Real Estate Blog

 Penn Quarter: The best in Downtown Washington DC living.

Penn Quarter is a new name for an old neighborhood. This historic neighborhood, sometimes called 'Old Downtown', has seen great changes and massive revitalization over the course of the past 15 years. It's boundaries are less definitively defined than some areas in the city, the Penn Quarter sits, generally, North of Pennsylvania Avenue and South of Mount Vernon Square. It is easily accessable through public transportation on Metro's Yellow and Green lines at the Archives/Navy Memorial stop and on the Red line at the Gallery Place/Chinatown stop. With museums, movies, shopping, events, sports, and more; Penn Quarter has blossomed into a vibrant community.  

It didn't used to be called "Old Downtown" for nothing! Penn Quarter feels like it's right in the heart of the city. Nothing seems like it's a far walk. But why would you want to walk away? There is no shortage of awesome in the borders of the Penn Quarter, a little something for everyone. 

Striking architecture. For those impressed by Roman-esque fountains and tall columns, these are in abundance. Examples of classical architecture blend seamlessly in with modern office and condominium buildings. Fittingly, the National Building Museum calls Penn Quarter home, so the area must be doing something right! Sports fans rejoice! Seeing live sporting and music events is easy with the Verizon Center being nearby. Fans can swing by for a Capitals (NHL) or Wizards (NBA) game or see one of the many local colleges play. Even if baseball interests you more, Nationals Park is a short Metro ride away.

The Penn Quarter is a great community. The FRESHFARM farmer's market is open during the spring, summer, and fall and is a great way to get local and organic produce, meats, cheese, and baked goods. Penn Quarter also hosts the annual Arts of Foot Festival which showcases the visual, edible, and performing arts. During the holiday season, the Downtown DC Holiday Market pops up in the Penn Quarter and showcases close to 180 rotating artisans, food vendors, and live music. 

Think the National Mall is the only place in the city to see great museums? Think again! Penn Quarter is home to some of the biggest attractions in the city.  The name is Bond, James Bond. Be your own 007 (minus the license to kill, the museum does not give those out) and explore espionage and intrigue at the International Spy Museum. Catch a concert (even the Rolling Stones have played here!), comedy, or off-Broadway show at the Warner Theater. Seriously, go check the Warner Theater out, it is a fantastic venue. Built in 1924 and restored in the 1990s, it is one of the most beautiful theaters around, you have to see for yourself! Want to meet the President but can't get past security? Take a picture with your favorite celebrity but can't afford the plane ticket to Hollywood? Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is the place for you! Paparrazi it up with amazingly realistic wax figures including all 44 Presidents, Holywood celebrities, music and sports stars, and other figures of America's history. History buffs unite! At Ford's Theater, the infamous site of the April 1865 assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Still a working theater, you can see shows in a beautiful and small setting. On a museum binge and no time for a show? Perfect, Ford's Theater has a great museum in the lower level of the building dedication to the Lincoln Assassination from the planning to the aftermath. The collection has many artifacts central to the tragedy including the gun used to shot the President, the clothes Lincoln was wearing that night, and the pillowcase he died on, which still has his blood stains. Morbidly interesting! Ford's Theater tickets also include entry to the Peterson House, where Lincoln was brought to after he was shot and where he died, located across the street. While I'm still waxing poetic about theaters, thou hast simply must visit thy local Shakespeare Theater. A great theater with the awards to prove it! The Shakespeare Theater Company won the 2012 Regional Theater Tony Award, they are a great company who puts on fantasic shows of classic works, both true to original form and some with a modern twist. Everyone from first time theater go-ers and veteran thespians alike will fall in love with what the Shakespeare Theatrer has to offer. These, along with many more are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg of amazing places to visit in the Penn Quarter. 

To paraphrase the great mind of Homer Simpson, Mmmmmm.......food. And boy is there some really, really good food in the Penn Quarter. Famous and local chefs alike have flocked here to establish restaurants to rock your taste buds to whole new levels. In the mood for food with a Latin flare? Got it. Check out Oyamel from famed Chef Jose Andres. They have to-die-for ceviche and they make guacamole table side. It's like a live show of deliciousness.  Asian inspired? Got it. Visit Ping Pong for dim sum; small, delicious bundles of starchy goodness. Or head over to Chinatown and get some amazing authentic Chinese food. Salmon mousse foam? Got it. Toasted crickets? Got it. Nothing beats a steak right? At District Chophouse, you won't even need a knife to cut it, their steaks are that tender and amazing. Plus they bring out a cornbread that is wayyyyy better than any Mom ever made. (Sorry Mom). You name it, the restaurants in the Penn Quarter have it. The District of Columbia is a melting pot of people, so it's only fitting that the Penn Quarter be a melting pot of flavors and styles, you can find anything from comfort food to ethnic cuisine to fine dining to new and exciting gastronomic experiments. Admit it, your mouth is watering now and suddenly you're hungry, don't worry, we are too! Sorry about that! (not really).  Be sure to call for reservations as seats fill up quick in this busy eating scene. 

In short. Get out and explore this great city! This is an amazing place to call home (or visit as the case may be) and no opportunity should be wasted. So much to do, to see, to experience, to taste! Still reading? What are you waiting for? Get out and see the Penn Quarter for yourself!

The ChinaTown Arch att Gallery Place

801 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Archives-Navy Memoria Metro Stop

Giant Flag in Penn Quarter

The Spy Museum

The Shakeespeare Theatre Company



Bike lines down Pennsylvaina Ave in Penn Quarter

Wolly Mammoth Theatre

This is the former Surratt house Where the conspirators planned the assassination of President Lincoln in 1865 (now a Japanese Restaurant.)









Capital Bikeshare bikes in Penn Quarter




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