Things to Do in Penn Quarter, Washington

Ford's Theatre, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum anchor this stretch of downtown between Pennsylvania Avenue and Chinatown. José Andrés runs Jaleo, Oyamel, and barmini here, with Woolly Mammoth staging original plays nearby.

Ford's Theatre MuseumTheater
FiolaItalian
Silver LyanCocktail Bar

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Top things to do in Penn Quarter

Ford's Theatre Museum
★ 4.7 · 8.4k
Theater★
The site of Lincoln's assassination, this historic theater offers nightly performances & tours.
Every day
8:30 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
National Portrait Gallery
★ 4.8 · 13.5k
Art Museum
Major, free-admission museum with art works portraying influential Americans throughout history.
Every day
11:30 AM – 7 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
U.S. Navy Memorial
★ 4.7 · 1.1k
Historic Landmark
Massive outdoor memorial pays tribute to Americans serving at sea, including the Navy & Coast Guard.
Every day
9:30 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Smithsonian American Art Museum
★ 4.8 · 3.8k
Art Museum
Art museum & National Portrait Gallery housed in the third-oldest federal building in the capital.
Every day
11:30 AM – 7 PM
Website ↗Map ↗

Where to eat & drink in Penn Quarter

Fiola
Michelin ★
Italian· $100+
With stone walls, seasonal arrangements and Warhol-esque prints, this DC powerhouse is equal parts retro glitz and country lodge. Before even crossing the threshold, diners are met by gracious servers. While they may rhapsodize about…
Mon
Closed
Tue–Fri
5 PM – 9 PM
Sat
5 PM – 9 PM
Sun
Closed
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Silver Lyan
Top 500 bar
Cocktail Bar· $30–70
An acclaimed cocktail bar by Mr Lyan, located in a historic bank vault at Riggs Washington DC.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Thu
5 PM – 12 AM
Fri
5 PM – 1 AM
Sat
4 PM – 1 AM
Sun
5 PM – 11 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
barmini
★ 4.8 · 643
Cocktail Bar· $100+
Swanky craft-cocktail bar with innovative, technology-driven menu & white-on-white furnishings.
Mon–Thu
Closed
Fri
5 PM – 11:30 PM
Sat
Closed
Sun
Closed
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Rania
Michelin ★
Indian· $$$$
This fine dining concept seems fit for a queen, and good thing too, since Rania translates to "queen" in Hindi and Sanskrit.
Website ↗
Minibar by José Andrés
Michelin ★★
Fine Dining
Mr. Andrés' wild culinary ride through molecular-gastronomy. One of DC's two Michelin star restaurants. This six-customer, two-chef restaurant, serves a 30-course meal of everything from cotton candy foie gras to lobster injection to beet…
Website ↗
Oyamel
★ 4.5 · 8.0k
Mexican· $20–70
This well-liked mainstay of DC Mexican cuisine comes courtesy of Spanish Chef Jose Andres, whose typical dedication to flavorful cooking and high-quality ingredients still draws brisk business.
Mon–Thu
11:30 AM – 10 PM
Fri
11:30 AM – 11 PM
Sat
11 AM – 11 PM
Sun
11 AM – 10 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Jaleo
★ 4.5 · 6.1k
Tapas· $50–100
Chef José Andrés has opened locations of this tapas hangout from Las Vegas to Chicago to Dubai, but it all started here inside the Beltway.
Mon–Thu
11:30 AM – 10 PM
Fri
11:30 AM – 11 PM
Sat
11:30 AM – 11 PM
Sun
11:30 AM – 10 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Café Riggs
★ 4.5 · 1.1k
American· $20–70
Inspired by the bustling brasseries of Europe, Cafe Riggs offers grace and modernity in a very polished setting.
Mon–Thu
7 AM – 11 PM
Fri
7 AM – 12 AM
Sat
7 AM – 12 AM
Sun
7 AM – 11 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza - Washington D.C.
★ 4.7 · 4.0k
Pizza· $20–30
With partial and full restaurant buyouts, our team is happy assist in your planning.
Mon–Thu
11:30 AM – 9 PM
Fri
11:30 AM – 10 PM
Sat
11:30 AM – 10 PM
Sun
11:30 AM – 9 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
SUCCOTASH
★ 4.5 · 4.8k
American· $$
Chef Edward Lee's classy eatery melds Dixie & Asian flavors in an inventive menu.
Mon–Fri
11:30 AM – 10 PM
Sat
11 AM – 10 PM
Sun
10 AM – 10 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Gordon Ramsay Street Burger
★ 4.7 · 1.6k
Burgers· $20–30
Street Burger has landed in Washington DC. Join us and find your next favorite burger, or look for us on delivery.
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Rasika
★ 4.3 · 4.0k
Indian· $30–90
Polished restaurant & lounge serving contemporary Indian food, wine & cocktails.
Mon–Thu
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5 PM – 10 PM
Fri
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5 PM – 10:30 PM
Sat
4:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Sun
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Website ↗Map ↗