Hotel at a Glance: Hampton Inn Washington-Downtown-Convention Center
Just two blocks from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and Verizon Center (home to the Washington Wizards, the Washington Capitols, and the Georgetown men’s basketball team), the Hampton Inn Washington-Downtown-Convention Center offers a convenient home base in downtown Washington, DC. For more traditional tourist attractions—including the Smithsonian, the Lincoln Memorial, and the US Capitol—visitors need only walk 15 minutes due south toward the National Mall.
- Comfy accommodations: Guest rooms feature 32-inch LCD flat-screen TVs, lap desks, and new Serta Dream Plush mattresses.
- Complimentary hot breakfast is served every morning. You can grab a free Hampton On the Run breakfast bag on weekdays.
- Sixth Street bar + food: Enjoy crab cakes, beef sliders, and local beers at the onsite restaurant.
- Outdoor patio situated off the restaurant and lounge where guests can take in the sights and sounds of DC
- Work out in the onsite fitness center or take a dip in the indoor pool.
Capitol Hill, Washington, DC: Monuments and Museums
Located a 16-minute walk from the hotel, the National Mall is a must-see for first-time visitors to Washington, DC. 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. The Smithsonian’s best-known museums are located along the National Mall, including 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 butt up next to foreign embassies housed in historical mansions. On the weekend, you’ll find nightlife along Connecticut Avenue and in the Adams Morgan neighborhood as crowds flood in and out of Latin lounges, karaoke dives, and high-end clubs.
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