Woodley Park - Washington, DC Area Guide

The Woodley Park neighborhood has a history dating back to 1890, when the first estates were built in this scenic wooded area located within a mile of the District of Columbia boundary. By the early 1900s, a line of row houses were established along Connecticut Avenue, reaching a total of 144 homes in the area by 1910. In 1914, the first apartment buildings were constructed in the neighborhoods. U.S. Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Herbert Hoover both took up residence in the area, and by the 1990's, Woodley Park housed approximately 6,000 residents.

Washington, D.C. houses many museums, with the most notable being the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Lincoln Memorial. The National Gallery of Art hosts exhibits with pieces dating back to the Middle Ages and works of contemporary and renowned artists. The gallery also hosts educational workshops for children and annual music events.

When it comes to great food and exciting nightlife, Woodley Park residents have access to a wide variety of options on and around Connecticut Avenue Northwest, with everything from sub shops to elegant dining establishments.

For American fare served in a casually elegant setting, local foodies suggest Robert's Restaurant, located in the Omni Shoreham Hotel on Calvert Street Northwest, just off of Connecticut Avenue Northwest. Robert's serves a vast menu of classic American breakfast, lunch and dinner items in a lovely dining room with a terrace view. Signature favorite dishes include the crab bisque soup and oysters Rockefeller, a savory combination of oysters topped with bread crumbs, parsley, shallots and pimento butter. If you're in the mood for breakfast, try the fried egg Reuben, a crispy blend of fried eggs, Swiss cheese and corned beef hash served on grilled rye bread.

If you've got a craving for Thai food, check out the Paragon Thai Restaurant on Connecticut Avenue Northwest. Locals rave over the restaurant's prompt and friendly service and its signature menu items, such as "Drunken Noodle," a melt-in-your-mouth blend of rice noodles, spicy chilis, garlic and onions sautéed to perfection with meat or veggies. Be sure to leave a bit of room for dessert, because you simply cannot miss out on Paragon Thai's sweet key lime pie or crispy fried bananas.

If you're looking for a casual spot to watch some sports and enjoy a few cold beers, stop by the Cleveland Park Bar and Grill on Connecticut Avenue Northwest. This popular night spot features a rooftop deck with spectacular views, an extensive beer and wine list, more than two dozen wide-screen televisions and a full menu featuring tasty items like wood-fired pizza and delectable crab and cheese dip.

In addition to driving, residents of the Woodley Park community enjoy walking and riding bicycles, as many of the surrounding shops and restaurants reside within walking or biking distance. However, it is important for both cyclists to adhere to the rules of the road and remain to the right of traffic when riding the city streets. Cyclists have convenient access to over 57 miles of marked bike lanes throughout Washington, D.C.

While cabs don't commonly circulate through the residential areas, the vehicles can often be hailed on the downtown streets. Individuals in need of transportation can also reserve rides with car services such as Uber and Lyft, as well as taxi services such as Yellow Cab Company of D.C. and V.I.P. Cab Company. Individuals who utilize public transportation have the option of boarding Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority buses at various stop locations within the area, including Connecticut Avenue Northwest and Northwest Calvert Street. Riders can also utilize the DC Circulator, a shuttle bus that travels throughout the downtown area.

Drivers can park on certain residential streets for up to 72 hours at a time, but they must always follow the specific hourly guidelines in areas with parking enforcement signs. Standard parking meters and paid parking garages are also available in the downtown area. Commuters can also access U.S. Route 29 via Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Northwest, allowing for swift and convenient travel from the downtown area into surrounding cities.

In addition to residing in close proximity to historic Rock Creek Park, residents of the Woodley Park community also live within minutes of several free-to-enter neighborhood parks with beautiful greenery and multiple amenities.

For a fun day with the family, locals recommend Walter Pierce Park on Adams Mill Road. This spacious scenic park features playground equipment, walking trails and picnic tables and a separate dog park area, so you don't have to leave your loyal friend at home.

If you're looking for the perfect spot to get some outdoor exercise, pay a visit to Mitchell Park on 23rd Street Northwest. Locals call this beautiful historic park a hidden gem, as it resides in a quiet area and features walking trails, basketball courts and playing fields.

Woodley Park residents enjoy attending a variety of family friendly annual events each year that help to bring communities together to honor the area's rich history. The National Cherry Blossom festival takes place every March, with live music, food vendors and cultural activities. The annual Independence Day Festival begins with a parade on Constitution Avenue and concludes with an amazing fireworks display.

The cost of living in the Woodley Park community exceeds the city average by approximately 49 percent, with local renters paying approximately $2,060 for rent each month for one-bedroom residences. When traveling by bus, adults pay standard fares of $1.75 per one-way trip, while seniors and disabled individuals pay $0.85 per one-way trip. The cost of domestic and imported beers at local establishments range between $5 and $8 a pint, but specific prices may fluctuate. The cost of gas in Washington, D.C. exceeds the national average by approximately 14 percent.

When shopping for groceries, specialty items and apparel, Woodley Park residents enjoy having convenient access to an abundance of shops and retailers located on and around Connecticut Avenue Northwest.

For groceries and specialty foods, local shoppers often visit Manhattan Market and Giant Food Market, both located on Connecticut Avenue. For farm-fresh locally grown veggies and fruits, stop by the Twin Springs Fruit Farm, located in the parking lot of All Souls Episcopal Church on Cathedral Avenue Northwest.

If you're looking to dress up your home with some lovely antiques or are searching for a unique gift, check out Antiques Anonymous, conveniently located on Connecticut Avenue Northwest. If you've got a little one in the family or are searching for the perfect child's gift, Barston's Child's Play has got you covered. This family owned children's store features a nice selection of specialty toys and games and provides complimentary gift-wrapping services.

For high-end apparel, local shoppers suggest taking a short trip to Wisconsin Avenue to visit Saks Fifth Avenue. This luxury department store features clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories by top designers such as Burberry, Coach, Armani and Gucci.