Your guide to the best suburbs of Washington DC

Think you know Washington DC? Think again.

Washington DC is well known for its uniquely American museums and history, but you’ll find even more to this city than a stoic seat of government. Today, it’s a diverse capital that’s constantly evolving and growing thanks to the best suburbs of Washington DC, delighting visitors with vibrant eateries, bars and entertainment.

You’ll still find iconic attractions like the Smithsonian Institution and the United States Capitol, but you’ll also discover what the locals love about DC – namely, that it’s a city rich in culture, history and passion, with lots of locally owned restaurants and shops, museums and parks to explore.

If it’s been a few years since you visited, you might be surprised just how much it’s changed. Here are some of the best DC neighbourhoods to explore.

National Mall, Washington DC — When you’ve seen the icons, it’s time to explore the up-and-coming trendy suburbs.

1. Penn Quarter & Downtown

Just north of Pennsylvania Avenue, you’ll find Penn Quarter, a happening downtown area that’s great for shopping, dining and museums. You’re just steps from the White House, but also make sure to check out some of this neighbourhood’s more under-the-radar museums, including Planet Word, the only voice-activated museum, this unique space dedicated to the love of words and language.

You’ll also find Capital One Arena here, making Penn Quarter the ideal base for catching a concert, hockey match or NBA game. Afterwards, walk or Uber over to The Mirror on K Street NW, a fabulous speakeasy hidden behind a mirror. This dimly lit den transports you back to the 1920s, when the martinis were strong and the music was hot.

For a taste of lux DC hospitality, base yourself at Riggs Washington DC; this five-star hotel and former Riggs National Bank building was built in the grand Romanesque Revival style. Besides accommodation, inside you’ll find award-winning speakeasy, Silver Lyan, hidden inside the building’s original vault.

Planet Word washington DC — Discover the only voice-activated museum, Planet Word.

2. Georgetown

Renowned for its Colonial, Federal and Victorian architecture, cobblestoned streets and distinguished university, Georgetown is DC’s most historic neighbourhood – and conveniently just a short bike ride away from the National Mall.

In Georgetown, book a table at 1789 Restaurant & Bar. It’s one of the city’s most iconic dining experiences, serving modern seasonal fare in antique-filled dining rooms in a renovated historic home. While Georgetown is a year-round delight for boutique shopping, nightlife and dining, it’s also an ideal spot for warm weather fun, as its position on the Potomac River makes it perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding.

You’ll find no shortage of five-star hotels here, including The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown. For something different, book into The Poppy; this charming boutique townhouse offers guesthouse-style accommodation and a serene backyard for relaxation, complete with an outdoor fire pit.

georgetown washington dc — Explore DC’s most historic neighbourhood.

3. Dupont Circle

The northwest neighbourhood of Dupont Circle has long been a favourite for unique dining, bars and beautiful architecture. Home to many nation’s embassies, it also played a key role in the city’s LGBTQI+ history.

You’ll find DC’s diversity well represented in food in Dupont Circle and the nearby neighbourhood of Adams Morgan, a popular area known for its nightlife and restaurants. Visit Lapis, a family-owned Afghani bistro that does a mean weekend brunch, and Anju, a contemporary Korean gastropub serving up comfort food in a stylish spot. Dupont Circle is also home to Kramers, one of the city’s best independent bookstores, so pop in for a browse before grabbing a bite to eat.

Nothing pairs better with food than a local brew, so make a visit to the relatively unknown Heurich House Museum, where you’ll learn the fascinating tale of German immigrant and philanthropist Christian Heurich, DC’s most famous brewer.

To nod off to sleep in style, check in at The Dupont Circle, a Top 10 Hotel in the 2023 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

Dupont Circle Fountain, best suburbs of Washington DC — Find unique dining, bars and beautiful architecture at Dupont Circle.

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4. U Street & Shaw

A visit to U Street and the nearby neighbourhood of Shaw will connect visitors to DC’s heart and soul through music. U Street was the birthplace of jazz musician Duke Ellington. His musical legacy lives on here today, as this part of DC draws visitors to its live music venues nightly. The 9.30 Club is a beloved local spot that’s been named the top nightclub in the US by Rolling Stone, and Black Cat is a favourite for listening to alternative live music while mingling with an eclectic crowd.

Refuel at Ben’s Chili Bowl, an iconic DC staple and Black-owned business. It’s known not only for its unforgettable chilli dogs and half-smokes, but also for its importance to the neighbourhood’s civil rights movement.

Of course, you can find quieter parts of U Street and Shaw, too. Meridian Hill Park, a serene National Historic Landmark, is worth a visit to see the largest cascading fountain in North America.

Ben's Chili Bowl, best suburbs of Washington DC — Refuel at the iconic Ben’s Chili Bowl.

5. Capitol Riverfront

Just south of the US Capitol, Capitol Riverfront and nearby Southwest are two vibrant neighbourhoods along the Anacostia River. It’s perhaps best known as the home of the Washington Nationals baseball team, but it’s just as popular for the eye-catching street murals sprinkled around town.

With plenty of restaurants, shops and watersports to enjoy in this pocket of DC, you’ll never run out of fun activities, including kayaking and paddleboarding. When you work up an appetite, All Purpose Pizzeria is one of the best picks for casual waterfront dining; their bottomless brunch is a big hit and it’s just across the street from Nationals Park.

For something unique (and free!), climb aboard the Wharf Jitney, a ferry service which runs on the Washington Channel between Recreation Pier and East Potomac Park. The latter is a top spot to enjoy mini golf, tennis and cycling.

best suburbs of Washington DC — Go kayaking along the river.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Your guide to Washington DC’s up-and-coming suburbs

Think you know Washington DC? Think again.

1. Penn Quarter & Downtown

2. Georgetown

3. Dupont Circle

4. U Street & Shaw

5. Capitol Riverfront

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