Hotels near the National Mall put you steps from the Smithsonian museums, the Lincoln Memorial, and the U.S. Capitol. Every hotel here is within 1 mile on foot of the middle of the Mall. The Hilton at L'Enfant Plaza is the one four-star pick; the rest are five-star.
How we ranked these hotels
Walking time to the National Mall determined the order. The anchor point is the center of the Mall, at the National Museum of Natural History, and we measured each walk on the street and path network. Hotels with the same walking time were sorted by star rating, with five-star properties listed before four-star ones. The list covers only hotels within 1 mile on foot, and every pick here is within a 15-minute walk of the museum.
Hotels near the National Mall at a glance
| Hotel | Stars | Distance to Mall | Walk time | Nearest Metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waldorf Astoria Washington DC | 5 | 0.44 mi | 9 min | Federal Triangle |
| Salamander Washington DC | 5 | 0.66 mi | 13 min | L'Enfant Plaza |
| Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf | 4 | 0.64 mi | 13 min | L'Enfant Plaza |
| Hotel Washington | 5 | 0.77 mi | 15 min | Metro Center |
| Willard InterContinental Washington by IHG | 5 | 0.76 mi | 15 min | Metro Center |
Tips for staying near the National Mall
- Book early for spring visits. Cherry blossom season in late March and early April fills hotels within walking distance of the Tidal Basin months in advance.
- The L'Enfant Plaza Metro station serves five lines (Blue, Orange, Silver, Yellow, Green) and is a short walk south of the Hirshhorn and the Air and Space Museum, making it the most useful station for Mall visitors.
- Rates near the Mall move with government and conference demand, so compare weekday and weekend nights before you book.
- If you plan to visit multiple Smithsonian museums in one day, staying on the southwest side of the Mall near Maryland Avenue SW cuts your walk to the Air and Space Museum and the Hirshhorn.
What to expect from hotels near the National Mall
The blocks immediately south and north of the Mall skew toward full-service hotels with meeting facilities, restaurants, and concierge staff who know the museum schedules. You won't find many budget chains in this corridor because the land values and demand support higher-tier properties.
Parking is expensive and scarce near the Mall. Expect to pay for valet or garage parking every night. Metro is the practical choice: the Blue, Orange, Silver, Yellow, and Green lines all stop within a short walk of the hotels on this list.
For travelers who want a four-star option, the Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf at 480 L'Enfant Plaza SW is a 4-minute walk from L'Enfant Plaza station and its five lines, and 13 minutes on foot from the Natural History museum.
The hotels
Waldorf Astoria Washington DC
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
10.0388 reviews
2 min walk to Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange/Silver)The best-reviewed hotel in this corridor: five stars and a top traveler rating, 0.44 miles from the Natural History museum, the shortest walk on this list.
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Salamander Washington DC
1330 Maryland Ave, SW
9.0697 reviews
9 min walk to L'Enfant Plaza (Blue/Orange/Silver/Yellow/Green)Five-star on Maryland Avenue SW, 0.66 miles from the Natural History museum, about a 13-minute walk across the Mall.
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Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf
480 L'Enfant Plaza SW
9.01,548 reviews
4 min walk to L'Enfant Plaza (Blue/Orange/Silver/Yellow/Green)The only four-star on this list, 0.64 miles from the Natural History museum and 4 minutes from L'Enfant Plaza's five Metro lines.
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Hotel Washington
515 15th Street, NW
9.03,857 reviews
8 min walk to Metro Center (Blue/Orange/Silver/Red)About the same distance as the Willard, 0.77 miles from the Natural History museum, plus a rooftop bar that looks straight at the Washington Monument.
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Willard InterContinental Washington by IHG
1401 Pennsylvania Ave Nw
9.1635 reviews
8 min walk to Metro Center (Blue/Orange/Silver/Red)The Willard is a historic Pennsylvania Avenue landmark, 0.76 miles from the Natural History museum, with strong traveler ratings.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the closest hotel to the National Mall?＋
Measured from the National Museum of Natural History, the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW is the closest hotel on this list, 0.44 miles or about a 9-minute walk. The Salamander and the Hilton at L'Enfant Plaza come next, each about 13 minutes on foot from the south side of the Mall.
Which Metro stations are most useful for National Mall visitors?＋
L'Enfant Plaza serves five lines (Blue, Orange, Silver, Yellow, Green) and drops you a short walk from the Hirshhorn and the Air and Space Museum. Smithsonian station on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines puts you directly on the Mall between the Castle and the Washington Monument. Metro Center connects to four lines and works well for hotels on the northern side of the Mall corridor.
Is there a four-star hotel within walking distance of the National Mall?＋
Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf at 480 L'Enfant Plaza SW is the four-star option on this list. It is 0.64 miles from the Natural History museum, a 13-minute walk, and 4 minutes from L'Enfant Plaza station. The other four hotels are five-star.
When should I book a hotel near the National Mall?＋
Book at least three months ahead for visits during cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) and for major events like the Fourth of July or presidential inaugurations. Summer weekends also fill fast. Weekday stays in late fall and January tend to offer more availability and lower rates.
Do hotels near the National Mall have parking?＋
Most full-service hotels in this corridor offer valet or self-park options, but expect a nightly fee. Street parking near the Mall is metered and limited. Arriving by Metro is the practical choice for most visitors.
How long does it take to walk from these hotels to the Lincoln Memorial?＋
The Lincoln Memorial is at the western end of the Mall, roughly 1.5 miles from the eastern museums. From Salamander Washington DC, the walk to the Lincoln Memorial takes about 25 minutes heading west along the Mall. From hotels on Pennsylvania Avenue like the Willard or Waldorf Astoria, the walk is closer to 30 minutes. You can also take the Metro to Foggy Bottom-GWU station and walk about 18 minutes south to the Memorial.
