A Walk Through Washington, DC
Sometimes the best way to explore a new city is to take a stroll around the neighborhood. The Mayflower Hotel is centrally located in downtown Washington, DC just steps away from some of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Whether you’re interested in the best places to view nature in DC, discovering some of the famed murals around the city, curious about exploring women-owned businesses, or are just looking to stretch your legs and take a quick walk around where our historic hotel is located, The Mayflower has created a DC walking tour for you!
Take a Nature Stroll Around DC
From quaint neighborhoods to the open spaces around the National Mall, the fall in Washington, DC is the perfect time to explore the foliage that can be found within walking distance of our hotel. Here are some of our favorite places to sit with a warm beverage and take in all of the fall colors; no transportation needed!
NATIONAL MALL
From the Lincoln Memorial to the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument, the tree lined paths are a sight to be seen in the fall.
Walking directions to the Lincoln Memorial
Estimated walk time: 30 minutes
NEIGHBORHOOD STROLLS
Washington, DC has some of the most picturesque neighborhoods and many of them are within walking distance from The Mayflower. Our top picks for a fall stroll include:
Swann St – Dupont/Logan Circles
Spanning from 19th St, NW to 14th St, NW, Swann Street is known by locals as the “Gingko street” due to the iconic trees that shed each fall, blanketing the street with their colorful yellow leaves. In addition to the foliage, Swann Street has a famed history, having been named in honor of William Dorsey Swann, a formerly enslaved Washingtonian, whose later contributions to queer resistance and drag culture reached beyond DC and across the country.
Walking directions to Swann Street, NW
Estimated walk time: 17 minutes
Georgetown
From the cobblestone side streets to the waterfront views, there’s no doubt that Georgetown is a DC fall destination. We recommend strolling the side streets before making your way to the bustling corner of M St and Wisconsin Ave where you can shop, dine and take in the views of the Kennedy Center from the water.
Walking directions to Georgetown
Estimated walk time: 25 minutes
ROCK CREEK PARK
What could be more picturesque than a fall walk in the park? Offering almost 2,000 acres of fall foliage, Rock Creek Park cuts through Northwest DC with trails made for walking, running, biking and dog walking.
Walking directions to Rock Creek Trail
Estimated walk time: 34 minutes
Take a Mural Walk Through Washington
Washington, DC is home to the Smithsonian Museums where one can spend hours admiring art from the Renaissance to today,
but once the air gets crisp, live like a local and take in some of the city’s most admired murals, many of which are within walking
distance to the hotel.
DC’S LARGEST POSTCARD
Tucked behind Mama Ayesha’s restaurant on Calvert Street you will find what DC locals call the “city’s largest postcard”. Completed in 2009, the “postcard” is a mural, featuring eleven American presidents. Created by El Salvador-born artist Karla Rodas (aka Karlisima), the mural was funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and is a hidden gem in Adams Morgan.
Walking directions to DC’s “largest postcard”
Estimated walk time: 32 minutes
THE WATERMELON HOUSE
The Watermelon House, located in Logan Circle is quite literally a story of making lemons into…watermelon! Dissatisfied with the
outcome of a paint job, the owners decided to turn the side of their home into a watermelon mural for all to enjoy. Today, it is one
of DC’s most recognizable homes and beloved social media backdrops.
Walking directions to the Watermelon House
Estimated walk time: 19 minutes
SHE WILL RISE
On bustling 14th St, on the corner of 14th and S St, a new mural was recently completed as a joint collaboration between She
Will Rise, an organization that was founded in 2020 to campaign for a Black woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court,
and No Kings Collective, a local DC arts and design group. Designed by local artist Nia Keturah Calhoun, the mural is a portrait
of Justice Jackson, her father, Johnny Brown, who was also a lawyer and Constance Baker Motley, who served as the first Black
woman federal judge and wrote the original complaint in the case of Brown vs. Board of Education.
Walking directions to She Will Rise
Estimated walk time: 20 minutes
BEN’S CHILI BOWL
Every city has a dish that they are known for and in Washington, DC, it’s the half-smoke. Since 1958, Ben’s Chili Bowl has been
a fixture on U St. and the mural that adorns the side of this historic eatery is a must-see for any visitor. Updated in 2017 by local
DC artist Aniekan Udofia, the mural features a variety of famous Black Americans, many with ties to the city including comedians,
actors, historical figures and politicians.
Walking directions to Ben’s Chili Bowl
Estimated walk time: 25 minutes
15 Minutes or Less: A Neighborhood Stroll
Around The Mayflower Hotel
Washington, DC is a busy city with something always going on. Whether you’re staying at our hotel for business or pleasure,
sometimes you just want to take a quick walk to visit something new. Here are some of our favorite places that are within a 15-minute walk or less.
MUSEUMS
THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION MUSEUM
Founded in 1921 the Phillips Collection located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood features works by Renoir, El Greco, van Gogh,
Matisse, Monet and Picasso, just to name a few.
Walking directions to the Phillips Collection
Estimated walk time: 15 minutes
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MUSEUM
This small-but-mighty museum features rotating exhibits and photo exhibitions documenting scientific expeditions & explorations
across the globe.
Walking directions to the National Geographic Museum
Estimated walk time: 2 minutes
THE RENWICK GALLERY (SMITHSONIAN)
As part of the Smithsonian Museum collection, this free gallery features American crafts and decorative arts from the 19th to the
21st century.
Walking directions to the Renwick
Estimated walk time: 9 minutes
NEIGHBORHOODS
DUPONT CIRCLE
DuPont Circle is a traffic circle, park, neighborhood and historic district all in one. Grab a coffee and a book and you can people
watch for hours.
Walking directions to DuPont Circle
Estimated walk time: 9 minutes
LOGAN CIRCLE
From picnics to dog meetups, Logan Circle is where you can find DC locals on a sunny day.
Walking directions to Logan Circle
Estimated walk time: 15 minutes
DINING
SUSHI TARO
A DC favorite, this authentic sushi destination offers omakase, bento-box lunch specials and a large selection of sake & shochu
Walking directions to Sushi Taro
Estimated walk time: 8 minutes
LITTLE CHICKEN
Come for the fried chicken, stay for the creative cocktails, crushes and outdoor space.
Walking directions to Little Chicken
Estimated walk time: 5 minutes
CHURCHKEY
A beer lover’s paradise where you can find a large selection of bottled & draft beers accompanied by a menu of assorted snacks.
Walking directions to ChurchKey
Estimated walk time: 13 minutes
City Girls Who Walk DC x The Mayflower:
Women Owned Walks
SALT & SUNDRY
This curated shop on 14th St. offers an array of artisanal items for the home. Their sister store, also owned by Amanda McClements is Little Leaf, just down the street.
Walking directions to Salt & Sundry
Estimated walk time: 17 minutes
ICE CREAM JUBILEE
With multiple locations across the DMV, this woman-owned ice cream shop is turning out unique flavors that locals can’t get enough of.
Walking directions to Ice Cream Jubilee
Estimated walk time: 22 minutes
SHOP MADE IN DC
With locations across DC including at the convention center and the Wharf, Shop Made in DC is the place to go for locally made art, clothing and gourmet foods.
Walking directions to Shop Made in DC – Georgetown
Estimated walk time: 30 minutes
LEE’S FLOWER & CARD SHOP
A staple on U St. since 1945, Lee’s Flower and Card shop creates traditional and contemporary arrangements
Walking directions to Lee’s Flower & Card Shop
Estimated walk time: 26 minutes
LETTIE GOOCH BOUTIQUE
Located in the Atlantic Plumbing building, this boutique offers unique and colorful clothing and accessories for women.
Walking directions to Lettie Gooch Boutique
Estimated walk time: 30 minutes
TEAISM
This longstanding tea shop offers a broad selection of loose leaf teas and healthy fast casual dining.
Estimated walk time: 7 minutes
CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE
A DC staple run by sisters, Chocolate Chocolate offers an international selection of chocolate and candy by the pound.
Walking directions to Chocolate Chocolate
Estimated walk time: 4 minutes
Find Your Fall View
WASHINGTON MONUMENT
This iconic landmark is a must-visit for some of the most unique places for panoramic views of the city. On a clear day, visitors can
see up to 25 miles in every direction. Tickets are required for entry.
Walking directions to the Washington Monument
Estimated walk time: 25 minutes
THE OLD POST OFFICE TOWER
This 270-foot observation deck allows visitors an awe-inspiring view of the city including the White House and National Mall.
Self-guided tours run approximately every five minutes.
Walking directions to the Old Post Office Tower
Estimated walk time: 25 minutes
ROOFTOP TERRACE AT THE KENNEDY CENTER
Stop in either pre or post show and enjoy breathtaking Potomac River views and regional cuisine.
Walking directions to the Kennedy Center
Estimated walk time: 23 minutes
DC’S SPANISH STEPS
Formally known as Decatur Terrace, locals know the Spanish Steps as a hidden away terrace in the Kalorama neighborhood with
panoramic views of the city.
Walking directions to the Spanish Steps
Estimated walk time: 20 minutes
Bike DC
METROPOLITAN BIKE TRAIL
Stretching for eight miles between DC and Maryland, the MBT trail runs through several DC neighborhoods including NoMa, Eckington and Brookland and offers a visually stunning trail with murals, greenery and plenty of places to shop and dine.
NATIONAL MALL AND MEMORIALS
A short ride from our downtown hotel, the National Mall offers a 2-mile tree-lined ride that connects riders with the Washington and
Lincoln monuments, the MLK Jr. memorial, the Capitol and the White House.
ANACOSTIA RIVERWALK TRAIL
Spanning 12 miles on either side of the Anacostia River, this trail connects several neighborhoods in DC including access to Nats
Park, Navy Yard and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Map of Anacostia Riverwalk Trail
EAST POTOMAC PARK
Even when it isn’t Cherry Blossom season, this 4-mile loop offers panoramic views of the Potomac River and DC foliage. A bonus
for aviation lovers, this is an excellent path for watching planes land at National Airport.
Each clickable map provides walking directions from the hotel and the approximate time it will take to walk to each destination.
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