L'Enfant Plaza
A glass-enclosed entryway leads to this sleek, underground retail center with 40+ shops & eateries.
L'Enfant Plaza is rated 4.2 / 5 from 9,964 Google reviews and sits about 3.5 km (44 min walk) from Anacostia station.
General overview
About L'Enfant Plaza
L'Enfant Plaza is a mixed-use shopping, dining, and office complex in Southwest Washington, DC, near the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, and the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station. Its main visitor appeal is the food court and convenient access to nearby attractions. The information below is based on general knowledge and has not been live-verified.
- Convenient location near the National Mall and Southwest Waterfront
- Food court with casual dining options
- Connected to or immediately adjacent to L'Enfant Plaza Metro station
- Indoor shopping and services in an office-district setting
- Easy base for visiting nearby museums and monuments
Things to do here
Food court dining
Casual meals, snacks, coffee, and take-away options from vendors in the plaza’s food-court area. Vendor selection and operating hours may change.
Indoor shopping and services
A practical selection of retail, convenience, personal-service, and business-oriented establishments serving nearby workers and visitors.
Metro access
Use L'Enfant Plaza station for access to the Yellow, Green, Blue, Orange, and Silver lines, subject to current Metro service arrangements.
National Mall sightseeing
The complex is within convenient walking distance of Smithsonian museums and major National Mall landmarks, though distances vary by destination.
L'Enfant Plaza Metro station is the most convenient public-transit option. The area is also served by buses and is walkable from the National Mall. If driving, verify current garage availability, entrances, rates, and restrictions before arrival.
No advance booking is normally needed for the plaza or food court. Reservations may be appropriate for individual restaurants or nearby attractions.
This overview is general knowledge, not confirmed against an official source — verify hours, prices and entry rules before you go.
Photo gallery
See it before you go
Most asked
How to reach
L'Enfant Plaza is about 3.5 km (~44 min walk) from Anacostia station on the Washington Metro.
Before you go
Good to know
Verify tickets, seasonal hours, entry rules, and special events on the official website before visiting.
Pair it up
Also near this station
Hyatt House Washington DC / The Wharf
Hotels · 39 min walk
★ 4.4
InterContinental Washington D.C. - the Wharf by IHG
Hotels · 40 min walk
★ 4.5
United States Botanic Garden
Places to visit · 41 min walk
★ 4.8
Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
Places to visit · 45 min walk
★ 4.6
The Potomac Hotel, Autograph Collection
Hotels · 48 min walk
★ 4.5
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Places to visit · 52 min walk
★ 4.8
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to L'Enfant Plaza from Anacostia station?
L'Enfant Plaza is about 3525 m (roughly 44 min walk) from Anacostia station on the Washington Metro. Use the directions link on this page for turn-by-turn walking directions.
What is L'Enfant Plaza rated?
L'Enfant Plaza has a Google rating of 4.2 out of 5 from 9,964 reviews.
What's near L'Enfant Plaza?
Also within a short walk of the same station: Hyatt House Washington DC / The Wharf, InterContinental Washington D.C. - the Wharf by IHG, United States Botanic Garden.
Is L'Enfant Plaza wheelchair accessible?
Yes — Google lists the following accessibility features for L'Enfant Plaza: wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible parking, wheelchair-accessible restroom.
Is there parking near L'Enfant Plaza?
Google lists these parking options near L'Enfant Plaza: paid parking lot, free street parking, paid street parking, paid garage parking.
Is L'Enfant Plaza good for children?
Yes — Google lists L'Enfant Plaza as good for children.
Is L'Enfant Plaza a tourist attraction with an admission fee?
No. It is primarily a mixed-use office, retail, and dining complex. Entry to common areas is generally free, while food, shopping, parking, and nearby attractions cost extra.
What is there to do at L'Enfant Plaza?
Most visitors come for the food court, nearby shops and services, Metro access, and its convenient location near the National Mall and Southwest Washington attractions.
Can I visit on a weekend?
Usually, but weekend hours may be substantially reduced compared with weekdays, especially for food-court vendors and office-oriented businesses. Confirm directly before planning a weekend visit.
How close is it to the National Mall?
It is in Southwest Washington and generally convenient for walking to the southern and central portions of the National Mall, including Smithsonian museums. Exact walking times depend on the destination.
Is L'Enfant Plaza accessible by Metro?
Yes. L'Enfant Plaza station is one of Washington’s major Metro interchanges and is served by multiple lines. Check current WMATA service information for elevator status and planned disruptions.
Is parking available?
Paid garages and street parking may be available nearby, but rates, entrances, hours, and availability can change. Public transit is often more practical.
Do I need a reservation for the food court?
No reservation is normally needed for food-court dining. Individual full-service restaurants may accept or require reservations.
Are hours and tenant listings reliable here?
Tenant rosters and hours can change, and this information has not been live-verified. Confirm current details through the official website or directly with the relevant tenant.
Data and photos from Google Places, generated August 23, 2026. Ratings, hours and prices can change — confirm anything time-sensitive before you go.