Skip to content

DC311

Menu
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
Menu

Where should I stay in Washington DC for the first time?

Posted on December 9, 2021

Where should I stay in Washington DC for the first time? Answer: Most people who are visiting Washington, D.C. for the first time are going for the National Mall and Smithsonian Musesums. In that case the best places to stay when visiting Washington, D.C. for the first time is to stay south of the National Mall near the L’Enfant or Federal Center Metro Metro stations.

What hotel is connected to the DC Convention Center? Hotel in D.C. – Convention Center | Marriott Marquis Washington, DC.

What is a good area to stay in Washington DC? 

Where to Stay in Washington DC: 8 Best Areas
  • Downtown, best area to stay in Washington DC.
  • Capitol Hill, where to stay in Washington for sightseeing.
  • Chinatown, eclectic and fun place.
  • Foggy Bottom, a hip place to stay in Washington DC.
  • Dupont Circle, vibrant cultural life.

Where should I stay when visiting Washington DC on a budget? 

Stay at Affordable Hotels in Washington DC
  • La Quinta Inn & Suites DC Metro Capitol Beltway.
  • Hampton Inn.
  • Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – Washington, DC East.
  • Executive Inn and Suites.
  • Extended Stay America Washington, DC – Landover.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Where should I stay in Washington DC for the first time? – Additional Questions
    • What’s the best month to visit Washington DC?
    • How many days do I need to visit Washington DC?
    • Is Arlington a good place to stay when visiting DC?
    • Is it worth renting a car in DC?
    • Can you visit Washington, D.C. without a car?
    • How do tourists get around Washington DC?
    • Is the National Mall walkable?
    • What is the best way to get around the National Mall?
    • Is Uber cheaper than a taxi in DC?
    • How long does it take to walk the whole National Mall?
    • How long does it take to see all the monuments in DC?
    • How much does it cost to see the monuments in DC?
    • How long is the walk around the reflecting pool?
    • Can you walk everywhere in Washington DC?
    • What is the cheapest month to visit Washington DC?
    • How do I spend a day in DC?
    • How can I spend 5 days in DC?

Where should I stay in Washington DC for the first time? – Additional Questions

What’s the best month to visit Washington DC?

The best times to visit Washington, D.C., are from September to November and March to May. In the autumn, the sweltering summer is gone, taking with it most of the high season tourists. All that’s left are crisp breezes and changing leaves, which, by the way, look great against all those marble monuments.

How many days do I need to visit Washington DC?

Ideally, you’d come to Washington DC for a whole week or more! If that isn’t feasible, we suggest that you need at least 3 days in Washington DC. There is enough here to fill up your days with attractions, museums, tours, as well as great food, music, and art.

Is Arlington a good place to stay when visiting DC?

Read reviews of Arlington, Virginia, and you’ll notice the same amenities and features are mentioned again and again. TripAdvisor community members have lots of good reasons why Arlington is the best place to stay, shop, dine and play when visiting the Washington, D.C. region.

Is it worth renting a car in DC?

Renting a car isn’t advised; D.C. is regularly ranked as one of America’s worst cities for driving. If you must have your own wheels, you should primarily keep them parked at your hotel. You can also traverse the capital city by taxi, but it’ll cost you.

Can you visit Washington, D.C. without a car?

Yes, exploring Washington DC without a car is possible. If you have an eye for art, a love of history, a penchant for politics, or a passion for sightseeing, we have a few fantastic options for you that are easy to reach.

How do tourists get around Washington DC?

WMATA (Washington Metro Area Transit Authority) runs the trains and buses in Washington, and their systems are the easiest way to get around the city, hands down. Also known as Metro, the train system has even recently been expanded to better accommodate travelers and commuters coming from Maryland or Virginia.

Is the National Mall walkable?

The distance between the Capitol at one end of the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial at the other is two miles, which is quite a long walk for most people. However, if you pace yourself and take time to stop and see things along the way, you should be able to walk around the entire park in under a day.

What is the best way to get around the National Mall?

Answer: The DC Circulator Bus is the best way to get around the National Mall, downtown DC and Smithsonian Museums. While most out of towners can have a hard time navigating a bus system the DC Circulator bus simplifies routes to make it easy for tourists without a car.

Is Uber cheaper than a taxi in DC?

Cost. While in many cities, Uber is the cheaper option, in DC it appears that a taxi is a little bit more cost-effective. A taxi will cost you $5.14 for a mile, while Uber runs between $5 and $7. Of course, people rarely ride for just a mile, but it’s more economical to hail a cab.

How long does it take to walk the whole National Mall?

It takes approximately one hour and 5 minutes to complete a full loop along The National Mall route in ideal traffic conditions.

How long does it take to see all the monuments in DC?

Most visitors take between 2-3 hours walking the DC monuments. If you really want to take a good look at all the monuments, expect to spend at least 3 hours exploring. This means you’ll definitely want to wear comfortable walking shoes and consider taking a Washington, DC monuments bus tour.

How much does it cost to see the monuments in DC?

Though there is no admission fee for the Washington Monument, there is a $1.00 service charge per ticket to cover reservation service; these fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.

How long is the walk around the reflecting pool?

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is a 1.1 mile (2,500-step) route located near Washington, District of Columbia, USA. This route has an elevation gain of about 0 ft and is rated as easy. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.

Can you walk everywhere in Washington DC?

While you might not be able to walk everywhere in Washington on foot, you probably won’t need a car, especially in the center where most Washington DC tours take place. Washington is a relatively small city, and unlike many American urban centers, its public transportation system is pretty robust.

What is the cheapest month to visit Washington DC?

The Cheapest Times to Visit Washington, DC, US

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to DCA and stay in a Washington hotel: January 15th to March 18th. August 6th to December 9th (except the week of November 26th)

How do I spend a day in DC?

If you’re spending 24 hours in Washington DC, here are the things you really shouldn’t miss.
  1. Breakfast or coffee at the Eastern Market.
  2. Tour the United States Capitol.
  3. Explore the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
  4. Discover the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

How can I spend 5 days in DC?

What to Do in Washington, DC: A 5-Day Itinerary
  1. The Lincoln Memorial.
  2. Mount Vernon in the rain.
  3. Walking alongside one of the estate’s orchards.
  4. Interior of Shouk.
  5. Picturesque Georgetown street.
  6. Washington Monument from afar.
  7. World War II Memorial.
  8. Scrumptious dish from Fancy Radish.

Recent Posts

  • Does DC require an alarm permit?
  • How much does a plumber in DC make?
  • Is car insurance high in DC?
  • Why is the District of Columbia called that?
  • Is University of District of Columbia a good law school?
©2025 DC311 | Design: Newspaperly WordPress Theme
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT