DC Neighborhoods
24 acres of Southwest waterfront — restaurants, The Anthem, the oldest fish market in the country, the DC Water Taxi, and Potomac River views that change completely between morning and midnight.
The Wharf is one of the most visited destinations in Washington DC and one of the most genuinely pleasant places to be — 24 acres of Southwest waterfront that didn’t exist a decade ago.
Where to Stay at The Wharf DC
Three purpose-built hotels sit right on the waterfront. The choice comes down to budget and travel style.
InterContinental Washington DC — The Wharf
Flagship Wharf hotel directly on the Potomac — full-service luxury, stunning river views, pool and spa. The most impressive address at The Wharf.
Check RatesCanopy by Hilton Washington DC The Wharf
Hilton boutique brand with strong local design identity. Best mid-range choice on the waterfront — consistently well-reviewed.
Check RatesHyatt House Washington DC / The Wharf
Extended-stay format with full kitchens, free breakfast, suite rooms. Best for families and longer stays.
Check RatesHampton Inn Convention Center
15 minutes by Metro, free breakfast, reliable quality. Best price if Wharf rates are out of budget.
Check RatesThe Wharf is one of the most visited destinations in Washington DC — 24 acres of Southwest waterfront with restaurants, music venues, the oldest continuously operating fish market in the country, and Potomac River views that change completely between morning and midnight. Staying here puts you steps from all of it.
What Makes The Wharf Worth Visiting
Most DC hotel clusters are convenient but not particularly pleasant to be in. The Wharf is different — the waterfront itself is genuinely beautiful, the outdoor spaces are well-designed, and there’s always something happening. Free live music on Transit Pier every Friday evening from May through September. The Fish Market open most mornings. The Anthem bringing major acts to a 6,000-seat venue steps from the restaurants. The DC Water Taxi running to Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria.
The Restaurants
The Wharf has over 20 restaurants within easy walking distance, ranging from the Fish Market’s daily catch to upscale waterfront dining. Hank’s Oyster Bar — consistently excellent raw bar. Kith/Kin — Afro-Caribbean cuisine from James Beard-nominated chef Kwame Onwuachi, one of the most acclaimed restaurants at The Wharf. Requin — French seafood in a dramatic waterfront setting. The Grill at InterContinental — steakhouse with Potomac views.
Read our full Wharf without the crowds guide for the best spots and the best times to visit each one.
The Anthem
The Anthem at 901 Wharf Street SW is a 6,000-person concert venue that has quickly established itself as one of the best mid-size venues in DC — excellent sound, good sightlines, and a location that makes dinner before the show genuinely easy. Check The Anthem calendar before you set your Wharf visit dates if you want to catch a show. Concert nights at The Wharf are significantly busier than non-concert nights.
The Maine Avenue Fish Market
The Maine Avenue Fish Market — the oldest continuously operating outdoor fish market in the United States — sits on the waterfront at The Wharf. Open most mornings, it sells fresh seafood directly from the boats. Crabs, fish, oysters, shrimp. One of DC’s most authentic food experiences and one that most visitors walk right past because they don’t know it’s there.
DC Water Taxi
The DC Water Taxi operates from The Wharf to Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor year-round. Staying at The Wharf gives you the best possible base for a multi-waterfront day — boat to Alexandria for lunch, back for dinner at Hank’s Oyster Bar. See our DC Water Taxi guide for schedules, stops, and booking.
Getting Around from The Wharf
Metro: Waterfront station (Green Line) is about a 10-minute walk — puts you on the Green Line with connections across the city. L’Enfant Plaza (multiple lines) is also about a 10-minute walk. See our DC Metro guide. Southwest Neighborhood Shuttle: Free shuttle loops between the Metro, National Mall, and The Wharf throughout the day. Water Taxi: Year-round to Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor.
🅿️ Parking at The Wharf DC
Three underground garages on-site. Rates run about $3 for two hours on weekdays — significantly more on Anthem concert nights. Pre-book on SpotHero before concert nights especially.
Search Wharf DC Parking on SpotHero →The Wharf DC Quick Reference
- Location Southwest DC, Washington Channel waterfront
- Metro Waterfront (Green Line) — 10 min walk · L’Enfant Plaza (multi-line) — 10 min walk
- Best luxury hotel InterContinental DC — directly on the Potomac
- Best boutique hotel Canopy by Hilton — strong reviews, good Wharf location
- Best for families Hyatt House — full kitchens, free breakfast
- Concert venue The Anthem — 6,000 capacity, excellent sound
- Fish market Maine Avenue Fish Market — oldest in US, open most mornings
- Water Taxi Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor — year-round
- Free music Transit Pier — Friday evenings May through September
- Parking 3 on-site garages — surge pricing on Anthem concert nights
Bottom Line
The Wharf is one of the genuinely pleasant places to be based in DC. The waterfront at night, coffee from the Fish Market in the morning, a Water Taxi to Old Town Alexandria for the afternoon. Book early for Anthem concert weekends and summer Friday evenings when The Wharf fills up fast.
For the best spots without the crowds: The Wharf Without the Crowds. For the Water Taxi: DC Water Taxi Guide. For where we live: Living at The Wharf DC.
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