Columbia Heights is a neighborhood with a unique history, found nestled between Adams Morgan, Petworth, Mount Pleasant, and Shaw. It has a little bit of everything for everyone: entertainment, shopping, and some of the best restaurants in the District. It is known for its mix of architectural influences, and you’ll find an equally diverse community, with abundant international influences.
Even with chilly weather fast-approaching, there’s so much to do and see. Here are just a few of our favorite outings.
- Meridian Hill Park
16th Street & W Street NW | Open During Daylight Hours
Meridian Hill Park is the perfect spot to spend a relaxing weekend morning or afternoon. With plenty of benches and green space, you’ll find fitness enthusiasts running the stairs and practicing yoga, countless dog-walkers out with their four-legged pups, and friends and families enjoying leisurely picnics. If you’re in the area on a Sunday, you’ll also get to enjoy the beats of an eclectic drum circle.
The park hosted the Union troops during the Civil War, and it later became a site of civil rights activism. To this day, it is informally known as Malcolm X Park, after a push to formally change the name was ultimately not passed.
The park’s interesting history complements its equally unexpected architecture. To give you an idea, it is described by the National Park Service as a “garden fit for an aristocrat, open to the public.” Spread across 2-levels, it boasts clear European styles and hosts several prominent statues including Joan of Arc, a James Buchanan Memorial, a Dante statue, and it includes a 13-basin cascading fountain, impressively the longest in North America.
2. Georgia Avenue Restaurants & Bars
While you will read about the 11th Street Restaurant hop – and it’s great too with Bad Saint, El Chucho, The Wonderland Ballroom, and The Coupe to name a few – the Georgia Avenue stretch is an up and coming bar district worthy of a visit.
The Looking Glass Lounge, The Midlands Beer Garden, and Hook Hall are great stops for drinks and snacks. We’re also excited by the recent addition of St. Vincent Wine, which is the ideal stop for a quick glass or a takeaway bottle.
If brunch is more you pace, we can’t forget to mention Call Your Mother too, a Jewish Deli which offers some of the most scrumptious bagels in the District!
3. Farmers Market
Park Road NW & 14th St NW | Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; April 4 to December 19
The Columbia Heights Farmers Market, located within Civic Plaza, is quainter than some of the other weekend markets in DC, but it is still filled with plenty of options. From April to December, support your local farmers and browse vegetables, baked goods, eggs, cheeses, and more just north of the Columbia Heights metro station.
4. Rock Creek Park
Accessible from 16th Street NW | Open Every Day During Daylight Hours
If you are in need of fresh air and an escape to nature, look no further than Rock Creek Park. With over 1,700 acres, you are sure to find ample space to spend a peaceful afternoon with a good book and a thermos full of hot coffee. If you’re looking for activity, there are more than 32 miles of trails within the park, ideal for hiking and cycling — keep in mind that all paved stretches are open to bicyclists. There are playgrounds of course, as well as a tennis court, horse trails, a golf course, and even a boathouse with kayaks and canoes. While these extra activities vary from season to season, the park itself is open year-round.
Here’s a quick tip. See more of the park by renting bikes for a few hours from Capital Bikeshare stations, located around the area.
5. A Mini Embassy Row
There are several embassies right along the 16th Street stretch, in truly impressive 19th century buildings. You’ll spot stained glass and lovely balconies as you stroll that will have you wondering about the residents of years past.
While Embassy Row above Foggy Bottom and Georgetown is perhaps most famous, Columbia Heights is the home to the Ecuadorian, Polish, Lithuanian, and Cuban embassies. On occasion, they’ll host free events at the embassies. For example, as part of the Passport DC festival, which celebrates DC’s international culture, most embassies host open houses free to the public on the first two Saturdays of May.
6. Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW Hours | 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
*Free entry: a pass is needed in advance, which you can reserve online
Located in the neighboring Woodley Park, the Smithsonian National Zoo is a must-see in DC. Entree is always free of charge, and it’s the perfect destination for a family outing. There are benches and green space to enjoy a leisurely packed lunch, and the walkways are spacious for meandering. Around the winter holidays, the zoo also hosts the ever-spectacular ZooLights.
While it is perhaps most famous for its family of giant pandas, the zoo offers experiences from around the world, including the American Trail, the Asia Trail, Elephant Trail, the Bird House, the Great Cats, and more.
7. Performing Arts at the GALA Hispanic Theatre
3333 14th Street, NW | Various Hours
The Tivoli Theatre, completed in 1924, was originally a motion picture favorite, and it remains a historical landmark to this day. It was actually designed by Thomas White Lamb, who was a leading architect of “motion picture palaces” during the Golden Age. Today, it is home to the GALA Hispanic Theatre, which hosts live theatrical performances, supporting the Hispanic community and sharing culture through the arts.
The GALA Hispanic Theatre is one of the oldest Hispanic theatres in the region and is a testament to the multicultural population within the neighborhood.
Get Out There!
Columbia Heights is a bustling neighborhood with lots of character. Whatever the month, we promise you’ll find plenty of memorable sites to see and new shops and restaurants to try. The best advice we have is to explore on foot and appreciate the different pockets and gradually shifting vibes from one street to the next.
Reach out if you need any help!
