Upper Northwest Neighborhood Snapshot
Top Experiences
- House Museums: The Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens showcase cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post's collection of Imperial Russian art and Fabergé eggs, as well as 25 gorgeous acres of formal French and Japanese gardens. Chagalls, Picassos, and Monets inside contrast with the architecture at the modernist Kreeger Museum.
- National Zoo: Visit the giant pandas, lions, and other members of the animal kingdom while you enjoy a stroll outdoors.
- Shopping in Friendship Heights: Once the closest thing D.C. had to Rodeo Drive, this area is still a great shopping destination but isn't as high-end anymore; sure, there are still loads of big names, including Cartier, Tiffany, and Saks Fifth Avenue, but now those upscale retailers are sharing equal billing with T.J. Maxx and H&M.
- U.S. Naval Observatory: View the heavens through one of the world's most powerful telescopes (on Monday evening with a reservation).
- Washington National Cathedral: Look for the Darth Vader gargoyle on the soaring towers of this landmark, then relax among the rosebushes in the Bishop's Garden. Concerts are held here, too.
Getting Here
Connecticut Avenue attractions, such as the zoo, are accessible from the Red Line Metro stops between Woodley Park–Zoo/Adams Morgan and Van Ness–UDC. The Friendship Heights bus travels north from Georgetown along Wisconsin Avenue and takes you to the National Cathedral.
Parking can be tricky along Massachusetts Avenue. It is more practical for good walkers to hoof it up the street or take Bus N2, N3, N4, or N6 between Dupont Circle and Friendship Heights. For more-outlying sights, driving or cabbing it may be the best way to visit.
Planning Your Time
The area has plenty of restaurants and some sights but limited nightlife compared to other parts of the city. You may want to plan your zoo trip around daily programs, such as the small-mammal feeding. Animals are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. Sights can be far apart, so leave time for travel and parking, if necessary.
Quick Bites
Cava. This fast-casual restaurant offers a variety of Greek and Mediterranean bowls and is open until 10. 4237 Wisconsin Ave. NW www.cava.com Tenleytown–AU.
Rocklands Barbeque. Stop in here for great barbecue that's tasty, fast, and reasonably priced (though not near a Metro station). 2418 Wisconsin Ave. NW www.rocklands.com Woodley Park–Zoo/Adams Morgan.
Vace Italian Deli. Great pizza (whole or by the slice) and subs are all fast and good. It's open most nights until 9. 3433 Connecticut Ave. NW www.vaceitaliandeli.com Cleveland Park.
