Overview
Near Northeast refers to the area just north of Capitol Hill and Union Station, but south of Brookland.
3 sights · 3 things to do · 6 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Near Northeast
Gallaudet University
Gallaudet is the world's only university where all classes and services are tailored to the needs of the hearing-impaired. Aside from being the principal institution for teaching and learning American Sign Language, the …
National Arboretum
The park's sprawling acres of carefully manicured gardens and its wide collection of trees from around the world are fantastic for getting away from the urban world and for a picnic. There are several attractions within …
National Public Radio Headquarters
Lobby has wall panels detailing NPR's history, a scrolling news ticker, and a nice gift shop.
Atlas Performing Arts Center
First opened in 1938, the Atlas Theatre was an old movie palace that was transformed into an arts center and performance venue in 2004 via an extensive $22 million renovation. Performances run throughout the whole year, …
Langston Golf Course
Given its obscure location, you might assume this would be an empty 18 holes, but you'd be wrong—it's no secret to the locals. Langston's public course offers the most challenging and interesting 18 inside the Beltway, i…
Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market
Since its opening in 1989, the Angelika Film Center in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood has become a cultural institution – one of the most well-known and highest-grossing dedicated arthouses in the US; it's now open in…
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 — 5 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore — 25 mi away (major hub). Directions
For more information on riding the Metrorail in Washington DC, see Washington DC#Get around.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $95–$229 a night (typical $143), from 9 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$200, comfortable ~$350.
Options are grouped as Budget, Budget, Mid-range in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Gallaudet University, Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market
- Lunch Pie Shop
- Afternoon Atlas Performing Arts Center, National Public Radio Headquarters
- Dinner Sticky Rice
- Evening Henceforth
Day 2
- Morning National Arboretum
- Lunch Ethiopic
- Afternoon Langston Golf Course
- Dinner Granville Moore's
- Evening Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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.
Understand
The boundaries of Near Northeast are North Capitol St to the west, Florida Ave to the north, F St to the south, and 15th St to the east. The neighborhood is just south of Gallaudet University.
The Atlas District refers to H St NE between North Capitol St and 15th St NE. This is the most popular part of the neighborhood for visitors due to its bars, restaurants, and shopping. It is named after the Atlas Theater (opened in 1938), now the Atlas Performing Arts Center, at 1338 H St NE. Compared to other nightlife-centered neighborhoods, the Atlas District attracts a slightly older, more eccentric and artsy, more local, and almost certainly less drunken crowd.
NoMa refers to the area just north of Union Station, near the NoMa-Gallaudet U Metrorail Station.
History
Near Northeast has long since been a popular area for immigrants to settle. By the 1950s, it had become predominately African-American. The neighborhood suffered some of the biggest damage during the 1968 riots that left 1,200 buildings in the city destroyed and, like many areas of eastern D.C., it was reduced to urban blight for decades.
However, since the turn of the century, efforts have been made to revitalize the neighborhood and make it a destination for locals and visitors. In 2004, under new ownership, the Atlas Theatre underwent a $22-million renovation. In 2006, Joe Englert, a local entrepreneur, purchased 8 properties on H St NE between 12th St NE & 14th St NE and converted them into top destination restaurants, bars, and concert venues. In 2012, Union Market, a warehouse-style indoor market just west of Gallaudet University, was renovated and re-tenanted.
Get in
By Metrorail
For more information on riding the Metrorail in Washington DC, see Washington DC#Get around.
The Red Line stops at Union Station and NoMa–Gallaudet U, both of which are a short walk from the nightlife in the Atlas District.
By streetcar
The DC Streetcar operates from Union Station down H St NE, through the Atlas District. The service runs every 10–15 minutes Mondays through Saturdays.
By bus
Metrobus operates in Near Northeast. For more information on riding buses in Washington DC, see Washington DC#Get_around.
By car
A car is not necessary to visit Near Northeast, but it is the most convenient option, provided you trust yourself to navigate all the treacherous twisting diagonals. Routes US-1 and US-50 are both quick options to head east out of the city towards I-495 Capital Beltway.
By bicycle
A bicycle is a great option for visiting the areas that are hard to reach by Metrorail. For information on bike-sharing programs in the Washington DC area, see Washington DC#Get around.
See
See Gallaudet University
Gallaudet is the world's only university where all classes and services are tailored to the needs of the hearing-impaired. Aside from being the principal institution for teaching and learning American Sign Language, the campus includes several buildings of fanciful North American High Gothic architecture and is a National Historic Landmark District. The most famous building is the campus' centerpiece, Chapel Hall. Guided tours are available, but unless you give three days notice, the tours are given in ASL. Self guided tours are also available.
See National Arboretum
The park's sprawling acres of carefully manicured gardens and its wide collection of trees from around the world are fantastic for getting away from the urban world and for a picnic. There are several attractions within the park worth seeking out, including the original columns from the Capitol Building's first incarnation, now standing alone mimicking Roman ruins, a Japanese garden, and a great bonsai collection. This is the best place in the city to enjoy the cherry blossom season—you can stroll serenely around the trees, while inwardly chuckling at the uninformed hordes sweating it out at the sardined Tidal Basin. They are not exclusively of the sakura variant downtown. Rather, there is an extensive collection of over 30 different flowering cherry trees, making for an excellent scavenger hunt!
Do
Do Atlas Performing Arts Center
First opened in 1938, the Atlas Theatre was an old movie palace that was transformed into an arts center and performance venue in 2004 via an extensive $22 million renovation. Performances run throughout the whole year, and vary from drama to musical to cabaret to dance. The building also houses a public art gallery.
Do Langston Golf Course
Given its obscure location, you might assume this would be an empty 18 holes, but you'd be wrong—it's no secret to the locals. Langston's public course offers the most challenging and interesting 18 inside the Beltway, including an infamous shot 200 yards out to an island on the Anacostia River. It opened in 1939 as a segregated African-American golf club named after John Mercer Langston. It has since attracted a good amount of African-American celebrities —Joe Louis was a big fan and booster. Much better than the other D.C. golf course, Rock Creek Golf Course.
Do Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market (Angelika Film Center)
Since its opening in 1989, the Angelika Film Center in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood has become a cultural institution – one of the most well-known and highest-grossing dedicated arthouses in the US; it's now open in DC as well, with an exclusive microcinema experience. The Cafe and Concession area offers beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, popcorn, hotdogs and other snacks.
Buy
Eat
Budget
Eat Pie Shop
A slice of one of their savory pies (like the wonderful steak, mushroom, and gruyère) can be enough for dinner, really, so this qualifies as a prime cheap eats spot on H St (or an inebriated after-bar indulgence). Among the dessert pies, it would be a shame not to try the strawberry rhubarb! An import from Baltimore, Dangerously Delicious has flourished here, and is probably the best bakery for pies in the immediate D.C. metro area. Look for pies by the slice out of their food truck downtown, too.
Eat Sticky Rice
A stylish sushi restaurant by day and crowded bar by night, the biggest draw here is the sushi. The rolls are big, inventive, and jaunty—and reasonably priced. If you are here for a couple beers, definitely order a bucket of tater tots. Thursday nights have karaoke at 10:30PM, while F-Sa nights have DJ dance parties.
Mid-range
Eat Ethiopic
Trying Ethiopian food is a must in D.C. and this is as good of a place to do it as any! If you don't mind raw meat, try the raw kitfo - with a little extra spicy red powder on the side.
Eat Granville Moore's
A popular Belgian gastropub with great seafood, salads, and sandwiches. Over 50 beers available. Try the Belgian mussels and fries.
Eat Indigo
A great Indian restaurant where you are encouraged to write on the wall!
Eat Toki Underground
A popular Taiwanese-style ramen house (think noodles with eggs) run by culinary ninja Erik Bruner-Yang. Try the buttermilk cookies that come with a shot of milk or any one of the 5 eclectic cocktails on the menu.
Drink
The Atlas District offers D.C.'s most eclectic, most unique, most off-beat nightlife. This isn't simply a strip full of hipsters lounging in dives—the different venues, bars, and lounges all have a very strong sense of individual character. Since many venues are on H St NE between 12th St & 14th St, you can have a very easy one-night crawl! Most of the restaurants become bars later on in the night as well.
Drink Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar
A New Orleans theme bar with over 50 beers available in bottles. Has a haunted house feeling and shows football games of the New Orleans Saints on TV. Cash Only.
Drink The Pug
A small, boxing-themed dive bar. "No idiots. No politics. No specials".
Cafes
Drink Sidamo Coffee & Tea
Ethiopian coffee and gourmet teas. Free WiFi.
Sleep
Budget
There are several budget and mid-range hotels along US-50/New York Avenue NE just north of Gallaudet University and the National Arboreteum. These hotels mostly cater to motorists entering the city via US-50. Some of these hotels offer free shuttle buses to Union Station and are cheap options for those who are driving to D.C. but don't want to actually drive in the city. However, many are close to a noisy rail line and are quite dingy so be sure to check online reviews prior to booking.
In addition, there are several nicer and more expensive hotels just northeast of Union Station.
Budget
Mid-range
Stay Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington DC NoMa Union Station
Suites offer a full kitchen complete with a microwave, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, a two-burner cooktop and utensils. Free, full hot breakfast each morning, and complimentary evening social available Monday through Thursday. 24-hour on-site convenience store with a variety of snacks, chilled meals and sundries. Free shuttle to Union Market, Union Station, and NoMa-Gallaudet University Metro.
Go next
Besides the obvious trip south to Capitol Hill, you can also head north on the Red line to Brookland, the "Little Vatican" home to the Catholic University and the stunning National Shrine.
Nearby
Mount Rainier
City / town · 9 listings · 2 mi away
Hyattsville
City / town · 22 listings · 4 mi away
Takoma Park
City / town · 43 listings · 5 mi away
Arlington National Cemetery
Park · 17 listings · 5 mi away
Suitland
City / town · 2 listings · 5 mi away
College Park
City / town · 48 listings · 5 mi away
Silver Spring
City / town · 46 listings · 6 mi away
Arlington
City / town · 1 listings · 7 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.