Forest Hills - Washington, DC Area Guide

Forest Hills was the former site of the Civil War-era Fort Kearny, which was built to defend Washington, D.C., although no trace of it remains today. After the war ended, Fort Kearny was originally intended to remain standing but in a reserve state, but budget concerns forced it to be shut down entirely and the land was sold. The area now is completely residential except for the main thoroughfare of Connecticut Avenue.

Forest Hills has a nice array of art and culture. The Levine School of Music is a community institution with students ranging from infants to senior citizens.

The Hillwood Museum contains a number of French and Russian decorative arts, including a number of Fabergé eggs that once belonged to philanthropist and socialite Marjorie Merriweather Post.

The embassies of the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Suriname, Hungary, Slovakia, Singapore, Pakistan and Nigeria also lie in the neighborhood.

The dining options in Forest Hills run the gamut from Vietnamese and Indian dishes to Italian and Mediterranean fare. Everything runs along Connecticut Avenue with the side streets being completely residential.

Pho 14, a buzzy nook just south of the Van Ness Metro Station, serves up noodle soups and sandwiches to its hungry patrons. Pho, as the name would suggest, remains the eatery's primary dish, while the banh mi sandwiches aren't to be forgotten either. If you haven't tried Vietnamese iced coffee before, you can't leave here without doing so.

For a taste of Indian cuisine, look no further than Laliguras, which happens to be in the next building over from Pho 14. The lunch specials are the big hit, providing busy professionals nutritious and affordable plates like chicken tikka, vegetable curry and tandoori scallops. Or, if you're too busy to even leave the office, Laliguras can deliver to you for free.

The nightlife isn't too happening in this neighborhood, but always-lively Dupont Circle lies just a 5-minute metro ride away, and the more gritty Adams Morgan is even easier to reach on the metro with a little walk at the end. For a more quiet night in Van Ness, head to the wine bar Acacia Bistro. The wine selection will take you around the globe, from Italy to Argentina to South Africa. Splitting a bottle of sauvignon blanc on a warm summer night on this bistro's outdoor patio makes for a fantastic evening.

The main commercial area of Forrst Hills stretches along Connecticut Avenue, making it easy for residents to accomplish a number of errands on foot. While Van Ness to the west of Connecticut is only a small enclave, Forrest Hill to the east is much more expansive, making the far residential reaches of the neighborhood not as easy to reach on foot. For this reason, biking becomes a nice option, with the only drawback being the hilly nature of the neighborhood.

Transportation to other areas of D.C. couldn't be much easier. The Van Ness Metro Station is serviced by the red line, which remains the primary line through Northwest D.C., the biggest, safest and most commercial quadrant of the city. Metro rides range between $1.75 and $5.90, depending on the time of day and how far you go.

Multiple bus lines, including the H2, H3 and H4 running east/west and the L1, L2 and L4 running north/south, also serve the neighborhood. One-way on these buses costs $1.75. If you plan to commute via these public transportation systems on a regular basis, buy a reloadable SmarTrip card to save some cash.

The more north you head on Connecticut Avenue, the less cabs there will be. By the time you reach Van Ness/Forrest Hills, they might be few and far between, making Uber cabs a better option. For $10 in any cab, you can reach most places in D.C. Neighborhood residents with cars have a relatively straight shot up to the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) that forms a ring around the district and connects with many other interstates.

While nothing can compete with the free National Zoo just a 10-minute walk down Connecticut Avenue, Van Ness/Forrest Hill has a few family-friendly parks of its own.

Forest Hills Playground is a great place for parents to bring their kids as the sand box, swings, and car riding area entertain for hours on end.

Just south of the playground lies Soapstone Valley Park and hiking trail. This gem right in the middle of the city attracts hikers, runners, dog walkers and romantic strollers looking to get some exercise among nature. Stick to the trail that runs along the stream, and you'll end up in the vast Rock Creek Park.

During wintertime, don't miss the ZooLights at the National Zoo, where over 100,000 people come to sip cider, admire the lights and enjoy the many seasonal attractions.

While small local boutique stores, such as Little Acre Flowers and Meant to Be Calligraphy for all your cards, stationery, and wedding planning needs, exist within the neighborhood, locals go outside the confines of Forest Hills to fulfill their main shopping needs.

A short 10-minute trip on the red line takes you to the Metro Center stop. Head up to ground level to find bustling streets with stores such Forever 21, H&M, Urban Outfitters and Macy's. More high-end stores like Ann Taylor also do business there.

Forest Hill residents benefit from the large Giant grocery store right across the street from the metro station. You can pop in on your way home from work to pick up that night's dinner, or head to the UDC campus on Saturday mornings to stock up on fresh produce from the local farmers market.