Congress Heights - Washington, DC

Congress Heights was originally farmland and forests until it was established as a residential area in 1890. The building of the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge significantly helped spur more growth and development in the area until after World War II when the neighborhood experienced severe neglect. Since the turn of the century, the city has had a resurgence. By the end of 2006, more than $455 million went toward improvements in the area.

The Anacostia Art Gallery and Museum, located on Fort Place Southeast just above the north end of the neighborhood, highlights the area's heritage and history. The museum has exhibits and artwork showing the rich black history and culture of the area. Congress Heights plays host every year to Art All Night D.C. with an all-night art festival featuring exhibits, dance performances and live music.

The neighborhood itself does not have a wide variety of restaurants in the immediate area, but you can find restaurants serving American staples and international cuisine nearby. Chain establishments make up most of the restaurants in Congress Heights, and the majority sit along Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue or Alabama Avenue.

Uniontown Bar & Grill, located at the north end of the neighborhood, serves all kinds of American favorites such as chicken fingers, wings and burgers. The restaurant draws many locals with its popular cocktail specials and jukebox. Live bands often play on the weekends, and the bar has a relaxed atmosphere.

For those who love Italian food, Congress Heights has great pizza at Mama's Kitchen. Find all kinds of gourmet pizzas, including the famous barbecue chicken pizza and the pulled pork pizza. If you prefer something other than pizza, try their pasta, calzone, wings and salads. Order the red velvet cake for dessert.

Thai Orchid's Kitchen makes it worth the trip with authentic Thai cuisine and huge portions for the price. Locals rave about the roast pork rice and the pot stickers.

Station 4 has a great spot right across the Anacostia River by Southwest Waterfront. The classy setting makes for a perfect spot for date night, with wine, beer and happy-hour specials from 4-7 p.m.

Washington, D.C. and Congress Heights have many sidewalks and bike lanes connecting the areas, making the area walkable. For public transportation, the metro rail serves the area with a station on Alabama Avenue and several Metropolitan Area Rapid Transit Authority stops. Residents will primarily ride the Green line, which cuts right through the Smithsonian area of Washington DC. Uber operates in the area, and a trip from Congress Heights to downtown Washington, D.C. costs between $15 and $20. Both I-295 and I-95 run within a couple of miles of Congress Heights, making the location ideal for commuters. However, traffic in the area gets heavy.

Most residential parts of the area have their own parking lots, but outside of the neighborhood parking proves more difficult. The downtown area does have meters lining the streets, or you can park in one of several parking garages. Note that rates in parking garages tend to get very expensive.

Congress Heights has several parks and recreation options close by, with spots for playing sports, working out, relaxing and having a nice afternoon picnic. The Oxon Run Parkway sits on 126 acres with beautiful wetlands and forest areas, as well as tennis courts and an outdoor basketball court.

In the center of the neighborhood, the huge Congress Heights Playground and outdoor classroom makes a great spot to take kids. The park also has tennis and basketball courts with rubber playing surfaces.

Sports junkie residents can easily cross the Anacostia River and catch a Nats game by the Naval Yard metro stop.

A significantly cheaper cost of living than downtown Washington, D.C. is one major perk of the neighborhood. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment runs at around $910 per month, whereas the average rental for apartments in downtown sits at over $1,900. You can take the tram to get downtown for between $2 and $3 via the Congress Heights Metro Station on Alabama Avenue. Heavy traffic makes public transportation a popular option.

For those who choose to drive, gas prices in Congress Hill stay slightly cheaper than those in the downtown area, but the average price per gallon of gas in Washington, D.C. sits at almost 17 percent higher than the national average. Beer and drinks in Congress Hill and downtown can also get expensive, and you can expect to pay $5 for a pint

Not many shopping options exist within Congress Heights, but luckily several sit in the surrounding areas. Travel about a mile southeast to the Washington, D.C. and Maryland border for shopping on both sides of the state line. On the D.C. side, Diavow's Boutique sells clothing for women and children, including denim, tops, bags and accessories. About a mile southeast of the neighborhood center on the Maryland side, Rose's Boutique sells women's clothing and trendy items from designer Ivie Rose. The boutique sells designer clothing and unique, custom-designed clothing.

Liff's Market and K&H Grocery sell small grocery items, meats and produce. Giant Grocery, also in Congress Heights, bills itself as a one-stop store. For health fanatics, Secrets of Nature Health Food serves the area with organic and healthy food options. The neighborhood lacks a farmers market, but you can visit the Eastern Market with a short trek into the south end of downtown. The market carries fresh produce, meats and lots of freshly baked treats and prepared food items. Residents also know the Eastern Market for its flea market and Bohemian atmosphere with vendors ranging from a new pair of shades to ingredients for dinner.