Photo: Brook Ward You may think you know all about DC and its history, but no matter where you look it seems there are plenty of new things to see and discover, including some fun and quirky facts about DC. There’s no “J” Street For instance, did you ever notice there’s no “J” Street in Washington DC. Letter streets go east to west in the District, but the letters “I” and “J” were simply too similar in old English. Sometimes they were virtually interchangeable, thus “J” Street was left off the map. President George Washington’s “empty” crypt The U.S. Capitol Building has a crypt under it that ..read more

Balancing Suburbia With Urban Conveniences Located on the western end of Arlington's Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, Ballston bridges two distinct areas of northern Virginia, effectively blending city and suburban life. Near the Metro Station, Ballston's core is dotted with skyscrapers, condo complexes, and office buildings that hum with activity during the day. A nice mix of shopping and entertainment options clustered around the Metro ensure the area stays "alive after five." The Metro's easy access to Georgetown and Downtown DC via the Orange Line train and Metro bus is one of Ballston's great ..read more

Developed in the late 1890s, the Dupont Circle area built a reputation as a fashionable residential neighborhood that lasted into the early years of the 20th century.  The circle itself was originally called “Pacific Circle” and later evolved to “Dupont Circle” after Congress erected a bronze statue of Rear Admiral Francis duPont in recognition of his Civil War service in 1874. In 1921, city planners replaced the statue with a double-tiered white marble fountain that endures to this day. The Historic District extends in all directions from the actual circle and is primarily residential ..read more

The H Street Corridor is a vibrant stretch in Northeast DC running from Hechinger Mall to Union Station that has seen an explosion in real estate sales as the neighborhood has become well-known for its nightlife, arts, and communal vibe.  Bordered to the north by I Street NE, to the south by G Street NE with Florida Avenue to the east and 2nd Street NE to the west, it’s hard to believe the area was once filled with burned-out storefronts.  The opening of a Whole Foods in 2017 symbolizes the upward change in the neighborhood’s fortunes.  Properties range from traditional-style ho ..read more

With the secluded appeal of life in the suburbs, yet a location that provides easy access to everything you want in the District, Barnaby Woods has it all. This small neighborhood sits in Northwest Washington, close to Chevy Chase and just west of Rock Creek Park.  Perhaps best known for the fanciful unicorn statues that stand guard over the entrance to the townhomes of Barnaby Woods, the community is the kind of place where you’ll find homeowners out walking their dogs, riding their bikes, or further enjoying the peacefulness of this idyllic community. While just 23-acres in size, Barna ..read more

Colonial-style homes aren’t the only predominant features in DC’s Colonial Village neighborhood. This Northwest DC neighborhood is also known for its curving, tree-lined streets, its proximity to Rock Creek Park, and its gardens. In fact, many neighbors look forward to a garden tour each May, when private retreats open for others to see and experience the uniqueness of living in Colonial Village. It certainly doesn’t hurt that nearly every side of the neighborhood is surrounded by the lush greenery of Rock Creek Park either. Some homes in Colonial Village were constructed to look right out ov ..read more

In a region where center-hall Colonials and period homes dominate, Hollin Hills in Alexandria offers a vastly different aesthetic and history, contributing to its emergence as one of the hottest neighborhoods in the Metro DC area.  Hollin Hills was the vision of Robert C. Davenport, a successful builder in the post-WW II decade.  Construction in Hollin Hills begin in 1948 and continued on through 1970.  Davenport hired Charles Goodman as the architect, instructing him to specifically design the homes around the winding creeks, steep slopes and densely wooded area that made up t ..read more

A well-traveled roadway in Arlington County now has a new name and a new identity. Formerly called Lee Highway after Confederate General Robert E Lee, the Arlington County Board voted last summer to rename the corridor Langston Boulevard. It took about a year to come up with the new name, which didn’t actually become official until this year when the new signs all went up. Langston Boulevard honors John M Langston, who was considered by many to be the first Black person to be elected to public office in the county. He’s credited for helping recruit Black soldiers into the Union Army during th ..read more

Cleveland Park is perhaps best known as the site of the National Zoo and the Uptown Theater as well as its "grand dame" apartments on Connecticut Avenue.  Increasingly, this self-contained tony suburb in the city is also a sought after neighborhood for families and young professionals. Summertime Suburb The neighborhood started off as a "summer community" for well-heeled DC residents in the days before air conditioning with its hilly location providing relief from the hot, humid air in the then built-up areas of the District.  The community draws its name from President Grover Cleve ..read more

Those considering making a move to the DC area have several exceptional neighborhoods to choose from. While some cater best to singles, couples and young professionals, there are also some neighborhoods in DC that are favored by families. Georgetown When it comes to some of DC’s best neighborhoods, Georgetown often tops the list. This family-friendly neighborhood offers high ranking schools, plus it’s also home to Georgetown University. In addition, there’s plenty of room for outdoor recreation, with biking, walking, or jogging along the C&O Canal Towpath, kayaking out on the Potomac, or ..read more