The U Street corridor is the cultural epicenter of DC. The area was developed in the late 1800’s but faced turmoil and destruction during the 1968 riots, leaving many of the buildings that weren’t burnt down boarded up and vacant. Over the last decade, the U Street area has been rebuilt stronger than before while maintaining the unique culture of a century ago, making it a nationally renowned urban revitalization success.
Live
U Street living is an eclectic mix of old and new, mixing century old row-homes and luxury high rises. With easy access to Metro, via the green and yellow lines (U Street station) or the red line (Dupont Circle), commuting in the DMV is a breeze from U Street. If you choose to drive, major arteries in and out of the city are nearby, including 16th Street, 14th Street, Massachusetts Avenue, Connecticut Avenue and I-395. Biking is another great option for commuting, as there are many dedicated bike lanes in the neighborhood as well as numerous Capital Bikeshare stations.
Dine
Whatever you are in the mood for, U Street has it. There is a great variety from casual family friendly dining at Ted’s Bulletin, to delicious pizza at the U Street location of local favorite &pizza. Without a doubt, no trip to U Street would be complete without a trip to the historic Ben’s Chili Bowl, where you might run in to a celebrity or even the President himself. And brunch lovers should meet up with friends at Matchbox or Tico’s on the weekend.
Listen
The music scene on U Street is rich with history. Musicians such as Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole performed often at the Lincoln Theater. And according to their website, FDR even celebrated a birthday there. While the Lincoln Theater is still part of the scene, other venues such as the 9:30 Club and U Street Music Hall enjoy incredible popularity as well.
Play/Shop/Do
U Street is one of the most active and vibrant streets in DC where you can find something to do at all hours of the day. The area boasts plenty of art galleries and museums to fill your days sightseeing. Nature lovers will enjoy a trip to Meridian Hill Park. In the summer months head over to the 14th & U Farmers Market on Saturday morning to pick up some farm fresh goodies for the week. Looking for a fun happy hour? Head over to Stetson’s Bar and Grill, and stick around on Tuesdays for their famous Pub Quiz.
Fitness aficionados, have more than enough to choose from. Everything from cycling at Ride DC to individualized interval training at Elevate to the spectacular spa and gym Vida Fitness, your routine will never get tired.
With all the action and amenities you could ever need packed into a few city blocks, it is no wonder people are flocking to DC’s U Street Corridor faster than any other neighborhood in the city.