Overview
Brookland, Petworth, and Takoma are three relatively quiet neighborhoods east of Rock Creek Park. Following the "White Flight" after desegregation and the 1968 riots, these neighborhoods were left underpopulated, overwhelmingly African-American, and much less wealthy than the Upper Northwest, just across Rock Creek Park. These neighborhoods are rarely visited by travelers, except to see the National Shrine. However, there is a good reason to come here beyond the National Shrine — to better know the city as its residents do.
Brookland is an old established neighborhood around Catholic University, sometimes known as the "Little Vatican" for all its major Catholic institutions, as well as the National Shrine. The presence of Catholic University attracts many other Catholic organizations and institutions to the area. The neighborhood is named after Colonel Jehiel Brooks, who acquired 150-acres in the area via his marriage to Ann Margaret Queen, daughter of prominent Marylander Nicholas Louis (Lewis) Queen. Petworth is just north of Columbia Heights and takes its name from the 205-acre country estate of Benjamin Ogle Tayloe that encompassed most of what is now the neighborhood. It's home to the massive Armed Forces' Retirement Home, President Abraham Lincoln's Cottage, and beautiful Rock Creek Cemetery across the street. Takoma, dubbed the "Berkeley of the East," has good claim to be the most liberal neighborhood in the decidedly liberal D.C.-area, and has a good collection of quirky shops and ethnic restaurants.
5 sights · 1 things to do · 10 places to eat · 7 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Brookland-Petworth-Takoma
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
This massive, stunning basilica is worth a pilgrimage not just for American Catholics; people of any faith will be in awe at its sheer size, the largest house of worship in North America, and its vast collection of conte…
Mount St Sepulchre Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land
The Franciscan Monastery is home to a magnificent Italianate church and flower gardens, ringed by a Rosary Portico of 15 chapels with the Angelic Greeting written in 200 languages. The lower gardens are more kitschy— the…
Saint John Paul II National Shrine
Elevated to a national shrine in 2014, this Knights of Columbus-operated center offers exhibits on the life, legacy, and teaching of Pope St. John Paul II and on the Catholic heritage of North America. There is a weekday…
President Lincoln's Cottage
President Lincoln and his family summered here from 1862–1864 to escape the awful climate (physical and political) by the White House. Here he penned the second draft of his Emancipation Proclamation. Recognizing that Li…
Rock Creek Cemetery
This is no Congressional Cemetery, no Arlington Cemetery. That is to say, no one has heard of the place or the people buried therein. But this is a beautifully-set nineteenth century cemetery, with a High Gothic statuary…
Dance Place
A DC institution that offers drop-in dance classes and occasional dance performances.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Washington, D.C.)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 7 mi away (major hub). Directions
- IAD Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles — 23 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Red line stops at Takoma for Takoma Park, Brookland-CUA for Catholic University and Brookland's commercial strip, and Fort Totten, while the Green line stops at Georgia Ave/Petworth for the Petworth neighborhood and at Fort Totten where you can transfer to the Red Line.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $7 per person at listed restaurants.
Options are grouped as Budget, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Saint John Paul II National Shrine
- Lunch Busboys & Poets
- Afternoon Dance Place, Mount St Sepulchre Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land
- Dinner San Antonio Grill
- Evening Brookland Pint
Day 2
- Morning President Lincoln's Cottage
- Lunch The Hitching Post
- Afternoon Rock Creek Cemetery
- Dinner El Torogoz / Mary Bar
- Evening Looking Glass Lounge
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Brookland has several fast casual restaurants such as Chipotle, Potbelly's, & Pizza, and Chick-fil-a between the Metrorail station and Catholic University.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By metro
The Red line stops at Takoma for Takoma Park, Brookland-CUA for Catholic University and Brookland's commercial strip, and Fort Totten, while the Green line stops at Georgia Ave/Petworth for the Petworth neighborhood and at Fort Totten where you can transfer to the Red Line.
By bus
Metrobus operates in these neighborhoods. For more information on riding buses in Washington DC, see Washington DC#Get_around.
By car
A car is not necessary to visit these areas, but it is the most convenient option. Georgia Ave is one of the city's main thoroughfares. Heading east out of the city towards the Beltway, routes US-1/Rhode Island Ave and US-50/New York Ave are the quickest options, albeit absolutely miserable in rush hour traffic.
Uber, Lyft, and Via are also easy options.
See
Little Vatican
See Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
This massive, stunning basilica is worth a pilgrimage not just for American Catholics; people of any faith will be in awe at its sheer size, the largest house of worship in North America, and its vast collection of contemporary sacred art. Built entirely by traditional methods, it seamlessly blends architectural styles from different periods over the last 2,000 years.
See Mount St Sepulchre Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land
The Franciscan Monastery is home to a magnificent Italianate church and flower gardens, ringed by a Rosary Portico of 15 chapels with the Angelic Greeting written in 200 languages. The lower gardens are more kitschy— the monastery's founders, in the late nineteenth century, set out to create a Holy Land in America, and commissioned the construction of replicas of overseas holy sites, including the Roman Catacombs, The Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, the Grotto of the Nativity, and other assorted reproductions. A fine place to stroll, read, and contemplate.
See Saint John Paul II National Shrine
Elevated to a national shrine in 2014, this Knights of Columbus-operated center offers exhibits on the life, legacy, and teaching of Pope St. John Paul II and on the Catholic heritage of North America. There is a weekday veneration service for a first-class relic, a piece of the blood-stained cassock worn by the pontiff when he was shot on May 13, 1981.
Other attractions
See President Lincoln's Cottage
President Lincoln and his family summered here from 1862–1864 to escape the awful climate (physical and political) by the White House. Here he penned the second draft of his Emancipation Proclamation. Recognizing that Lincoln's political acumen was rivaled by his taste in abodes, later presidents James Buchanan, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Chester A. Arthur all took up the cottage as a summer residence as well. In addition to simply looking lovely, the cottage today contains several exhibits, as well as a reproduction of the desk on which Lincoln wrote his Proclamation.
See Rock Creek Cemetery
This is no Congressional Cemetery, no Arlington Cemetery. That is to say, no one has heard of the place or the people buried therein. But this is a beautifully-set nineteenth century cemetery, with a High Gothic statuary impressive in quantity and quality. The most famous statue/tomb here is known to Washingtonians as Grief, incorrectly, as the famous sculptor Saint-Gaudens gave it a less catchy title: The Mystery of the Hereafter and The Peace of God that Passeth Understanding. The grounds are huge, so it will pay off to get a map from the cemetery office if you plan to look for anything in particular. Grief is in Section E.
Do
Buy
Petworth
Eat
Brookland
Brookland has several fast casual restaurants such as Chipotle, Potbelly's, & Pizza, and Chick-fil-a between the Metrorail station and Catholic University.
Eat Brookland's Finest
A family-friendly establishment with a modern-industrial theme and a nice outdoor patio.
Eat Busboys & Poets
A cafe, bookstore and restaurant focused with a liberal theme.
Eat Menomale Pizzeria
A very popular pizza, calzone and sandwich shop.
Eat San Antonio Grill
A nice Tex-Mex restaurant near Catholic University, with Mexican food far above the local average, as well as a few Salvadoran and Cuban entries (try the Cuban masitas de puerco). The margaritas have quickly become famous, not just for being tasty, but also for being extremely large.
Petworth
Eat El Torogoz / Mary Bar
Good Central and South American food and drinks with karaoke nights.
Eat The Hitching Post
A comfortable, homey, friendly, old-time soul food diner off by the Armed Forces Home, serving some of the best fried chicken in the metro area, always cooked to order. The sides of slaw, mac 'n cheese, etc. also drive the locals into a foodie frenzy. The portions are enormous; it's not terribly clear how "half chicken dinner" translates into twelve pieces of bird. All in all, a great place to settle into a casual, drawn out meal of slow cooked food during a football game or over a good conversation.
Eat Timber Pizza Company
Original location of a local wood-fired pizza chain. Often crowded. Vegan and gluten-free options available.
Eat Call Your Mother
Bagel shop and Jewish deli with a cult following. Always has a long line. This is the main location of what is now a DC-area chain.
Takoma
Eat Donut Run
Popular location for donuts.
Eat Peaches Kitchen
Jamaican-American restaurant serving food made with care and never in a hurry.
Drink
Brookland
Drink Brookland Pint
Modern-rustic ambiance and an extensive craft beer menu.
Drink Right Proper Brewing Company Brookland Production House + Tasting Room
A tasting room where you can drink the beers brewed on site. Food is not served but you can bring your own.
Cafes
Drink Zeke's Coffee
A small, quiet cafe with friendly staff.
Petworth
Drink Looking Glass Lounge
A bar with nice stained-glass windows. Features open mic and trivia nights.
Drink Lyman's Tavern
A trendy bar with pinball tables, a jukebox, and a piano.
Drink Red Derby
A dive bar that serves beer in cans, but it is usually a fun time. Nice roof deck.
Takoma
Drink Takoma Station Tavern
W-Sa nights have nightly jazz/R&B/gogo performances (this is the best bar to see a gogo performance), and Mondays are stand-up comedy. Music usually starts around 11PM.
Sleep
Budget
Splurge
Go next
Aside from the obvious southward trip downtown, you could take a trip across the D.C. border into Maryland, especially to visit adjacent Silver Spring to the north, which is accessible via the Red Line Metrorail, and has the American Film Institute Theater and a lot of restaurants and bars.
Nearby
Takoma Park
City / town · 43 listings · 2 mi away
Silver Spring
City / town · 46 listings · 2 mi away
Mount Rainier
City / town · 9 listings · 3 mi away
Hyattsville
City / town · 22 listings · 4 mi away
Bethesda
City / town · 53 listings · 4 mi away
College Park
City / town · 48 listings · 5 mi away
Kensington
City / town · 13 listings · 6 mi away
Arlington National Cemetery
Park · 17 listings · 6 mi away
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