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Penn Quarter

Washington, DC

The busy centre north of the National Mall, with Penn Quarter's museums and restaurants, Chinatown, Capital One Arena and the White House a short walk west.

Best for First visit · Business · Families

Transport
5/5
Sights
5/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
2/5
Food
5/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$260/night · 10 min to the National Mall

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Penn Quarter on the map

Why stay here

  • Walk to the Mall, White House and museums
  • Metro Center and Gallery Place hubs
  • Great restaurants and an arena

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors
  • Business travellers
  • Families

Not ideal if…

  • You want a residential feel
  • You want quiet nights near the arena
  • You want historic streets

What it's like

Penn Quarter and Downtown sit between the White House and the Capitol, a few blocks north of the Mall. The Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery share a grand building here, Ford's Theatre tells the Lincoln story, and Capital One Arena hosts basketball, hockey and concerts. Some of DC's best restaurants line 7th Street and its side streets.

It's the most convenient base for sightseeing, with several Metro lines meeting at Metro Center and Gallery Place. Streets are busy with offices by day, and parts of Chinatown feel rough late at night.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • 7th Street NW

    Restaurants and bars in Penn Quarter.

  • F Street NW

    Museums, shops and the arena.

  • Chinatown

    Friendship Arch and restaurants.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Metro Center and Gallery Place–Chinatown stations serve the Red, Blue, Orange, Silver, Green and Yellow lines.
To the National Mall
About 10 minutes
From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
About 20 minutes: Metro Yellow Line direct from Reagan National to Gallery Place.

Nearby attractions

  • Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery

    Free museums in the Old Patent Office.

  • Ford's Theatre

    Where Lincoln was shot, with a museum.

  • National Archives

    The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

  • The White House

    A short walk west to Lafayette Square.

Where to eat and drink

  • Penn Quarter

    Some of DC's most acclaimed restaurants.

  • Chinatown

    Bars and casual restaurants by the arena.

Where to stay in Penn Quarter

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Conrad Washington DC

Why we like it: Modern luxury hotel at CityCenterDC with a rooftop bar.

Typical luxury rate in Penn Quarter: ~$500/night

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Boutique pick

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC

Why we like it: Hotel in the marble 1839 Tariff Building, opposite the Portrait Gallery.

Typical mid-range rate in Penn Quarter: ~$260/night

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Boutique pick

Eaton DC

Why we like it: Progressive-minded hotel with a co-working space and bar.

Typical mid-range rate in Penn Quarter: ~$260/night

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Hotels in Penn QuarterMid-range from ~$260/night

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