GW is an intimate campus nestled in the heart of one of the most powerful cities in the world. The campus is within walking distance of the White House, The World Bank, the Department of State, the National Academy of Sciences, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian Institution, and many other governmental, historical, and cultural landmarks. The campus is subway accessible; the Foggy Bottom/GWU metro stop sits immediately outside Ross Hall.

DC also boasts a variety of cultural activities. Students have easy access to a wide variety of museums, including the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of American History, as well as art galleries, such as the National Gallery of Art, the Hirschorn Museum, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art, most of which are free of charge. The National Theater, the Warner Theater, Arena Stage, the Shakespeare Theater, among numerous others, bring a range of shows to the city.

A diverse and exciting nightlife surrounds the campus. Two nearby neighborhoods - Georgetown, with its historic charm, and Adams Morgan, characterized by ethnic diversity and flavor - offer restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and nightspots galore.

Washington is a beautiful city for outdoor activities. The downtown and neighboring communities are filled with trails for hiking, biking, running, and inline skating. For those who prefer the water, there are paddleboats for rent along the Tidal Basin and canoeing down the Potomac River, all within easy walking distance of the campus. Adults and children alike enjoy the excitement of the National Zoo, where the pandas on loan from China are always the main attraction.

Washington is uniquely situated near the mountains for hiking and skiing, the Chesapeake Bay for fishing and water sports, the beach for a relaxing getaway, and scenic Skyline Drive for camping or nature watching.