What are the unsafe areas of Washington DC to avoid?

Metro is very safe, as are the areas visited by tourists: the National Mall including the monuments and the museums, the US Capitol, Union Station, the National Zoo, Georgtown, Old Town Alexandria, Mount Vernon, and Arlington National Cemetery.

The dangerous areas are far away from those areas, are largely residential and have very little in the way of attractions, and you're unlikely to accidentally stumble into them.

If you have some unusual destination in mind, post that destination and we can help you determine if it's equally safe.

The Metro is extremely safe- and if you're traveling then pretty much anywhere you will be going will be safe as well. The unsafe areas are generally the neighborhoods in SE and some of the neighborhoods in NE. All of the "touristy" areas are generally in NorthWest.

While there is this vision of DC as some crime ridden 3rd world country, it really isn't much different than any large city in the United States. All the same rules apply - don't look like an easy mark, don't hang out in sketchy places after dark, and keep your eye on your surroundings. You'll know when you're going someplace that's unsafe.

The metro is VERY safe. Many children ride it to school. I rode it alone since I was a 15 year old white girl and never felt unsafe.

The metros are safe, just stay away from NE and SW, SE DC. As long as you're in NW DC, which is where most of the monuments, museums, zoo, shopping is located, you'll be fine.