Unsafe Areas in Washington DC?

Question

I'm traveling to washington DC in Feburary and i was wondering what areas are reasonably safe and what areas i should avoid?

Answer 1

You will be safe if you just know where you are going! Don't walk around in unfamiliar neighborhoods by yourself at night.

I personally think NW is the safest in general, although there are parts in NW that aren't too safe, and also parts outside NW that are fine. DC is great, though, I have lived here for 12 years now!

Just keep a hold of your purse, and be aware of where you are going, and try to not be out alone after dark unless you know where you are going.

Metro is very safe, and cheap too. I recommend that you see the following:

1. Smithsonian museums - they are great, and FREE!
2. The US Capitol, Supreme Court and The White House
3. National Archives (The Declaration of Independence is there!)
4. Kennedy Center and the other theaters like Fords Theater, where Lincold was shot, and The Warner Theater and The National Theater are all great.
5. The Monuments (Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, FDR, WWII, Korean War and of course The Vietnam Wall).
6. Union Station
7. Georgetown
8. Chinatown

Check out the links below, and have fun!

Answer 2

Washington is divided into 4 areas NorthEast(NE), SouthEast(SE), SouthWest(SW) and Northwest (NW)
You should avoid NE, SE, SW. and only be in NW.
Here's a link with a map of tourist DC. The areas to see are colored green. Do not go to the few colored areas south of the Orange and Blue Metro lines.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mapshells/north_america/washington_dc/washington_dc.htm
Here's an interactive metro map that shows what's you can see where when you click on the different areas.http://www.stationmasters.com/System_Map/system_map.html
You can be safe travelling on the red line, the orange and blue lines only until Eastern Market. I would probably stay off the green line.
They caught some guys who were robbing people on the Mall, but just to be safe, Do not walk around alone at night.
I hope I haven't scared you...DC is a great place that gets a lot of bad publicity. Enjoy your trip!

Answer 3

Don't believe the hype. I lived in DC for many years and go back rather often. I loved in NE and NW. NE is fine along the Capital and Eastern Market. SE is fine around Eastern Market. NW is fine around Georgetown, the Zoo, Adam's Morgan, Woodley Park. But, NW around 10th and N is total crap, well it is getting better. I should say 1st through 9th streets.

So if you are going to visit go to the areas that I mentioned that are fine. Some of my favorite restaurants are in NE on Mass. Ave near Union Station.

DC is a great city with a lot to offer. Just use common sense while walking around at night. I would offer the same advice for any other big city. Take in the National Mall, Memorials, Smithsonian, Art Gallery, restaurants, etc... Pick up a Washington City Paper, The Blade, or Hill Rag to see what's going on for things to do that week.

Answer 4

Here are the SAFE areas (in general): The Mall, where all of the Smithsonian museums and most of the monuments and memorials are, is safe. Watch out for the usual tourist dangers like pickpockets and stuff but you won't see any violent crime there. Also Georgetown, and many neighborhoods in NW DC are fairly safe - Dupont Circle, Friendship Heights, etc... are all safe.

Outside of these areas: avoid them at all costs. Anacostia is the worst area - don't go there even in broad daylight. Anything in SE or SW DC is horrible and I would avoid. But, fortunately for tourists, almost all of the attractions are fairly close and in a safe area.

Answer 5

Southeast and Northeast DC are to avoid. There is nothing there anyway. You'll want to stroll through the Mall, the Smithsonian and monuments, Georgetown, and Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan. Mind you, be very careful anywhere you are, if it is night, and you are on a deserted non-lit street. There have been murders in Georgetown. Recently, the DC Police instituted a curfew for anyone under 18 past ten pm.

Answer 6

After the sun goes down, I would not suggest being out in where in DC. It has become unsafe almost everywhere.
Even around the major hotels.
Just ask a hotel staff if you should go for a walk after dark.

Answer 7

Same as any other city. Avoid going anywhere near MLK Ave.

Answer 8

southeast DC

Answer 9

D.C. is scary at night. Take one wrong turn, and you end up somewhere you don't want to be!

Answer 10

stick to the tourist areas and georgetown