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8 Hotels near the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

Leslie Carbone
Washington, D.C.

There are more than 40 hotels within walking distance of the Smithsonian‘s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., including:

  • Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C.
  • Hotel Washington
  • Riggs Washington D.C.
  • Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington D.C.
  • Renaissance Washington D.C. Downtown
  • Washington Marriott at Metro Center
  • Residence Inn by Marriott Washington D.C. Downtown
  • Hampton Inn Washington D.C. White House

 

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., opened in September 2016.  It is an enormous Museum that traces centuries of black history in America.  The Museum is free of charge to explore, but timed-entry passes are required.  I’ve visited the Museum twice and could still explore further.

 

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Like most Smithsonian venues, the National Museum of African American History and Culture is located on the National Mall.  The closest Metro station is Federal Triangle on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.  Uber and Lyft are also efficient in Washington.  Driving and parking are not, and I don’t recommend trying.

There are more than 40 hotels within walking distance of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  Some of the closest are:

Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C.


This luxury Hilton property is a five- to ten-minute walk from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  It is also within walking distance of eight other open Smithsonian museums on the National Mall.  The closest Metro station is Federal Triangle.

The Waldorf took over the Old Post Office Pavilion building that once housed the Trump International Hotel.  Attached to the building is the old Clock Tower, from which you may enjoy 360-degree views of Washington.

Rooms are spacious and elegant, and the service is outstanding.  The hotel features a spa, a gym, and valet parking.  Check-out time is a reasonable 12 noon.

The Waldorf houses Michelin one-star restaurant Sushi Nakazawa.  The Bazaar serves tapas.

Its lobby bar/restaurant is one of my favorite spots in Washington, thanks to its spacious and comfortable atmosphere and dazzling display of crystal decanters.

Other Michelin restaurants within half a mile include:

Hotel Washington

This upscale hotel is a five- to ten-minute walk from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  It is also steps away from the White House.  The closest Metro stops are McPherson Square on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines and Metro Center on the Red, Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.

Rooms have kitchenettes.  The Hotel offers a spa, a gym, and valet parking.  Check-out time is 12 noon.

Its rooftop bar VUE is iconic, offering spectacular views of Washington.  When I worked nearby, it was a favorite spot to meet friends or take out-of-town guests.  It appeared in the Cold War thriller No Way Out.

Riggs Washington D.C.


This Preferred boutique hotel is a 10- to 15-minute walk from the National Museum African American History and Culture.  It is also close to Ford’s Theater, where you can see a show, take a guided tour, and view the flag-draped (no-longer-used) Presidential Box.  The closest Metro station is Gallery Place on the Yellow, Red, and Green lines.

The hotel occupies one of the few remaining Romanesque Revival buildings in Washington.  It used to house a leading bank, and several presidents and embassies conducted their financial business there.

The hotel offers elegant rooms with refrigerators and four suites named after former First Ladies.  Amenities include a gym and valet parking.  Check-out time is 12 noon.

The bank-turned-hotel has a bar housed in the original vault.  Its Café Riggs is a Michelin restaurant serving contemporary French cuisine.

Other Michelin restaurants within half a mile include:

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington D.C.


This historic IHG property is a 10- to 15-minute walk to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  It is also catty-cornered from the Capital One Arena.  The closest Metro station is Gallery Place.

The Hotel occupies a 19th-century building that once housed the General Post Office.  It offers a gym, valet parking, and a stunning lobby with complementary coffee in the morning and wine in the evening.  Rooms have refrigerators and microwaves.  Check-out time is 12 noon.

Like all Kimptons, the Hotel Monaco offers special surprises to guests who invoke a seasonally changing secret password at check-in; the perks range from things like cocktail vouchers to hot-cocoa kits.  As of this writing, the secret password is “No Shade”.

Its restaurant Dirty Habit has a broad American menu and an outdoor patio with a fire pit.

Michelin restaurants within half a mile include:

Renaissance Washington D.C. Downtown


This Marriott business hotel is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  It is also across from the Convention Center.  The closest Metro stops are Gallery Place and Metro Center.

The Hotel has a gym and valet parking.  Rooms have refrigerators.  Check-out time is 12 noon.

The hotel’s Liberty Market serves light bites like salads and sandwiches.  Michelin restaurants within half a mile include:

Washington Marriott at Metro Center


This midscale hotel is a 10- to 15-minute walk from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  It is also within walking distance of Lafayette Park.  The closest Metro station is Metro Center.

The hotel has a gym and valet parking.  Check-out time is 12 noon.

Its Fire & Sage restaurant serves American cuisine.  There’s also a Starbucks on site.  Michelin restaurants within half a mile include:

Residence Inn by Marriott Washington D.C. Downtown


This extended-stay hotel is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  It sits above a CVS.  The closest Metro stop is McPherson Square.

Rooms have fully equipped kitchens.  The hotel offers a gym, valet parking, and complimentary breakfast daily.  Check-out time is 12 noon.  Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Dauphine’s is steps away.

Hampton Inn Washington D.C. | White House


This select-service Hilton property is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.  It is also steps away from the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.  The closest Metro station is Farragut West on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.

Rooms have kitchenettes and balconies.  The hotel offers a gym, valet parking, and complimentary breakfast.  Check-out time is 12 noon.

Michelin restaurants within half a mile include La Bise and The Bombay Club.

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