Cleveland Park - Washington, DC Area Guide

The neighborhood began in 1793, when General Uriah Forrest erected Rosedale estate shortly after he became a congressman for the state of Maryland. The farmhouse has a claim to fame as being the longest-standing house in Washington.

After General Forrest, several other notable people became affiliated with the neighborhood, including the neighborhood’s namesake President Grover Cleveland, who purchased a home in 1886, and Alexander Graham Bell, who used the 50-acre Twin Oaks estate as a summer house after it was built by Gardiner Greene Hubbard, who was the first president of the National Geographic Society.

In 1894, two years after the Rock Creek Railway was built, construction boomed in the neighborhood. The boom continued until 1930 and resulted in a mix of Queen Anne-, Georgian Revival- and Mission Revival-style homes, with Prairie- and Tudor Revival-style dominating in later years. Due to economic events such as the Great Depression, it’s not unusual to see different sizes and styles of homes right next to each other.

The neighborhood might be light on museums and regular events, but residents can still show their artsy side at All Fired Up by painting a bowl or vase from the huge selection of pottery. They host a ladies night on Thursdays, a happy hour special on Fridays and lunch specials each weekday. Patrons can bring their own food and adult beverages.

Many of Cleveland Park’s restaurants sit along Connecticut Avenue. Prices range from the economically priced Byblos Deli, serving up Middle Eastern food, to the more lavishly priced Ripple, a wine bar serving up American fare. A hungry diner can also find barbeque, Mexican, Asian and even Pakistani options along this busy throughway, which leads to Chevy Chase Village to the north and D. C. to the south.

Get your fill of mussels and Belgian beer at St. Arnold’s Mussel Bar. Pair your iron-pot mussels with bread and beer-battered onion rings or French fries, or go light with a goat cheese and spinach salad. If you plan to catch a game at this bi-level establishment, choose a spot in the downstairs seating area, called the Abbey, which has more TVs than the upstairs area. The entrance to this second area can be found around the corner from the upstairs entrance.

Pop into Medium Rare to try a selection of steak smothered in the restaurant’s renowned secret sauce. This establishment has a prix fixe menu that includes artisan rustic bread, a mixed-greens salad and a flavorful culotte steak with hand-cut fries and the aforementioned secret sauce. Don’t load up on appetizers, as you’ll receive a helping of seconds at no additional charge.

Catch a flick at the single-screen Uptown Theater. While a single screen may not sound like much, this historic establishment has hosted a number of Hollywood premiers and is largely regarded as the best screen in the D.C. area. Designed by architect John J. Zink in 1939, the generously sized screen rises above the competition at 70 feet long by 40 feet high, and the two-story theater seating holds up to 850 movie goers.

After the movie, head over to Atomic Billiards for cold beers and a friendly game of pool. While playing shuffleboard and darts, patrons can enjoy free music on the jukebox. Ladies can stop in on Sunday nights to enjoy specials just for them.

The Metrorail has a Cleveland Park station, which takes residents most of the places they need to go around the D.C. area. Sixteen bike racks and 12 lockers allow commuters to safely store their bikes and belongings. Transportation options from this station also include bikesharing, carsharing and bus service, as well as Uber and other taxi services that are available by phone.

Located across from the Metrorail station, Sam’s Park and Shop charges rates ranging from $2 for a half hour to $38 for a full day of parking. Residents can access I-66 by taking Connecticut Avenue south to Potomac Parkway.

In the 51st most walkable neighborhood in D.C., Cleveland Park residents can accomplish most errands on foot but not as easily as other D.C. neighborhoods. Bike lanes provide a route around the perimeter of the neighborhood, but not many lie within the neighborhood itself, and many hills sit on the east side.

Right down Connecticut Avenue, along the southeast edge of the neighborhood, sits the National Zoological Park. In this 163-acre park lives 400 different species. Free admission encourages visitors to arrive early to secure a parking spot and see popular giant panda and elephant exhibits before the crowds hit.

A southern portion of Rock Creek Park boarders the east side of the neighborhood, although the entire park spans over 1,700 acres. Carter Barron Amphitheater calls this large park home, as does William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Stadium, Rock Creek Golf Course and Rock Creek Nature Center, which also has a planetarium. Take a break in one of the 30 picnic areas or explore the park along a paved bike path or hiking trail. Children can even attend an astronomy display on weekend evenings.

A community park funded by membership and donations, the Rosedale Conservancy has become the neighborhood’s dog park due to its fence. Those wanting to bring their dogs must first become a member, which costs $100 per year, and then must register their dog, which costs another $50 per year per dog.

The cost of living in Cleveland Park is 35 percent higher than the state average and 18 percent higher than Washington D.C. The typical cost of living in Cleveland Park hovers around $105,000 a year, which closely equals the median household income. For residents looking to lease rather than own, the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment hovers just under $2,000 a month in this neighborhood.

The major shopping area in Cleveland Park lies along Connecticut Avenue, along with most of the neighborhood's restaurants.

One specialty shop that calls Cleveland Park home stands out: Artisan Lamp, which focuses on fine antique lighting to brighten up your home decor. Town Jewelers gives a great example of a local business that has sustained the ups and downs of the economy. Stop here for custom jewelry backed by over 35 years of experience.

Locals head to Yes Organic Market for groceries, adjacent to the neighborhood's metro stop. The grocer features fresh and fruits, veggies and organic foods. The market also delivers for added convenience.