Waterfront

Understand

In 1799, the United States government established the Washington Navy Yard as a military establishment. While now largely ceremonial and administrative, the Navy Yard has is the Navy's longest-running shore establishment. The Navy Yard has been witness to several historical events, such as execution of conspirators in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

The Southwest Waterfront was long considered an embarrassment by the U.S. government; the city's notorious slum of run-down hovels, shacks, tents, and refuse, all close to the Capitol. The neighborhood is one of the city's oldest, dating back to the 18th century. However, in 1815, the city built L'Enfant's envisioned Washington City Canal, which cut the Waterfront off from the rest of the city. Intended to boost downtown commerce, the canal instead proved most adept at catching and then pooling raw sewage from the city, which at the time lacked a sewer system. The stench brought down the price of real estate, and the neighborhood was attractive only for poorer Washingtonians looking for cheap housing. In the 1870s, the city finally got rid of this eyesore, forcing it underground.

For the first 150 or so years of the city's history, European immigrants moved into the portion of the neighborhood west of 4th St and African Americans, mostly freed black slaves, lived in the eastern portion. Both communities, while poor, were dynamic, and the area had a bustling commerce, and was home to some of the nation's most wealthy African Americans. But in the 20th century, the Waterfront became overpopulated, and its economy plummeted during the Depression. By the 1950s, city planners devised a plan for urban renewal, which entailed the wholesale demolition of the neighborhood and the eviction of its residents. Despite obvious protests from locals, the city went through with the plan. The Waterfront district was razed, sparing only a few landmarks, including the Municipal Fish Market and the churches around which the old communities were based. After Interstate 395 was constructed, the neighborhood was once again cut off from the rest of the city.

Waterfront moved into a new era as the construction of the Washington Nationals baseball stadium in 2008 set off a spectacular real estate boom and a wave of new construction, culminating in the Wharf. The Nationals were joined in the Waterfront by the DC United soccer team, who have played at Audi Field since 2018. Condos and apartment buildings sprang up around the ballpark and the Washington Channel, and restaurants and bars followed. Along the channel is the 200-year-old open air seafood market, the Municipal Fish Market, several large marinas, endless rows of boats, and nice restaurants with great views. To the south and east are major military facilities at Fort McNair, home to the prestigious National Defense University, and the Navy Yard, the ceremonial headquarters of the U.S. Navy.

Get in

By Metrorail

The main Metrorail stops in the area are the L'Enfant Plaza station on the Blue, Orange, Silver, Green, and Yellow lines and the Waterfront and Navy Yard stations on the Green Line. The Navy Yard station is closest to Nationals Park. The Smithsonian station (Blue/Orange/Silver lines) is also close to the neighborhood.

By bus

Southwest Shuttle is a free shuttle bus that operates between the Waterfront and the L'Enfant Plaza Metrorail Station and 7th & Independence Ave on the National Mall.

Metrobus operates in the Waterfront. For more information on riding buses in Washington DC, see Washington DC#Get_around.

By car

Coming from Virginia, take I-395 across the Potomac, and then take Exit 4 for Maine Ave. From the north, the main roads are 9th and 7th St SW, while the main east-west street is M St SW/SE. The main bridge heading over the Anacostia River is the S Capitol St bridge, which connects to the Anacostia Fwy (DC-295/I-295), which heads northeast to the Beltway near the junction with I-95N to Baltimore, or southwest to the Beltway close to Old Town Alexandria.

There is a large underground parking garage at the fish market. Prices are $11 for the first hour, $26 for 4 or more hours.

By water taxi

Water taxis operate between the Waterfront and Georgetown and Alexandria. Fares are $10 one-way and $18 round trip for adults; discounts for children 11 and younger.

Go next

• The National Mall is just footsteps away from the Waterfront, and has one of the world's greatest collections of museums. If you're staying here, you'll be spending time there.
• Historic Uniontown, where the Navy Yard workers once lived, is just across the river in much feared Anacostia. It's a very interesting contrast with its neighbor to the north, and has several attractions worth seeking out.