Overview
The neighborhoods of Washington, D.C.'s Upper Northwest rank among America's most wealthy and privileged. There are big attractions, including the outstanding National Zoo, the massive National Cathedral, American University, upscale shopping in Friendship Heights, and several nice wining and dining strips that are good alternatives to the hip, trendy scene in Adams Morgan and crowded, pricey and traffic-congested Georgetown.
6 sights · 5 things to do · 18 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Upper Northwest
Kreeger Museum
Little known even to locals is this private house-museum with an impressive collection of paintings by the impressionist and early modern masters. The house itself is a work of art, designed by modernist architects Phili…
Hillwood Estate
A hidden gem of magnificent proportions. Marjorie Merriweather Post, prominent businesswoman and heiress to the Post Cereal fortune, fashioned her estate next to Rock Creek Park to be an extraordinarily stately and luxur…
National Cathedral
The impression of walking up to the world's 6th-largest cathedral, a hulking mass cut over a period of 83 years of 150,000 tons of stone, is alone worth the trip. Tours are a must if you really want to see the cathedral,…
National Zoo
A collection of 400 species, including 2,000 animals. Get a map at the entrance, take your time, and be prepared to walk a great deal. Bring water—the concessions here are insultingly expensive. The most crowded exhibits…
American University Museum at the Katzen Center
Peirce Mill
A historic water-powered mill in the park and a national historic site built by Isaac Peirce in 1829.
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 — 20 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Metrorail Red Line runs through this part of the city, where the stations are all named for the neighborhoods and their major attractions. Woodley Park-Zoo for Woodley Park and the National Zoo, Tenleytown-American University for Tenleytown and AU, etc. The National Cathedral, Glover Park, and the Palisades, like Georgetown, are not served by Metro, and will require either a car, taxi, rideshare or bus ride.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $85–$220 a night (typical $170), from 5 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $15 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$240, comfortable ~$360.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Kreeger Museum, American University Museum at the Katzen Center
- Lunch 2 Amys
- Afternoon Turtle Park, National Cathedral
- Dinner Old Europe
- Evening Breadsoda
Day 2
- Morning Hillwood Estate, Peirce Mill
- Lunch Vace's Pizza
- Afternoon National Zoo, Fort Reno Concerts
- Dinner Comet Ping Pong
- Evening Atomic Billiards
Day 3
- Morning Rock Creek Golf Course, Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
- Lunch Osman & Joe's Steak 'n Egg Kitchen
- Afternoon Rock Creek Horse Center
- Dinner New Heights
- Evening Nanny O'Brien's Irish Pub
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
Upper Northwest has many neighborhoods, each of which have a slightly different feel and identity.
Glover Park is closest to downtown—just north of Georgetown, it has the bulk of the area's nightlife, which serves as a slightly older and less raucous complement to its collegiate neighbor to the south.
Woodley Park is a well-to-do area with many restaurants and bars, popular with a middle-aged crowd. It is home to the National Zoo and the National Cathedral.
Cleveland Park most notably, but also Van Ness (Forest Hills) and Tenleytown to the north along Wisconsin and Connecticut Ave., have popular commercial strips with restaurants, bars, and small stores. Van Ness hosts a popular farmer's market and well-regarded local restaurants and delis. West of Tenleytown is American University Park, home to American University.
Further north is Friendship Heights, split between Washington, D.C., and Maryland. It is known for its wealthy and powerful residents. It is also known for having very expensive retailers on Wisconsin Ave.
Chevy Chase spills across the border into Maryland. It rivals Georgetown as one of the city's most exclusive (and expensive) neighborhoods but is much quieter and more wooded. An emerging dining scene is beginning to draw visitors from other parts of town.
To the southwest, the neighborhood of Palisades is almost entirely residential, and it is where you will find some of the city's largest and most expensive homes. Palisades also has the C&O Canal trail along the Potomac River, and a handful of fantastic, upscale restaurants.
Get in
By Metrorail
The Metrorail Red Line runs through this part of the city, where the stations are all named for the neighborhoods and their major attractions. Woodley Park-Zoo for Woodley Park and the National Zoo, Tenleytown-American University for Tenleytown and AU, etc. The National Cathedral, Glover Park, and the Palisades, like Georgetown, are not served by Metro, and will require either a car, taxi, rideshare or bus ride.
By car
Driving is another option, though competition for parking spots can be fierce. You can usually find parking on side streets off of Connecticut and Wisconsin Ave, although you might have to walk a good ways from your car, and parking is usually limited to two hours in neighborhoods closer to downtown. The Palisades, along the extreme west of the city, are best visited by car, and it's quite easy to park there.
If driving in this part of the city, be aware that during weekday rush hours Canal Rd in the west becomes one-way and reverses directions during weekday rush hours (M-F 6:15AM-10AM inbound, 2:45PM-7:15PM outbound). Similarly, Connecticut's left lanes are reversible, so pay attention—you don't want to find yourself charging into oncoming traffic!
Taxis are generally not hard to catch along the main avenues (Wisconsin and Connecticut), but will be impossible to find elsewhere.
By bus
Metrobus operates in these neighborhoods. For more information on riding buses in Washington DC, see Washington DC#Get_around.
By foot
The Woodley Park/Zoo Metro stop is the closest stop to Adams Morgan. It's a half-mile (800-m) walk over the Calvert St Bridge from the station to Adams Morgan.
By bicycle
The upper northwest is a hilly region, which can pose challenges for cyclists, especially those traveling northwest (which is generally uphill). Capital Bikeshare stations and dockless bicycles and scooters are few and far between in the more suburban residential neighborhoods, although they can more often be found along Connecticut Ave. and some parts of Massachusetts Ave. Neither of those avenues have bicycle lanes, though, so either take to the sidewalk and risk terrorizing pedestrians or brave the high-speed car traffic and try not to get run over.
The Rock Creek Trail through Rock Creek Park makes for an excellent ride.
See
The Zoo and the National Cathedral dwarf any other attractions here in both size and number of visitors, but if you have a little extra time, the Hillwood Estate and Kreeger Museum are two of the city's greatest hidden gems.
See Hillwood Estate
A hidden gem of magnificent proportions. Marjorie Merriweather Post, prominent businesswoman and heiress to the Post Cereal fortune, fashioned her estate next to Rock Creek Park to be an extraordinarily stately and luxurious site for entertaining guests, housing her impressive art collections, and with the intention of leaving it behind for the world to enjoy. The mansion is a treasure trove of French and Russian decorative arts, much of which she obtained from the USSR, whose government under Stalin was then auctioning off a good portion of its cultural heritage to finance its war efforts. Second in grandeur only to the art collection itself are the French and Japanese-style gardens—great places to linger long after the tour.
See National Cathedral (Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul)
The impression of walking up to the world's 6th-largest cathedral, a hulking mass cut over a period of 83 years of 150,000 tons of stone, is alone worth the trip. Tours are a must if you really want to see the cathedral, and the towers and the crypt are off limits without a guide during the busy season. The organ demonstrations are spectacular and loud. Check the website for events, as there is often children's programming as well as major concerts.
See National Zoo
A collection of 400 species, including 2,000 animals. Get a map at the entrance, take your time, and be prepared to walk a great deal. Bring water—the concessions here are insultingly expensive. The most crowded exhibits are nearly always the Pandas and the Ape House. The pandas are perhaps the zoo's shyest residents. The Ape House is fun no matter the crowds. Other hits include the Seals & Sea Lions Exhibit, the Reptile House, the remarkable Aviary, and the irresistibly cute prairie dogs.
Do
Concerts
Do Fort Reno Concerts
Fort Reno was one of the bedrocks of the legendary and celebrated D.C. punk/hardcore/straight-edge scene, and evolved to encompass later post-hardcore and other local indie rock. The concert series was founded in 1968 as a sort of government-sponsored hippie fest to try to bring some love, joy, and sense of community back to the district post-1968 riots. Having run annually since, this is one of the truest local traditions, is beloved by the community, and a great way to delve further into that elusive city beyond the federal government and neoclassical memorials. No alcohol, no glass bottles, but plastic bottles are allowed.
Parks
Rock Creek Park
Rock Creek Park is the largest park in DC.
Do Rock Creek Golf Course
The 18 holes of golf in Rock Creek Park are a bit rough. That's not to say you can't have a good experience here, as it is quite a novelty to play golf deep in the woods, despite being in the city. The back 9 holes are challenging due to extreme hills and narrow fairways. Par 65. Golfers might want to consider the other two major courses in the city: Hains Point in Waterfront and Langston in Near Northeast.
Do Rock Creek Horse Center
If you wish you had opted for a country vacation instead of a trip to D.C., it's not too hard to make believe in Rock Creek Park. The horse center offers trail rides, horseback riding lessons (group and private), and pony rides throughout the summer months. The trail rides are very popular, and reservations often are booked more than a month in advance. The pony rides and lessons also require reservations, but are much easier to get. For those visiting on a whim, and not interested in paying for a ride, you can just stop by and pet and feed the horses for free. If you traveled to the city on horseback, they offer full-service public stables for $600/month.
Other parks
Do Turtle Park (Friendship Park)
Turtle Park has the coolest playground in town. The centerpiece is an enormous sandbox littered with eminently climbable turtle sculptures and plastic shovels and buckets. In the summer, you can get the sand off your kids away without a trip to the bathrooms at the "sprayground." The park is fenced in and has plenty of shade, as well as four baseball fields, two basketball courts, two tennis courts, and a rec center.
Buy
The area around the Friendship Heights Metrorail station has many clothing stores - both discount stores and high end stores.
Boutiques
Books
Shop Politics & Prose
This is quite possibly the city's favorite independent bookstore, with a non-exclusive focus on politics, a coffee shop downstairs, and frequent, excellent lectures. It is far off the beaten path, about a mile north of the Van Ness-UDC Metro Station, but it's a rewarding destination.
Clothing
Eat
Budget
Eat 2 Amys
A gourmet Italian restaurant with a big focus on Neapolitan style pizza. With popular food and top-notch service, the waits can be long, but make no mistake, this is D.C.'s most popular pizzeria for a reason. If the noise bothers you, request a table in the upstairs dining room.
Eat Byblos Deli
Greek and Mediterranean food. Outdoor seating.
Eat OpenCity Diner
Late night "diner" (more of a large cafe) with free WiFi, good tea, booze, and vegan friendly!
Eat Osman & Joe's Steak 'n Egg Kitchen
The quintessential greasy spoon (which can be hard to find in the D.C. area), serving eggs, steak, hash browns, bacon, and of course the local "delicacy" scrapple to a crowd of locals and AU students 'round the clock in a small diner. Serves by day a peaceful handful of diner patrons, by (late) night a packed, intoxicated crowd. Patio seating.
Eat Rockland's Barbeque
Voted best BBQ in the city numerous times. Traditional pit BBQ. Offers many traditional southern sides like homemade style mac and cheese and collard greens. Also offered grilled vegetarian options. Wide selection of small production hot sauces and BBQ sauces. The signature dish is the pulled pork.
Eat Surfside
Tacos, burritos, and margaritas. Ingredients are mixed in fun, interesting ways. Has a roof-top deck, absolutely perfect for watching the sunset.
Eat Vace's Pizza
Another contender for D.C.'s best pizza is this hole in the wall Italian deli. The pizza is 100% authentic New York-style, cheap and done well (the subs are great too). No tables or delivery—carry out only. Whole pizza or by the slice. There is another location in Bethesda.
Mid-range
Eat Comet Ping Pong
Comet is another great pizza place in D.C. However, this is not your average restaurant. There are ping-pong tables in the back, clam pizzas, and concerts on Saturday nights. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Guy Fieri called it some of the best pizza he'd ever eaten. A local favorite! Try the wings! Also serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Definitely kid-friendly.
Eat Dakshin Indique
Indique specializes in southern Indian cuisine, usually crafted into something just a little unique, and serves its customers in a really cool, attractive space.
Eat Fat Pete's BBQ
Texas-style brisket and bourbon.
Eat Kotobuki
One roll of sushi costs $1.25-3, but it's actually good! There really isn't anything else you need to know, but the atmosphere, particularly for lunch, could well trick you into thinking you were in a little local dive in Osaka.
Eat Medium Rare
A well priced steakhouse.
Eat Old Europe
A traditional German restaurant not far from the Embassy, serving the best German food you will find in the D.C. metro area. Schnitzel is the specialty!
Eat Petit Monde Cafe
A French-American bistro in a city short on bistro cuisine is a nice find. The service is incredibly friendly, and the familiar bistro favorites are quite good, from the french onion soup to Boeuf Bourguignon, braised veal, pastas, and salads. In a pretty old townhouse, it's equally amenable to a romantic dinner or a casual lunch.
Eat Pho 14
Arguably the best Vietnamese food within the city limits.
Splurge
Eat BlackSalt
This is the one restaurant in the Palisades neighborhood that is famous throughout the city. Cuisine is New American seafood, although there are some great non-seafood entries as well. The seafood is incredibly fresh, and the dishes are inventive, such as an arctic char with green mole, plantains and "citrus braised pork belly." The adjoining seafood market has some of the highest quality fish in the city.
Eat Et Voila!
Washingtonians like their Belgian mussels and pomme frite, and this particular restaurant serves them well, particularly those fries.
Eat New Heights
New Heights is a great place for a night of complex, inventive American cuisine. Don't skip dessert. The bar has an excellent selection of gins, which is refreshing, given the number of establishments around the city with great menus of cocktails or whiskies.
Drink
Upper Northwest is a much more friendly and comfortable option compared to the nightlife-centered districts. Gin lovers must check out the bar at New Heights (above).
Bars
Drink Atomic Billiards
Cleveland Park's pool hall has weird futuristic decor, a few good microbrews on tap, and pool, shuffleboard, and darts. The pool tables are a bit expensive, and there is no kitchen if you are hungry, but it's a good option for a fun night nonetheless.
Drink Breadsoda
It has all you could want of a basement-level dive bar: pool, ping pong, good sandwiches, relaxed and friendly atmosphere—except it's clean and attractive. Happy hour: 4-7PM daily.
Drink Cleveland Park Bar & Grill
A great rooftop deck and beer selection.
Drink Nanny O'Brien's Irish Pub
Laid back with excellent beers on tap. Monday night Irish jam sessions.
Cafes
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Stay Woodley Park Guest House
One of Washington D.C.'s loveliest B&Bs set in a peaceful, safe & historic neighborhood. An excellent value steps to the Metrorail, neighborhood restaurants, Adams Morgan, Dupont circle, the National Zoo and National Cathedral. Hospitable owners and staff are an invaluable source for experiencing DC from an insider's point of view. A fresh, delicious buffet breakfast is provided every day.
Splurge
Stay Omni Shoreham Hotel
A grand old hotel in leafy Rock Creek Park, near the National Zoo, that once was a premier destination for visiting dignitaries and celebrities, from the Beatles to Emperor Selassie. Free Wi-Fi, resort-style outdoor heated pool, and fitness center. The hotel was built in 1930 and has hosted several Presidential Inaugural Balls.
Go next
For better nightlife and restaurants and more of a city feel, visit the neighbors to the south: Georgetown and Adams Morgan, or continue north to: Bethesda.
Nearby
Bethesda
City / town · 53 listings · 3 mi away
Silver Spring
City / town · 46 listings · 4 mi away
Arlington National Cemetery
Park · 17 listings · 4 mi away
Arlington
City / town · 1 listings · 5 mi away
Takoma Park
City / town · 43 listings · 5 mi away
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Park · 6 listings · 5 mi away
McLean
City / town · 5 listings · 6 mi away
Kensington
City / town · 13 listings · 6 mi away
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