Anacostia | Washington, DC Guidebook
Food scene
Turning Natural
1380 H St NEMama's Pizza Kitchen
2028 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SELa Famosa
1300 4th Street SoutheastRelaxed restaurant with a patio serving traditional Puerto Rican cooking & cocktails.
Mimi's Ethiopian BBQ
2523 Pennsylvania Avenue SoutheastOpen Crumb
1243 Good Hope Rd SESightseeing
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
1901 Fort Pl SELearn about DC history at the Anacostia Community Museum
Jardín Botánico de los Estados Unidos
100 Maryland Ave SWCelebrate the community at the Anacostia River Festival or take a tour or catch a fish with Anacostia Riverkeeper.
If you’re visiting around April, you won’t want to miss the Anacostia River Festival, which caps off the three-week-long National Cherry Blossom Festival. Be there and enjoy tours through the neighborhood, art projects, live music, fishing workshops and other events celebrating the environment and area.
You can become an Anacostia River Explorer thanks to Anacostia Riverkeeper, which offers free, scenic and incredibly educational tours year-round. Don’t have a fishing rod and want to fish? No worries. Head to Diamond Teague Park for free catch and release fishing, a wonderful experience for kids and kids at heart with fishing equipment included.
65 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Anacostia Park
1500 Anacostia DrCelebrate the community at the Anacostia River Festival or take a tour or catch a fish with Anacostia Riverkeeper.
If you’re visiting around April, you won’t want to miss the Anacostia River Festival, which caps off the three-week-long National Cherry Blossom Festival. Be there and enjoy tours through the neighborhood, art projects, live music, fishing workshops and other events celebrating the environment and area.
You can become an Anacostia River Explorer thanks to Anacostia Riverkeeper, which offers free, scenic and incredibly educational tours year-round. Don’t have a fishing rod and want to fish? No worries. Head to Diamond Teague Park for free catch and release fishing, a wonderful experience for kids and kids at heart with fishing equipment included.
Honfleur Gallery
1241 Good Hope Rd SEThis community space opened in 2013 and features Black Box Theater, Vivid Solutions Gallery and other boutique and pop-up spaces. Experience an edgy art exhibit, peruse the racks of a vintage shop or see what healthful eats you can munch on from The Art-drenaline Café. Note that the Anacostia Arts Center is closed on Mondays.
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Anacostia Arts Center
1231 Good Hope Rd SEThis community space opened in 2013 and features Black Box Theater, Vivid Solutions Gallery and other boutique and pop-up spaces. Experience an edgy art exhibit, peruse the racks of a vintage shop or see what healthful eats you can munch on from The Art-drenaline Café. Note that the Anacostia Arts Center is closed on Mondays.
Take a tour of Cedar Hill, the home of Frederick Douglass
67 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
1411 W St SETake a tour of Cedar Hill, the home of Frederick Douglass
Relish a game or a show at the Entertainment and Sports Arena
The newest, most lavish addition to Anacostia is the Entertainment and Sports Arena, which will serve as the home venue for the Washington Mystics and the Capital City Go-Go, as well as the practice facility for the Washington Wizards. In addition, the state-of-the-art arena will host concerts. Check their events calendar to see what else is in store.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Entertainment and Sports Arena
1100 Oak Dr SERelish a game or a show at the Entertainment and Sports Arena
The newest, most lavish addition to Anacostia is the Entertainment and Sports Arena, which will serve as the home venue for the Washington Mystics and the Capital City Go-Go, as well as the practice facility for the Washington Wizards. In addition, the state-of-the-art arena will host concerts. Check their events calendar to see what else is in store.
Catch some fresh air at Kenilworth Park & Gardens!
About five miles northeast of Anacostia, you’ll find this natural wonder. Come for a visit, and you’ll likely share the park with photographers, birders and even dog-walkers. Enjoy summer flowers, which bloom between late May through September. Mornings are the best times to see the famed water lilies and lotuses. For wildlife, be on the lookout from October through March, when lack of foliage makes birding for bald eagles easier. From Anacostia, the best way to get there is via a rideshare app like Uber, on bike or on the V2 Metrobus. Otherwise, take the Orange Line to the nearby Deanwood Metro station.
97 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens
1550 Anacostia Avenue NortheastCatch some fresh air at Kenilworth Park & Gardens!
About five miles northeast of Anacostia, you’ll find this natural wonder. Come for a visit, and you’ll likely share the park with photographers, birders and even dog-walkers. Enjoy summer flowers, which bloom between late May through September. Mornings are the best times to see the famed water lilies and lotuses. For wildlife, be on the lookout from October through March, when lack of foliage makes birding for bald eagles easier. From Anacostia, the best way to get there is via a rideshare app like Uber, on bike or on the V2 Metrobus. Otherwise, take the Orange Line to the nearby Deanwood Metro station.
Imitate art by visiting the sculpture "Journey Anacostia"
Located at 1201 Good Hope Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, this art installation echoes Anacostia's diverse history and heritage. The work was created to “establish a dialogue on the interconnection of the past, present and future of Anacostia.” Wilfredo Valladares created the work of art, which was unveiled in the summer of 2013. Imitate art by visiting the sculpture "Journey Anacostia."
Journey Anacostia
1201 Marion Barry Avenue SouthEastImitate art by visiting the sculpture "Journey Anacostia"
Located at 1201 Good Hope Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, this art installation echoes Anacostia's diverse history and heritage. The work was created to “establish a dialogue on the interconnection of the past, present and future of Anacostia.” Wilfredo Valladares created the work of art, which was unveiled in the summer of 2013. Imitate art by visiting the sculpture "Journey Anacostia."
Rent a kayak on the Capitol Riverfront!
Want to keep your visit to Anacostia strictly nautical? Head to the Ballpark Boathouse in Yards Park, and rent a kayak. You can cruise along the shoreline of the Anacostia River at your own pace and enjoy plenty of wildlife and nature. If you have your own canoe, kayak or boat, you can embark on the Anacostia from the boat ramp at the north end of Anacostia Drive SE.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Capitol Riverfront
Rent a kayak on the Capitol Riverfront!
Want to keep your visit to Anacostia strictly nautical? Head to the Ballpark Boathouse in Yards Park, and rent a kayak. You can cruise along the shoreline of the Anacostia River at your own pace and enjoy plenty of wildlife and nature. If you have your own canoe, kayak or boat, you can embark on the Anacostia from the boat ramp at the north end of Anacostia Drive SE.
See what’s on stage at the Anacostia Playhouse!
Productions on the main stage at the Anacostia Playhouse often feature the work of local playwrights and small theater companies. Set in a warehouse that can accommodate as many as 120 guests, the space also hosts concerts and spoken word, among other performances. The playhouse is only five blocks from the Anacostia Metro stop.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Anacostia Playhouse
2020 Shannon Pl SESee what’s on stage at the Anacostia Playhouse!
Productions on the main stage at the Anacostia Playhouse often feature the work of local playwrights and small theater companies. Set in a warehouse that can accommodate as many as 120 guests, the space also hosts concerts and spoken word, among other performances. The playhouse is only five blocks from the Anacostia Metro stop.
Discover literary treasures at MahoganyBooks!
MahoganyBooks is an independent bookstore dedicated to sharing literature “written for, by, or about people of the African Diaspora.” What began as an online-only store more than a decade ago has blossomed into a nationally renowned brick-and-mortar shop inside the Anacostia Arts Center that plays host to community book events featuring African American authors. Make sure to check their blog for the latest updates and bestsellers.
MahoganyBooks
1231 Good Hope Rd SEDiscover literary treasures at MahoganyBooks!
MahoganyBooks is an independent bookstore dedicated to sharing literature “written for, by, or about people of the African Diaspora.” What began as an online-only store more than a decade ago has blossomed into a nationally renowned brick-and-mortar shop inside the Anacostia Arts Center that plays host to community book events featuring African American authors. Make sure to check their blog for the latest updates and bestsellers.
Lace up some roller skates at Anacostia Park!
Anacostia Park has something that all of its fellow National Parks don't: a roller skating pavilion. Experience life on four wheels per foot, when visiting the park in summer. The best part about this old pastime is that skate rentals are free! Check to see skate times and consider visiting at dusk on the weekends for a dance party-like atmosphere complete with funk and hip-hop tunes.
65 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Anacostia Park
1500 Anacostia DrLace up some roller skates at Anacostia Park!
Anacostia Park has something that all of its fellow National Parks don't: a roller skating pavilion. Experience life on four wheels per foot, when visiting the park in summer. The best part about this old pastime is that skate rentals are free! Check to see skate times and consider visiting at dusk on the weekends for a dance party-like atmosphere complete with funk and hip-hop tunes.
Gather in Yards Park for a picnic before a game to cheer for the home team - Washington Nationals!
Pack lunch or dinner to dine in Yards Park with a date, friends or family and enjoy a front-seat view of the river. After dining, take in the breathtaking views of the Anacostia, catch a Washington Nationals game or play in the popular Yards Park water features.
455 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Nacional
1500 S Capitol St SEGather in Yards Park for a picnic before a game to cheer for the home team - Washington Nationals!
Pack lunch or dinner to dine in Yards Park with a date, friends or family and enjoy a front-seat view of the river. After dining, take in the breathtaking views of the Anacostia, catch a Washington Nationals game or play in the popular Yards Park water features.
Fort Stanton Park
1820 Erie Street SoutheastUnited States National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NESizable park with a waterfall, performance venue & open grassy areas -- scenic park with a riverfront boardwalk.
145 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Yards Park
355 Water St SESizable park with a waterfall, performance venue & open grassy areas -- scenic park with a riverfront boardwalk.
Dog-friendly
Unleashed by Petco
300 Tingey Street SoutheastAnimal Clinic of Anacostia
2210 Martin Luther King Junior Avenue SoutheastYards Park Dog Park
Howl To the Chief
719 8th St SERolling neighborhood green space featuring a community garden, dog run & picnic tables.
Virginia Avenue Park Playground
821 Virginia Avenue SoutheastRolling neighborhood green space featuring a community garden, dog run & picnic tables.
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
DC Circulator - Quick + Affordable way to get around town!
Only $1/ride! There's a stop nearby - https://www.dccirculator.com/.
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Rent a bike and ride (or walk) along the river trails!
Anacostia is especially bike-friendly. Rent a bike from Bike and Roll or Capital Bikeshare, and take either the Frederick Douglass Memorial or 11th Street bridges to the east side of the river (anywhere on this Google Bike Map).
Wind through curves surrounded by verdant foliage, and you’ll feel like you have your very own nature preserve to yourself. The bike trail runs all the way to Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens.