D.C. Ward 7 Neighborhood Guides

Benning

Eat:

• Breakfast platter at Norma’s Breakfast, a popular Black-owned breakfast takeout restaurant.
• Green curry chicken at Sala Thai Restaurant, a local Thai restaurant with four locations.

Drink:

• Thai iced tea at Sala Thai Restaurant.

Do:

• Be inspired by Keiona Clark’s mural of Toni Morrison on the side of the old Senator Theater building.
• Honor Black heroes at the 1990, 100-foot mural by Mattison behind 3919 Benning Rd NE.
• Read books at the Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library, a public library named after the civil rights activist with bright murals inside.
• Sing Marvin Gaye’s lyrics at the mural behind the McDonald’s.
• Take your kids to the nearby space-themed playground at the Benning Stoddert Recreation Center.
• Walk the trail within Fort Chaplin Park, which leads to Fort Dupont Park, one of the city’s largest parks.

See:

• Art Deco architecture at the old Senator Theater, a 1942 theater that once housed the city’s second largest movie screen.
• Donkey sculpture once part of D.C.’s “Party Animal” campaign in front of Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington.
• “End Gun Violence” mural by Christopher Lynch on the side of the CEL Laundromat.
• Mural by Aniekan Udofa depicting loved ones reuniting after the pandemic at 3925 Minnesota Ave NE.
• Public art promoting peace and love by Wiink Bell at the DC Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.
• Tsunami Hair Studio, a nearby hair salon with a powerful mural on its side by SEVEN.
• Unobstructed view of the U.S. Capitol from the triangle park along East Capitol Street SE.

Benning Heights

Eat:

• Square pizza from Ledo Pizza, a local pizza chain since 1955 inside the Shrimp Boat Plaza.

Drink:

• Grab-n-go bottles from Capitol View Market, a neighborhood corner market.

Do:

• Find call boxes painted blue and yellow throughout the neighborhood like un front of the Engine Company 30 & Truck Company 17.
• Rent a Capital Bikeshare at the dock next to the Benning Road Station and explore the neighborhood.
• Swim at the nearby Kelly Miller Pool, an outdoor pool open from Memorial Day to Labor Day on the same recreation campus as courts and an urban farm.
• Take your kids to nearby Capitol View Neighborhood Library for their LEGO building class for kids ages 0-12.

See:

• Art Deco entrance way at nearby 116 44th Street NE.
• Butterfly murals by Eric B. Ricks on the sidewalk at Butterfly Park, a triangle park where Sycamore Road NE, Central Avenue NE, and East Capitol Street NE meet.
• “Empathy” sign on a post outside nearby Smothers Elementary School.
• Murals by Jay F. Coleman in the parking lot of nearby Smothers Elementary School.

Benning Ridge

Eat:

• Jerk chicken from Pimento Grill, a popular Jamaican takeout spot.
• Pancakes from nearby White Corner Restaurant, a popular restaurant just across the Maryland border.

Drink:

• Strawberry lemonade from nearby Bird’s Kitchen, a Black woman-owned restaurant.

Do:

• Donate books to the Free Little Library at Plummer Elementary School.
• Get a haircut at Lee’s Barbershop, a 1986 barber that’s also a community hub.
• Honor those who went before us at Woodlawn Cemetery, an 1895 Black cemetery only open five days a year.
• Play sports on the open field at the Benning Terrace Recreation Center.
• Swim at the Fort Dupont Outdoor Pool open from Labor Day to Memorial Day.
• Take your kids to the enclosed playground at the Ridge Road Community Center, a recreation center with a workout space.
• Walk the trails of nearby Fort Dupont Park, one of the city’s largest parks with a summer concert series.

See:

• Murals on the street outside of Plummer Elementary School.
• Southeast 2 Boundary Stone, an 18th century monument in a house’s front yard marking the D.C. border.

Burrville

Eat:

• Chicken wings from nearby Addie Loves Soul, a Black-owned soul food restaurant open every day except Sunday.

Drink:

• Lemonade from nearby Addie Loves Soul.

Do:

• Honor those who served at the nearby World War II Memorial, a memorial honoring the citizens of Fairmount Heights, Maryland who served during World War II.
• Walk along the trails at nearby Marvin Gaye Park, named after the D.C. native musician.

See:

• Mural of Muhammad Ali by Rose Jaffe at nearby A-1 Grocery Store.
• Public art on the outside of Burrville Elementary School.
• Strand Theater, a nearby 1928 movie theater that was the first to open East of the River for the Black community.

Capitol View

Eat:

• General Tso’s chicken from Capital Szechuan, a popular neighborhood Chinese takeout restaurant.
• Made-to-order doughnuts from a stand inside Shrimp Boat Plaza, a small food court by the Benning Metro.
• Square pizza from Ledo Pizza, a Maryland-born pizza chain with a location inside Shrimp Boat Plaza.

Drink:

• Grab-n-go drinks at Capitol View Market, one of the few corner markets in the neighborhood.

Do:

• Play soccer on the open field at the East Capitol Community Center.
• Read books at the Capitol View Neighborhood Library, a recently-renovated library that first opened in 1965 after neighbors lobbied for its creation over ten years.
• Shop at the East Capitol Urban Farm Farmer’s Market at 5929 E Capitol Street SE every second and fourth Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

See:

• Historic call boxes painted yellow and blue outside the fire station.
• “Nourishing and Flourishing with Delight” mural by Eric Brometheus honoring Maya Angelou on the outside of Maya Angelou Public Charter School.
• Sculpture by local artist Davide Prete outside the Capitol View Neighborhood Library.
• See bright murals next to the East Capitol Urban Farm, an urban farm run by the University of D.C. trying to fill the food gap in Ward 7. (There’s another urban garden at DC Scholars Public Charter School.

Central Northeast

Eat:

• Sub sandwich from Menick’s Market, a corner store with a popular deli inside and a Ward 7 Speaks mural outside.
• Wings with mumbo sauce from The Yellow House, a mural-decorated carryout restaurant.

Drink:

• Half & half from Sharks Fish & Chicken, a popular seafood carryout restaurant specials.
• Lemonade from nearby Deanwood Deli, a Black-owned deli with a popular crab cake.

Do:

• Buy flowers from Minnesota Florist, Black-owned and the oldest woman-owned business in D.C.
• Donate books to the Free Little Library on the former site of one of the city’s smallest public libraries.
• Hike the trails in Fort Mahan Park, a park on the site of a former Civil War fort.
• Walk the trail that hugs Watts Branch, a tributary to Anacostia River.

See:

• 4100 block of Minnesota Ave NE, a block with many murals, some put up by neighbors and Capital Hill Boys Club, an arts-based non-profit bringing equity, inclusion, and socio-economic development to communities East of the River.
• “A Community, A Family” mural by Candice S. Taylor at JA Discount Auto Service.
• Cherry Blossom sculpture in front of Ward Memorial AME Church, an 1877 congregation that’s part of the country’s oldest independent African American denomination.
• Marvin Gaye Mosaic, a mosaic art piece by D.C. artist G. Bryon Peck.
• “Red Cross” 1985 mural by Allen “Big Al” Carter on the side of YELLOW HOUSE REloaded.
• SEVEN‘s grand mural on the side of Tsunami Hair Studio.

Civic Betterment

Eat:

• Crab cake and “Saucey Wings” from Bird’s Kitchen, a small takeout spot that opened at the end of 2022.
• Deep dish pizza from nearby The DC Chi Pie, a popular Black-owned pizzeria.
• Jerk chicken from nearby Pimento Grill, a Jamaican restaurant that’s temporarily closed.
• Potato salad from nearby Rosebud’s BBQ, a family-owned BBQ spot in Capitol Heights since 2002.

Drink:

• Homemade peach sweet tea from Bird’s Kitchen. 

Do:

• Box in the boxing ring at the Woody Ward Recreation Center.
• Honor the area’s Jewish community at nearby National Capitol Hebrew Cemetery, a 1910 cemetery just across the Maryland border.
• Learn about Black history at the murals by Roderick Turner behind the Woody Ward Recreation Center of MLK, Thurgood Marshall, and Juanita Kidd Stout.
• Take your kids to the castle-themed playground at the Woody Ward Recreation Center. 

See:

• “Tai” mural by Nils Westergard at the Woody Ward Recreation Center.

Deanwood

Eat:

• Breakfast from Mary’s Place, a small diner with affordable prices.
• Sandwiches from Deanwood Deli from the people behind Congress Height’s MLK Deli.

Drink:

• Cold beverages from Suburban Market, a corner store. 

Do:

• Escape the city at nearby Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, a 1938 700-acree water garden.
• Learn about the area’s history by finding Cultural Tourism DC’s plaques throughout the neighborhood.
• Shop local produce on Saturdays June-October at 11 a.m. at the Marvin Gaye Community Greening Center.
• Snap a photo of the “Deanwood” mural by Juan Pineda on the side of the old A&S Grocery building.
• Take your kids to the playground at the Deanwood Recreation Center.
• Visit the old site of the city’s only amusement park that opened for the Black community during segregation at 5002 Hayes St NE. It’s now a building with murals honoring Black heroes on the outside.

See:

• Bright murals behind IDEA Public Charter School by Max Frieder and C. Love.
• Walk by the long mural depicting African American contributions to U.S. history along Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE near Minnesota Ave NE. First painted by Rik Freeman in 1991, Jerome Johnson and George Gary restored it in 2017.

Dupont Park

Eat:

• Green curry chicken at nearby Thai Orchid’s Kitchen, a popular family-owned Thai restaurant.
• Po boy sandwich from Highlands Cafe and Grill, a Black-owned sit-down restaurant decorated in Aniekan Udofa murals.

Drink:

• “Southern Punch” from Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen, a Black woman-owned Southern sit-down restaurant.

Do:

• Attend the summer concert series at nearby Fort Dupont Park, a 361-acre park with trails and a community garden.
• Get passport photos at Earl Howard Studios, a photography studio in the city for decades.
• Read a book on a bench in the triangle park where Pennsylvania Ave SE, 28th Street SE, and O Street SE meet. There’s public art inside the park.
• Shop local at Soufside Market, a Black-owned outdoor Saturday market of Black-owned vendors, when it returns.
• Workout at Planet Fitness, the only gym East of the River.

See:

• Grand houses along the 3100 block of Pennsylvania Ave SE.
• Murals by the playground at St Francis Xavier School, a private Catholic school.
• Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, a 1950 church that’s active in the community.
• Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, a historic Catholic parish with a food pantry for the community.
• Victoria house built in 1920 on the 1300 block of 27th Street SE.

East Corner

Eat:

• Smothered pork chops from Addie Loves Soul, a Black-owned soul food restaurant open every day except Sunday.

Drink:

• Smoothies from Addie Loves Soul.

Do:

• Explore the neighborhood via Capital Bikeshare starting from the dock at the Marvin Gaye Playground.
• Take your kids to the Marvin Gaye-themed playground with musical notes, guitars, and more at the Marvin Gaye Recreation Center.
• Walk along the trail that hugs Watts Branch, a tributary of the Anacostia River. Don’t miss the community garden.

See:

• East Corner Boundary Stone, one of the oldest federal monuments that marked the D.C. boundary.

East River Heights

Eat:

• Salmon cake at nearby Norma’s Breakfast, a popular Black-owned breakfast takeout restaurant.
• Pad Thai at nearby Sala Thai Restaurant, a local Thai restaurant with four locations.

Drink:

• “Markie’s Mix” with half lemonade and half fruit punch at nearby Norma’s Breakfast.

Do:

• Sing Marvin Gaye’s lyrics at the mural behind the McDonald’s.
• Read books at the Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library, a three-story public library with regular events like story time for young kids.
• Walk the trails at nearby Fort Mahan Park, a park on the site of a former Civil War fort.

See:

• Donkey sculpture once part of D.C.’s “Party Animal” campaign in front of Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington.
• “End Gun Violence” mural by Christopher Lynch on the side of the CEL Laundromat.
• Mural by Aniekan Udofa depicting loved ones reuniting after the pandemic at 3925 Minnesota Ave NE.
• Mural of Black figures by Mattison at 3919 Benning Rd NE seen best from the East River Park parking lot. Close by is a mural on a shop’s garage door by local artist Keiona Clark.
• Public art promoting peace and love by Wiink Bell at the DC Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.

Eastland Gardens

Eat:

• Crab cake at nearby Deanwood Deli, a small Black-owned deli.

Drink:

• Thai iced tea from nearby Sala Thai, a local Thai restaurant with locations throughout the city.

Do:

• Bike to Maryland along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, a long trail that passes the Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens.
• Get your car fixed at Bo’s Quick Repair, a beloved auto mechanic with good reviews and more affordable prices.
• Play tennis at the Kenilworth Tennis Courts within the Kenilworth Park.
• Run laps at the Kenilworth Track, a public track with nature views.
• Take your kids to the small playground within Kenilworth Park.
• Walk the boardwalk at nearby Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, a national park with water lilies, birds, and other wildlife.

See:

• Flowers planted throughout the area by the Eastland Gardens Flower Club.
• Mid-century modern architecture at Zion Baptist Church-Eastland, a church built in 1966 by Black architect Robert Madison.
• Mosaic art honoring the area’s history by Byron Peck along the Anacostia Freeway.

Fairfax Village

Eat:

• Chicken and waffles from nearby Highlands Cafe and Grill, a Black-owned sit-down restaurant with murals by Aniekan Udofa.
• Honey butter fried chicken sandwich at nearby Roaming Rooster, a Black family-owned fried chicken sandwich restaurant with 11 locations across the D.C. area.

Drink:

• Cocktails from nearby Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen, a Black woman-owned Southern sit-down restaurant with a bar.

Do:

• Hike the nearby Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail, a long trail that passes through sites of old Civil War forts.
• Take your kids to the playground on a hill at nearby Fort Davis Recreation Center.

See:

• Architecture by the same man who designed the National Museum of African American History and Culture at nearby Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library.
• Mary B. Denman House, an 1850 farmhouse once part of a plantation whose owners enslaved people. Today, the house is owned by a Black couple.
• “Pod Trees for Naylor” sculpture by Robert Cole at the nearby Naylor Road Metro Station.
• Puebla style homes along the 3700 block of Camden Street SE.
• Southeast 3 Boundary Stone, the city’s oldest monuments that once marked the D.C. border.

Fort Davis

Eat:

• Jerk chicken from nearby Pimento Grill, a popular Jamaican restaurant.
• Pancakes from nearby White Corner Restaurant, a small breakfast spot where the food is made in front of you.

Drink:

• Bottled drinks from Lee’s Mini Mart, a small market inside the Fort Davis Shopping Center.

Do:

• Donate books at the Little Free Library in front of Rocketship Legacy Prep, a top public charter school.
• Hike the Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail, a long path that passes by the sites of many Civil War defenses.
• Take your kids to the playground on a hill at the Fort Davis Community Center.
• Volunteer to help serve the community through The New Macedonia Baptist Church, a 1958 congregation.

See:

• Southeast 2 Boundary Stone, a 1792 D.C. boundary stone in a front yard.
• Earthworks of Fort Dupont, a Civil War defense, within nearby Fort Circle Park.
• “Empathy” street sign outside of First United Methodist Church.
• Inspiring quotes by students on the outside of the Fort Davis Community Center.
• Street murals outside of Rocketship Legacy Prep.
• U.S. Capitol from the corner of Pennsylvania Ave SE & Alabama Ave SE near the site of Fort Davis, the former Civil War defense.

Fort Dupont

Eat:

• Crabs from nearby Moruss Seafood & Crab House, a popular takeout spot open daily at 11 a.m. 
• Deep dish pizza from nearby The DC Chi Pie, a Black-owned restaurant out of a house.

Drink:

• Thai iced tea from nearby Sala Thai, a chain with a location along Minnesota Ave NE. 

Do:

• Bring your dog to the Texas Avenue Dog Park, the first dog park East of the River.
• Hike the trail that connects Fort Dupont Park to Fort Chaplin Park. 
• Join the waiting list to grow a plot in the community garden in Fort Dupont Park. 
• Learn to play tennis at the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation, a tennis campus that first started in the 1950s. 
• Listen to live music at the Fort Dupont Park Summer Event Series at Fort Dupont Park, a concert series that started in 1972. 
• Play baseball at the Nationals Youth Academy, part of the Nationals‘ philanthropic arm. 
• Slate at the Fort Dupont Ice Arena when it reopens after its renovation. 
• Take your kids to the space-themed playground at Benning Stoddert Recreation Center.

See:

• City skyline from the Banneker Place Apartments. 

Fort Stanton

Eat:

• Honey butter fried chicken sandwich at Roaming Rooster, a local fast-casual restaurant with a location inside the Skyland Town Center, a 7-minute bike ride from Fort Stanton. 

Drink:

• Hand-spun Oreo milkshake from nearby Roaming Rooster inside the Skyland Town Center. 

Do:

• Hike north on the Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail along the sites of former Civil War forts like Fort Stanton that once defended the Navy Yard.
• Picnic at the six tables in the green space next to the Anacostia Community Museum.
• Read a book at the Senior Citizen’s Park, a 1985 park opened by the Fort Stanton Civic Association where 17th Place SE and Frankford Street SE meet.
• Shop local produce at FRESHFARM Anacostia Community Museum Market every Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. April-November in Anacostia Community Museum‘s plaza.
• Swim during the summer at the Fort Stanton Pool.
• Take your kids to the Civil War fort-themed playground at the Fort Stanton Recreation Center, a space with basketball courts and a baseball field.
• Visit the Anacostia Community Museum, the country’s first federally funded community museum.

See:

• Kid-driven City Blossoms garden behind the Fort Stanton Recreation Center.
• View of the city skyline from the part of Fort Stanton Park, a park that local non-profit Ward 8 Woods Conservancy is trying to preserve, behind the Fort Stanton Recreation Center.
• “Wishing On Stars” sculpture by local artist Sheila Crider by the Fort Stanton Community Garden.

Good Hope

Eat:

• Fried chicken sandwiches from Roaming Rooster, one of 11 locations of the Black-owned restaurant success story.
• Pastries from the bakery inside Lidl, the city’s first location of the German grocery store with more affordable prices.

Drink:

• Latte from Starbucks, the city’s only drive-thru location with views of the city skyline.

Do:

• Do yoga on Saturday mornings at nearby Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, designed by the same man who did the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
• Donate books to the Free Little Library at the corner of W Street SE and 32nd Street SE.
• Hike the Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail, a long trail that passes through the sites of old Civil War forts.
• Listen to live music from porches during the annual Hillcrest Porchfest.

See:

• East Washington Heights Baptist Church, an 1894 congregation that sometimes hosts events for the community.
• Grand homes along Hillcrest Drive SE along Alger Park.

Greenway

Eat:

• Crab cake sub at nearby Moruss Seafood & Crab House, a popular seafood takeout spot.

Drink:

• Sweet tea lemonade from nearby Norma’s Breakfast, a takeout breakfast restaurant inside a small strip mall.

Do:

• Hike the trails within nearby Fort Dupont Park, one of the city’s largest parks on land that was once used for a Civil War fort.
• Jog along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, a long trail that reaches Maryland along the Anacostia River.
• Skate at the nearby Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavillion, the city’s only outdoor skating rink where local DJs blast music on weekends.
• Take your kids to the playground at nearby Kimball Elementary School when school isn’t in session.
• Visit the Therapeutic Recreation Center, a community center with an indoor pool, courts, and more, when it reopens after its renovation.

See:

• Colorful sculpture by Davide Prete at the bus stop at Minnesota Avenue SE and 34th Street SE.
• Community garden within the Duvall Manor Apartments, 1949 Colonial Revival style garden apartments.
• Garden of native plants at the First Baptist Church, Greenway’s largest church active in the community.
• Murals on storm drains by Wendy Sittner at 33rd Street SE and D Street SE.
• View of RFK stadium from East Capitol Street NE. (The stadium is slated for demolition.)

Hillbrook

Eat:

• Shrimp fried rice from China Cafe, a top-rated Chinese carryout spot that also sells subs.
• Turkey sub for under $7 at Menick’s Market, a corner store with a popular deli inside that also sells snow cones in ten different flavors.

Drink:

• Grab-n-go drinks from an entire wall full of refrigerators at Menick’s Market.

Do:

• Explore the Kelly Miller Recreation Center, a space with courts, a recreational center, and urban farm.
• Find many local churches throughout the neighborhood like Holy Trinity United Baptist Church, a congregation invested in the neighborhood with a noteworthy choir.
• Learn about produce at Lederer Gardens, a large urban farm that teaches the community about urban farming.

See:

• Murals at Aiton Elementary School and Glendale Apartments.
• Public art by Jay F. Coleman in the parking lot at Smothers Elementary School.
• Site of Nannie Helen Burroughs’ National Training School for Women and Girls, the country’s first vocational school for Black girls and women. There’s a statue honoring Nannie Helen Burroughs on campus.
• Swim at the Kelly Miller Pool, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Hillcrest

Eat:

• Baked goods from the bakery inside Germany-born Lidl, one of a few grocery stores East of the River.
• Honey butter fried chicken sandwich from Black-owned Roaming Rooster inside the Skyland Town Center.
• Personalized pizza from andpizza, a D.C. fast-casual chain known for standing up for their employees. 

Drink:

• Coffee from the only drive-thru Starbucks in the city.
• Milkshakes from Roaming Rooster.

Do:

• Hike through six Civil War defenses on the Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail.
• Listen to local music from neighbors’ porches during the annual Porchfest DC.
• Read a book at nearby Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, a design-forward public library by the same man who designed the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
• Take your kids to the large, fenced playground at the nearby Hillcrest Recreation Center.
• Wander the streets starting on W Street SE looking at historic homes and their diverse architecture and finding a Little Free Library box with books and seeds to share.
• Watch a bell choir at East Washington Heights Baptist Church, a congregation that started in 1894.

See:

• Art inside a historic call box at the corner of Branch Ave SE and U Street SE.
• Deer at Alger Park and other wooded areas.
• Movies for seniors at the nearby Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library.
• Space ship-themed Little Free Library on the 3100 block of Park Drive SE.
• Spring daffodils along Park Drive SE near Alger Park.

Hill East

Eat:

• “Big G” sub from Mangialardo’s, a 1953 family-owned Italian deli open Monday through Friday for lunch.
• “Lancaster Burger” from Hill East Burger, a restaurant with smoked burgers and a jukebox.
• Pizza from Slice Joint, a pizzeria inside The Roost with a slide, salad, and soda lunch special.
• “Pretzel Bomb” from The Pretzel Bakery, the city’s only pretzel bakery.

Drink:

• Beer at Trusty’s, a popular neighborhood bar with a school bus bar, live music, and trivia nights.
• Tres leches latte from Cameo, the cafe inside The Roost that’s open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sour ale from Shelter, a bar inside The Roost with a rotating list of drinks on tap.

Do:

• Donate a puzzle to The Puzzle Post, a Little Free Library of puzzles along C Street SE in between 13th Street SE and Kentucky Ave SE.
• Find the many Little Free Libraries throughout the neighborhood.
• Order cardamom buns from Capitol Jill Baking, a woman-owned bakery out of a rowhouse.
• Picnic at Lincoln Park, a historic green space with a statue honoring activist Mary McLeod Bethune and two playgrounds.
• Read a book at the 13th Street Community Park & Garden, a small park with benches.
• Run along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, a long trail that heads East of the River.
• Take your kids to the enclosed playground by Payne Elementary School. Another playground is about to reopen at Pocket Park.
• Walk through Congressional Cemetery, an 1807 cemetery restored by the community and dog walkers that hosts tours, movies and other events.

See:

• Cow sculpture that often dresses up for holidays in a front yard at North Carolina Ave NE and 15th Street NE.
• Hill East Community Garden, one of several community gardens inside an alley. Another one is GreenSEED Community Garden nearby.
• Murals in the alley behind Liberty Baptist Church, a 19th century congregation inside a stone building. There’s a tiger mural on a garage by Tsolmon Art just to the east of Lincoln Park.
• Peter Bug Shoe Academy, a shoe repair shop and academy run by a neighborhood legend who grills BBQ on weekends for the community.
• RBG mural by Mimi Ton in Duvall Court SE.
• Totem pole from the Lummi Nation at Congressional Cemetery.
• Walter Street SE, a tight-knit block that decorates for holidays.

Kenilworth

Eat:

• Wings from nearby Deanwood Deli, a small Black-owned deli in Deanwood.

Drink:

• Grab-n-go drinks at Kenilworth Market, the neighborhood’s only store.

Do:

• Bike along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, a long trail that goes through meadows and forests.
• Escape the city at Kenilworth Park, a large green space along the Anacostia River with meadows, trails, and soccer fields.
• Get your car fixed at Bo’s Quick Repair, a beloved auto mechanic with good reviews and more affordable prices.
• Jog around the Kenilworth Track, a well-maintained track with nature views and tennis courts nearby.
• Swim at the Kenilworth Pool, an outdoor pool open from Memorial Day to Labor Day with Aniekan Udofa‘s murals on its outside.

See:

• Fellowship Haven Church, a small church started in the 1960s by Mennonites from Lancaster County that is deeply connected to the neighborhood. On the same block is another congregation connected to neighbors- New Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church.
• Historic home built in 1911 at 4415 Ord Street NE. Nearby is a house built in 1909 at 4409 Ord Street NE. A 1907 house stands at 4440 Douglas Street NE.
• Kenilworth Courts, one of the city’s first desegregated public housing complexes that hosts a long-standing annual Kenilworth Reunion. It’s the home of the late Kimi Gray, who advises three U.S. Presidents on national housing.
• Lilies and birds at the Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, water gardens planted by a Civil War veteran at the end of the 19th century.
• Northeast 8 Boundary Stone, one of the oldest federal memorials in the city once marking the Federal City’s boundaries.

Kingman Park

Eat:

• Bulgogi from Manna Korean BBQ & Dosirak, a small Korean takeout restaurant run by a husband‑wife team.
• Catfish from Hip Hop Fish & Chicken, a fast-food spot along Benning Road N.E.
• Sesame chicken from Hong Kong Carryout, a small Chinese takeout spot popular among locals.
• Wild mushroom biryani from nearby Daru, an acclaimed innovative Indian restaurant.

Drink:

• Coffee from The Hill Cafe, a corner coffee shop open daily.
• Grab‑n‑go drinks from The Cupboard Market, a local convenience store with a community library inside.

Do:

• Buy D.C.‑inspired candy from the Capital Candy Jar, a success story of the food incubator Union Kitchen.
• Find the Demetrius Shealey‘s “Speak Your Dreams Into Existence” mural along Gales Place NE near 17th Street NE.
• Get to know the history of Minor Elementary School, an 1851 school that paved the way for the education of D.C.’s Black community.
• Learn facts about the city at the D.C. landmark‑themed playground at the Rosedale Recreation Center, which triples as a library and pool.
• Shop local at the longstanding farmers market in the RFK Stadium parking lot near Benning Road NE on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
• Skate at Maloof Skate Park, one of the few skate parks in the city in front of the historic RFK Stadium’s main entrance.
• Stop by the Kingman Park‑Rosedale Community Garden, which started in 2005, but has roots in the neighborhood since the 1940s.
• Take your kids to The Fields at RFK, a large, confidence‑building playground with a large slide and the Metro passing above ground nearby.

See:

• Birds and other wildlife at Kingman Island, a 1916 man‑made island with trails, over 100 local and migratory species of birds.
• Ginkgo trees along the 1500 block of Gales Street N.E.
• Gothic architecture at 1890 Eastern High School, a high school with tennis courts, basketball courts, and track open to the public when school is not in session.

Lincoln Heights

Eat:

• Cold cut sub from nearby Menick’s Market, a popular corner store with a deli inside selling subs for under $7.
• Fried rice from China Cafe, a popular Chinese carryout spot.

Drink:

• Grab-n-go drinks from nearby Menick’s Market. Don’t sleep on their snow cones that comes in ten different flavors.

Do:

• Learn about urban farming at The Farm at Kelly Miller, opened in 2018 to help teach youth about growing and cooking fresh food.
• Shoot hoops on the courts at Kelly Miller Recreation Center.
• Swim at the Kelly Miller Pool, an outdoor pool open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Volunteer at Lederer Gardens, an urban farm and green house that hosts events and classes.
• Walk along the trail behind Lederer Gardens where you’ll find colorful boulders with playful words painted on.

See:

• Blue mural painted in 2014 at Aiton Elementary School.
• Muhammad Ali mural by Rose Jaffe at nearby A-1 Grocery Store.
• Mural at the entrance to the Glendale Apartments.
• Sargent Memorial Presbyterian, a 1908 Black congregation that serves the community.
• Statue of activist Nannie Helen Burroughs on the grounds of the National Training School for Women and Girls, the first vocational school for Black women that she started.
• Strand Theatre, the first movie theater East of the River built for the Black community in 1928. It’s being redeveloped, but you can still see its facade.

Marshall Heights

Eat:

• Deep dish pizza from The DC Chi Pie, a Black-owned pizza shop inside the owner’s home.
• Mumbo sauce at Bally’s Carry Out, a small, no-frills Chinese takeout spot.

Drink:

• Homemade peach tea from nearby Bird’s Kitchen, a Black woman-owned restaurant with popular banana pudding.

Do:

• Book a room at Malolo Bed and Breakfast, a bed and breakfast that serves warm breakfast prepared by one of the chef owners.
• Honor Black history at the Fletcher-Johnson Recreation Center, the site of Payne’s cemetery, one of two Black cemeteries during the 19th century.
• Read books at the Capitol View Neighborhood Library, a public library with events and sculptures outside.
• Take your kids to the castle-themed playground at nearby Woody Ward Recreation Center, a space with boxing, an outdoor swimming pool, a track, and old and new murals.
• Visit nearby Woodlawn Cemetery, an 1895 Black cemetery that houses many prominent Washingtonians. It’s open only five days a year- Veterans Day, Emancipation Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Labor Day.

See:

• Art on the street outside of C.W. Harris Elementary School, a school with a garden.
• Colorful houses on the 5400 block of D Street SE.
• Lighthouse statue on tree stump at the corner of 54th Street SE and Drake Place SE.
• Queen’s Stroll Place, a street named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the neighborhood in 1991 when a resident unceremoniously gave the queen a hug.
• Southeast 1 Boundary Stone, one of the oldest federal monuments marking the original boundary of the capital city.

Mayfair

Eat:

• Fresh produce at FRESHFARM Cesar Chavez, a farmers’ market on Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June through November. 

Drink:

• Water from Circle Seven Express, the neighborhood’s only convenience store

Do:

• Donate a book to the Little Free Library in front of Thomas Elementary School, one of three schools in the neighborhood. (There are murals behind the school.)
• Honor Black history at the Mayfair Mansions, a 1946 garden apartment complex designed by prominent Black architect Albert I. Cassell.
• Read a book on the benches in the small, sculpture-filled park at Parkside Place and Grant Place NE.
• Run along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, which connects to nearby Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

See:

• Mosaic art by G. Bryon Peck along the Anacostia Freeway near Deane Avenue NE.
• Site of the old Benning Race Track that’s now the Mayfair Mansions.
• Watts Branch, a creek that flows into the Anacostia River.

Naylor Gardens

Eat:

• Pizza from nearby &pizza, a location of the popular build-your-own pizza chain.

Drink:

• Milkshakes from nearby Roaming Rooster, a Black-owned fried chicken sandwich restaurant.

Do:

• Donate unperishable food items to the blue food pantry at the corner of Erie Street SE and 30th Street SE set up by a local boxing legend who sadly passed away.
• Explore on bike by renting a bike from the nearby Capital Bikeshare dock at the corner of Marion Barry Ave SE and Naylor Road SE.
• Play tennis at the city-run tennis courts behind the 3000 block of Alabama Ave SE.
• Take your kids to the enclosed playground and splash area at the Hillcrest Recreation Center.
• Teach your kids the ABCs at the giant alphabet sculpture on the side of the Winston Education Campus.

See:

• Naylor Gardens, a co-op with well-manicured lawns that once was a housing complex for World War II workers.

Northeast Boundary

Eat:

• Chicken biryani from American Best Chicken & Waffle, a chicken and waffle spot with Indian food.
• Sweet potato pie from Addie Loves Soul, a Black-owned soul food restaurant.

Drink:

• Pink lemonade from Addie Loves Soul.

Do:

• Hike the trail parallel to Watts Branch, a tributary to Anacostia River.
• Support Life Pieces to Masterpieces, a non-profit that uses art to develop leadership skills in local youth.
• Swim at the H.D. Woodson Aquatic Center, an eight-lane swimming pool open to the public inside H.D. Woodson High School.
• Workout on the exercise equipment within Marvin Gaye Park, a park with trails and a playground.

See:

• East Corner Boundary Stone, one of the 18th century D.C. boundary stones that are also the oldest monuments in the city.
• Mosaics on the side of Refuge Temple Church of our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, a congregation that formed in 1989.
• Murals on the street outside of Drew Elementary School and on some of its side walls.
• Site of Marvin Gaye’s professional singing debut at the Riverside Center.

Penn Branch

Eat:

• Po’ Boy sandwich from Highlands Cafe and Grill, a Black-owned, sit-down restaurant in the nearby Penn Branch Center.

Drink:

• Sweet tea from nearby Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen, a Black woman-owned restaurant using Miss Toya’s homemade recipes.

Do:

• Donate books at the Little Free Library near the historic call box at Texas Ave & S Street SE.
• Explore via Capital Bikeshare. There’s a docking station in front of the Penn Branch Center.
• Hike the Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail, a trail leading to the sites of former Civil War forts.
• Read a book on the bench in the small triangle park honoring D.C. residents lost in 9/11 where Carpenter and O Streets SE meet.
• Take your kids to the small playground at Pope Branch Park, a small park by Pope Branch (a tributary to the Anacostia River).
• Workout at nearby Planet Fitness, the only gym East of the River.

See:

• City skyline from the 3300 block of Carpenter Street SE.
• Summer concerts at nearby Fort Dupont Park, a spacious public park with an annual outdoor concert series.
• Tyson Temple First Born Church, a church that hosts block parties and “Seafood Fridays.”

Randle Highlands

Eat:

• BBQ from the pop-up grill at the corner of Minnesota and Naylor Road SE.
• Ribeye sandwich from Mario’s Pizza House, a popular takeout spot that first opened in 1936.
• Steak and eggs from Lee’s Brunch, a popular spot along Minnesota Ave SE.

Drink:

• Beer from Wah Sing Restaurant, a Chinese restaurant in a strip mall with a no-frills bar.
• Tastings at Minnesota Liquors, a large liquor store with a parking lot and regular tastings.

Do:

• Find the view of the D.C. skyline from the abandoned house on a hill at 1700 30th St SE.
• Hike along the Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail that passes through the sites of several Civil War forts.
• Run up and down the brutalist stairway behind Randle Highlands Elementary School.
• Take your kids to the playground at Randle Highlands Elementary School when school isn’t in session. The original school building from the early 1900s still stands next door.

See:

• 1910 Greek Revival mansion at the Southeast White House, run by local non-profit DC Dream Center.
• Art Deco architecture at Texas Gardens, an apartment complex built between the World Wars.
• Bee sculpture on the grounds of Randle Highlands Elementary School.
• Fence painted with sports team logos on the 1700 block of 28th Street SE. (As of May 2024, the fence has been replaced with a new one without team logos.)
• French Revival architecture at the 1910 fire station at 1813 Pennsylvania Ave SE.
• Grand homes with views of the D.C. skyline along Westover Drive SE.
• Highland Community Entertainment Hall, built in 1940 as a theater that held 746 people. There’s a sign across the street that tells more of its story.
• Murals behind 2701 Pennsylvania Ave SE.

River Terrace

Eat:

• Shrimp pad Thai from nearby Sala Thai, a Thai restaurant near the Minnesota Avenue Metro station.
• Wings and mumbo sauce from the nearby Yellow House, a popular carryout restaurant.

Drink:

• Grab-n-go drinks from Thomas & Sons Mini Grocery, a neighborhood corner store, after biking the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail.

Do:

• Grab a Capital Bikeshare near the River Terrace Recreation Center and bike to nearby Kingman Island, a river island with trails and wildlife.
• Learn how to dance at Northeast Performing Arts Group, an award-winning arts group.
• Pass by Market Seven, a Black‑owned food hall with Black‑owned vendors opening in the coming years.
• Picnic in a gazebo or on nearby picnic tables along the Anacostia River.
• Run along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, a path that leads to Maryland in the north and Anacostia in the south, taking in the river front views.
• Snap a photo in front of Cheryl Foster’s 1992 mural along 295.
• Take your kids to the Anacostia Riverwalk Playground with seven slides and a swing set. 

See:

• Art Deco architecture at 405 Anacostia Avenue NE.
• Julio LuLo Lier‘s mural under the Whitney Young Memorial Bridge.
• Metro trains whiz over the Ethel Kennedy Bridge.
• MISS CHELOVE‘s mural at Chateau Remix, a local favorite event venue.
• Painted manholes near the River Terrace Recreation Center.

Twining

Eat:

• Crabcakes from nearby Moruss Seafood & Crab House, a popular takeout spot open daily at 11 a.m. 
• Fried rice at nearby Wah Sing Restaurant, a cash-only Chinese restaurant with a bar inside a strip mall.

Drink:

• Thai iced tea from nearby Thai Orchid’s Kitchen, a family-owned Thai restaurant with murals on its side.

Do:

• Get your passport photos from Earl Howard Studios, a long-standing photography studio inside a house.
• Jog along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, a long trail along the Anacostia River.
• Read a book at the triangle park where Pennsylvania Avenue SE, 28th Street SE, and O Street Se meet.
• Repair your car at nearby Kangaroo Auto Crew, an Australian-owned auto shop with more honest prices.
• Skate at the nearby Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavillion, the only outdoor skating rinks in the city. Local DJs often play music on weekends.
• Take your kids to the nearby Pirate Ship Playground in Anacostia Park, one of the largest parks in D.C.

See:

• Local art at nearby Nicholson Project, an artist residency and art gallery inside a historic wooden house with a community garden and public art in its yard.
• Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, a historic Catholic parish with a food pantry for the community.