We recently had the opportunity to fly to Washington, D.C. to attend a dear friend’s wedding. While we were there, we stayed at the Monaco Hotel in the quaint DC suburb of Alexandria, VA, which was positively gorgeous at the peak of fall foliage in November. The neighborhood was charming and proved to be the perfect backdrop for some of the best pictures I’ve taken this fall. During our long weekend, we ventured into other areas of D.C. proper to see some of the other lovely neighborhoods this area offers.
Capitol Hill
Occupying 2 square miles and home to approximately 35,000 residents, Capitol Hill is D.C.’s largest historic neighborhood and one of its oldest. Its east and west boundaries are the Anacostia River and the National Mall respectively. This neighborhood was created from land devoted to agriculture dating back to the late 1700s. While its tree-lined streets are graced by 19th century row houses of varying architectural styles, each one has unique features that differentiate it from its next-door neighbor. According to local mover cheapmoversdc.com, this area sitting in the shadows of the U.S. Capitol building is a lively place to call home.
A favorite spot for Capitol Hill residents is Eastern Market that was established in 1873. Here residents may shop for fresh produce and meats straight from the farm, which is a dying opportunity in our modern age. On weekends, Eastern Market is a mecca for flea market lovers. We got to experience a Sunday afternoon at the flea market, but unfortunately, since we flew I couldn’t buy anything to take home.
Another unique feature afforded by this neighborhood is that Capitol Hill has its own newspaper, “Hill Rag” that has been continuously published since 1976.
Woodley Park
This affluent neighborhood sits in NW DC, just 9 minutes from the White House by public transportation. Home to about 6,000 people, two of this neighborhood’s past residents include Lyndon Johnson and Herbert Hoover. We happened upon the Woodley Park thanks to our excursion to the nearby Washington National Zoo (I had to go see Bei Bei the panda while I was in town!) Woodley Park’s other immediate neighbor is Rock Creek Park, a large urban greenspace that is part of the National Park Service. This neighborhood’s exquisite architecture and cool boutique shops made for a perfect afternoon of exploring.
Shaw
Since the 1920s, Shaw has been the top neighborhood in DC for African-American residents and especially for students matriculating at Howard University. This Northeast Washington area is a frequent haunt for Barack Obama who often hosts events at what is formally known as Walter E. Washington Convention Center. One of its native sons was jazz/soul musician and entertainer Duke Ellington whose statue adorns Ellington Plaza. While we strolling through Shaw, we stopped for a latte at Kafe Bohem, a local coffee shop frequented by Howard co-eds.
Penn Quarter
Deemed by many to be the new name for Washington, DC’s Chinatown, most residential units in Penn Quarter are situated on the upper stories of area businesses. A steady stream of foot-traffic along its sidewalks and the fact that there’s always a light on or a neon sign aglow makes this area a residential calling card for young adults and those who prefer a trendy lifestyle. We stopped here because of its proximity to the National Mall and the International Spy Museum. From food trucks to historical monuments, there were plenty of photographic shots to be taken in this interesting and thriving corner of DC.
If you’ve never visited DC, then you need to add it to your bucket list. As these picturesque neighborhoods show, this area is an incredible place to see and photograph!