The new Washington, D.C.

Three views of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which stands near the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.

Inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is clad in bronze-colored metal latticework. The museum opened in September on the National Mall.

The Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The Trump International Hotel occupies the Old Post Office Pavilion, built in 1899.

The Trump International Hotel, on Pennsylvania Avenue in northwest Washington, D.C. It’s a redo of the Old Post Office Pavilion, built in 1899.

Inside The Trump International Hotel.

Capital Bikeshare, Washington, D.C.’s, citywide bike rental program, began in 2010 and expanded to include the National Mall in 2012.

The Tabard Inn, which occupies three brownstones and dates to 1922, is among the oldest hotels in Washington, D.C., with a restaurant that’s perennially popular.

Maria Monroe of Washington, D.C., right, and her mother, Jackie Monroe, visiting from Kansas, pause for ice cream at Union Market food hall in northeast Washington, D.C.

A room in the Tabard Inn.

Nationals Park opened in 2008. The ballpark has helped spurr major redevelopment in southeast Washington, D.C.’s, Navy Yard and Capitol Riverfront.

Once considered too dangerous for visits after dark, the Capitol Riverfront of Washington, D.C., has grown to feature more restaurants, hotels, apartments and parks.   (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times )

The Capitol Riverfront features more than two-dozen restaurants (including the popular Bluejacket Brewery), two hotels (with two more due to open in 2016 and 2017), about three-dozen condo and apartment buildings, and 10 acres of parks (including the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and the Yards Park.

The Watergate Complex in Washington, D.C.

The Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., which reopened in 2016 after several idle years, has embraced a ‘60s vibe. Rooms for two start at $425 a night, and most have views of the Potomac River.

The Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C., reopened in 2016 after several idle years, has embraced a ‘60s vibe, with bold, curvy decor in its restaurant and bar areas.   (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times )

The Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C., which reopened in 2016 after several idle years, has embraced a ‘60s vibe, with bold, curvy decor in its restaurant and bar areas.

The Union Market food hall in northeast Washington,. D.C., attracts attracts foodies from throughout the city and many students, faculty and staff from neighboring Gallaudet University.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Customers dine at the Compass Rose restaurant in Washington D.C.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times )

Inside the Compass Rose restaurant in Washington, D.C.’s, booming 14th Street Corridor.

Early in 2016, the Washington, D.C., restaurant Compass Rose added a “Bedouin Tent” to accommodate private parties. Diners there are served a chef’s menu that often runs to 12 or more dishes, mostly street food from around the world.

Washington, D.C.’s, National Gallery of Art reopened its East Building in September after three years of closure for upgrades and expansion. The building focuses on art since 1900.

Inside the East Building of Washington, D.C.’s, National Gallery of Art. The work here is by Alexander Calder.

Washington, D.C.’s, National Gallery of Art has reopened its East Building. On a terrace roosts German artist Katharina Fritsch’s “Hahn/Cock.”

Lively murals are part of the new energy along northeast Washington, D.C.’s, H Street Corridor, where a long-promise streetcar line began service in 2016.

Provocative signage and lively murals are part of the new energy along northeast Washington, D.C.’s, H Street Corridor.

Outside Union Market in Washington, D.C.

Customers dine at Union Market in Washington D.C.   (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times )