As Washington, DC is painted in the vibrant hues of autumn, it offers a picturesque backdrop perfect for a seasonal getaway. The city buzzes with cultural highlights, fresh hotel openings, and a packed calendar of events. Key attractions include the USD$40 million renovation of the National Archives Museum, boutique accommodations such as Sixty DC and Canal House, and seasonal celebrations like Theatre Week, Capital Harvest on the Plaza and the Snallygaster beer festival, complemented by a diverse array of world-class museum exhibitions.
Here’s just a snippet of what visitors to Washington, DC can experience this autumn:
REST
With major openings and remarkable renovations, DC’s hotel scene is thriving, with 21 new or refreshed properties and more than 3,000 rooms in the pipeline.
New:
Canal House of Georgetown, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel (March 2025) – Inspired by the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal this 108-room Marriott Tribute hotel blends historic townhouses with modern amenities including the C+O Lounge, private courtyard and two rowhouse suites.
Mint House Downtown Washington, DC (May 2025) – This office-to-hotel conversion near McPherson Square features 85 spacious apartment-style suites with kitchens, plus a fitness centre, coworking lounge and meeting space.
Sixty DC (June 2025) – The boutique brand debuts in Dupont Circle with 73 rooms and stylish dinining spots, including Casamara, Reynold’s cocktail bar and a chic rooftop lounge.
ROOST White House (September 2025) – Just steps from Lafayette Square, ROOST offers apartment-style living with large kitchens, generous workspaces and high-end amenities in its first DC location.
Renovations:
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (Fall 2025) – Ahead of its 50th anniversary, the hotel unveils a top-to-bottom transformation with refreshed rooms, expanded bathrooms, upgraded dining and fully modernised meeting spaces.
Willard InterContinental (July 2025) – The landmark hotel restored 335 rooms and suites with chandeliers, crown mouldings and historic design details, honouring famous past guests like Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Hyatt House Washington, DC Downtown Convention Center (August 2025) – Formerly Cambria, this extended-stay hotel near the Convention Center offers kitchen-equipped suites, a rooftop bar debuting this fall, and a complimentary breakfast bar.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Washington, DC / NoMa (January 2025) – Following a complete renovation, the property features updated guest rooms, a fitness centre and business amenities.
Coming soon:
CitizenM Washington Georgetown (2026) – CitizenM’s third DC property transforms a historic building along the waterfront into a 230-room lifestyle hotel.
The Georgetown University Hotel in the Leavey Center (Summer 2026) – The university reintroduces its hotel with 146 guest rooms, 13,000 square feet of meeting space and a reimagined restaurant and bar.
Tempo by Hilton Washington, DC Downtown (Late 2026) – Opening at 1776 K Street NW, Tempo will include 278 rooms, a rooftop lounge, café, restaurant and flexible meeting spaces.
MOB Hotel (Mid-2027) – The Paris-based brand arrives in Union Market with 144 rooms, live music, art programming, and rooftop views of the Capitol.
The Bazaar House by José Andrés (Mid-2027) – Celebrity chef José Andrés launches a luxury Georgetown hotel with 67 rooms, a private club, dining concepts, retail and wellness centre.
Avid Downtown (Late 2027) – IHG’s midscale brand introduces its first DC location near Mt. Vernon Triangle, focused on value, comfort and complimentary breakfast.
Moxy Hotel Southwest (Late 2027) – Near Nationals Park and Audi Field, this 66-room Moxy will feature a rooftop with city views plus a street-level café and market.
CELEBRATE
As Washington, DC prepares to take centre stage for America’s 250th, several of its iconic hotels are marking milestones of their own.
St. Regis Washington, DC – 100 Years (2026) – Opened in 1926 as the Carlton Hotel, this storied property became the second St. Regis outside New York in 1999 and revealed an extensive redesign in 2024; details for its centennial celebration will be announced soon.
The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection – 100 Years (2025) – Known as DC’s “Grande Dame,” The Mayflower opened in 1925 and hosted President Calvin Coolidge’s inaugural ball; its centennial offer includes a commemorative history book, cake and sparkling wine.
Washington Hilton – 60 Years (2025) – Since opening in 1965, the Washington Hilton has played host to historic events and now marks its 60th with a retro-inspired cocktail and a Diamond Guest of the Month promotion.
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill – 50 Years (2026) – Ahead of its anniversary, the Hyatt Regency is completing a full-property renovation with redesigned rooms, modernised meeting spaces and refreshed public areas.
Jefferson DC – 100 Years (2023) – This boutique hotel celebrated the centennial of its Beaux-Arts building in 2023 with thoughtful updates that honour its heritage.
Capital Hilton – 80 Years (2023) – The Capital Hilton, another classic DC property, marked 80 years in 2023 while continuing to balance timeless charm with modern comforts.
EAT
As fall arrives in DC, restaurants prepare to embrace the season with warm cocktails and autumn-inspired menus.
New:
Selva, from nightclub owner Antonis Karagounis and Chef Giovanni Orellana, offers a vibrant fusion of Latin American–inspired tapas and tropical cocktails like the “Signature Coco Loco.”
Chai Pani, the James Beard Award-winning Indian street food restaurant from Asheville, brings Indian flavors fused with Gujarati and Southern inspirations to a lively 4,000-square-foot DC space.
Yala Greek Ice Cream in Georgetown serves inventive Middle Eastern and Greek-inspired flavours, using farm-fresh milk and premium ingredients from Greece.
Flor Coffee, a Buenos Aires–inspired café and bookshop, pairs specialty coffee and pastries with a curated book and Tarot selection.
Wonder’s first DC location on 14th Street features over 20 restaurant concepts, with two more locations planned this fall.
Fancy Ranch Amish fried Chicken in Union Market offers comfort food with intention, including cornbread waffles and aji verde potato salad.
H&H Bagels on K Street brings New York City’s iconic bagels, cream cheese spreads, and classic sandwiches to DC.
Street Burger, from Gordon Ramsay, serves smash burgers, wings, and vegan bites beneath Street Pizza with a full bar and arcade games.
Barbouzard at Farragut Square offers sophisticated French-Mediterranean dishes in an elegant, contemporary space.
Coming Soon:
Maison Bar à Vin, from the team behind Pascual and Lutèce, will offer French-inspired bites and cocktails in a charming three-story brownstone.
Uchi, led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole, will bring traditional and innovative Japanese sushi and seasonal omakase to DC this fall.
Alfie’s, known for Lucky Buns, will return to Georgetown in early 2026 with Isaan-style dishes, natural wines, and cold beer.
The Salty Donut, a Miami-based doughnut shop, is opening three DC locations featuring brioche dough and DC-inspired flavours.
Giordano’s, famous for Chicago deep-dish pizza, will open a 7,400-square-foot DC location next year offering dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
Cork & Wine Bar third location in Cleveland Park will feature a 20-seat wine bar, tasting room, and curated menu of cheese and small plates.
JINYA Ramen Bar is opening new Georgetown and Wharf locations, showcasing meticulously crafted broths, aged noodles, and a Japanese-inspired ambiance.
Pitango Gelato’s 14th Street expansion will offer 20 rotating gelato flavours, dairy-free sorbets, Italian baked goods, and Vigilante Coffee.
EXPLORE
Opening this fall just steps from the White House, the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream will explore what opportunity means today and how to expand it for future generations through interactive exhibits and programs on education, health, and financial empowerment. General admission is free with advanced tickets required, while an additional immersive experience will be available for USD$15.
The National Mall is set for an estimated USD$500 million in upgrades ahead of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, including a revitalised Lincoln Memorial with a new 15,000-square-foot exhibit space. Constitution Gardens will gain new gathering areas and an events plaza, the Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin are receiving a USD$113 million seawall replacement with new cherry trees replacing those removed, and Japan is gifting 250 cherry trees to mark the milestone.
PLAY
Experience the magic of autumn in Washington, DC as the colours change, the cool breeze hits and a new array of experiences starts to unfold.
Golden Triangle’s Art Ave | September 2025 to January 2026: Art Ave features free family-friendly events with museum-quality outdoor art, illuminated sculptures and interactive works.
Hispanic Heritage Month | 15 September 2025 to 15 October 2026: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with performances at GALA Theatre and authentic flavors at 2Fifty, Colada Shop, Jaleo, El Tamarindo and Causa/Amazonia.
Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955-1985 | 21 September 2025 to 4 January 2026: The National Gallery of Art presents 150 works by more than 100 artists in a landmark exhibition on photography and the Black Arts Movement.
Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600-1750 | 26 September 2025 to 11 January 2026: The National Museum of Women in the Arts showcases more than 40 Dutch and Flemish women artists through paintings, lace, prints and sculpture.
Theatre Week | 18 September 2025 to 5 October 2025: Theatre Week offers discounted tickets to musicals, dramas, comedies and more, plus free special events across the city.
The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art | 18 October 2025 to 1 March 2026: This exhibition introduces North American audiences to more than 200 works by 130 Indigenous Australian artists.
Capital Harvest on the Plaza | Wednesdays through October: Shop fresh produce, artisanal goods and wellness products at this weekly downtown farmers’ market.
Collecting Memories | until December 2025: Treasures like Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Lewis and Clark maps are displayed in the new Rubenstein Gall.
Snallygaster | 11 October 2025: Pennsylvania Avenue hosts DC’s largest beer festival with 450 brews, live music and local vendors.
Turkish Festival | 19 October 2025: Celebrate Turkish culture with music, dance, food and a bustling bazaar on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Home Rule Music Festival | 26 October 2025: Alethia Tanner Park hosts a day of live performances celebrating DC’s music scene.
DC Coffee Festival | 27–28 October 2025: Union Market’s Dock 5 fills with coffee roasters, tea brewers and live music for this two-day festival.
Día de los Muertos | 1 November 2025: The National Museum of the American Indian honours the Mexican Day of the Dead with performances, demos and family activities.
Other
For longer-lead inspiration visit: https://washington.org/press/
