The Wharf
Navy Yard / Waterfront—sample rating
Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About The Wharf
The Wharf is a mile-long waterfront district along the Potomac River in Southwest DC, developed in phases starting in 2017 as a major redevelopment of the former Southwest waterfront. It combines restaurants, boutiques, hotels, residences, and public piers with green space along the river. Highlights include the Municipal Fish Market, the nation's oldest continuously operating open-air fish market; The Anthem, a major concert venue; and District Pier, host to festivals like the DC JazzFest. Visitors can rent kayaks, catch a water taxi to Georgetown or Old Town Alexandria, or ice skate at a seasonal rink. The Wharf is served by a free shuttle connecting to the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station and the National Mall, and it sits within walking distance of the Smithsonian museums.
Why visit
DC's liveliest waterfront destination, great for dining, live music, and water activities along the Potomac.
Best time to visit
Visit in the evening for waterfront dining and live entertainment, or on weekends for farmers markets and festivals.
Recommended duration
Allow about 2 hours (120 minutes).
Opening hours
- Every day
- 00:00-23:59
The district itself has no set hours; individual restaurants, shops, and venues keep their own schedules.
Information may change — verify details before visiting.
Location
760 Maine Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
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Nearby attractions
National Mall
A vast open-air national park stretching between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, lined with iconic monuments and Smithsonian museums.
Washington Monument
A 555-foot marble obelisk honoring George Washington, offering sweeping views of DC from its observation level.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
A domed neoclassical monument on the Tidal Basin honoring Thomas Jefferson, surrounded by famous cherry blossom trees.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
A granite memorial on the Tidal Basin featuring a colossal carved likeness of Dr. King emerging from a 'Stone of Hope.'
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
A sprawling outdoor memorial along the Tidal Basin divided into four outdoor 'rooms' representing FDR's four terms in office.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A stark black granite wall inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 U.S. service members who died or went missing in the Vietnam War.
Nearby restaurants
Zaytinya
Mediterranean · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Ben's Chili Bowl
American / Comfort Food · $ · U Street
Mi Vida
Mexican · $$ · Navy Yard / Waterfront
Ambar Capitol Hill
Balkan · $$ · Capitol Hill
Centrolina
Italian · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Maketto
Cambodian / Taiwanese · $$ · Capitol Hill
Flights to New York
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Stay near Navy Yard / Waterfront
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