Family-Friendly Hotel on Capitol Hill

L'Enfant Plaza Hotel was named after Pierre Charles L'Enfant, the civil engineer who designed the layout of Washington, DC. Commissioned by George Washington in 1791, the plan laid the framework for modern-day landmarks including the National Mall, which is located only two blocks from the hotel. Other famous sites, such as the Smithsonian museums and the Washington Monument, are also minutes away. Perched in the heart of Capitol Hill on top of a major Metro stop, L'Enfant Plaza Hotel puts guests within easy reach of the city's most popular attractions.

During the hotel's three-day opening ceremony in 1973, Carol Channing sang "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" to more than 1,500 guests. Today, many visitors make their way to the property to sample the upscale cuisine. At American Grill, Chef Sam Elsheikh combines seafood and steaks with international flavors to create dishes such as curry mussels in spicy peanut sauce. The Foggy Brew Pub caters to a more casual clientele, serving microbrews, martinis, and stone-baked pizzas until midnight. In the morning, head to the American Grill for a complimentary breakfast buffet that includes scrambled eggs and homemade quiche.

Afterwards, take a dip in the heated rooftop pool, which stays open through the fall. When the weather's on the cooler side, the newly renovated La Promenade shopping mall, located one level below the building, offers plenty of retail diversions.

Washington, DC's Capitol Hill: Monuments and Museums

Located a 15-minute walk from L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, Washington, DC’s National Mall is a must-see for first-time visitors to the capital. The mall stretches 2.5 miles east from the Lincoln Memorial, past the soaring Washington Monument, to the Capitol Building on the other end. Across the Tidal Basin, stop in to see the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, which features a series of waterfalls, sculptures, and inspiring quotes from the 32nd president. To avoid crowds, tour the monuments after dusk when they’re lit up.

Another pillar of DC is the Smithsonian Institution, which encompasses 19 museums in total. Along the mall you'll find the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum. The latter is home to missiles, rockets, and the Spirit of St. Louis, the plane Charles Lindbergh famously flew across the Atlantic to defeat the Soviets at Gettysburg.

When you've had your fill of iconic monuments and museums, check out the city’s trendy neighborhoods northwest of the mall, such as Dupont Circle. Here, some of DC’s best restaurants and clubs abut foreign embassies housed in historical mansions. On the weekends, crowds flock to Connecticut Avenue and the Adams Morgan neighborhood to party at Latin lounges, karaoke dives, and high-end clubs.