Welcome to the another installment 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! Check out our mile guides along Georgia Ave and Florida Ave.
Kaela’s been having all the fun, so I decided to walk a mile along Pennsylvania Ave, SE starting near the Congressional Cemetery and walking West toward Eastern Market.
How It Works
- We pick a street within city limits.
- We pick a mile on that street (Pennsylvania Ave. between the Congressional Cemetery and Eastern Market Metro)
- We recommend ~10 things to do on that mile.
How To Get There
Take the Orange, Blue, or Silver Lines to the Potomac Ave. stop. Or, take the D1X or D10 bus. Both buses run along the whole mile.
My route on Pennsylvania Ave. NE (Google Maps)
What To Do
Technically, I’m starting my journey just off of Pennsylvania Ave. at the Congressional Cemetery, but hey, I make the rules!
One of my favorite places in the city, this 35-acre historic-yet-active burial ground doubles as a dog park in the mornings and has a quirky mashup of old and contemporary gravestones.
After my sojourn in the Congressional Cemetery, my walk begins for real! Ok, well maybe a quick stop at Cameo coffee inside the Roost food hall for some caffeine first. I’m feeling fancy, so I get their horchata de cafe and a leek and parmesan croissant.
As I leave the Roost, I mourn the fact that it’s too early for either Hill East Burger or Caruso's Grocery to be open. Do yourself a favor and visit both next time you’re in the neighborhood (luckily I live here)! Pro tips for the cocktail drinkers among us: Get the caprese martini if you’re at Caruso's and the boozy Dr. Pepper slushie if you’re at Hill East Burger.
A couple blocks up, I pass Mangialardo’s, an Italian hole-in-the wall sub shop that’s a Capitol Hill institution (and a vegetarian’s nightmare). I wish I was hungry enough to stop for a sub — real ones know you have to get the G-Man! But sadly, I don't have two stomachs.
Horchata de cafe at Cameo Coffee. (Annie Rees/City Cast DC)
I spot Sweet Crimes, a tiny, cheerful, gluten-free bakery and make a beeline. Whenever I’m there, I get sweet treats for a celiac friend, and I pick up a small bag of cinnamon sugar donut holes for myself. Walking is hard work, okay?
Next up is Frager’s Hardware, D.C.’s oldest continuously operating hardware store. Sometimes when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I stop here — it’s comforting to remember all the things I can fix with my bare hands. Today is definitely one of those days. I walk the aisles and pick up a paintbrush. (I’ve always got a project going.) Honorable mention to their plant store next door, although I fear for my relationship if I come home with any more plants (at least this week).
The stately Hill Center sits to my left, which offers classes on everything from cooking to painting to dance. I check, today is knitting. Probably not the class for me.
At last, I arrive at the Eastern Market metro station but I can’t not stop at East City Bookshop when it’s so close. The cozy lower level has comfy chairs where you can curl up with a book you’re considering. If you’re into board games, then Labyrinth next door is a must-stop! See if you can get the right answer to their daily riddle (and earn yourself a sleeve of Smarties, which I did, nbd).
All hail le musubi! (Annie Rees/City Cast DC)
We’re now in Eastern Market and Barracks Row, which has too many cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops to name. But if you want to continue your adventure, stay here and go crazy.
However, if I can leave you with one favorite treat from the indoor market at Eastern Market — grab a spam musubi or three. Only $5!
Thanks for walking with me!
