Welcome to Capitol Hill
Sleek sophistication meets powerful politics
This tight-knit community is located inside the beating heart of Washington D.C.’s political scene. You’ll hear voices speak up from all sides of the party lines, coming together peacefully on Capitol Hill’s tranquil streets that boast locally owned small businesses, markets, and cafes where familiar faces gather. With the city’s largest residential historic district, Capitol Hill’s row houses are imbued with centuries of charm. Other options for local residences include lavish condominiums with a few apartment buildings interspersed throughout the neighborhood.
What to Love
• Strong sense of local identity
• Quiet, tree-lined streets
• Small businesses to support
• Reserved atmosphere
• Green space to enjoy the outdoors
• D.C.’s political hub
People & Lifestyle
Politicians and philanthropists flock to Capitol Hill for its proximity to the National Mall. Compared to other parts of the city, life here moves at a slower pace. This charming district is a popular destination for tourists, and the area’s easy access to the Smithsonian Institute museums, national monuments and memorials, and the Library of Congress can be enjoyed by visitors and residents alike.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Capitol Hill claims a number of renowned eateries sporting global cuisines that will make your mouth water. Pineapple & Pearls and Little Pearl are adding grandeur to each dish on their fresh menus, while Rose’s Luxury is putting an elevated twist on American cafe favorites. Taste authentic German cuisine and brews on the patio at Cafe Berlin or elegant Balkan fare at Ambar. Across from Eastern Market, The Duck & The Peach offers seasonal farm-to-table cooking and a rotisserie duck feast made for sharing, and Boulangerie Saint Georges is the first U.S. outpost of a Parisian bakery, with croissants and baguettes worth the morning line. Although Capitol Hill’s nightlife veers toward the subdued side, you’ll still find local favorites new and old to frequent including Lobby Bar, the Eastern wine bar, Barrel, Hawk N Dove, and The Brig beer garden.
Tucked inside a stunning 19th-century brick establishment, Eastern Market is a must-shop for fresh flowers, dairy products, locally sourced produce, and artisanal goods. Peruse finely crafted pottery, taste freshly baked pastries, and pick up a high-quality cut of beef to grill for dinner all in the same place. Just around the corner, Hill's Kitchen is a charming locally-owned neighborhood cookware shop next to the Eastern Market Metro, perfect for browsing unique guifts or booking one of its hands-on cooking classes.
Things to Do
Take advantage of the heart of American politics by taking a tour of the United States Capitol. Tours of the U.S Capitol can fill an entire day and include access to the National Statuary Hall, crypt, and immaculate rotunda. The well-manicured grounds of the Capitol stretch over 270 acres and include Supreme Court buildings, the Library of Congress, and House and Senate offices. Additionally, you can peruse thousands of floral species at the United States Botanic Garden.
Capitol Hill’s wealth of green spaces, including Lincoln Park, the neighborhood’s largest, and the elegantly designed Bartholdi Park, makes it simple to enjoy the outdoors from spring through fall. Before settling in at Lincoln Park, stop by Wine & Butter Cafe & Market across the street for a latte, fresh pastries and picnic provisions from its well stocked market, or grab a seat on its sunny patio for some of the neighborhood’s best dog watching
At Folger Shakespeare Library, just behidn the Library of Congress, enjoy reimaginings of Shakespearean plays brought to life on stage. Reopened in 2024 after a major renovation, its free exhibition halls display rare treasures including Shakespeare's First Folios; reserve a timed entry pass online to guarantee your spot. Stop by Quill and Crumb, the cafe in the Great Hall, for coffee, pastries, and seasonal soups and sandwiches by day, or a glass of wine or a cocktail before an evening show, then bring your snack out to the gardens. The theatre also hosts concerts performed by Folger Consort, the music ensemble-in-residence, as well as various informational talks and poetry readings.
