Washington DC is both the seat of the U.S. Federal Government and a vibrant city with enough nightlife, restaurants, and shopping to keep any city dweller entertained. The neighborhoods where D.C.'s residents make their homes provide a wide variety of places to stay that should meet any traveler's needs.

Downtown D.C., the area roughly between Massachusetts Avenue, the U.S. Capitol, the National Mall, and 19th St. NW, has a variety of hotel options and is one of the best places to stay in Washington D.C. Washington D.C. hotels in that area include some of the most luxurious in the city, with high-end restaurants to boot, as well as the city's backpacker hotels and hostels. Adams Morgan, named for the schools that once operated in this neighborhood, has excellent bohemian shopping and nightlife. If you are a young person looking for apartments in Washington D.C., this neighborhood is likely to be your first stop.

Georgetown, perhaps the most storied part of D.C., has expensive hotels but easily the city's best shopping, with the stores of luxury brands lining M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. The city's wealthiest residents generally live in this neighborhood, and if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of stretch black limos sending the children of the U.S. political class from their huge old homes in Georgetown to private schools elsewhere in the city. Dupont Circle is a great mid-range neighborhood to stay in, with affordable Washington D.C. hotels galore, and located close to all of D.C.'s best nightlife. Capitol Hill, the large neighborhood east of the U.S. Capitol, is another great place to look for apartments in Washington D.C. if you are planning a long term stay there.

Whether you stay in Downtown D.C., Adams Morgan, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill, or elsewhere, being in Washington DC is likely to be a fun and rewarding experience. The best places to stay in Washington D.C. can be spread out all over the city, so look hard and compare prices carefully before making a final decision.