Get to know D.C.
Washington Neighborhoods: A City Beyond the Monuments
Washington, D.C., may be best known as a city of monuments, a backdrop for national news, or as a home to government agencies and political power. But Washington is also a city of local people and more than 120 distinctive neighborhoods, each with a rich history of its own just waiting to be discovered.
For example, the U Street/Shaw neighborhood has a wealth of historic sites, institutions, and cultural organizations that make it a centerpiece of African American life and culture in the nation's capital.
Adams Morgan, orginally built as an elegant suburb, has become a multi-cultural center for new immigrants and ethnic restaurants.
Georgetown, an 18th-century port town included in the 10-mile square of the District of Columbia, has become one of the city's most prestigious addresses and a successful retail magnet.
Anacostia is one of the city's many historic districts, including Frederick Douglass's home.
Washington's diverse communities reflect the dynamic and changing character of American culture. Every neighborhood has a story to tell. Welcome to the city beyond the monuments.
Learn More...
- Neighborhood Map
- Neighborhood Links
- Neighborhood Memories
- Guide to Neighborhood Resources
- Research Collections