Postal Museum
All year long the nation's story unfolds in DC – here’s how to make the most of your visit
America’s 250th anniversary is bringing more than fireworks to Washington, DC. From curated hotel packages to neighborhood experiences and once-in-a-generation exhibits, there are more reasons than ever to visit and make the most of the nation's milestone anniversary all year long.
Explore your travel style and plan your trip:
Every one of these packages puts you in the nation's capital amid an historic backdrop – not just a single day in July, but multiple months of exhibits, concerts, food and neighborhood experiences.
Browse all DC250 hotel deals and events by date to start planning your perfect DC250 getaway.
⋆For Families: Hands-On History
The best DC family trip right now isn’t just seeing the monuments – it’s getting the full experience.
Capitol Hill
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Washington Nationals |
Stay
Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill: Score an interactive map, breakfast at Bistro Du Jour and a $100 Smithsonian Museum Store gift card with the Royal Explorers on the Hill package.
Kimpton Hotel George: Book the Founders & Families package and get a Polaroid camera during your stay and a themed keepsake.
Nearby events & experiences
Eastern Market: Don't miss the legendary blueberry buckwheat pancakes at The Market Lunch.
Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum: Interactive exhibits explore the evolution of how Americans have communicated via mail.
America's State Flowers at the U.S. Botanic Garden: Discover the official flowers of every U.S. state and territory.
Smithsonian National Carousel: After a two-year restoration, the 1947 carousel with roots in Baltimore’s desegregation history returns to the National Mall.
Washington Nationals baseball: Enjoy America's pastime with racing presidents, giveaways and an opportunity for kids 4-12 to run the bases every Sunday afternoon home game.
Food & drink
Ted's Bulletin: Comfort food with a buzz-worthy all-day breakfast – see: homemade "Ted's Tarts" and Mr. Breakfast.
Love, Makoto: A Japanese food hall with both full-service and quick-service options.
Matchbox: An extensive menu highlighted by wood-fired flavors.
Downtown
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National Museum of American History |
Stay
Capital Hilton: The Capital 250 package features a collectible pin, a copy of the hotel’s history book and a welcome cocktail for adults.
Embassy Suites Convention Center: Go big and save big with the Big Bus Tours package, featuring hop-on, hop-off access and exclusive discounts across DC attractions.
Nearby experiences
Planet Word: The world's first voice-activated museum celebrates the power of language.
National Archives: See the documents that shaped the nation, including the Emancipation Proclamation.
National Museum of African American History & Culture: The nation's only museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, art, history and culture celebrates 10 years.
National Mall: Explore America's front yard, where monuments and memorials tell the nation's story at every turn.
Ford’s Theatre: One of DC’s most historic venues presents 1776, a vibrant musical about the country’s beginning, through May 16.
Food & drink
Founding Farmers & Distillers: Farm-to-table plates from American favorites to international tributes, ideal for sharing.
Unconventional Diner: Satisfy your cravings with reimagined classics from around the world.
Carmine’s: Feast on family-style portions of Italian favorites.
Hard Rock Cafe: A tried-and-true stop on any great family vacation.
⋆ Budget-Savvy Travelers:
Maximum DC, Minimum Spend
DC is one of the best cities in the country for free experiences. You just need the right home base.
Penn Quarter
State Fairs: Growing American Craft | 
Smithsonian American Art Museum |
Stay
The Moxy Washington DC: Book the Rebels of 1776 package and receive two cocktails and a DC250 commemorative gift
Nearby events & experiences
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Experience Nick Cave’s Mammoth, a bold, large-scale installation in one of DC’s top free museums.
Renwick Gallery: Check out a life-size butter cow made on-site and size-96 boots from the State Fair of Texas in State Fairs: Growing American Craft through Sept. 7.
Shakespeare Theatre Company: Save 25% on tickets through June 30 and enjoy world-class performances steps from your hotel.
National Gallery of Art: Visit the nation’s art museum for Jazz in the Garden (Fridays through July 11) and Dear America (on view through Sept. 20).
Food & drink
Tatte: A go-to for coffee, pastries and quick, elevated bites between museum stops.
Le Pain Quotidien: A Belgian bakery-restaurant with salads, sandwiches and baked goods.
Nando’s Peri Peri: Chow down on the acclaimed South African flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken.
Bantam King: Packed with fixings so flavorful that even the chicken drippings appear on the menu.
Wiseguy Pizza: You can't go wrong with a specialty slice (or multiple) from this local fan-favorite.
NoMa & Union Market
Metrobar | 
U.S. National Arboretum |
Stay
Hotel Nell: Save 25% on your stay, plus receive a $25 credit to Treehouse Rooftop.
Nearby events & experiences
Metropolitan Beer Trail: Discover local breweries, bars and restaurants and earn prizes along the Metropolitan Branch Trail.
Neighborhood mural tour: Explore the vibrant street art with a local expert, uncovering the stories and artists behind each piece.
U.S. National Arboretum: One of DC's most scenic spots, with expansive green space, the former U.S. Capitol Columns and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
Food & drink
La Cosecha: A curated Latin American marketplace blending food, culture and community under one roof.
Stellina Pizzeria: Recognized as one of the top artisan pizza chains in the world with its Neo-Neapolitan pizza.
Cordelia Fishbar: Thoughtful, seafood-forward dining with a focus on fresh ingredients and a global influence.
Wunder Garten: A lively, German-inspired beer garden with weekly specials and events.
Upper NW – Cleveland Park
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Stay
Omni Shoreham Hotel: Steps from the National Zoo, add on a $25 food and beverage credit, valet parking and a themed welcome amenity with the Zoocation package.
The Churchill Hotel: The Stars, Stripes & Suites deal features a suite upgrade, crafted cocktails and a commemorative keepsake for two or more nights between May 21 and July 25.
Nearby events & experiences
The Smithsonian's National Zoo: Lions and tigers and panda bears await at one of DC's most popular free attractions.
Rock Creek Park: The oldest urban national park in the country is more than twice the size of New York's Central Park.
Dupont Circle Farmers Market: The famous market features fresh produce and unique artisanal goods year-round on Sundays.
Washington National Cathedral: Discover 112 gargoyles on a self-guided tour or book the Tower Climb tour for panoramic vistas from the highest geographical point in the city.
Food & drink
Yours Cafe: A cozy neighborhood cafe with coffee, pastries and a relaxed, local vibe.
Baked by Yael: Stop into the nut-free and kosher bakery for show-stopping cake pops and impressive bagels.
Federalist Pig: Local barbecue so good it earned a cameo on House of Cards.
Duke's Counter: Consistently voted one of DC's best burgers, the Proper Burger® is trademarked for a reason.
⋆ For History & Culture Seekers: The DC That Goes Deeper
This is the trip for people who want context and not just sightseeing.
Dupont Circle
Lyle | 
The Phillips Collection |
Stay
The Mayflower Hotel: Marriott's Monumental Celebration special offers up to 15% off two or more nights, along with complimentary Wi-Fi at this historic DC landmark. Good to know: the hotel deal is available at eight area Marriott properties.
Nearby experiences
Passport DC: The annual event celebrates international cultures with embassy open houses the first two weekends of May, free events and unique programming throughout the rest of the month.
The Phillips Collection: Highlights from America's first museum of modern art include Sunday concerts and Miró and the United States (through July 5).
Woodrow Wilson House: The national historic landmark and house museum focuses on Wilson’s time in DC.
The People’s House: An interactive replica of the White House offers an immersive educational experience about the executive mansion.
Food & drink
The Pembroke: Sophisticated and stylish, offering inventive dishes with seasonal ingredients.
Iron Gate: A romantic, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant set in a historic carriage house.
Mercy Me: Dig into bold riffs on classic South American dishes.
Lyle's: A neighborhood go-to for seasonal fare and an all-day energy that shifts from coffee to cocktails.
Georgetown & Foggy Bottom
C&O Canal | 
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Tudor Place |
Stay
Fairmont Washington, DC Georgetown: Plan ahead and save up to 15% with advance booking.
The Watergate Hotel: Choose from the Presidential Legacy Experience over July 4th weekend or book throughout the year with rates starting at $250 and a $150 dining credit.
Nearby experiences
Tudor Place: On view through December, explore Founding Fortunes: The Estate Sale of Martha Washington at the estate connected to her family.
Georgetown Fork Tour: Bite-sized history and a guided tasting through DC’s oldest neighborhood.
Old Stone House: The oldest structure on its original foundation in the nation’s capital.
Blues Alley Jazz Club: The nation’s oldest continually operating jazz supper club has seen the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Tony Bennett.
C&O Canal: Stretching 184.5 miles, the historic route was constructed at George Washington's recommendation.
Food & drink
Blue Duck Tavern: As American as apple pie, which just so happens to be its signature dessert.
Martin’s Tavern: A Georgetown mainstay visited by commanders-in-chief – President John F. Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier in Booth 3 (now called "The Proposal Booth").
L’Annexe: A European-style cocktail bar lined with antique books.
1789 Restaurant: Settle into a Federalist home for contemporary American fare.
⋆ For the Splurge-Worthy Trip: Dial Up DC’s Finest
If you’re going all in, this is the moment to do it.
Southwest & The Wharf
Moonraker | 
Mahogany Yacht Charters |
Stay
InterContinental The Wharf: The America 250 package features a $250 dining credit, cocktails and room upgrades throughout the year – or elevate your Fourth of July stay with added spa and breakfast perks.
Salamander DC: Upgrade your stay with the America 250 Celebration package, including a $250 hotel credit and valet parking near the National Mall.
Nearby experiences
DC JazzFest: Spend Labor Day weekend in DC and experience world-class performances and soulful sounds on stages across the city.
Arena Stage: The distinctly American theater showcases award-winning playwrights, directors and actors.
Mahogany Yacht Charters: Save 10% on private luxury charters along the Potomac River.
City Cruises & Experiences: Get cinematic views of DC’s most iconic landmarks by boat or trolley.
The International Spy Museum: Go beyond the exhibits on an immersive, high-level private tour.
Food & drink
ilili: A modern take on Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine.
Hell's Kitchen: Chef Gordon Ramsay’s two-story, waterfront location impresses with iconic dishes like lobster risotto and beef Wellington.
Fish Shop: Views of the Washington Channel pair with thoughtful design and a vibrant menu that honors Chesapeake Bay traditions.
Whiskey Charlie: Rooftop cocktails with panoramic views of the Potomac.
Dōgon: An Afro-Caribbean menu inspired by DC’s history from renowned chef Kwame Onwuachi.
Downtown
Silver Lyan | 
Museum of Exploration | 
CityCenterDC |
Stay
Conrad Washington, DC: The Celebrate America All Year Long package features suite stays and private whiskey tastings, while the 1776 to 2026 package will guarantee a festive Fourth of July stay with rooftop fireworks views.
St. Regis Washington, DC: Book two nights and enjoy a third for just $19.26, a nod to its storied opening year, with The 1926 Experience.
Nearby experiences
National Geographic Museum of Exploration: Opening June 26, the immersive museums brings exploration, science and storytelling to life.
National Portrait Gallery & Smithsonian American Art Museum: Iconic collections of American art and portraiture in a grand, historic setting.
CityCenterDC: High-end shopping and dining in the heart of downtown.
Food & drink
minibar by José Andrés: The two-Michelin-star tasting experience pushes the boundaries of modern cuisine.
The Dabney: Michelin-starred Mid-Atlantic cooking rooted in regional ingredients and tradition.
Centrolina: The part-restaurant, part-market delivers seasonal Italian-inspired dishes.
Seven Reasons: A multi-sensory dining experience built around bold Latin flavors.
Explore more stays like this on the DC250 hotel deals page and also explore all DC250 deals to attractions, restaurants and more.
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