CNS 2026 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC: Dates, Venue and a Kalorama Bed and Breakfast Near Dupont Metro

By Matthew R, innkeeper at American Guest House. Updated October 6, 2026.

The CNS 2026 Annual Meeting, titled “Evolution,” brings the Congress of Neurological Surgeons to Washington from Saturday, October 31 to Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Sessions are at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center; some social events are at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC. If you are a neurosurgeon, resident, fellow, or advanced practice provider planning a five-day trip, this guide covers the confirmed dates, how the week is structured, Metro access from Kalorama, nearby restaurants, and how to stay at American Guest House, a historic bed and breakfast near Dupont Circle Metro.

When and where is the CNS 2026 Annual Meeting?

The meeting runs October 31-November 4, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, with certain social events at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C., according to the CNS First-Time Attendee Guide.

Confirmed facts:

• What: 2026 CNS Annual Meeting, “Evolution”
• Organizer: Congress of Neurological Surgeons
• When: Saturday, October 31 through Wednesday, November 4, 2026
• Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW. Some social events at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, 901 Massachusetts Avenue NW
• Registration and housing: through CNS and its registration and housing partner, MCI
• Attendance: CNS has not published an expected headcount on the pages we checked

We are an independent bed and breakfast. We are not a CNS-designated hotel, and we are not next to the Convention Center. For badges, tickets, and the official hotel list, use the CNS pages.

What does CNS week look like?

The CNS first-time attendee guide sets out the structure:

• Registration and badge pickup: Convention Center (East Salons) Saturday through Wednesday; Marriott Marquis Saturday through Monday morning. Convention Center desks open at 7 AM Saturday and Sunday and at 6:30 AM Monday through Wednesday.
• General Scientific Sessions I-IV: speakers listed by CNS include Lindsey Vonn (Dorothy Nash Lecturer), Sasha Shillcutt, Sal Khan, Meredith Whittaker, and Charles Duhigg.
• Honored Guest presentations: Dr. Gail Rosseau during the General Scientific Session on Sunday, with a luncheon seminar Monday at 12:20 PM. Dr. Ron L. Alterman during General Scientific Session III on Tuesday.
• Guidelines Sessions: early-morning sessions on current clinical practice guidelines.
• Exhibit Hall: open Monday, November 2 through Wednesday, November 4, with live surgeries during breaks in the CNS Experience Lounge.
• Evening events: CNS Connections Reception Saturday at 5 PM and Opening Reception Sunday at 6:30 PM, both at the Marriott Marquis. Interactive poster sessions Monday and Tuesday at 4:30 PM at the Convention Center (see CNS guide for reception details).
• CNS 5K: Monday at 6:30 AM from the Marriott Marquis lobby.

Most sessions carry CME credit; some symposia and meal seminars need separate tickets. The CNS app has the live schedule and maps.

How do I get to the Convention Center from American Guest House?

American Guest House is at 2005 Columbia Road NW in Kalorama. The Convention Center and Marriott Marquis are downtown near Mt Vernon Sq / 7th St-Convention Center Metro. From the house:

1. Walk 10 minutes to Dupont Circle station on the Red Line.
2. Ride the Red Line toward Glenmont to Gallery Place-Chinatown.
3. Change to the Green or Yellow Line for one stop to Mt Vernon Sq / 7th St-Convention Center.

Rideshare is the other option, especially for early Guidelines Sessions or the Monday 5K. Allow extra time for badge lines on Saturday and Sunday.

If any of your week involves meetings at the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue, the house is a 5-minute walk from it. Our guides to hotels near the Washington Hilton and our Kalorama bed and breakfast near the Washington Hilton cover that side of the neighborhood.

Where should I eat near the Convention Center?

Restaurants steps from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center with hours re-checked the week of October 5, 2026:

• Rumi’s Kitchen – 640 L Street NW, Mount Vernon Triangle. Persian restaurant a short walk from the Convention Center. Monday-Thursday 11:30 AM-10 PM; Friday-Saturday until 11 PM; Sunday until 10 PM. Useful for a full dinner after exhibits close.
• RASA Mount Vernon Triangle – 485 K Street NW. Indian-inspired bowls, salads, and grain bowls. Open daily 10:30 AM-10 PM. Fast option between sessions.
• The Delegate – 901 L Street NW. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily (breakfast/lunch 7-11 AM / 11 AM-3 PM; dinner 3-10 PM). Southern-inspired Milk & Honey menu plus a bar after long exhibit days.

For a free evening activity between CNS days, Smithsonian museums remain free to enter. From Mt Vernon Sq you can Metro or walk toward the Mall; check Smithsonian visit guidelines for hours and timed-entry rules at some sites.

Why do some attendees stay in Kalorama?

Staying next to the Convention Center saves the commute. Staying in Kalorama means a short Metro ride at each end of the day and a quiet residential street at night. After long days of sessions, receptions, and exhibit hall walking, some attendees prefer that.

American Guest House is a historic bed and breakfast in an 1893 row house. We have 12 ensuite guest rooms; each has one bed (double or queen). Rooms suit surgeons and residents traveling alone, or a couple. They do not suit colleagues who plan to share a room. Kalorama is a neighborhood of embassies and historic homes. Adams Morgan is nearby for dinner. Dupont Circle has more restaurants and the Red Line.

Practical details for a five-day CNS stay

• Check-in: 4-10 PM. Luggage storage in our parlor starts at 8 AM on your check-in date, so you can go downtown for badge pickup before your room is ready.
• Wednesday: After the exhibit hall closes and the meeting ends, leave luggage in the parlor after checkout until 5 PM. Earlier drop-off or later pickup must be scheduled in advance.
• Breakfast: included only with the Standard Rate and the 2-Day Refundable rate. Served at 8:30, 8:45 or 9 AM, booked in advance. For 6:30 AM badge pickup or early Guidelines Sessions, you may leave before breakfast. The lobby has a Keurig with pods, a cookie jar, and a water jug.
• Parking: We do not offer parking. There is no on-site lot. Nearby street parking is often 2-hour residential. Use SpotHero or paid lots/garages. See map, directions and parking and the FAQ.

Other Convention Center events around the same time

The Washington Bridal & Wedding Expo Fall 2026 is in Hall C of the Convention Center on Sunday, November 1, the same day as CNS sessions. Expect more people around the building that afternoon. Earlier in the fall, IDWeek 2026 meets at the Convention Center from October 21-24. We cover that route in our IDWeek 2026 guide.

CNS 2026 Annual Meeting: FAQ

When is the CNS 2026 Annual Meeting?

Saturday, October 31 to Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

Where is the CNS 2026 Annual Meeting held?

At the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, with select social events at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC. Both are near Mt Vernon Sq / 7th St-Convention Center Metro.

When is the CNS 2026 Annual Meeting exhibit hall open?

Monday, November 2 through Wednesday, November 4, per the CNS.

How do I get there from American Guest House?

Walk 10 minutes to Dupont Circle (Red Line), ride to Gallery Place-Chinatown, transfer to Green or Yellow for one stop to Mt Vernon Sq / 7th St-Convention Center.

Is breakfast included at American Guest House?

Breakfast is included only with the Standard Rate and the 2-Day Refundable rate, served at 8:30, 8:45 or 9 AM, booked in advance. It is not included with Last Minute Deal (next 7 nights) or other rate types.

Book your stay for CNS week

The CNS 2026 Annual Meeting is five days of science, guidelines, exhibits, and receptions downtown. If you would rather end each day on a quiet street in Kalorama, with Dupont Circle Metro a 10-minute walk away, check dates for your stay below.

Official sources

Checked again on October 5, 2026:

• CNS First-Time Attendee Guide (dates, venues, schedule, FAQs): https://www.cns.org/annualmeeting/program/getting-started
• CNS Annual Meeting location: https://www.cns.org/annualmeeting/travel-hotel/location
• CNS 2026 meeting portal: https://cns2026.smallworldlabs.com/home
• Rumi’s Kitchen DC: https://www.rumiskitchen.com/washington-dc-home
• RASA Mount Vernon Triangle: https://www.rasa.co/rasa-mount-vernon-triangle
• The Delegate: https://thedelegatedc.com/
• Smithsonian visit guidelines: https://www.si.edu/visit/guidelines
• Washington Bridal & Wedding Expo Fall 2026: https://bridalshowsdc.com/ and https://eventsdc.com/events/washington-bridal-and-wedding-expo-fall-2026
• IDWeek 2026: https://www.idweek.org/

About the author: Matthew R is the innkeeper at American Guest House, a 12-room historic bed and breakfast at 2005 Columbia Road NW in Kalorama, Washington, DC.