Capitol Hill, Chinatown, Penn Quarter, Downtown

Capitol Hill is the largest historic residential neighborhood in Washington D.C., stretching east in front of the United States Capitol along wide avenues. Comprised mainly row of houses and, with roughly 35,000 people in just under two square miles, it is also one of the most densely populated.  The neighborhood today straddles two quadrants of the city, Southeast and Northeast, and a large portion is now designated as the Capitol Hill historic district. The name Capitol Hill is often used to refer to both the historic district and to the larger neighborhood around it. Residents frequent the neighborhood Eastern Market which has everything from restaurants, butcher shops, and fresh produce to open-air arts and crafts markets.  The new Nationals Stadium (Washington’s baseball team) is easily accessible by metro and near the Navy Yard.

Capitol Hill has preserved its historic beauty with tree lined streets and sidewalk cafes.  A diverse mix of people live in the area.  The closer to the Capitol, the pricier the real estate and the safer it is.  Capitol Hill is a child friendly area with expansive parks, good eats and unique shopping including D.C.’s oldest farmers market at Sixth and H.  Parking is at a premium although many of the brownstones have parking in the alley behind their homes.  The night life of Capitol Hill is eclectic, boasting of everything from a trendy cocktail lounge to rowdy bars.

Washington, DC’s Chinatown is a small historic neighborhood with approximately 20 Chinese and Asian restaurants and a handful of other small businesses. The Friendship Arch, a traditional Chinese gate, prominently marks the neighborhood at H and 7th Streets. Chinatown is located near Penn Quarter, a revitalized arts and entertainment district with new restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, museums, theaters and trendy stores. Much of the area was torn down in the 1990s to make way for the Verizon Center.

Historic Sixth and I Synagogue, located at the corner of 6th and I Streets, NW, is a hub of Jewish communal activity.  In addition to Jewish programming and services, 6th and I hosts concerts, speakers and events on a regular basis.  North of Chinatown is the newly developed Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood, home to several condominiums and apartment buildings, restaurants and more. The neighborhood is a mix of young and old, with people from all ethnic backgrounds. It’s proximity to Chinatown and Penn Quarter make it a great neighborhood to live in to be close to the action.

Capitol Hill

Chinatown

Jewish Life

Congregations

  • Hill Havurah
    • Education: Co-op Preschool, Yavneh Educational Program,B’nai Mitzvah Training
    • Additional Programs: Kabbalat Shabbat/ Potluck Dinner, Tot Shabbat/ Family Service, Community Seder, Havdalah ‘n Noshes, Rosh Chodesh Women’s Group, Tikkun Olam
  • Sixth & I Synagogue: Non-denominational
    • Mesorah DC– non-denominational; young professionals; adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah; adult education – meets 1st and 3rd Fridays
    • 6th Street Minyan – lay-led egalitarian minyan – meets 3rd Fridays
    • 6th in the City – social networking group for 20-30 year olds – musical Shabbat services on 2nd Fridays
    • Downtown Shabbat – Carlebach-inspired service – meets 4th Fridays

Schools

*Any student within commuting distance is welcome at any of the area day schools.

Social Services

Kosher

Shopping

Cultural life

Neighborhood Attractions

Transportation