Transportation & Other Resources

Washington is served by three airports and an AMTRAK train station. Washington Reagan National is by far the closest airport to downtown DC and the only airport that is served by METRO.

Getting to and from Washington, DC:

Washington Reagan National Airport
Dulles International Airport
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Union Station (Served by AMTRAK and regional rail lines)

Commuting around Washington, DC:

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates Metrorail and Metrobus service that serve Washington, Virginia and Maryland. The university participates in the University Pass Program (U-Pass), which allows unlimited access to metrorails and metrobuses throughout the semester for fulltime students. This will be included in your program fees and should be a main source of transportation.
The DC Circulator buses offer routes through various areas of DC including a bus that travels from Capitol Hill to Georgetown.
Capital Bikeshare is an easy, affordable, and fun way to explore Washington, DC with either a classic bike or an ebike.

DC Neighborhoods:

Downtown, located between the Capitol and White House north of Pennsylvania Avenue, is a newly revitalized district with the Convention and MCI Centers, theaters, restaurants, hotels, and stores
Dupont Circle is a vibrant neighborhood adjacent to downtown and is home to many shops, restaurants, and private art galleries
Georgetown, located west of Dupont Circle, is a famous district that is partially residential and partly commercial – it is home to Georgetown University and a hugely popular nightlife, restaurant, and shopping area
Adams Morgan is northeast of Dupont Circle up 18th Street and is famous for its eclectic nightlife and its wide array of ethnic eateries
Kalorama, located northwest of Dupont Circle along Massachusetts Avenue’s Embassy Row (Washington’s ambassadorial quarter), is full of beautiful mansions and handsome town houses
Foggy Bottom, south of Dupont Circle, is home to George Washington University, the Kennedy Center, and many international organizations, including the World Bank and the U.S. Department of State
Cleveland Park and Woodley Park comprise the Connecticut Avenue Corridor, which is home to many shops and restaurants – the National Zoo and Washington National Cathedral are found in these neighborhoods.
Alexandria, Virginia, with its beautiful water-front Old Town, is a historically preserved district with tons of shopping and nightlife, easily accessible by the Metro.

Performing Arts and Entertainment:

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with six theaters and several galleries, is the dominant performing arts organization in the city and a leading authority on the nation’s arts and culture. The Kennedy Center hosts a wide variety of local, national, and international troupes and performers in over 3,300 performances a year, and you can find enjoy exhibitions of opera, symphonies, jazz, ballet, dance, theater, film, chamber music, comedy, and celebratory festivals. Depending on availability, students can obtain half-price tickets. Additionally, free performances are offered Wednesday through Sunday at 6:00 PM at the Millennium Stage of the Grand Foyer.

Capital One Arena – This arena in Penn Quarter hosts the Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals, as well as a variety of concerts, skating shows, and other events.
National Theater – Just off the National Mall, the National Theater is a historic downtown theater that often shows Broadway musicals.
Warner Theater – Across the street from the National Theater is the Warner, a theater that hosts a variety of stage productions, films, and concerts, as well as the ceremony for the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
Ford’s Theater – The theater where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, Ford’s Theater serves as a museum and performance venue for historical productions.
Shakespeare Theatre – DC’s resident Shakespeare Company holds superb productions of plays by the Bard and other classic theater shows.
Arena Stage – Washington’s premier regional theater, the Arena emphasizes classics as well as major new works.
Studio Theatre – This small company focuses on challenging, contemporary productions.

Historic Sites and Monuments

The National Mall – Flanked by the U.S. Capitol and the White House, the National Mall is home to many of the nation’s most iconic monuments, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Roosevelt Memorials, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and many more.
S. Capitol – The Capitol, its associated buildings, and the surrounding grounds are history in motion. Across the street, you can visit are the Library of Congress as well as the Supreme Court.
Arlington, Virginia also hosts many sites, especially Arlington National Cemetery with its memorials to veterans, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Kennedy grave sites. The Pentagon is also nearby.

There are, of course, many other historic sites to visit:

National Archives – This is where the government preserves and displays key documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Bureau of Printing and Engraving – Also known as “The Mint”, the Bureau of Printing and Engraving oversees the creation of U.S. coins and banknotes.
Dumbarton Oaks – Founded by Robert and Margaret Bliss, Dumbarton Oaks is a Harvard-affiliated research institute and museum dedicated to the humanities. It contains notable collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art, as well as elaborate gardens.
Hillwood Museum and Garden – Hillwood Estate, once owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post, is a museum and garden dedicated to the decorative
Tudor Place Historic House – This historic home was once owned by the descendants of Martha Washington.
The Octagon House – Built in 1799, this is one of the oldest homes in the District. It is now dedicated to architecture and design.
Washington National Cathedral – The site of many of Washington’s major political-religious ceremonies, the National Cathedral is a beautiful Episcopalian cathedral built in the neo-gothic style. It houses many religious murals, a stone from Mount Sinai, and gargoyles and grotesques dedicated to pop culture figures.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception – Located on the campus of Catholic University, this neo-Byzantine Basilica is the largest Catholic church in America.
S. Naval Observatory – Located in the far northwest corner of DC, the Naval Observatory is one of the Navy’s main scientific research stations. The campus is also home to Number One Observatory Circle, the residence of the Vice President.
Mount Vernon – A few miles up the Potomac River, you can visit George Washington’s mansion and estate.

Museums and Galleries:

The Smithsonian Institution is a collection of museums that offers one of the most comprehensive bodies of art and artifacts in the world. All Smithsonian museums are free and open to the public.

Find the following websites of your choice through the Smithsonian Map:

Anacostia Community Museum – Built in the Anacostia neighborhood, the ACM was the first federally funded community museum. It focuses on the history and culture of the historically black Anacostia neighborhood.
National Museum of Asian Art – This museum houses the country’s foremost galleries of Asian art dating from the Neolithic to the present.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden – Lovingly-termed “The Concrete Donut”, the Hirshhorn holds modern art from the post-WWII period.
National Air and Space Museum – This museum houses artifacts from America’s aviation and space programs.
National Museum of African Art – Complete with highlights like the Benin Bronzes and the Walt Disney-Tishman African Art collection, this museum preserves artworks from across the African continent.
National Museum of American History – This museum is famous for artifacts like the Star-Spangled Banner and Dorothy’s ruby slippers.
National Museum of the American Indian – The NMAI highlights the history, art, and culture of the Indigenous Peoples of North America.
National Museum of Natural History – This museum is dedicated to telling the story of life on Earth, complete with dinosaur fossils, massive gemstones, ancient Egyptian mummies, Easter Island Moai, and the remains of the earliest humans.
National Portrait Gallery – Located off the Mall near Chinatown, the NPG is devoted to American artists’ explorations of portraiture. Housing a diverse, exciting collection, it is most famous for its collection of portraits of the American Presidents.
National Postal Museum – Next door to Union Station, within the grand structure that was once the National Post Office, is the National Postal Museum. Here, you can learn about the technology behind mail delivery, view some of the nation’s rarest stamps, and begin your own stamp collection.
National Zoo – Located in Northwest DC, the National Zoo is home to many animals including elephants, lions, tigers, gorillas, and bison. The Zoo also often houses Giant Pandas, and it will receive two new ones before the end of the year.
American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery – The Smithsonian American Art Museum shares a space with the National Portrait Gallery and highlights work of all styles made by American artists. The Renwick Gallery is opposite the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue and houses unique exhibitions of quaint folk art and cutting-edge modernism.

Not all of Washington’s great museums are associated with the Smithsonian:

Newseum – This museum explores the history of news and reporting. It features amazing artifacts like a chunk of the Berlin Wall and a piece from the original World Trade Center.
S. Holocaust Memorial Museum – The Holocaust Memorial Musuem examines and pays tribute to the victims of the Nazi Regime’s systematic genocide of 6 million European Jews.
National Building Museum – This museum celebrates architecture, design, city planning, and engineering.
International Spy Museum – The Spy Museum is one of DC’s most well-regarded museums, featuring fascinating information about spies and interactive exhibits designed to give visitors a chance to practice some spy-craft of their own.

DC is also home to some of the best art museums in the nation:

National Gallery of Art – Located on the National Mall alongside the Smithsonian Museums, the National Gallery of Art is one of the largest museums in North America. With its collection spread across two wings, the West Building spotlights classical art, and the East Building displays modern art. The National Gallery houses monumental collections of some of the world’s finest art, including the only DaVinci in North America.
The Phillips Collection – Nestled between office buildings and embassies in Dupont Circle, The Phillips Collection, founded in 1921 by Duncan and Marjorie Phillips, is America’s first modern art museum. It is one of the country’s best small galleries and home to some great impressionist works.
National Museum of Women in the Arts – This elegant museum is the world’s first intended to highlight the artistic contributions of women across history. It houses the only Frida Kahlo painting in Washington, DC.
Kreeger Museum of Modern Art – Located in the former home of Carmen and David Lloyd Kreeger, this museum is dedicated to modern art from the 1850s to the present.

Sports:

Washington Commanders – The Commanders are the DC area’s NFL franchise. They play their home games at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, and they have won three Super Bowls, most recently in 1991.
Washington Wizards – The Wizards are Washington’s NBA team. They play their home games in Capital One Arena in Penn Quarter, and they won the NBA championship in 1978.
Washington Nationals – As DC’s MLB franchise, the Nats play their home games at Nationals Park in Navy Yard. They won the World Series in 2019 in an improbable upset.
Washington Capitals – The Caps are the DC area’s NHL team. They play their home games at Capital One Arena, and they won the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Washington Mystics – As Washington’s WNBA team, the Mystics play their home games at Entertainment and Sports Arena in Congress Heights. They won the WNBA championship in 2019.
DC United – DC United is the Washington area’s professional men’s soccer club. They play home matches at Audi Field in Buzzard’s Point, and they have won 4 MLS Cups, most recently in 2004.
Washington Spirit – The Washington Spirit are DC’s professional women’s soccer club. They play home matches at Audi Field, and they won the NWSL Championship in 2021.

Live Music:

9:30 Club – This 1,200-seat club is DC’s most iconic live music venue. With deep roots in the District’s go-go and hardcore punk scenes, the 9:30 is DC culture, history, and entertainment all in one place.
The Anthem – Designed to resemble the 9:30 Club, this small arena seats up to 6,000 and hosts shows by big-name artists.
Pearl Street Warehouse – This small venue in the Wharf focuses on country and blues artists. They also have a full-service kitchen.
Black Cat – Partially-owned by Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, the Black Cat spotlights independent musicians from the DC area and around the world.