Downtown on the Line: Metro Your Way Through Downtown DC

Your next Downtown adventure starts underground! Hop on the Metro and discover Downtown along the way, from historic landmarks and city arts to a vibrant dining scene and plenty of places to explore. All you need? A Metro ride and a little curiosity.

🚇 Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter Station | 🟢 🟡

Start Your Morning with History

Make Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter Station your first stop and begin your Downtown adventure with two nearby landmarks.

Step inside the National Archives Museum to see some of the country’s most important founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Then, head outside to explore U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza and its iconic Lone Sailor statue. Look down, and you may find yourself standing on the “Granite Sea,” a massive 100-foot-diameter granite map of the world.

➡️ Next Stop: Archives–Navy Memorial Station to Gallery Place–Chinatown Station | 🟢🟡 | 1 min

🚇 Gallery Place–Chinatown Station | 🔴 🟢 🟡

Eat and Wander Through the Bustling Chinatown Neighborhood

Step off the metro station and you’ll find yourself right in the middle of Downtown’s bustling Chinatown neighborhood.

Snap a photo beneath Chinatown’s iconic Friendship Archway, soak up the energy around Capital One Arena, then wander through Anthem Row to discover its seasonal public art installations. There’s plenty to see, but don’t rush it. Take your time, explore the neighborhood and see where the day takes you.

Here, you’ll also find plenty of bites worth stopping for at lunchtime. Try Chinatown Garden for Chinese-owned, authentic Cantonese dishes, or head to Absolute Noodles & Sushi Bar for a menu spanning Japanese, Thai and other Asian flavors.

➡️ Next Stop: Gallery Place–Chinatown Station to Metro Center Station | 🔴 | 2 mins

🚇 Metro Center Station | 🔴 🔵 🟠 ⚪️

Make an Afternoon of Arts & Culture

Whether you’re in the mood for culture, sightseeing, or a little retail therapy, there’s something for everyone in this corner of Downtown DC. Choose your vibe and make the afternoon your own.

Visit Ford’s Theatre, where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, and explore the historic theater and museum. Check the current performance schedule and catch a show at the historic theater.

Tired of walking? Hop aboard an Old Town Trolley and take a sightseeing ride around Downtown. The ticket office is also just steps away, right across from Ford’s Theatre.

Or make time for fashion. Just about a 5-minute walk from Metro Center station, CityCenterDC brings together global fashion brands, restaurants and plenty of chic photo spots, all tucked along one stylish alleyway

➡️ Next Stop: Metro Center Station to McPherson Square | 🔵🟠⚪️ | 2 mins

🚇 McPherson Square Station | 🔵 🟠 ⚪️

Unwind After a Day of Exploring

Exit McPherson Square Station using the 14th & I Street NW Exit and you’ll soon find yourself at Franklin Park, Downtown’s largest green space.

After a full day of exploring, this is your chance to slow down. Stretch out on the grass, take a breather, sit by the fountain and enjoy a little calm amid the hustle and bustle of the city.

Finish your Downtown day at Rosa’s Diner, a recently opened casual American restaurant with a Latin twist. Choose from Classics, Shareables or Handhelds, then pair your meal with a crafted cocktail.

History? Checked. Great food? Absolutely. Arts, shopping and a little time to unwind? All in a day’s work. With the Metro connecting it all, you can explore Downtown DC without the hassle of traffic. Now, all that’s left to do is pick your first stop.