If you need medical help in Washington DC, you can find hospitals, urgent care clinics, and pharmacies across the Washington DC metro area. Most minor health issues can be treated at urgent care clinics or pharmacies, while hospitals handle serious emergencies. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, or any life-threatening situation, call 911 or go directly to a hospital emergency room.
Quick decision guide: where to go in Washington DC
- Minor illness or injury (fever, sprain, ear infection): visit a MedStar urgent care clinic, open daily 8am to 8pm.
- Prescription refill or over-the-counter medication: head to a CVS store near Dupont Circle (6 Dupont Circle NW), Downtown (1199 Vermont Ave NW), or Georgetown (1403 Wisconsin Ave NW). The pharmacy counter has limited hours, so call ahead for prescription fills.
- Serious emergency (chest pain, difficulty breathing, major bleeding, stroke, seizure, loss of consciousness): call 911 or go to the nearest hospital ER. George Washington University Hospital at 900 23rd St NW has a 24-hour Level I trauma center.
- Poison exposure: call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 any time, day or night.
Emergency rooms near Dupont Circle and Foggy Bottom
George Washington University Hospital at 900 23rd St NW runs a 24-hour Level I trauma center and is one block from the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. Call (202) 715-4000. Travelers staying in Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, or the West End will find this the fastest ER option.
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital at 3800 Reservoir Rd NW operates a 24-hour emergency room and covers Georgetown and the Glover Park neighborhoods. Call (202) 444-2000. No Metro station is at the door, so plan for a taxi, rideshare, or the 31/33 bus along Wisconsin Avenue.
MedStar Washington Hospital Center at 110 Irving St NW is a 24-hour Level I trauma center in the Petworth and Columbia Heights area, north of Downtown. Call (202) 877-7000. Travelers in Adams Morgan or Columbia Heights can reach it by rideshare in under 15 minutes.
Urgent care on Capitol Hill and Navy Yard
MedStar Health Urgent Care Capitol Hill at 228 7th St SE is the go-to clinic for travelers staying near the Hill, Eastern Market, or the National Mall's east end. Hours run daily 8am to 8pm. Call (202) 698-0795 before you walk in to confirm wait times.
MedStar Health Urgent Care Navy Yard at 1103 Half St SE serves the Navy Yard and Capitol Riverfront neighborhoods, a short walk from the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station on the Green line. This location works well for travelers based near Nationals Park or the Wharf.
For anything beyond the scope of urgent care, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or head injuries, skip the clinic and go to a hospital ER or call 911.
Urgent care in Adams Morgan and pediatric care citywide
MedStar Health Urgent Care Adams Morgan at 1805 Columbia Rd NW covers the Adams Morgan and Woodley Park neighborhoods. Travelers in these areas or along the 16th Street corridor can reach it without crossing the city.
Families traveling with children should go to Children's National Hospital at 111 Michigan Ave NW, the dedicated pediatric hospital for the DC region. Call (202) 476-5000. For pediatric emergencies, this is the most appropriate destination in the city.
Washington DC hospitals and urgent care at a glance
| Facility | Address | Type | Hours | Phone | Neighborhood served |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington University Hospital | 900 23rd St NW | ER, Level I trauma | 24 hours | (202) 715-4000 | Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle |
| MedStar Washington Hospital Center | 110 Irving St NW | ER, Level I trauma | 24 hours | (202) 877-7000 | Petworth, Adams Morgan |
| MedStar Georgetown University Hospital | 3800 Reservoir Rd NW | ER | 24 hours | (202) 444-2000 | Georgetown, Glover Park |
| Children's National Hospital | 111 Michigan Ave NW | Pediatric ER | 24 hours | (202) 476-5000 | Citywide pediatric |
| MedStar Urgent Care Capitol Hill | 228 7th St SE | Urgent care | Daily 8am-8pm | (202) 698-0795 | Capitol Hill, Eastern Market |
| MedStar Urgent Care Adams Morgan | 1805 Columbia Rd NW | Urgent care | See clinic for hours | N/A | Adams Morgan, Woodley Park |
| MedStar Urgent Care Navy Yard | 1103 Half St SE | Urgent care | See clinic for hours | N/A | Navy Yard, Capitol Riverfront |
CVS stores near Georgetown, Dupont Circle, and Downtown DC
Three CVS locations near major tourist neighborhoods keep extended store hours, meaning you can pick up over-the-counter medication, first aid supplies, or travel essentials late into the night. The pharmacy counter at each location operates on limited hours, so call ahead if you need a prescription filled.
The CVS near Dupont Circle is at 6 Dupont Circle NW, steps from the Dupont Circle Metro station on the Red line. Travelers staying in Dupont, Logan Circle, or U Street will find this the most convenient option.
The CVS Downtown at 1199 Vermont Ave NW covers the Downtown and McPherson Square area, close to the McPherson Square Metro station on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.
The CVS in Georgetown at 1403 Wisconsin Ave NW serves Georgetown and the surrounding neighborhoods. Georgetown has no Metro station, so plan for a short walk from the Foggy Bottom-GWU station or ride Metrobus.
Practical tips for travelers seeking medical care in DC
- Call the MedStar urgent care location before you go. The Capitol Hill clinic at (202) 698-0795 can confirm wait times and whether your situation falls within their scope of care.
- Bring your insurance card and a photo ID to any clinic or ER. GWU Hospital, MedStar Georgetown, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center all accept most major US insurance plans, but billing varies. Ask about self-pay rates at urgent care if you are uninsured.
- For prescription refills, call the CVS pharmacy counter during daytime hours before visiting the store at night. The store may be open, but the pharmacist may not be.
- Travelers near the National Mall with a minor illness can reach MedStar Urgent Care Capitol Hill at 228 7th St SE in about 10 minutes by rideshare or the 30-series bus along Pennsylvania Avenue SE.
- Save Poison Control in your phone before you need it: 1-800-222-1222. Operators answer 24 hours and can advise on medication overdoses, chemical exposure, and food poisoning before you decide whether to go to an ER.
- If you are unsure whether your symptoms need an ER or urgent care, call the facility first. GWU Hospital's main line is (202) 715-4000 and the staff can help you triage over the phone.
Reaching medical care by Metro or on foot
Several clinics and pharmacies in DC are easy to reach without a car, which saves time during peak traffic hours. The MedStar Capitol Hill clinic is two blocks from the Eastern Market Metro station, and the Dupont Circle CVS is a one-minute walk from the Red line. Choosing a facility you can reach by Metro or on foot also reduces your carbon footprint compared to a rideshare, making it a practical and lower-impact option when your condition allows.
Official sources for medical information in DC
- DC Health, Government of the District of Columbia, the official public health agency for DC, with clinic directories and health alerts.
- MedStar Health, official site for all MedStar urgent care locations, hours, and online check-in.
- Children's National Hospital, official site for pediatric care, including ER wait times and specialty services.
- Poison Control Center, the American Association of Poison Control Centers, with online triage tools and the 1-800-222-1222 hotline.
- Information checked in July 2026. Clinic, pharmacy, and holiday hours may change, so confirm directly with the facility before traveling.
Frequently asked questions
What's the nearest ER to Dupont Circle in Washington DC?＋
George Washington University Hospital at 900 23rd St NW is the closest Level I trauma center to Dupont Circle, about a 10-minute ride or a 25-minute walk. The Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines puts you one block from the entrance. Call (202) 715-4000 if you need to speak with someone before you arrive.
What's the closest urgent care clinic to Capitol Hill?＋
MedStar Health Urgent Care Capitol Hill at 228 7th St SE is the confirmed urgent care option for Capitol Hill and Eastern Market. It opens daily at 8am and closes at 8pm. Call (202) 698-0795 to check wait times. For anything severe, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, go to an ER or call 911 instead.
Is there a late-night pharmacy in Washington DC?＋
Three CVS locations near major tourist neighborhoods keep extended store hours: 6 Dupont Circle NW, 1199 Vermont Ave NW Downtown, and 1403 Wisconsin Ave NW in Georgetown. The stores stay open late for over-the-counter items, but the pharmacy counter operates on limited hours. Call ahead before visiting late at night if you need a prescription filled.
Where should I take a sick child in Washington DC?＋
Children's National Hospital at 111 Michigan Ave NW is the dedicated pediatric hospital for the DC region and the appropriate destination for any serious pediatric emergency. Call (202) 476-5000. For minor illnesses in children, MedStar urgent care clinics can also treat pediatric patients during their 8am to 8pm hours.
What do I do if someone is exposed to poison in DC?＋
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately. Operators are available 24 hours and can advise on next steps, including whether you need to go to an emergency room. Save the number in your phone before you need it. For a person who is unconscious or having a seizure after a suspected poisoning, call 911 first.
What's the difference between urgent care and an ER in DC?＋
Urgent care clinics like the MedStar locations handle non-life-threatening issues: infections, minor injuries, fevers, and similar conditions. They are open daily 8am to 8pm and typically have shorter waits than an ER. Hospital emergency rooms at GWU, MedStar Georgetown, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center operate 24 hours and handle trauma, chest pain, stroke symptoms, major bleeding, and any situation that could be life-threatening. When in doubt, call the facility or dial 911.
