Capitol Hill and Northeast D.C. Neighborhood Snapshot

Top Experiences

• The Capitol: See where democracy is put into action. Start your tour at the visitor center, then walk among marble American heroes and gape at the soaring Rotunda.
• The Markets: Eastern Market is the more traditional market, offering fresh produce, baked goods, and locally made crafts. Union Market is an upscale version, featuring oyster bars and chic coffee shops. Both are beloved weekend destinations.
• The Library of Congress and Supreme Court: Flanking the Capitol, both are architectural wonders offering a must-see window into the nation’s history and the workings of government.
• Union Station: More than a train station, it’s a stunning gem of classical architecture, where the vaulted ceiling soars almost 100 feet above the massive marble floor. Shops and restaurants also await.
• Strolling and Dining: The area has three lively commercial corridors: Pennsylvania Avenue, H Street, and Barracks Row, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and a vital bulwark in wars past. All feature a wide array of bars, restaurants, and shops.
• United States Botanic Garden: Wrinkle your nose at the corpse flower, explore the jungle, gawk at the orchids or stroll the paths of the National Garden.

Getting Here

From the Red Line's Union Station, you can walk to most destinations on Capitol Hill. A new streetcar runs from behind the station along the full length of H Street—a good option for accessing the street’s spirited nightlife. From the Blue and Orange lines, the Capitol South stop is close to the Capitol and Library of Congress, and the Eastern Market stop leads to the market and the Marine Corps Barracks. Bus Nos. 31, 32, 36 and Circulator buses run from Friendship Heights through Georgetown and Downtown to Independence Avenue, the Capitol, and Eastern Market.

Safety

Although crime is rare around Capitol Hill, it does occur, particularly in fast-changing neighborhoods like the H Street corridor. You can limit the risk with commonsense steps like keeping to well-populated areas and traveling with companions after dark. In short, stay alert—D.C. is relatively safe, but it’s still a city.

Quick Bites

Library of Congress's Madison Building Cafeteria. Steps from the Capitol, it gets rave reviews for its varied breakfasts and lunches (weekdays only). Madison Bldg., Library of Congress, Independence Ave. SE, between 1st and 2nd Sts. www.loc.gov Capitol S.

Union Station. No matter the time of day or dining moods of your group, you'll find everything you might want here. 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE www.unionstationdc.com/restaurants Union Station.

We, the Pizza. Top Chef's Spike Mendelsohn flips specialty pies with creative ingredients every day but Sunday. 305 Pennsylvania Ave. SEwww.wethepizza.com Capitol S.