Petworth, DC Neighborhood Guide | Carmen Fontecilla Group

Welcome to Petworth

A vibrant urban neighborhood with unique shops and restaurants

Petworth is a vibrant urban neighborhood in Washington DC’s Northwest quadrant. This sprawling residential neighborhood is one of the largest in DC. Petworth has a strong sense of community with many social events throughout the year. The neighborhood also offers a wealth of unique shops and restaurants along several bustling commercial streets.

Housing options within Petworth include many streets of distinctive brick rowhouses built between the 1920s and ‘30s. The neighborhood’s wide-ranging real estate mix also includes condominiums, townhouses, and single-family homes in a variety of styles.

What to Love

Eclectic real estate mix
Unique shops and restaurants
Upshur and Petworth Recreation Centers

Local Lifestyle

Petworth’s wealth of local businesses makes this large neighborhood feel like a self-enclosed small town. There are lots of options for recreation. Upshur and Petworth Recreation Centers each offer many sports facilities. Rock Creek Cemetery and President Lincoln’s Cottage are fascinating landmarks within the neighborhood. Petworth is also well-connected to other areas of DC, with Georgia Avenue-Petworth Station offering services on the DCMetro’s Green and Yellow Lines.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Upshur Street is renowned throughout DC for its concentration of independent specialty stores. Loyalty Bookstores is a community-focused bookseller hosting frequent in-store author readings and events. This community hub also distributes coffee and pastries on weekends. Upshur Street is also home to many exceptional eateries. Cinder BBQ pairs flavorful smoked meats with an outstanding selection of whiskies and bourbons, while Timber Pizza Company serves Neapolitan pies and scrumptious Argentinian delicacies. On 14th Street Northwest, Red Derby is a trendy local favorite for beer, board games, pub grub, and brunch. Authentic Caribbean eateries can be found along the length of Georgia Avenue. Standouts include Crown Bakery for jerk chicken and Jamaican pastries, Sunrise Caribbean for traditional entrees with many vegan options, and Sandovan Restaurant for delicious roast chicken and oxtail. Other Petworth dining highlights include Menya Hosaki for Japanese ramen bowls, Hitching Post for hearty Southern soul food, and Little Coco’s for inventive takes on Italian classics.

Things to Do

Petworth’s Rock Creek Cemetery is a historic 86-acre cemetery that was first established in 1719. The cemetery’s exquisitely landscaped rolling topography gives it the feel of a rural garden. Landmarks within the cemetery include the striking 19th Century cast bronze sculpture of a shrouded figure by Augustus Saint-Gaudens for the Adams Memorial. Petworth is also home to the Armed Forces Retirement Home, which features on its grounds the historic landmark of President Lincoln’s Cottage. Abraham Lincoln is one of three presidents to use this Gothic Revival cottage as a summer alternative to the White House. The cottage houses a museum that opens daily with fascinating exhibits on the time Lincoln spent here.

Upshur Recreation Center features a large park with a summertime outdoor swimming pool, two basketball courts, a playground, a multi-use athletics and baseball field, and a dog park. Many sports programs, after-school classes, and summer camps are held at Upshur Recreation Center throughout the year. Petworth Recreation Center’s amenities include one of DC’s best children’s spray parks and a grass lawn ideally suited for kite flying. During the summer, a series of outdoor jazz concerts take place on Upshur Street for Petworth Summer Saturdays.