Close Icon
Gear IconImportant Notice:We have made the tough decision to say goodbye to the Foursquare City Guide mobile app, effective December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Visit our FAQ for more information or to download our Swarm app.
Learn more
Explore: Penn Quarter
International Spy Museum is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

1. International Spy Museum

800 F St NW (9th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Museum · Penn Quarter · 207 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: Try an Operation Spy which is an hour long interactive event where you get to be a spy with a group of people on a mission.

Marian Koshland Science Museum is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

2. Marian Koshland Science Museum

525 E St NW (at 6th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Science Museum · Penn Quarter · 7 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: Off-the-beaten-path museum in Penn Quarter for serious science fans. No kids here. Check out the botanical gardens and dive into the interactives.

National Archives Rotunda is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

3. National Archives Rotunda

8.7
Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
History Museum · Federal Triangle · 25 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: There's more here than the Rotunda. Check out the declarations of war and presidential letters.

National Building Museum is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

4. National Building Museum

8.2
401 F St NW (at 5th St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Museum · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 108 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: This building has one of the best interior rooms in DC, if not the country. Anyone interested in the architecture of Washington DC should visit.

National Museum of Crime & Punishment is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

5. National Museum of Crime & Punishment

575 7th St NW, Washington, D.C.
Museum · Penn Quarter · 58 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: The museum has great artifacts and is organized by era. Don't leave without trying the FBI shooting game.

National Museum of Women in the Arts is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

6. National Museum of Women in the Arts

8.4
1250 New York Ave NW (at 13th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Art Museum · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 29 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: This is a hidden gem in DC at the corner of New York Ave. and 13th St. The art work, all by women, is magnificent, covering a wide range of art from different eras.

National Portrait Gallery is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

7. National Portrait Gallery

9.3
800 F St NW (at 8th St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Art Museum · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 183 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: Don't leave without experiencing the Albert Bierstadt landscapes and the Presidents gallery.

Newseum is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

8. Newseum

555 Pennsylvania Ave NW (at 6th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Museum · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 307 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: One of the top destinations in DC. Plan on spending the day, if you get tired, here are numerous small theaters showing films where you can rest your weary feet.

Ford's Theatre is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

9. Ford's Theatre

8.6
511 10th St NW (btwn F St NW & E St NW), Washington, D.C.
Theater · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 72 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: This is where John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln in 1865, and he was taken across the street to the Petersen House where he died.

The National Theatre is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

10. The National Theatre

8.9
1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW (at 13th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Performing Arts Venue · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 25 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: First opened in 1835, many Presidents have come to see performances, with many famous performers back in is heyday. National Theatre is now the city's most likely host for Broadway shows and musicals.

Warner Theatre is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

11. Warner Theatre

9.1
513 13th St NW (at E St NW), Washington, D.C.
Theater · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 41 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: The Warner Theatre is a gorgeous old building. A former 1920s movie palace, having long languished in disrepair, was finally reopened in 1992 following extensive restoration.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

12. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

8.5
641 D St NW (btwn 6th & 7th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Theater · Penn Quarter · 26 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: This is the top theater company downtown for seeing new plays. Drama here is edgy, takes real risks, and is almost always memorable.

Goethe-Institut is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

13. Goethe-Institut

8.1
812 7th St NW (btwn H & I St NW), Washington, D.C.
College and University · Chinatown · 7 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: A sponsor of German culture in the U.S. and of intercultural ties, the Goethe-Institut features mostly work in all mediums from Germany or by German-Americans.

14. Touchstone Gallery

901 New York Ave NW (at 9th St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Art Museum · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 10 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: This artist-cooperative owned gallery survived the neighborhood change throughout the past 30 years, and remains friendly and crammed with local artwork. Prices are reasonable, and events are packed.

Jaleo is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

15. Jaleo

8.7
480 7th St NW (at E St NW), Washington, D.C.
Tapas Restaurant · 256 tips and reviews

EpicuriousEpicurious: Be sure to stop by on Wednesday nights when flamenco dancers transport you to Spain over plates of tiny tapas. Try the eggplant flan or eel with shallots for an exotic snack, and don't forget sangria.

Cafe Atlantico is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

16. Cafe Atlantico

405 8th St NW (D St NW), Washington, D.C.
Seafood Restaurant · Penn Quarter · 19 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: The tableside prepared guacamole with a pisco sour is fabulous. Sunday brunch is a very fun "latino dim sum.

barmini by José Andrés is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

17. barmini by José Andrés

8.8
501 9th St NW (9th St NW between E and F St NW), Washington, D.C.
Cocktail Bar · Penn Quarter · 74 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: Reservations are hard to come by at this six-customer, two-chef restaurant. Call exactly at 10am (not 10:05) one month ahead for a reservation.

18. Morrison-Clark Historic Inn & Restaurant

7.7
1011 L St NW, Washington, D.C.
Hotel · Mount Vernon Square · 22 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: Awesome comfort food - best spot for a romantic or nice weekend meal when without a reservation!

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

19. Oyamel Cocina Mexicana

8.8
401 7th St NW (at D St NW), Washington, D.C.
Mexican Restaurant · Penn Quarter · 326 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: Oyamel can be a bit chaotic, but that's ok. Plates are tapas style which is lucky, because there are so many things on the menu you're going to want. Try the sopes de chorizo con papas.

PS 7's is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

20. PS 7's

777 I St NW (at 8th St NW), Washington, D.C.
New American Restaurant · Chinatown · 35 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: You will defintely have food prepared in a way that you never thought possible... and you will love it! Desserts are all made in house and are to die for.

TenPenh is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

21. TenPenh

1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW (@ 10th St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Asian Restaurant · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 5 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: Great for theater nights. They have a "pre event" menu with a choice of appetizer, any entree, and a choice of dessert at a reasonable fixed price.

Zaytinya is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

22. Zaytinya

9.0
701 9th St NW (at G St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Mediterranean Restaurant · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 411 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: This place is a party. Tapas style servings are great for groups of 3-4. The food is dynamite, and almost healthy. Every dish here is a gem.

The Passenger is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

23. The Passenger

1021 7th St NW (at L St NW), Washington, D.C.
Cocktail Bar · Mount Vernon Square · 116 tips and reviews

AskMenAskMen: Offering a customized tasting menu of cocktails, each drink prepared with house-made bitters or tinctures and poured over hard-carved ice. You may even get a little history lesson with your drink.

Proof is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

24. Proof

775 G St NW (at 8th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Wine Bar · Chinatown · 106 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: Proof has one of DC's best wine lists, without question.

Ping Pong Dim Sum is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

25. Ping Pong Dim Sum

900 7th St NW, Washington, D.C.
Dim Sum Restaurant · Chinatown · 150 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: The spicy chicken dumplings are a work of art.

Riot Act Comedy Theater is one of Explore: Penn Quarter.

26. Riot Act Comedy Theater

801 E St NW, Washington, D.C.
Comedy Club · Penn Quarter · 37 tips and reviews

M Squared Real EstateM Squared Real Estate: This new, state-of-the-art comedy theater is a great place to catch a laugh, bite and drink... all in one sitting! Tuesdays are open mic and there's no cover if you're sporting your Riot Act t-shirt.