Are these Washington, DC’s 6 best neighborhoods?

07.04.2024 - 08:11 / lonelyplanet.com / Louis Armstrong / Art

It’s hard to pick favorites when it comes to Washington, DC’s neighborhoods, simply because there are so many wonderful ones. 

They share many great characteristics, and contain multitudes. NoMa is known for its vibrant food scene – and Downtown has some fantastic restaurants, too. The Shaw/U Street area is a great spot for an evening out, and also a wonderful place to learn about the city’s history – more specifically, the African American musical maestros who put it on the map during the 1900s.

DC simply has too many fantastic neighborhoods to list here. Still, we have to start somewhere, so consider exploring these neighborhoods as you get to know the city.

The Shaw and U Street neighborhoods are two areas that merge into one. The area they share is known for its rich history: this was the epicenter of African American life for much of the 20th century, when, thanks to a cluster of Black-owned theaters, it was often referred to as the “Black Broadway.” Although it’s undergone various gentrification-related transformations since then (including in the ’90s, when the Green Line metro arrived, and the Franklin D Reeves Municipal Center was built), it’s still one of DC’s most diverse neighborhoods.

Head to Habesha Market in Little Ethiopia to feast on African delicacies such as awaze tibs (a stew-like dish) before catching a concert at the Howard Theater, which opened in 1910 and has welcomed luminaries like Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday and Nat King Cole to its stage. Just outside the venue, don’t miss the statue of Duke Ellington, the great composer and jazz pianist who was born just a few streets away. Shaw/U Street is also where you’ll find some of the city’s most affordable hotels, including the funky U Street Hotel, a capsule-style property where rates start around $90 a night.

Blocks from some of the city’s most important landmarks and legislative buildings – such as the Library of Congress (the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution), the Supreme Court and the US Capitol, all of which are open to the public – base yourself in Capitol Hill for optimal access to DC's top historical attractions. The neighborhood features rows of gracious townhouses and a canopy of trees. The best way to explore the area is on a walking tour – such as the free ones offered by DC by Foot.

In October, residents especially love to go all out decorating their homes for Halloween, while in March and April, you can beat the Tidal Basin's cherry blossom season crowds at Capitol Hill's Stanton Park, which is lined with the same gorgeous blooms. For a memorable meal, try the unlimited small plate special at Balkan restaurant Ambar (they also have locations in Shaw and Arlington).

DC’s oldest neighborhood,