Welcome to Bloomingdale
Friendly residential neighborhood close to Capitol Hill.
Bloomingdale is a mostly residential neighborhood in northwest D.C., just two miles away from the Capitol Building. “The Washington Post” describes Bloomingdale as “everybody’s favorite DC neighborhood.” It is renowned for its self-contained, small-town feel and the friendliness of its residents. Most shops and restaurants are centered at First and RI Ave NW., giving residents living on its quieter streets a central place to congregate. Convenient transport links, including several Metro stations, make Bloomingdale an inviting place to escape the bustle of D.C.’s busier areas.
Bloomingdale is located just outside L’Enfants’ master planned D.C. core, though its real estate mix contains many of the iconic Victorian rowhouses found in other D.C. neighborhoods. The area has some unique housing options. Parker Flats contains 92 attractively renovated apartments housed within the beautiful former Nathaniel Parker Gage School. There’s also a section of renovated carriage houses in North Bloomingdale.
What to Love
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Neighborhood feel
- Convenient location
- Attractive homes
People & Lifestyle
The community vibe is one of the things residents love most about living in Bloomingdale. On warm afternoons, you’ll often find locals hanging out on their stoops and passing the time together. The populace is a mix of long-term residents, college students, young families, and those seeking a calm place to call home, while enjoying an easy commute to other D.C. areas. Many bus lines connect Bloomingdale to other areas, while the heart of the neighborhood is around 15 minutes; walk from Shaw-Howard University station on the Metro Green line and NoMa-Gallaudet U on the Red.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Bloomingdale’s historic buildings house many enticing modern restaurants. The Red Hen combines Italian and American influences in its creative wood-fired dishes. Big Bear Café is a well-loved neighborhood favorite that bustles all day, serving coffee and breakfast in the morning and beer and steak-frites at night. Sylvan Café & Bakery is another good place to grab breakfast, with authentic Jersey-style bagels. There’s also pizza at Bacio, Thai and Japanese food at Aroi, and bottomless glasses of rosé with brunch at Tyber Creek Wine Bar & Kitchen.
Friendly neighborhood bars include The Pub and the People and Boundary Stone, while Truxton Inn mixes creative cocktails in a chic setting. The Showtime Lounge is famed for its weekly performances by local legends Granny and the Boys, a group fronted by a grandmother born in the 1930s. A farmers’ market is held on Sundays between May and November.
Things to Do
Crispus Attucks Park is a cornerstone of the community. Its green space extends over more than an acre. The park hosts events such as the Bloomie Nights movies-under-the-stars series and the beloved Bloomingdale Community Day. The Common Good City Farm in nearby LeDroit Park is an urban agricultural enterprise that provides workshops on growing your own produce, along with selling fresh foods grown on its premises. The park surrounding Common Good also has art murals, a children’s playground, and a dog park. Primal Fitness is the most popular nearby gym, and there is also a yoga studio called Yoga District.
Schools
Bloomingdale is zoned to the District of Columbia Public School District.
- Cleveland Elementary School, Public, PK–5
- Hyde-Addison Elementary School at Meyer, Public, PK–5
- Mundo Verde Bilingual Public Charter School, PK–5
- KIPP DC Lead Academy Public Charter School, 1–4
- Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, Public, Magnet, 9–12 (ranked best high school in district)
