Columbia Heights, DC

Columbia Heights, DC

Developed at the turn of the century as a streetcar suburb of Washington, Columbia Heights began as a fashionable community with a commanding view of the city. The neighborhood has seen several demographic and economic shifts since then, but more recently it’s undergone a dramatic renaissance of development and revitalization, making it one of the city’s most diverse, energetic, and livable neighborhoods.

Columbia Heights has its own bustling commercial downtown, but also quieter eclectic spots just blocks away. While national retail stores dominate 14th Street, the neighborhood prides itself on its variety of mom-and-pop shops and small ethnic eateries. Despite massive redevelopment, the neighborhood has held on to many of its cultural landmarks like the historic Tivoli Theatre. You’ll be recognized as a regular at your local restaurants, bars, and dives. An abundance of local schools and play spaces dot the streets, creating a friendly neighborhood atmosphere. While other similarly dense parts of the city give off a frenetic energy, Columbia Heights takes itself a little less seriously, moving at its own pace.