Van Ness is a unique little part of town in Washington, DC. While its proper name is Forest Hills, people refer to this Washington DC neighborhood as Van Ness due to its proximity to the Van Ness Campus of UDC.
The beauty of Van Ness is that it offers residents an urban feel that perfectly blends their social and professional lives. There are many restaurants, coffee shops, bars and parks at walkable distance. On top of that, Van Ness is home to the Theater of the Arts, Howard University School of Law, Howard School of Dignity, UDC School of Law, and American University Radio WAMU (ranked number one in Washington, DC).
This community has a history of inclusiveness and you will find many community-wide events, from the weekly farmer’s market to annual celebrations. In fact, Presidents Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson lived here as did Marjorie Merriwether Post who owned General Foods. Today her former home is the Hillwood Museum where you can see priceless works of art.
Essential Highlights of Van Ness and Commuting in DC
Van Ness Neighborhood Overview: Van Ness, also known as Forest Hills, is a vibrant neighborhood in Washington, DC, known for its urban feel and walkability to restaurants, parks, and shops.
Cultural and Educational Hub: The area is home to institutions like the UDC campus, Howard University, and American University Radio WAMU, and offers cultural experiences at places like the Theater of the Arts and Hillwood Museum.
History of Inclusivity: Van Ness has a rich history, having been home to notable figures like Presidents Truman and Johnson and Marjorie Merriwether Post, who contributed to the area’s diverse culture.
Van Ness Metro Station: The neighborhood is well-served by the Van Ness Metro Station on the Red Line, offering easy access to the rest of the DC metro area with frequent service during rush hours.
Metrobus Routes: Several Metrobus lines, including H2, H3, H4, L1, L2, and L4, run up and down Connecticut Avenue, connecting Van Ness to key locations in the city, including Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle, and Chevy Chase Circle.
Seamless Commute: The Red Line and Metrobus service make commuting from Van Ness simple, providing convenient connections to various parts of Washington DC.
Planning Your Trip: Use the WMATA Trip Planner to organize your journey, track bus and train schedules, and plan according to time constraints, ensuring you can navigate DC with ease.
SmarTrip Card: To make travel even easier, remember to grab a SmarTrip card for fast and convenient access to Metro and Metrobus services throughout the city.
Get To Know The Van Ness Metro Station
Getting to and from Van Ness is simple and easy. The area is served by the Van Ness Metro Station with service on the Red Line. The Red Line is the oldest, busiest, and longest line in the system, consisting of 27 stations in Montgomery County, Maryland and Washington DC.It forms a long, narrow “U”, capped by its terminal stations at Shady Grove and Glenmont. The trains run most frequently during morning and evening rush hours and least frequently after 9:30PM. Although the Metro stop did not help Connecticut Avenue develop into a shopping destination, the Van Ness-UDC Metro station remains the heart of the neighborhood. Professionals living in the neighborhood enjoy the freedom to commute seamlessly anywhere in the DC metropolitan area.
Take a Ride On The Local Metro Bus
Also, readily available are the Metrobus lines that run up and down Connecticut Avenue NW, including H2, H3 H4, L1, L2 and L4.
The L1 begins at the 18th and C Streets and proceeds through Foggy Bottom and the campus of the George Washington University until Washington Circle. The route turns north onto 20th Street and reaches Connecticut Avenue by way of Massachusetts Avenue and Florida Avenue.
The L2 starts at Farragut Square, which is also the southern terminus of Connecticut Avenue, and proceeds north along the avenue. It passes underneath Dupont Circle via the Connecticut Avenue underpass, and is joined by the L1 at an intersection with Florida Avenue and S Street.
Now together, the two routes continue north along the avenue. The L1 crosses Rock Creek PArk via the Taft Bridge, while the L2 takes a brief detour into Adams Morgan via Columbia Road, Calvert Street, and the Duke Ellington Bridge.
The routes serve multiple stations of the Red Line, namely Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, and Van Ness, until the Red Line diverts from Connecticut Avenue. Both routes terminate at Chevy Chase Circle, just south of Western Avenue and the MAryland state line.
Prepare Your Trip Before You Go
There are so many different ways to get where you need to go in DC that it can get confusing to plan. Using WMATA’s Trip Planner, you can organize your trip so that you know exactly where you’re headed. You can put your departure time or arrival time into the planner to make time constraints easy to work with. You’re also able to check for trip updates to see when buses and trains are due to arrive. Ready to get rolling? Great! Grab a Smartrip card and let’s hit the town!
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FAQs About Van Ness and Commuting in DC
What is the Van Ness neighborhood known for?
Van Ness, also known as Forest Hills, is a unique neighborhood in Washington DC. It’s recognized for its urban feel that blends social and professional lives, with numerous restaurants, coffee shops, bars, parks, and cultural institutions within walking distance. The area is home to UDC, Howard University, and the Theater of the Arts, and is also known for its historical significance.
How do I get to Van Ness by metro?
The Van Ness neighborhood is conveniently served by the Van Ness Metro Station on the Red Line. The Red Line is the oldest, busiest, and longest line in the DC metro system, providing easy access to various areas in Washington, DC, and Montgomery County, Maryland. It’s especially convenient for professionals who live in the area and need to commute to the wider DC metropolitan region.
What are the main Metrobus routes serving Van Ness?
Van Ness is also well-served by Metrobus routes along Connecticut Avenue NW. The most common routes include H2, H3, H4, L1, L2, and L4. These routes connect various neighborhoods within the city, including Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, and Chevy Chase, making it easy for residents and commuters to navigate the area.
How can I plan my commute in DC?
To make commuting easier, you can use WMATA’s Trip Planner. It helps you organize your trip by providing specific information on departure and arrival times, route choices, and real-time updates on bus and train schedules. The Trip Planner ensures that you can plan your journey efficiently, saving you time on your commute.
Where can I buy a SmarTrip card for commuting in DC?
SmarTrip cards are essential for accessing DC’s metro and bus systems. You can purchase a SmarTrip card at Metro stations, online, or at participating retail locations throughout the city. With a SmarTrip card, you can easily pay for metro rides and bus fares in Washington, DC.
