Airport is linked by train.\r\n\r\nAmtrak and buses leave from Union Station: New York is around three and a half hours by train, Philadelphia around two. Do not drive in the centre.","hw_hub_state_transport_points":"Metro | Distance-based fares, tap to pay\r\nReagan National | On the Metro, minutes from the centre\r\nDulles | Silver Line, about an hour\r\nUnion Station | Amtrak and buses north","hw_hub_state_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_state_transport_more":"All transport guides for Washington DC","hw_hub_state_money_title":"What Washington DC costs","hw_hub_state_money_body":"Accommodation in DC is expensive, but sightseeing is almost free. Dorm beds start around $45 to $60, and more during cherry blossom season and big events.\r\n\r\nSales tax is 6 per cent, and meals and restaurant drinks are taxed at 10 per cent. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.\r\n\r\nThe free museums and monuments make DC one of the cheapest big cities in the USA for things to do.","hw_hub_state_money_points":"Dorm bed | From around $45\u201360\r\nMuseums | Almost all free\r\nRestaurant tax | 10%\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants","hw_hub_state_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_state_money_more":"All budget guides for Washington DC","hw_hub_state_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_state_safety_body":"The National Mall, Georgetown, Dupont Circle and the main nightlife areas are busy and generally safe. Like any big US city, some neighbourhoods have higher crime; ask at your hostel, and use rideshares late at night.\r\n\r\nWatch your phone on the Metro and in crowds. Expect bag checks and security screening at museums, the Capitol and big events.\r\n\r\nSummer is hot and humid on the Mall; carry water. Health insurance is essential in the USA. In an emergency, call 911.","hw_hub_state_safety_points":"Emergency | 911\r\nSecurity | Bag checks at museums\r\nSummer heat | Carry water on the Mall\r\nAt night | Rideshares in quiet areas","hw_hub_state_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_state_safety_more":"All safety guides for Washington DC","hw_hub_state_layout":"cities","hw_hub_state_cities_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_state_cities_intro":"Stay in DC itself, or across the river in Virginia, where beds can be cheaper.","hw_hub_state_cities_live":"1","hw_hub_state_cities":"Washington DC | washington-dc | The capital, with free museums, monuments and lively neighbourhoods. | National Mall; Lincoln Memorial; Smithsonian museums; Capitol; Georgetown | 1306669\nAlexandria |  | A historic port town in Virginia, a Metro ride south. | Old Town; King Street; Torpedo Factory Art Center; Mount Vernon nearby | 1306667\nArlington |  | Across the Potomac in Virginia, with cheaper stays near the Metro. | Arlington National Cemetery; Pentagon Memorial; Air Force Memorial | 1306668","hw_hub_state_cities_tag":"","hw_hub_state_cities_more":"","hw_hub_state_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_state_season_intro":"Spring is the best time, with the cherry blossoms in late March and early April. Autumn is mild and pleasant. Summer is hot and humid, and winter is cold but quiet.","hw_hub_state_season_note":"Average highs for Washington DC, rounded.","hw_hub_state_season_rows":"January | 7 | 2 | Cold, quiet\r\nFebruary | 9 | 2 | Cold\r\nMarch | 15 | 4 | Cherry blossoms begin\r\nApril | 21 | 5 | Cherry blossom peak\r\nMay | 26 | 4 | Warm, school groups\r\nJune | 30 | 4 | Hot. Folklife Festival\r\nJuly | 32 | 4 | Hot. 4 July on the Mall\r\nAugust | 31 | 3 | Hot, humid, quieter\r\nSeptember | 27 | 3 | Warm, pleasant\r\nOctober | 21 | 4 | Mild, autumn colour\r\nNovember | 15 | 3 | Cool\r\nDecember | 9 | 3 | Cold, festive","hw_hub_state_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_state_events_intro":"Cherry blossoms, Independence Day on the Mall and free summer festivals.","hw_hub_state_events_source":"api","hw_hub_state_events_count":"8","hw_hub_state_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_state_events_cta_label":"All events in Washington DC","hw_hub_state_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/north-america\/usa\/washington-dc\/","hw_hub_state_events":"National Cherry Blossom Festival | Late March to mid-April | Tidal Basin and the Mall | Thousands of cherry trees in bloom, with parades and events. |  | \nIndependence Day | 4 July | National Mall | Parades, concerts and fireworks over the monuments. |  | \nSmithsonian Folklife Festival | Late June to early July | National Mall | A free outdoor festival of culture, music and food. |  | \nMarine Corps Marathon | Late October | DC and Arlington | A big marathon past the monuments. |  | ","hw_hub_state_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_state_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on Washington DC prices.","hw_hub_state_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Cherry blossom season costs more.","hw_hub_state_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 55 | 30 | 8 | 0\r\nMiddle of the road | 90 | 60 | 15 | 15\r\nComfortable | 200 | 110 | 35 | 40","hw_hub_state_budget_currency":"$","hw_hub_state_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_state_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in Washington DC, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Washington DC","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/washington-dc\/","hw_hub_state_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_state_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_state_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_state_picks":"","hw_hub_state_hostels":"","hw_hub_state_faq_title":"Washington DC questions","hw_hub_state_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_state_faqs":"How many days do you need in Washington DC? | Three or four for the Mall, a few museums and the neighbourhoods.\r\nAre the museums in Washington DC really free? | Yes. The Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art and the National Zoo are free. Some need free timed passes at busy times.\r\nWhen do the cherry blossoms bloom? | Usually late March to early April. The peak changes each year with the weather.\r\nHow do I get from the airport to DC? | Reagan National is on the Metro, minutes from the centre. Dulles is on the Silver Line, around an hour away.\r\nIs Washington DC safe? | The main tourist areas are generally safe. Use rideshares late at night in quieter areas.\r\nHow do I get from New York to DC? | By Amtrak, around three and a half hours, or by bus, around four to five.\r\nIs Washington DC a state? | No. It is a federal district, created as the capital, and not part of any state.","hw_hub_state_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_state_cta_body":"Compare hostels in Washington DC: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_state_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Washington DC | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/washington-dc\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_state_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_state_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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