The nation’s capital is one of the most popular places to visit in the entire country, and for good reason. But there’s a lot more to DC than just the monuments and museums, Capitol Hill and downtown. The city is full of vibrant, unique neighborhoods unlike any other. And one of the best ways to experience them is with our Washington DC Tours. So what are the can’t miss neighborhoods to see on your trip to the District? Here are our picks for the eight coolest.
Dupont Circle
Located just up the street from DC’s monumental and museum-heavy core, Dupont Circle remains one of the best DC neighborhoods for tourists and locals alike. Centered around the park and traffic circle from which it takes its name, Dupont Circle is known for its delicious and diverse cuisine, from casual Greek taverna Zorba’s Cafe to high-end Japanese spot Sushi Taro. It’s also an excellent neighborhood for shoppers, with high-end retail mixed with local favorites like Kramers, a combination bookstore/restaurant/coffee shop. Dupont is also home to some of DC’s most distinctive architecture, as well as a significant number of foreign embassies. It’s an excellent neighborhood to take a stroll and soak in some authentic Washington ambiance.
Adams Morgan
Lovers of restaurants and nightlife will find themselves right at home in DC’s vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood. Most of the action here takes place along 18th Street Northwest, an exciting strip of bars, restaurants, clubs, bookstores, tattoo parlors, and other quirky small businesses. Try a delicious pita from Amsterdam Falalfelshop, a favorite of late-night partiers, or get some “hair of the dog” or a boozy milkshake at The Diner the morning after a crazy night. You can even get a taste of DC’s long-established Ethiopian community at spots like Zenebech. Adams Morgan is also one of the best areas in DC to catch some live music at venues like the rowdier Madams Organ or more chill Columbia Station.
Kalorama
Want to see how some of DC’s elite live? Head on over to the Kalorama neighborhood, nestled between Connecticut and Massachusetts Avenues. Residents include Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, former President Obama and his family. The area was also once the home of other DC elite like former presidents and Supreme Court justices, and more recently, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, as well as many more. They take advantage of the quiet streets lined with palatial homes, still located just a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Those interested in architecture will love the private homes and embassies, while history fans can learn more about former President Woodrow Wilson, who spent his post-White House years at a home and now museum in the neighborhood.
U Street/Shaw
The U Street and Shaw area is a story of Washington DC’s urban renewal. It was once one of the DC’s most thriving African-American neighborhoods – known as “Black Broadway” – it suffered serious damage in the 1968 riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Years of neglect followed, before a revitalization campaign in the 1990s and 2000s turned what was once a crime-ridden, dilapidated neighborhood back into a cultural hotspot. U Street is home to the iconic Ben’s Chili Bowl, which has been serving up its famous chili-smothered “half smokes” since 1958. Top activities include catching a show at the restored Lincoln Theater or exploring Black history at the African-American Civil War Museum.
H Street Corridor/NoMa
Another story of a dramatic DC turnaround, H Street is a neighborhood you may not find on other Washington DC tours. It’s seen an explosion of new life in recent years as hip restaurants and bars have opened, large apartment complexes have sprung up, and the neighborhood’s Streetcar has come online. Grab a cocktail at Copycat Co., some fondue at Stable, and even play a game of mini-golf right in the bar at H Street Country Club. You can even hop on the free-to-use Streetcar at one of several stops along the stretch if you’re tired of walking. H Street is often talked about together with NoMa (named for its location north of Massachusetts Avenue), a rapidly changing area that’s also home to the shopping, dining, sightseeing, and transit services of DC’s Union Station.
The Wharf
DC is more than two hundred years old, but one of its newest neighborhoods is also one of its coolest – The Wharf. Opened in the late 2010s, it’s a mix of high-end homes, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and more, set along Washington Channel. Hundreds of personal and charter boats line the water just steps from the sidewalk, and you can even take some fresh fish home with you from the Municipal Fish Market, operating in the same location for more than two centuries. The Anthem hosts some of the entertainment world’s biggest acts, while foodies will find their paradise at a number of luxury restaurants.
Navy Yard
Just down the road from The Wharf is a much more historic but still exciting and modern neighborhood known as Navy Yard. It takes its name from the still-operating Washington U.S Navy Yard, which occupies a significant portion of the local waterfront. While few ever enter that part of the area, the neighborhood’s other major occupant draws tens of thousands of fans a night – the Washington Nationals and Nationals Park. If you can, catch a home game at this acclaimed baseball field, or watch with a glass of local beer at nearby Bluejacket brewery. Visitors can also stroll along the Anacostia River on the Riverwalk Trail or lounge around the public art and green space of The Yards.
Georgetown
For some seriously old-school charm, you can’t beat Georgetown. The neighborhood predates the establishment of the District of Columbia when the area was still part of Maryland. These days, it’s best known for the prestigious Georgetown University, which includes a gorgeous campus worth a stroll through for lovers of architecture or nature. It’s also the site of some of DC’s most expensive and luxurious homes and has long been a haven of the city’s upper crust. The central thorofare of M Street is lined with more than half a mile of high-end shopping, food (including the famous Georgetown Cupcake), and history, like the pre-Revolutionary War-era Old Stone House.
Something For Everyone Sightseeing Washington DC
Whether you’re a foodie, party animal, nature lover, or shopaholic, the District has a neighborhood for you. Washington DC Tours can be the best way to see more of what this incredible and unique city has to offer. It’s a stress-free choice for anyone sightseeing Washington DC.
