StayAreas

The Wharf

Washington, DC

DC's new waterfront districts on the Potomac and Anacostia, with piers, restaurants, music venues, Nationals Park and modern hotels.

Best for Nightlife · Families

Transport
4/5
Sights
3/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
3/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$270/night · 15 min to the National Mall

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The Wharf on the map

Why stay here

  • Waterfront promenades and restaurants
  • Nationals Park and music venues
  • Close to the airport

Who should stay here

  • Sports and music fans
  • Couples and friends
  • Families

Not ideal if…

  • You want historic streets
  • You want quiet nights on game days
  • You want to be north of the Mall

What it's like

The Wharf has transformed the Southwest waterfront with promenades, piers, seafood restaurants, music venues like The Anthem, and water taxis to Georgetown and Alexandria. A mile east, Navy Yard has Nationals Park, the riverside Yards Park, breweries and new apartment towers.

It's a modern, lively base with the Mall a 15-minute walk north. It lacks historic character, and Navy Yard is busy and loud on game days.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Wharf Street SW

    Promenade of restaurants and piers.

  • Maine Avenue Fish Market

    Oldest open-air fish market in the US.

  • Yards Park

    Riverside park and boardwalk at Navy Yard.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Waterfront and Navy Yard–Ballpark stations on the Green Line, L'Enfant Plaza nearby, a free Wharf shuttle and water taxis.
To the National Mall
About 15 minutes
From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
About 15 minutes: Metro Yellow Line to L'Enfant Plaza, or about 10 minutes by taxi from Reagan National.

Nearby attractions

  • The Wharf piers

    Fire pits, swings and river views.

  • Nationals Park

    Washington Nationals baseball.

  • The Anthem

    Concert venue for big-name bands.

Where to eat and drink

  • The Wharf

    Seafood restaurants and rooftop bars.

  • Navy Yard

    Breweries and beer gardens.

Where to stay in The Wharf

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

Luxury pick

Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf

Why we like it: Luxury hotel with a rooftop pool and spa on the water.

Typical luxury rate in The Wharf: ~$450/night

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Luxury pick

InterContinental Washington DC – The Wharf

Why we like it: Waterfront hotel with a seasonal rooftop pool.

Typical luxury rate in The Wharf: ~$450/night

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Best value

Canopy by Hilton Washington DC The Wharf

Why we like it: Modern hotel with a rooftop bar steps from the piers.

Typical mid-range rate in The Wharf: ~$270/night

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Hotels in The WharfMid-range from ~$270/night

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