Best Hotels near American University

Accessible via the Blue, Orange, Silver, Green and Yellow Metro lines at Smithsonian, L'Enfant Plaza, Federal Center SW, Waterfront, Anacostia, Navy Yard Metro, Capitol South, Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter and Federal Triangle stations.

The smallest of the four quadrants, Southwest is home to a selection of museums right off the National Mall, including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden – all part of the Smithsonian Institution. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Washington Monument also sit in this part of the city. On the most western end of the Mall are the majestic Lincoln Memorial and the beautiful Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. And a few blocks south of the National Mall is the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, which offers superb views of the Tidal Basin.

Accessible via all Metro lines at Union Station, NoMa-Gallaudet U, Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood, Brookland-CUA, Fort Totten, Deanwood, Minnesota Ave, Benning Road, Stadium-Armory, Capitol Heights, Judiciary Square and Capitol South stations.

Northeast D.C. is home to the Capitol Hill neighborhood and another pocket of universities, including Trinity Washington University, The Catholic University of America and Gallaudet University. Gallaudet, notably, was founded by Congress as the world's first school of advanced learning for the deaf. The U.S. National Arboretum, a free botanical garden and research center, can also be found here.

Atlas District

This district, which refers to a portion of H Street Northeast between 12th and 14th streets, is a small but increasingly popular part of town. The area is home to a number of trendy restaurants, as well as a hip nightlife scene that tends to be less expensive than the spots in Northwest D.C.

Capitol Hill

The Library of Congress, Union Station, the Supreme Court of the United States, the Folger Shakespeare Library and a bunch of Victorian row house residences that surround the U.S. Capitol are part of a neighborhood aptly named Capitol Hill, or simply, "the Hill." Filled with many young professionals who work for U.S. senators and representatives, the area also has a good assortment of restaurants and shops. Travelers should note that Capitol Hill straddles both the Northeast and Southeast quadrants.

Accessible via the Blue, Orange and Silver Metro lines at Eastern Market and Capitol South stations.

The main point of interest in the Southeast quadrant is Capitol Hill's Eastern Market, located only a few blocks away from the U.S. Capitol. In addition to its meat and produce counters, the redbrick public market also plays host to an art gallery and a flea market.

Barracks Row, located a couple blocks south of Eastern Market along 8th Street Southeast, is named for the Marine Corps Barracks, which have anchored the area since 1801. Restaurants, bars, boutiques and even a classical acting academy line the street. Charming row houses sit nearby. 

The LEED-certified Nationals Park is situated near the Anacostia River and is home turf for the Washington Nationals professional baseball team. Across the river from Barracks Row is Anacostia, home to the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. Note: Anacostia isn't the safest area, so you might want to steer clear after dark.

Located southwest of Washington, D.C., across the Potomac River is northern Virginia, where some of D.C.'s most iconic attractions – such as The Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery – reside. An array of hotels and restaurants are also available here.

Arlington

Accessible via the Blue, Orange and Silver Metro lines at Rosslyn, Court House, Clarendon, Virginia Square, Ballston, East Falls Church, Arlington Cemetery, Pentagon, Pentagon City, Crystal City and National Airport stations.

Arlington refers to a large swath of land across from the Potomac River in Virginia. The area is bursting with high-rise office and apartment buildings and streets lined with picturesque homes, as well as interesting shops, restaurants and bars. Plus, accommodation options are generally more affordable in this part of the Washington metropolitan area.

Alexandria

Accessible via the Blue and Yellow Metro lines at Braddock Road, King Street, Eisenhower Avenue and Van Dorn Street stations.

Located west of the Potomac River and south of Arlington, Alexandria is primarily a residential area. Most of the city's shops, restaurants and bars reside in the historic Old Town, which overlooks the Potomac River and features various boutique hotels. Just about 7 miles southwest is George Washington's Mount Vernon, the former estate of inaugural president George Washington.

Accessible via the Red Metro line at Bethesda and Silver Spring stations.

Washington, D.C.'s main Maryland suburbs are Bethesda and Silver Spring. Bethesda is a mainly residential area, with open-air shopping and a handful of restaurants and bars. Silver Spring has a livelier downtown area, which is all about bright and shiny modernity. High-rise apartments and office buildings scream contemporary, as do the many shops, eateries and watering holes.

Baltimore and Annapolis are approximately an hour's drive from the District and make for nice side trips from the area. Baltimore is also accessible by both MARC and Amtrak trains; MARC is the significantly cheaper option.

While you probably will not encounter any major crime as a tourist in D.C., it is still wise to be vigilant when exploring the city. Use common sense when walking around – avoid quiet side streets, especially when you are alone or don't really know where you are going, and be sure to keep your purse and wallet secure. Travelers should be particularly wary in the Capitol Hill, Atlas District and Southwest areas at night.