Visiting The Wharf DC in Washington
The Wharf DC is a popular upscale destination to enjoy a concert, eat a meal, or stroll along the waterfront.
The giant multi-billion dollar development along the Potomac River features many restaurants, hotels, multiple music venues, private apartments, and a very active marina.
It’s the perfect spot to spend the evening after a day of sightseeing in Washington DC.
We decided to visit after walking along the Tidal Basin and visiting the Jefferson Memorial, which is close by.
The Wharf DC really embraces its location along the Potomac River (technically it’s on the Washington Channel) making it a unique spot in the Nation’s Capital.
| Nearest Metro | Waterfront (5 min walk) or L'Enfant Plaza (8 min walk) |
| Free Shuttle | SW Neighborhood Shuttle — runs daily between The Wharf, L'Enfant Plaza Metro, and the National Mall |
| Parking | Garages at Blair Alley, Sutton Square, and 7th Street (ParkMobile app) |
| Best Time to Visit | Early evening — great sunset views from the piers |
| Fish Market Hours | Mon–Thu 10am–8pm, Fri 9am–8pm, Sat–Sun 8am–8pm |
| Walk from Jefferson Memorial | About 15 minutes |
| Walk from National Mall | About 10 minutes |
Getting to the Wharf DC
As with most things in Washington DC, the Metro is your best option.
The Waterfront Metro station is about a 5-minute walk. L'Enfant Plaza Metro is about 8 minutes away and connects to multiple lines. We walked from the Jefferson Memorial and then took the Metro back from L'Enfant Plaza at the end of the evening.
The Metro is usually the best way to go in Washington DC.
There are several Capital Bikeshare docking stations nearby if you prefer to ride.
The free Southwest Neighborhood Shuttle is a great option, too. It runs daily between The Wharf, L'Enfant Plaza Metro, and the National Mall. Full schedule and details are on the Wharf DC website.
If you're driving, there are parking garages at Blair Alley, Sutton Square, and 7th Street. The ParkMobile app handles payment at all of them.
That said, parking can be expensive and traffic on Maine Avenue gets congested, so the Metro really is the smarter choice.
A fire pit at Wharf DC.
Cruising from Wharf DC
The Wharf DC is a busy marina with many options to explore Washington via the water.
Dine aboard the Odyssey while cruising past Washington D.C.’s sights. More info here.
For the more adventurous, you can rent a boat for a river tour. More info here.
If you’d rather paddle around the waterfront, you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards here.
A quick note: some links here are affiliate links. That means if you book or buy something through them, we earn a small commission. You pay nothing extra, and it helps keep this blog going. We only recommend things we actually believe in.
No shortage of crab at The Fish Market.
Eating at the Wharf DC
We found the restaurants at Wharf DC to be very nice but also very expensive.
The first two restaurants, Bartaco and Falafel Inc are reasonably priced.
Bartaco is one of the more affordable spots. Tacos, bowls, beer, and wine. A solid lunch stop.
Falafel Inc is genuinely great. Sandwiches and bowls at prices that feel out of place on a waterfront this upscale. Order the zaatar fries.
Rappahannock Oyster Bar is tucked into a restored oyster shed right at the Fish Market. Shellfish, burgers, and fish dishes in a spot with a lot of history behind it.
The Brighton is a big multi-story place with a huge bar. Fish and chips, burgers, and BLTs. Good for a casual evening.
Del Mar is the one we were most excited about. Chef Fabio Trabocchi brings Spanish coastal food -- tapas, cured meats, seafood, even suckling pig -- to the waterfront. We don't really eat suckling pig, but seeing it on the menu tells you everything you need to know about the kitchen's seriousness. If you love Spanish food, this is your spot.
(We wrote about what to eat in Spain if you want more context.)
Officina is worth mentioning for a special occasion. It's a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant with a rooftop bar called Terrazza. The views of the Potomac from up there at sunset are hard to beat.
Shoppers at the Fish Market.
The Municipal Fish Market
Last but definitely not least: the Fish Market.
It opened in 1805, making it the oldest continuously operating open-air fish market in the United States. Older than New York's Fulton Fish Market by nearly 20 years.
The vendors sell fresh seafood off floating barges: oysters, blue crabs, shrimp, rockfish, crab cakes. It has a wonderful old-school feel, completely at odds with the shiny new development surrounding it.
Go on a weekend morning if you can. Saturday and Sunday hours start at 8 am.
Music Venues and Theaters
The exterior of The Anthem.
The Anthem is the centerpiece of the entertainment scene here.
The Foo Fighters played the inaugural concert on October 12, 2017, and the venue has been one of the best mid-size stages on the East Coast ever since. The movable stage lets the capacity flex from 2,500 to 6,000, so it always feels full regardless of the show size. Search upcoming shows here.
Pearl Street Warehouse is smaller and cozier. Rock, country, and blues acts on a stage where you're never far from the musicians. They serve decent bar food, too. Check the calendar here.
Arena Stage is one of the most respected regional theaters in the country.
It was founded in 1950 and was the first racially integrated theater in Washington DC. It has received a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater. The renovated Mead Center has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the waterfront.
The Wharf also hosts free outdoor concerts throughout the summer on its floating stage. Worth checking the events calendar before your visit to see what's on.
The floating The Wharf stage.
The Wharf
The Wharf features the best kind of concerts - free concerts!
Throughout the summer The Wharf features bands playing all types of music.
Sunset at The Wharf DC.
A Few Tips Before You Go
The Wharf is most enjoyable in the evening. Sunset over the Washington Channel from the piers is genuinely beautiful.
If you're visiting on a Saturday, the Farmers Market SW runs through the morning at M Street Landing. Fresh produce, flowers, and local goods -- a nice way to start the day before things get crowded.
East Potomac Park sits right next to The Wharf. It's a 400-acre national park with walking paths, bike trails, golf, and waterfront views. A good option if you want a quieter hour before or after dinner.
If you're visiting during cherry blossom season, the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial are a natural pairing -- read our post on visiting Washington DC's cherry blossoms for more.
This post was researched and written by John O'Boyle of The Empty Nest Explorers.
John is a professional photographer and videographer whose work has been published by the New York Times, NBC News, and Getty Images. He has been part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team and nominated for New York Emmy Awards. You can learn more about John and the Empty Nest Explorers here.
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