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, be 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.

CityCenter DC 

Visit CityCenter DC for an unmatched array of shops, restaurants, and public space.

Address:

• 800 10^th ST NW

Metrorail:

• Mount Vernon Square/7th St-Convention Center (Yellow, Green)
• Gallery Place-Chinatown (Yellow, Green, Red)

Capital Bikeshare:

• 8th & H St NW
• 12th St & New York Ave NW
• 10th & G St NW
• Metro Center/12^th & G St NW

Metrobus:

• Routes 33, 63, 64, 80, G8, X2, P6, S2, 16Y, 3Y, D4

Capital One Arena

Home to the Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals, Capital One Arena is the place to be for sporting events, concerts, and more.

Address:

• 601 F St NW

Metrorail:

• Gallery Place-Chinatown (Yellow, Green, Red)
• Metro Center (Blue, Orange, Silver, Red)
• Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green, Yellow)

Capital Bikeshare:

• 7th & F St NW / National Portrait Gallery
• 9th & G St NW
• 5th & F St NW
• 8th & H St NW

Metrobus:

• Routes 33, 70, 74, 79, 80, P6, X2, X9, G8, D6

Museum of Illusions

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.

Address:

• 927 H St NW

Metrorail:

• Gallery Place-Chinatown (Yellow, Green, Red)
• Metro Center (Blue, Orange, Silver, Red)

Capital Bikeshare:

• 8th & H St NW
• 10th & G St NW
• 9^th & G St NW
• 11^th & F St NW

Metrobus:

• Routes 33, 63, 64, 70, 74, P6, S2, D4, G8, X9

Planet Word

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. 

Address:

• 925 13 St NW

Metrorail:

• McPherson Square (Blue, Orange, Silver),
• Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver) 

Capital Bikeshare:

• 12th St & New York Ave NW

Metrobus: 

• Routes 33, 80, D6, S2, D4, G8, S9, X2, 16E, 16Y, 3Y

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.

Address:

• 8^th and G St NW

Metrorail:

• Gallery Place/Chinatown (Green, Yellow, Red)
• Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver)

Capital Bikeshare:

• 7th & F St NW / National Portrait Gallery
• 9th & G St NW 

Metrobus:

• Routes 33, 70, 74, 79, 80, X9, P6, X2, G8, D6 

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.

Address:

• 1250 New York Ave

Metrorail:

• Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver),
• Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Green, Yellow)

Capital Bikeshare:

• 13th St & New York Ave NW
• 12^th St & New York Ave NW
• Metro Center/ 12^th and G St NW
• 10^th & G St NW

Metrobus:

• Routes 80, G8, S2, S9, 16Y, 3F, 3Y, D6, X2 

Ford’s Theatre

Explore the life and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln by stepping into the historic Ford’s Theatre.

Address:

• 511 10^th St NW

Metrorail:

• Metro: Metro Center (Blue, Orange, Silver)
• Gallery Place/Chinatown (Red, Yellow, Green) 

Capital Bikeshare:

• 10th & G St NW
• 10^th & E St NW
• 11^th & F St NW

Metrobus:

• Routes 32, 36, 52, 54, 63, 64, P6, S2, D6, X9, 3F

National Theatre DC

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.

Address:

• 1321 Pennsylvania Ave

Metrorail:

• Metro Center (Red, Orange, Silver, Blue)
• Federal Triangle (Orange, Silver, Blue) 

Capital Bikeshare:

• 14th & D St NW / John A Wilson Building
• 15th St & Pennsylvania Ave NW 

Metrobus:

• 32, 36, 52, 54, 59, D6, 11Y, 16E, 3F

National Building Museum

A museum of architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning, the National Building Museum inspires curiosity about the world we design and build. 

Address:

• 401 F St NW

Metrorail:

• Judiciary Square (Red)
• Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Yellow, Green) 

Capital Bikeshare:

• 5th & F St NW
• 4^th & D St NW/Judiciary Square
• 6^th St & Indiana Ave NW
• 3^rd ST and H St NW

Metrobus:

• Routes 33, 70, 74, 79, 80, D6, X2, X9, D4, P6

White House Visitor Center

The White House Visitor Center offers a window into the President’s iconic home and features approximately 100 historical artifacts.

Address:

1540 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Metrorail:

• Federal Triangle (Blue, Orange Silver)
• Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, Silver) 

Capital Bikeshare:

• 14th & D St NW
• 15th St & Pennsylvania Ave NW 

Metrobus:

• Routes 32, 36, 52, 54, 59, D6, 11Y, 16E, 3F 

Renwick Gallery

A branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Renwick Gallery displays American craft and decorative arts from the 19th through 21st century.

Address:

1661 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Metrorail:

• Farragut West (Blue, Orange, Silver)
• Farragut North (Red) 

Capital Bikeshare:

• 17th & G St NW
• 18th St & Pennsylvania Ave NW 

Metrobus:

• Routes 32, 33, 36, 3Y, 80, N2, N6, 11Y 

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

This event venue is the heart of Downtown DC used for conventions, trade shows, and public exhibitions.

Address:

• 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW

Metrorail:

• Mount Vernon Square/7th St-Convention Center (Yellow, Green)

Capital Bikeshare:

• 10^th & K St NW
• 7^th & K St NW
• 11^th & N St NW

Metrobus:

• Routes 33, 63, 70, 74, 79, 80, G8, D4, G2 

Want to make the most out of your commute? Download our Be Downtown Guide to get around with ease – right from your fingertips!