Foggy Bottom Travel Guide

Washington

Foggy Bottom which includes a city, a memorial and a statue or sculpture
Foggy Bottom
Foggy Bottom featuring signage
Foggy Bottom
Foggy Bottom showing a memorial and a statue or sculpture

One of Washington’s oldest districts is now an upscale urban neighbourhood, home to important government buildings as well as a lively student and arts community.

The Foggy Bottom district, named for the fogs that collect above the Potomac River, was settled in the 1760s as a community of labourers and factory workers. Today it’s an urban residential district as well as a hub of iconic government buildings, including the US Department of State, the offices of the President and Vice President and a number of international embassies. The area has become so affiliated with State matters that the name Foggy Bottom is often used to mean the US Department of State.

While much of what happens in Foggy Bottom is Federal business and occurs behind firmly closed doors, there is still plenty to keep visitors happily occupied. Fans of political history can see the Watergate complex, site of the infamous Watergate burglaries that were the catalyst in President Nixon’s downfall.

Foggy Bottom is also an entertainment and cultural centre of D.C. The Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts, one of the world’s premier arts venues, opened in 1971 and hosts more than 2,000 music, comedy, dance and theatre performances each year. Head to the Millennium Stage at 6 p.m. for a free nightly performance. Not far away is the Cocoran Gallery of Art, which houses an extensive collection of American art from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, as well as masterpieces from Rembrandt, Degas, Monet and Picasso. There’s also a whimsical collection of outdoor sculptures throughout the neighbourhood.

Foggy Bottom has been the site of the George Washington University campus since 1912, and the large population of students ensures that the area’s bars, restaurants and accommodation are not geared solely towards visiting dignitaries and diplomats. Catch the sunset and the best views of the nation’s capital from the P.O.V. (Point of View) Rooftop Lounge at the W Hotel.

Foggy Bottom’s location, between the National Mall to the south and Georgetown to the northwest, makes it a great base from which to explore the city. You can catch the MetroRail to Foggy Bottom from Federal Triangle Metro Station, or the L1 bus from Chevy Chase Circle stop.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Foggy Bottom

The Watergate Hotel

The Watergate Hotel

5 out of 5
2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp4.130.910 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
Rp4.130.910
Rp5.501.502 total
31 Oct - 1 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,044 reviews)
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Reviewed on 16 Oct 2025

The Watergate Hotel
ARC HOTEL Washington DC, Georgetown

ARC HOTEL Washington DC, Georgetown

3 out of 5
824 New Hampshire Ave Nw, Washington, DC
The price is Rp2.670.990 per night from 6 Nov to 7 Nov
Rp2.670.990
Rp3.097.013 total
6 Nov - 7 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,505 reviews)
"Great hospitality! From the first interaction at the entrance to last at the exit, wonderful and kind staff."

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

ARC HOTEL Washington DC, Georgetown
Hotel Hive

Hotel Hive

3.5 out of 5
2224 F Street NW, Washington, DC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp2.150.064 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
Rp2.150.064
Rp2.492.979 total
31 Oct - 1 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,306 reviews)
"We loved everything about this hotel from the decor to the amazing staff. It was the perfect hotel for our trip. It was clean, modern, and comfortable. We can’t wait to go back and stay here again."

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Hotel Hive
The River Inn

The River Inn

4 out of 5
924 25th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is Rp3.088.228 per night from 6 Nov to 7 Nov
Rp3.088.228
Rp3.580.800 total
6 Nov - 7 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,821 reviews)
"clean room, helpful staff"

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2025

The River Inn
Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.808.310 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
Rp1.808.310
Rp2.096.810 total
31 Oct - 1 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,707 reviews)
"Very clean room"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Washington Plaza Hotel
Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is Rp1.791.720 per night from 14 Nov to 15 Nov
Rp1.791.720
Rp2.579.181 total
14 Nov - 15 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,876 reviews)
"The area in which I was in was a little noisy and there a ticking or trickling noise that kept me up or awakened me during my stay. I’m not sure where this stemmed from."

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Foggy Bottom

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Connecticut Ave - K Street

While you're in Connecticut Ave - K Street, take in top sights like National Geographic Museum or K Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Farragut North Station or Farragut West Station.

Connecticut Ave - K Street
Georgetown which includes street scenes, heritage architecture and a house

Georgetown

4.5/5(14 area reviews)

Georgetown is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Georgetown Park or Washington Harbour.

Georgetown
Dupont Circle showing a statue or sculpture and a monument

Dupont Circle

4.5/5(91 area reviews)

Visitors to Dupont Circle love its fantastic nightlife, and you can check out Dupont Circle and Mansion on O Street. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Dupont Circle Station.

Dupont Circle
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Logan Circle

A noteworthy feature of Logan Circle is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Studio Theatre and Mary McLeod Bethune Council House.

Logan Circle
Downtown Washington D.C. showing street scenes, night scenes and a city

Downtown Washington D.C.

4.5/5(156 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Washington D.C.. Check out top attractions like Capital One Arena and Smithsonian Institution, and jump on the metro at McPherson Sq. Station or Center Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Washington D.C.
International Spy Museum featuring interior views

Southwest Federal Center

While you're in Southwest Federal Center, take in top sights like Smithsonian Institution or L'Enfant Plaza, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at L'Enfant Plaza Station or Federal Center Station.

Southwest Federal Center


Foggy Bottom Travel Guide