June 24, 2024
Getting to Downtown DC’s Attractions
by Cate Longino
From museums and shopping, to major arenas and restaurants, Downtown DC is filled with exciting attractions. This summer, go Downtown, leave the car behind, and skip the traffic and hassles of parking! To make getting there easy, we’ve put together a list of attractions Downtown and how to get to them sustainably with ease.
Visit CityCenter DC for an unmatched array of shops, restaurants, and public space.
Metrorail:
- Mount Vernon Square/7th St-Convention Center (Yellow and Green lines)
- Gallery Place-Chinatown (Yellow, Green and Red lines)
DC Circulator
- Georgetown-Union Station Line: New York Avenue & 9th Street NW
Capital Bikeshare:
- 8th & H St NW
- 12th St & New York Ave NW
- 10th & G St NW
- 10th & K St NW
Metrobus:
- Routes G8, 80, P6, X2, X9, 70, 74 79, S2, 64, D4, 63, and 64
Home to the Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals, Capital One Arena is the place to be for sporting events, concerts, and more.
Metrorail:
- Gallery Place-Chinatown (Yellow, Green, Red)
- Metro Center (Blue, Orange, Silver, Red)
- Judiciary Square (Red)
- Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green, Yellow)
DC Circulator:
- Georgetown-Union Station Line: Massachusetts Avenue and 5th Street NW
Capital Bikeshare:
- 7th & F St NW / National Portrait Gallery
- 9th & G St NW
- 5th & F St NW
- 8th & H St NW
Metrobus:
- Routes 70, 74, 79, D6, 80, X2, P6, X9, 32, 33, 36
The Museum of Illusions is a one-of-a-kind destination with more than 50 visual and educational exhibits, featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms that are designed to tease the senses and trick the mind.
Metrorail
- Gallery Place-Chinatown (Yellow, Green, Red)
- Metro Center (Blue, Orange, Silver, Red)
DC Circulator:
- Georgetown-Union Station Line: New York Avenue & 9th Street NW
Capital Bikeshare:
- 8th & H St NW
- 10th & G St NW
- 12th St & New York Ave NW
- 7th & K St NW
- 11th & F St NW
Metrobus:
- Routes G8, 80, P6, X2, X9, 70, 74, 79, 54, and 64
The only museum in the country dedicated to renewing and inspiring a love of words and language, Planet Word is an interactive, self-guided museum dedicated to the importance of literacy and growing a love of language.
Metrorail:
- McPherson Square (Blue, Orange, Silver),
- Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver)
DC Circulator:
- Georgetown-Union Station Line: K St and 13th St NW
- Woodley Park – Adams Morgan – McPherson Square Line: K St & 13th St NW
Capital Bikeshare:
- 12th St & New York Ave NW
Metrobus:
- Routes 16Y, 80, G8, X2, 32, 33, 36, 54, 52, 64, 63, and D6
National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian American Art Museum
Located in one combined building, the Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum feature must-see pieces from numerous artists and eras.
Metrorail:
- Gallery Place/Chinatown (Green, Yellow, Red)
- Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver)
DC Circulator:
- Georgetown-Union Station Line: Massachusetts Avenue and 5th Street NW
Capital Bikeshare:
- 7th & F St NW / National Portrait Gallery
- 9th & G St NW
Metrobus:
- Routes 70, 74, 79, D6, 80, X2, P6, X9, 32, 33, and 36
National Museum of Women in the Arts
As the world’s only major art museum solely dedicated to championing women artists, the National Museum of Women in the Arts brings to light important women artists of the past and promotes women artists working today.
Metrorail:
- Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver),
- Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Green, Yellow)
DC Circulator:
- Woodley Park – Adams Morgan – McPherson Square Line: I Street & 14th Street NW
- Georgetown – Union Station Line: K Street & 13th Street NW
Capital Bikeshare:
- 13th St & New York Ave NW
Metrobus:
- Routes 80, G8, S2, S4, X2, D6, D3, 68, D1, and 42
Explore the life and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln by stepping into the historic Ford’s Theatre.
Metrorail
- Metro: Metro Center (Blue, Orange, Silver)
- Gallery Place/Chinatown (Red, Yellow, Green)
DC Circulator:
- Georgetown-Union Station Line: New York Ave & 9th St NW
Capital Bikeshare:
- 10th & G St NW
Metrobus:
- Routes 32, 33, 3Y, 64, S2, P6, 54, 63, and D6
The nation’s oldest venue presenting touring Broadway productions, the National Theatre is home to numerous live stage productions, including the “Broadway at the National” series.
Metrorail:
- Metro Center (Red, Orange, Silver, Blue)
- Federal Triangle (Orange, Silver, Blue)
DC Circulator:
- Woodley Park – Adams Morgan – McPherson Square Line: I St NW & 14th St NW
- National Mall Line: Madison Drive & 12th Street NW
Capital Bikeshare:
- 14th & D St NW / John A Wilson Building
- 15th St & Pennsylvania Ave NW
Metrobus:
- 52, 32, 33,36, 54, 11Y
A museum of architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning, the National Building Museum inspires curiosity about the world we design and build.
Metrorail:
- Judiciary Square (Red)
- Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Yellow, Green)
DC Circulator:
- Georgetown-Union Station Route: Massachusetts Avenue & New Jersey Avenue NW
Capital Bikeshare:
- 5th & F St NW
- 7th & F St NW
- 4th & D St NW
Metrobus:
- Routes D6, 80, and X2
The White House Visitor Center offers a window into the President’s iconic home and features approximately 100 historical artifacts.
Metrorail:
- Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange Silver)
- Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver)
DC Circulator
- National Mall Route: 15th Street & Madison Drive NW
Capital Bikeshare:
- 14th & D St NW
- 15th St & Pennsylvania Ave NW
Metrobus:
- Routes 30, 32, 34, 35, and 36
A branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Renwick Gallery displays American craft and decorative arts from the 19th through 21st century.
Metrorail:
- Farragut West (Blue, Orange, Silver)
- Farragut North (Red)
DC Circulator:
- Georgetown-Union Station: 17th & K St NW
Capital Bikeshare:
- 17th & G St NW
- 18th St & Pennsylvania Ave NW
Metrobus:
- Routes 32, 33, 36, 80, X2, 11Y, 43, 42, 16Y, 38B, 3Y, and D6
