Richmond’s Bloomingdale, DC Guidebook
Food scene
Consistently rated one of DC's best restaurants, The Red Hen is just around the corner on First and Seaton Streets NW. If you're not able to get a reservation, you can grab a spot at the large bar area.
359 locals recommend
The Red Hen
1822 1st St NWConsistently rated one of DC's best restaurants, The Red Hen is just around the corner on First and Seaton Streets NW. If you're not able to get a reservation, you can grab a spot at the large bar area.
Located at First and T Streets NW, this Bloomingdale wine bar is a very short walk from the house. It has a beautiful outdoor patio for warmer days and a wood oven for small plates.
7 locals recommend
Etabli
84 T Street NorthwestLocated at First and T Streets NW, this Bloomingdale wine bar is a very short walk from the house. It has a beautiful outdoor patio for warmer days and a wood oven for small plates.
Excellent coffee in a beautiful space. This coffee shop has lots of outdoor seating.
354 locals recommend
Big Bear Cafe
1700 R St NWExcellent coffee in a beautiful space. This coffee shop has lots of outdoor seating.
Excellent coffee and an assortment of Colombia-inspired dishes. It's located at 5th St and Florida Ave - a short walk from the house.
92 locals recommend
The Royal
501 Florida Ave NWExcellent coffee and an assortment of Colombia-inspired dishes. It's located at 5th St and Florida Ave - a short walk from the house.
Nice brunch and happy hour. Good bar. Very close to the house on south side of Rhode Island Ave between First and Second Streets but closer to First.
262 locals recommend
Boundary Stone
116 Rhode Island Ave NWNice brunch and happy hour. Good bar. Very close to the house on south side of Rhode Island Ave between First and Second Streets but closer to First.
Bacio Pizzeria
81 Seaton Pl NWVery good pizza just a short walk at First and Seaton Streets.
The best cookies and cinnamon roles in DC! Sandwiches are also great. A slightly longer walk to North Capitol and Bates Streets.
27 locals recommend
Uncle Chip's Cookies
1514 North Capitol St NWThe best cookies and cinnamon roles in DC! Sandwiches are also great. A slightly longer walk to North Capitol and Bates Streets.
Nice little sandwich shop very close to the house at 3rd St and Florida Ave.
23 locals recommend
Meats & Foods
247 Florida Ave NWNice little sandwich shop very close to the house at 3rd St and Florida Ave.
Nightlife - Neighborhood cocktails, wine & beer
Truxton Inn
251 Florida Ave NWNeighborhood cocktail bar.
Nice beer and cocktails. Located at R & North Capitol Streets.
252 locals recommend
The Pub & The People
1648 North Capitol Street NorthwestNice beer and cocktails. Located at R & North Capitol Streets.
Total hipster bar. One block from the house at First St. and Rhode Island Ave. Cash only.
145 locals recommend
Showtime Lounge
113 Rhode Island Ave NWTotal hipster bar. One block from the house at First St. and Rhode Island Ave. Cash only.
Neighborhoods
Bloomingdale is a small historic district, located only minutes from downtown and the monuments.
Situated amongst the elm, maple, crape myrtle, and ginko trees lies this quaint community rich in history and architectural charm. The all brick Victorian rowhomes that line the streets were built at the turn of century utilizing exquisite craftmanship and a particular attention to detail.
Straddling the former Boundary Street (now Florida Avenue) Bloomingdale became known for its quiet streets and accessibility. The neighborhood is very close to Howard University, Catholic University, the Children's Hospital, Union Station, Union Market, the Howard Theatre, and the 930 Club.
The Washington Post recently profiled the neighborhood: https://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/bloomingdale-once-drug-ridden-now-one-of-dcs-most-coveted-addresses/2020/09/22/7a4b4b92-f160-11ea-999c-67ff7bf6a9d2_story.html
24 locals recommend
Bloomingdale
Bloomingdale is a small historic district, located only minutes from downtown and the monuments.
Situated amongst the elm, maple, crape myrtle, and ginko trees lies this quaint community rich in history and architectural charm. The all brick Victorian rowhomes that line the streets were built at the turn of century utilizing exquisite craftmanship and a particular attention to detail.
Straddling the former Boundary Street (now Florida Avenue) Bloomingdale became known for its quiet streets and accessibility. The neighborhood is very close to Howard University, Catholic University, the Children's Hospital, Union Station, Union Market, the Howard Theatre, and the 930 Club.
The Washington Post recently profiled the neighborhood: https://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/bloomingdale-once-drug-ridden-now-one-of-dcs-most-coveted-addresses/2020/09/22/7a4b4b92-f160-11ea-999c-67ff7bf6a9d2_story.html
Neighborhood Parks
This is a secret park right in the middle of Bloomindale one block from the house! You can enter this community park on U Street NW by walking down the alley on the north side of the block. This is a lovely spot to rest and meet neighborhood dogs!
76 locals recommend
Crispus Attucks Park
23 U St NWThis is a secret park right in the middle of Bloomindale one block from the house! You can enter this community park on U Street NW by walking down the alley on the north side of the block. This is a lovely spot to rest and meet neighborhood dogs!
Very large park with play area for children and a fenced area for dogs. Very close to the House at Elm and 3rd Sts.
7 locals recommend
The Park at LeDroit
286 V St NWVery large park with play area for children and a fenced area for dogs. Very close to the House at Elm and 3rd Sts.
Common Good City Farm
300 V St NWLocal community garden. Beautiful space to visit to buy local produce.
City advice
Getting around
Howard-Shaw is closest metro station
The Howard-Shaw metro station is about half a mile or a 10-12 minute walk. Go south on Second Street from the house and then make a right onto T street and follow it through historic LeDroit Park to 7th Street NW. Make a left on 7th, and you'll see the metro half way down the block. This station is on the yellow and green lines.
Getting around
Three Helpful Bus Routes
There are three main bus routes near the house that go directly to central areas and attractions.
G8: The stop is very close to the house at 2nd Street and Rhode Island Ave. It goes to Chinatown, City Center, and ends at Farragut Square just north of the White House.
G2: The stop is at 4th St NW between Elm and U Sts. This bus goes all the way across NW DC on P street, stopping in Logan Circle and ending in Georgetown.
80: The stop is at North Capitol St and Rhode Island Ave. This bus goes to Union Station and then across the city on H and K all the way to the Kennedy Center.
Don't miss
Bloomingdale Farmers Market on Sundays (May-December)
There is a nice community farmers market on Sundays from 9am-1pm from the first weekend of May through the end of December. It is located on First and R Streets NW just across from the Big Bear Café.