Woodley Park Travel Guide

Washington

A street lined with trees, a McDonald's restaurant, and a flower shop.
A large Gothic-style cathedral with intricate architecture and a prominent rose window.
A residential area with a row of houses, a tree, and a planter with flowers.
A large cathedral with intricate Gothic architecture, featuring two tall towers and a large rose window.
A brick building with large windows and decorative circular elements on the facade.

See the pandas and elephants in the acclaimed zoo, take a tour of a historic observatory and visit the cathedral in this upmarket residential area.

Woodley Park is a charming neighbourhood full of quaint cafés and open, green spaces. It is known for its vast zoo and impressive cathedral, among other intriguing landmarks in a leafy district. Bring your family to relax in the picturesque parks and encounter a range of exotic wildlife.

Wander along the trails of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in the eastern part of the neighbourhood. Admission is free for this family-friendly spot, which has a range of intriguing exhibits and animal enclosures. See the highlights of pandas, great cats, bears and elephants.

The western side of the district is known for the U.S. Naval Observatory, which is among the country’s oldest and most important sites providing astronomical data. Take a guided tour of the intriguing scientific instruments to learn about the role of the observatory.

Walk north for about 20 minutes to reach St. Sophia Cathedral, which was founded at the start of the 20th century. Admire its neo-Byzantine design and enjoy the serenity within. Adjacent to the cathedral is Bryce Park, where you can relax with a book in the shade of a tree during hot and humid summers. Note that winters are fairly cold and snowy.

Aside from the parks and historic structures, the neighbourhood has many noteworthy institutions. Spot the Washington International School, the British Embassy and the Embassy of Switzerland.

Stay at one of the historic hotels in this upscale area. The Omni Shoreham Hotel overlooks Rock Creek Park and dates back to the 1930s, while the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel was constructed a decade earlier.

The neighbourhood is close to Rock Creek in the northwestern part of Washington D.C. Take a bus to one of the many nearby stops or ride the metro to the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan metro station. Visit some of the surrounding districts, such as Cleveland ParkOpens in a new window, Mount Pleasant and Massachusetts Heights.

Woodley Park is a scenic, verdant neighbourhood with a range of parks, historic structures and family-friendly activities.

Stay near popular Woodley Park attractions

Embassy of Switzerland

After visiting Embassy of Switzerland, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Washington. Add the area's notable monuments or shops to your travel plans.
See properties

Things to do

Washington: Small-Group City Unveiled eCruiser Tour

Washington DC Monuments & Highlights: Small-Group Electric Cart Tour

Rp708.148
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Washington DC Monuments & Highlights: Small-Group Electric Cart Tour
Headstones under the cherry blossoms at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC

Arlington National Cemetery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Rp388.398
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Arlington National Cemetery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.

LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.

Rp541.769
per adult
LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C.
DC Monuments with River Cruise, Cherry Blossoms, Entry Tickets

DC in a Day: 10+ Monuments, Boat Cruise, National Mall, Tickets

Rp1.246.485
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
DC in a Day: 10+ Monuments, Boat Cruise, National Mall, Tickets
Museum of the Bible Admission Ticket

Museum of the Bible Admission Ticket

Rp632.094
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Museum of the Bible Admission Ticket
Capitol Building in Washington DC

One day tour Washington & Philadelphia from New York

Rp3.414.285
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
One day tour Washington & Philadelphia from New York
See all activities in Washington

Where to stay in Woodley Park

Find the best Woodley Park areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Woodley Park
Learn more about Woodley Park
A historic building with a clock tower, a busy intersection, and a person riding a scooter.

Downtown Washington D.C.

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.

A statue in a park with a paved walkway and benches.

Northwest

Known for its fascinating museums and important monuments, there's plenty to explore in Northwest. Check out top attractions like White House and Smithsonian's National Zoo, and jump on the metro at Cleveland Park Station or Van Ness-UDC Station to see more of the city.

A row of brick buildings with storefronts, a crosswalk, and a traffic light.

Georgetown

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.

A brick building with a red door and a sign that reads "Old Fashioned Pop's Dream Company."

Old Town Alexandria

Take time in Old Town Alexandria to visit attractions like The Little Theatre of Alexandria and Alexandria City Hall. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at King Street Station to see more of the city.

A fountain with a statue of a figure, surrounded by trees and benches in a park.

Dupont Circle

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.

Woodley Park Travel Guide