Discover What’s New in Washington, DC This Fall

(Washington, DC) – Destination DC, the official destination marketing office for the nation’s capital, is primed to help travelers visit Washington, DC with safety in mind this fall by providing ideas for activities, stays and value. Through Stay Local DC, those close to DC will benefit from hotel deals, delicious dining and free museums and attractions.

As the city continues to cautiously reopen, there’s a lot to explore. DC provides ample green space and outdoor activities to take in fall air and foliage, as well as the warm welcome of newly reopened museums, hotels, dining experiences and attractions. Recent reopenings include the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Washington Monument. Visitors and locals will find Stay Local DC deals, a fall calendar, neighborhood guides and the latest status of attractions on washington.org.

Per Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, masks are currently required in DC and gatherings are capped at 50 people. Entities throughout the city have implemented safety mechanisms, social distancing and enhanced sanitation efforts.

“Experiencing the city this fall provides great value to visitors and allows for new DC experiences born from ingenuity, such as the Downtown DC BID’s ‘streatery,’ Michelin starred pop-up restaurants and socially distanced outdoor movies at the Wharf,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, Destination DC. “More openings in the city are providing positive momentum for us, and we encourage people to safely rediscover their own backyard.”

NEW MEMORIALS, MUSEUMS AND ATTRACTIONS

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial (opened Sept. 18)
Honoring the 34th president of the U.S., the memorial designed by architect Frank Gehry spans a four-acre park on the National Mall and features a one-of-a-kind stainless-steel tapestry and heroic-sized bronze sculptures.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (phased opening began Sept. 24)
DC’s central library completed a $211 million renovation. The stunning downtown building includes a rooftop event space with private catering kitchen, large auditorium and conference center,  recording studio, power tool library and digital fabrication lab, as well as a ground level café with a patio that will be open for grab and go options. The library also boasts a children’s area complete with a one-story slide. 

National Native American Veterans Memorial (opens Nov. 11)
Located on the grounds of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the memorial that honors American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian veterans is scheduled to open on Veterans Day. 

Planet Word (opens Oct. 22)
Housed in Washington, DC’s historic Franklin School, the revolutionary Planet Word is dedicated to the power, beauty and fun of language and how words shape the human experience. Planet Word is the world’s first voice-activated museum, featuring immersive galleries and exhibits to engage visitors of all ages. General admission will be free.

STAY LOCAL DC DEALS

Find more than 50 deals and discounts on washington.org, including staycation hotel deals and local deals from restaurants, attractions, tours and more, including: 

• Eaton DC: Movie Night - overnight stay in a spacious studio suite, takeaway snacks from American Son and free use of the cinema for eight guests up to three hours
• Viceroy Washington DC: Staycation! - get $10 daily parking (a $50 value), two-night stay in King Studio and $20 daily food credit
• Mansion on O Street: A Night at The Museum - self-guided tour, overnight stay for two, complimentary glass of bubbles and access to private gardens
• Stay Local DC! Park & Save! – Fairfield by Marriott - DC/Downtown - includes hotel accommodations, overnight parking with in and out privileges, complimentary breakfast and complimentary WiFi
• Artechouse: book online and save $5

NEW HOTELS

• Viceroy Washington, DC (Aug. 25, 2020): With a prominent address along the 14^th Street corridor, the recently debuted 178-room hotel welcomes locals and visitors alike to enjoy BPM Coffee & Wine’s expansive all-season outdoor patio and grab-and-go coffee bar, flexible work areas, and thoughtfully designed public spaces adorned with notable art pieces.  
• AC Hotel Washington DC Convention Center (Oct. 5, 2020): the 234-room new build will open at the corner of 6th and K streets NW steps from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center with stylish rooms, sleek surfaces, Greek apothecary, and crisp bedding to create a downtown oasis. The AC Kitchen boasts European breakfast – fresh croissants and carved-to-order prosciutto, savory egg tarts and fluffy cappuccinos; evening rituals of Gin+Tonic, cocktails and Spanish tapas. Estrella offers rooftop entertainment atop sweeping views of downtown DC.
• Hotel Zena (fall 2020): A bold new cultural hub celebrating female empowerment through provocative art, design and exciting and relevant programming. The 191-room Hotel Zena is an ode to feminine strength, celebrated by all genders, races and sexualities, and a haven for the liberated forward thinker.
• CitizenM (fall 2020): Billing itself as “affordable luxury,” CitizenM, a Dutch hospitality brand, will open a 252-room hotel at 5th and E streets SW. Located near The Wharf, the property features an open workspace with iMacs, fitness and yoga studio and rooftop lounge.
• The Ven at Embassy Row: (fall 2020): Located in Dupont Circle as part of Marriott International’s Tribute Portfolio, the hotel will feature vibrant, social spaces inspired by Scandinavian design. The Ven will include a gallery space with rotating art, 231 guestrooms overlooking Embassy Row’s stately mansions, a rooftop pool and bar and full-service restaurant.
• YOTEL Washington D.C. (fall 2020): The high-tech and low-touch YOTEL brand will open in DC steps from Capitol Hill and Union Station, featuring 377 cabins, modernized public spaces and a fresh take on the restaurant, Art and Soul. The brand’s global #SmartStay elevated safety measures will be in place. 

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES*

• All outdoor memorials and monuments on the National Mall are accessible, though with limited facilities and parking.
• Waterfront neighborhoods are open for exploring, including Georgetown, The Wharf and Capitol Riverfront.
• Rock Creek Park, with more than 2,100 acres of National Park Service land, offers lush greenery, miles of trails and picnic areas, a nature center, golf course, horse stables, amphitheater and a planetarium.
• The Smithsonian's Enid A. Haupt Garden is open from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily.
• Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is open and requires advance reservations 
• Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is open from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., but onsite buildings and bathrooms are closed.
• U.S. National Arboretum is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1-5 p.m.
• National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The Fields at RFK Campus are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily, including the playground, fitness area and tables.

*All activities listed above require face coverings and are implementing various social distancing, capacity, ticketing and sanitation safeguards.

Many additional attractions and hotels in DC have now reopened and are ready to serve guests with safeguards in place. Please visit washington.org for the latest information.

About Destination DC: Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. washington.org.