Washington DC Neighborhood Guide: Columbia Heights
Welcome to Columbia Heights, Washington DC
Columbia Heights is a neighborhood well-known for its diverse multicultural community and strong neighborhood pride. Located in the Northwest Quadrant, Columbia heights sits right in the middle of some of the city’s most active and desirable neighborhoods.
Between the neighborhoods own dining, shopping, and entertainment and those of the surrounding areas, Columbia Heights’ residents never find themselves bored.
14th Street is home to many of the city’s most notable restaurants, bars, and shopping. The nearby neighborhoods Adams Morgan and the U Street Corridor host the city’s most frequented nightlife spots.
Overall the neighborhood has a pleasingly urban character where residents can be a part of a thriving area of DC without feeling pushed out to the suburbs.
If you are moving to DC, a Columbia Heights apartment or home might be the perfect place for you to settle in.
Featured Apartments in Columbia Heights
Columbia Heights offers DC residents an active lifestyle where you can enjoy many of the cities attractions and amenities with ease.
An Overview of
Living in Columbia Heights
There are so many unique, fun, and relaxing places in Columbia Heights that only locals know about. Learn all about the Columbia Heights neighborhood so that next time family’s in town, you know all the best spots to take them.
Columbia Heights offers residents an active lifestyle where you can enjoy many of the cities attractions and amenities with ease.
With so many cool and exciting places in Columbia Heights, you’ll be glad you moved to an apartment in the area. Check out our apartments in the neighborhood, and we’ll get you started in a rental today!
Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C.
Shop Columbia Heights!
Do you love to shop? If so, that’s good news because Columbia Heights is full of great places to go on a shopping spree. With everything from cute little boutiques to large malls such as DC USA, you can’t go wrong in this neighborhood.
DC USA has all kinds of shops for you to choose from. Whether you need to head to the pet shop to pick up a new collar for Spot or you need to pick up home goods, this shopping space has it all. Check out their variety of shops for all your needs!
For all the thrift store lovers out there, Frugalista is the place to be. This shop holds gems such as $5 boots and weekly specials. You can find all kinds of unique clothing there, and often turn up antiques and unique pieces!
Dance Your Way Through The City
Do you love dancing? So does this neighborhood! Columbia Heights has everything from places you can go to learn to dance to theaters where you can watch the professionals at work!
The Dance Institute of Washington has classes for youngsters and adults alike. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been dancing for a while or you’re just starting out, there’s a class for everybody! Check out their different classes and find something you can dive into.
The Gala Hispanic Theater has shows in both Spanish and English, making it a culturally immersive experience. Watch one of the many exhibiting shows, or join in and audition for a role in their upcoming season!
Visit The Farmer's Market
Like every other neighborhood in the city, Columbia Heights has its very own farmer’s market where you can pick up fresh produce and artisan goods.
You’ll find the market open every Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm from February through April, and from 9 am to 1 pm the rest of the year. In the Fall you’ll also find the market running on Wednesday afternoons, so you can stock up on pumpkins and apple cider!
Check Out The Local Parks
There are plenty of places for nature lovers in Columbia Heights. With beautiful parks and great walking trails, you’re sure to find something that suits your needs.
Right in the heart of Columbia Heights is Meridian Hill Park. This park is home to street performers and musicians, so stop by and enjoy some sweet music and a picnic in the park! There are also beautiful statues to admire, including the classic Joan of Arc statue and the James Buchanan Memorial.
While Rock Creek Park is so large that it stretches well out of Columbia Heights, you can get into the park from a few entrances in the Columbia Heights neighborhood. You can either shortcut into the park through the zoo, or you can go down Beach Drive and get on the trail there.
Walk Around Columbia Heights
Do you love taking walks? Join in on a walking tour of Columbia Heights! The tour will take you all around the neighborhood and point out historic sites and unique parts of town that you haven’t heard of before.
You might not know about the history of the neighborhood, but you will by the end of the tour! Learn about the Reverend Martin Luther King JR’s ties to the area, and discover the exciting streetcar era that took over the city.
Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, as the tour will take you all around the neighborhood and lasts roughly an hour.
More Information on the Neighborhood of Columbia Heights:
Columbia Heights Culture & Community
Columbia Heights is home to a passionate, proud, and close-knit urban community.
The area is a diverse cultural hub, with young professionals, university students, and seniors from all backgrounds contributing to its enormous growth and popularity over the last decade.
The Columbia Heights Community Center is available to those in the area. The facility includes multipurpose rooms, an indoor gym, game room, computer lab, stage, music and dance studios, and classrooms.
Transportation Around Columbia Heights
Due to its centralized location and convenient Metro access, Columbia Heights is an ideal home for people working anywhere in the city.
The area is served by the Columbia Heights Metro Station with service on the green and yellow lines. Professionals living in the neighborhood enjoy seamless commuting to DC’s many districts.
In addition to the Metro, the area is served by several bus routes making transportation a breeze no matter where you are headed.
The Howard University campus is located on nearby Georgia Avenue, making Columbia heights a perfect place for university students to call their home.
Many will find that convenient access to the campus and the many coffee shops and cafés offering free Wi-Fi makes the neighborhood very fitting for a university student’s lifestyle.
Food & Grocery Shopping
Giant – Grocery and drugstore located on Park Rd.
Odd Provisions – A grocery featuring specialty foods and spirits.
Panam Grocery – Grocery store conveniently located on 14th St.
Streets Market and Café – Small grocery with specialty items and café.
Sonya’s Market – Supermarket located on 11th St.
Retail Stores
Target – Columbia Heights is home to DC’s only Target.
Five Below – Teen fashion and merchandise retailer.
Best Buy – Electronics and appliance retailer.
DC USA – Large Columbia Heights shopping center including many of the nation’s most recognizable retailers.
Arts & Education
BloomBars – Community center for arts and events.
Pleasant Plains Workshop – Art gallery on Georgia Ave.
Morton Fine Art – Art Gallery located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood.
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History – Museum with rotating exhibits on 10th St. & Constitution Ave.
The Phillips Collection – Art Gallery featuring Post-Impressionist and modern art.
In addition to what’s listed above, this exciting DC neighborhood has so much more to offer. Come see for yourself!
Nightlife in Columbia Heights
The Wonderland Ballroom – Dancehall and bar popular among locals.
Zeba Bar – Bar serving craft beer and pub-style cuisine.
Cloak and Dagger – Dance club and lounge located in the U Street Corridor.
Peace Lounge – Hookah bar, lounge, and dance club located on Georgia Ave near Howard University.
Health and Fitness
Howard University Hospital – 24-hour hospital located on Georgia Ave.
Children’s National Medical Center – Pediatric medical center located on Michigan Ave.
Columbia Heights Pharmacy – 14th Street pharmacy and drugstore.
CVS Pharmacy – Pharmacy, drugstore, and convenience on 14th St.
Washington Sports Clubs – Health club on 14th street.
Fit360 DC – 24-hour gym offering personal training and fitness classes.
Sports & Outdoors
Meridian Hill Park – National park commonly called Malcolm X Park. Features 12 acres of fountains, greenery and weekend live performances.
Columbia Heights Dog Park – 24-hour dog park.
Rock Creek Park – National Park featuring tennis, golf, hiking trails, and an amphitheater.
Modell’s Sporting Goods – Sporting equipment retailer on 14th St.
Dining
Thip Khao Restaurant – Laotian cuisine and specialty cocktails.
Mi Cuba Café – Cuban dining with tropical décor.
The Airedale – German dishes and craft beer.
Beau Thai – Thai food featuring weekend brunch.
Los Hermanos – Cafeteria-style Dominican cuisine.
The Coupe – Diner specializing in breakfast and brunch.
Gas & Convenience
Sunoco Gas Station – Gas and convenience located on Sherman Ave.
Exxon – Gas and convenience store located on 14th St.
BP – Gas and convenience store located on 14th St.