Cleveland Park, Forest Hills & Woodley Park

 

Cleveland Park has long attracted a number of illustrious residents, beginning with President Grover Cleveland. By building his summer home here, Cleveland gave the neighborhood its name. Cleveland Park, set high on a hill, was first built for people’s summer homes as a way to escape some of the city’s summer humidity, and many of those beautiful houses still stand today – the classic Cleveland Park home offers a big, inviting front porch. Now, Cleveland Park is a blend of urban and suburban with two main commercial strips, on Wisconsin Avenue and Connecticut Avenue, filled with restaurants, grocery stores, drug stores and a number of mom and pop shops. Housing ranges from apartment buildings to row homes to multi-million dollar homes newly built that blend seamlessly with the old historic houses. Cleveland Park holds two of the city’s favorite tourist spots – the National Cathedral as well as the National Zoo, home to adored panda bears.

 

Forest Hills is a downtown neighborhood populated with trees. From large 1900 homes, contemporary homes, to charming 1920 homes, Forest Hills offers a variety of architecture. The National Zoo is within a few blocks of this neighborhood. A popular attraction among tourists and locals, visitors enjoy strolling through the zoo’s pathways while admiring the adorable pandas! Comet Ping Pong is a resident favorite, serving delicious pizza and providing both ping pong and foosball games. It is a great place for both young kids and adults to relax and hang out. The Little Red Fox is a casual, charming restaurant serving pastries and sandwiches. Politics and Prose is a spacious bookstore with a café on the lower level. This bookstore is known for hosting guest speakers in addition to being a well-stocked shop! Lastly, the Forest Hills Playground is a perfect park to walk around and to let kids roam free. This neighborhood provides the perfect combination of suburban beauty, with just enough greenery, as well as a fun, unique urban vibe.

 

The Woodley Park neighborhood is a beautiful green zone that hosts the National Zoo, several historic hotels, and provides access to the sprawling Rock Creek Park. Woodley Park for this reason is the perfect escape from the hustle of DC while still secretly being in the city. With striking historic architecture, two bridges (the Taft, and Duke Ellington) and several iconic sights like the famous mural of Marilyn Monroe, this area is rich with history and grace. The community also offers a plethora of local restaurants and sidewalk cafes including Open City, Ardeo+Bardeo, Tryst Coffee, and District Kitchen. Easily accessible to the Red Line at the Woodley Park stop, this beautiful and quiet neighborhood creates a perfect retreat with the option of spying a panda or two.