Welcome to another of our walking series, where we pick a D.C. street to walk a mile on and see what cool stuff we can find along the way! Today I am walking a stretch of Florida Avenue NW starting from above the 9:30 Club.
☝️ Also check out our Mile On Georgia Avenue NW guide!
How It Works
- We pick a street within city limits.
- We pick a mile on that street (Florida Avenue between W and North Capital Streets.)
- We recommend ~10 things to do on that mile.
How To Get There
Take the Green Line to the U Street stop. Or, take the D44 (getting off at Florida & W) or D53 bus, which run along almost the whole mile.
Map of my one mile walk on Florida Avenue NW. (Google Maps)
What To Do
Once I decided on Florida Avenue, I knew I had to start the journey with the famous breakfast wrap from Cafe Unido. Made with eggs, mashed kidney beans, crispy rice, and sofrito aioli it's in a league of its own. Now I’m powered up.
Continuing Florida Ave. I gaze forlornly over at The Atlantis and 9:30 Club, realizing it might have been a better idea to make this trip at night. But, It’s too late for regrets so I settle on buying some tickets on my phone to Night Tapes later that week.
The famous breakfast wrap from Cafe Unido. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Once I hit U Street, I take a left to stay on Florida Avenue and walk past Capo Italian Deli and Flash. I can’t help but cringe at the wild (but fun) late night flashbacks that go through my mind. But today the sun's still up, at least for now.
I admire the Washington Graffiti Wall and cutesy Ledroit Park arch. Then I make a short detour to the weekly Common Good City Farm Market to pick up a couple squash. With the weight of the squash in my tote I'm basically rucking now (#fitness).
But all that rucking tired me out quickly so I make a beeline for the best coffee in the city (IMHO) at The Royal. I get the seasonal golden pear cortado with browned butter, pears, and thyme and we’re soooo back.
Patio at Big Bear Cafe. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Now, I’m in the final stretch. Chilito Shack Meats and Foods tempts me with its saucy homemade halfsmokes but I’m on a mission, the end is in sight! Finally, I cross over the finish line at North Capitol Street.
But the day isn’t over yet. After wasting a few lovely hours at Big Bear Cafe (gotta do my real job after all) I head back the way I came. I know, it’s against the “rules” of this guide but my favorite cocktail bar, 600T, is on Florida Avenue and there’s no way I'm walking back without going.
I finish the night dancing at a Leith Ross concert at The Howard Theatre and grab a hot steamy bowl of pho at Pho House (severely underrated) to bring home with me after. My dogs are tired but my will to live is replenished. 💪 What street should we walk next?
