Petworth - Washington, DC Area Guide

The neighborhood now known as Petworth originally encompassed two separate country estates and an unincorporated part of the District of Columbia. Both became part of the city during the 1880s and were purchased for development. The thousands of brick row houses within Petworth then appeared through the development of two real estate investment partnerships.

Visit President Lincoln's Cottage, a historical building turned museum at the south of the community, to see Abraham Lincoln's residence and experience multimedia presentations of the issues Lincoln considered there. Take part in the annual Celebrate Petworth festival, which a group of community organizers created to celebrate creativity, culture, people, and quality of life in the neighborhood.

Head to Georgia Street to find the hub of dining establishments and nightlife options within Petworth, with many other businesses dotted throughout the neighborhood. Expect an eclectic feel and a unique menu at almost every eatery thanks to the small business focus of the area.

For traditional American comfort food, try the Petworth Citizen, which opens for brunch and dinner. Start your day with a frittata or corned beef hash, or finish it with the chorizo burger, a local favorite, or cherry-braised pork ribs.

The Petworth Citizen also provides nightlife entertainment in the form of music and events, and it maintains a reading room next to the bar. Try Red Derby for a hip bar with a roof deck as well as board games to keep its patrons entertained, or head to the Pinch for regular events such as poker games and live music as you enjoy an evening beverage. For Latin American entertainment, head to the Teatro de la Luna for live productions and movie shows in Spanish with English subtitles or dubbing.

Thanks to the viability of all the typical methods of transportation within Petworth, the common ways to get around it range from bus and rail to personal vehicle, biking, and walking. Travel around or outside the neighborhood on public transport either by bus, rail, or a combination of both. The Petworth-Georgia Avenue Metro station connects residents to the Yellow Line and Green Line.

Find limited on-street parking and a large number of private parking garages in the area of Petworth, which cost from $7 to $30 depending on where you choose to park and for how long. There is no immediate access to highways or expressways from Petworth, but residents can access the nearest large-scale highway at Rhode Island Avenue NE. Residents accomplish most errands within the neighborhood on foot or by making use of the limited biking infrastructure and the bike share service in the neighborhood.

Find plenty of parks scattered around Petworth, including the historical Grant Circle, named for President Ulysses S. Grant. The park features tranquil walks and landscaping around an old pine tree. Families enjoy Upshur Park, which maintains an overhauled playground for the kids and a small recreational center that hosts regular community events. It also provides plenty of spaces for dogs to run.

For a community garden, try Twin Oaks Community Garden, which Taylor Street divides. Exercise enthusiasts enjoy Piney Branch Park for its many walking and running trails and its proximity to Rock Creek, which runs through the park. Enjoy landscaping and visually stunning walks at Sherman Circle Park, surrounded by the Sherman Circle roundabout.

Take the kids to the Petworth Spray Park so that they can have fun on the play equipment while you take in the views. Raymond Park, another hot spot for families, also features a recreational center and turf field along with its play areas. All the parks are free to the public with the exception of the recreational center.

Expect a cost of living in the neighborhood of Petworth around 14 percent higher than the average for the Washington region. The average rental cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Petworth hovers around $1,800, slightly lower than the Washington average. Depending on your chosen method of transportation, expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $6 to reach the city center. A typical pint of beer costs $8.80, while the price per gallon of gasoline is around four percent higher than the national average.

Head to Upshur Street and Georgia Avenue for the neighborhood's shopping hub, where the small-business vibe spreads through the specialty stores and boutiques available to locals. Try Fia's Fabulous Finds for vintage clothing, or visit Bentley's Vintage Furniture & Collectibles for a wide variety of eclectic items. Shop at Elizabeth Fashion for boutique women's clothing. Pick up some fresh beans for your morning brew at Qualia Coffee.

Grocery options within the neighborhood range from Yes Organic Market on 14th Street NW to Safeway on Georgia Avenue near the Metro station. The Petworth Market, a local farmers market, operates between May and October on Saturdays at Upshur and Ninth Street, selling produce from local farms and orchards as well as coffee, Egyptian cuisine, ready-to-eat foods, and probiotics.