Things to Do in The Wharf and Navy Yard
River cruises, live music, a ballpark and a historic fish market on the Southwest waterfront.
See top-rated activities »About the Wharf and Navy Yard
Washington's waterfront along the Washington Channel and the Anacostia River was mostly parking lots and warehouses until recently. Today two new districts line the water. The Wharf, which opened in stages starting in 2017, runs along the channel in Southwest DC with restaurants, hotels, piers and the Anthem concert hall. A mile east, the Navy Yard neighborhood has grown up around Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals, with apartments, breweries and a riverfront park.
At the north end of the Wharf, the Maine Avenue Fish Market is the survivor of the old waterfront: an open-air market where vendors steam crabs, shuck oysters and fry fish much as they have for generations, and it bills itself as the oldest continuously operating fish market in the country. From the Wharf's piers, sightseeing boats, dinner cruises and the Potomac water taxi head out toward Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria and National Harbor, and the views of the monuments from the water are worth the trip on their own.
Two of Washington's newer museums are close by. The International Spy Museum, in a dark glass building at L'Enfant Plaza, tells the history of espionage with real gadgets and an interactive cover identity for every visitor. ARTECHOUSE, near the same plaza, shows immersive digital art in an underground gallery. Both charge admission, unlike the Smithsonian museums a few blocks north.
In the Navy Yard, the Yards Park has a boardwalk, a wading fountain kids love in summer and an outdoor stage, and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail continues east along the water. On game days the streets around Nationals Park fill with fans, and Audi Field, home of D.C. United soccer, is a short walk south at Buzzard Point. Outside of game days the area is quieter, and the riverfront makes a good spot for an evening walk after dinner at the Wharf.
Don’t Miss
A mile of piers, restaurants, music venues and a promenade along the Washington Channel, with free events through the year.
Open-air seafood stalls selling steamed crabs, oysters and fried fish, a Washington institution at the north end of the Wharf.
A large, interactive museum of espionage history with real spy equipment and stories from the Cold War to today. Paid admission.
The home of Major League Baseball's Washington Nationals, with views of the Capitol dome from the upper decks.
A riverfront park with a boardwalk, a summer wading fountain and free concerts.
Seasonal water taxis link the Wharf with Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria and National Harbor; the ride doubles as a cheap sightseeing cruise.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in the Wharf and Navy Yard
Viator
Tiqets
TiqetsTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best of Washington, DC may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your time in the Wharf and Navy Yard
Tell us when you are coming and what you enjoy. A travel specialist will put together hotel, activity and travel options for you — free, with no obligation.
Get free trip quotes »the Wharf and Navy Yard — FAQ
How do I get to the Wharf?
The Waterfront and L'Enfant Plaza Metro stations are each about a 10-minute walk away. Water taxis also arrive from Georgetown and Alexandria in the warmer months.
Can I take a boat tour of the monuments?
Yes. Sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises and the water taxi leave from the Wharf's piers and pass the Jefferson Memorial, the Kennedy Center and Georgetown, with good views of the monuments from the Potomac.
More of Washington, DC
