Washington's downtown is less conventional city center and more of a gussied-up transition space between the National Mall and Washington's residential communities. The neighborhood both emerges from and is attached to Penn Quarter. Some of the city's best museums are here, and the area also caters to theatergoers and sports fans.
Downtown & Penn Quarter - Washington DC (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet
Coverage includes: Neighborhood Top Five, Local Life, Getting There & Away, Sights, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping, Sleeping and Sports & Activities.