Columbia Heights DC Neighborhood Guide

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Columbia Heights is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood in the heart of Washington, DC. Known for its bustling commercial strip along 14th Street, lively nightlife, and affordable housing options, Columbia Heights is a great place to call home.

Whether you’re looking to take in the local culture, enjoy some great food and drinks, or simply find a place to lay your head, Columbia Heights has something for everyone. Come explore all that this thriving community has to offer in our Columbia Heights DC neighborhood guide

Contents:

• Transortation in Columbia Heights
• Food Scene
• Things To Do
• Columbia Heights Housing
• Average Rent in Culumbia Heights DC

Getting Around Columbia Heights

Columbia Heights is located in the northwest quadrant of Washington DC. It borders Adams Morgan, U-Street Corridor, Park View, Petworth, and Howard University neighborhoods.

The neighborhood’s rich history, beautiful architecture, and breathtaking green spaces will make you feel where you’ve always wanted to be. But whenever you need to step out and explore other parts of DC, its central location makes it easy.

One of the reasons the neighborhood is widely coveted is its seamless access to public transportation. You can take the metro at Columbia Heights Station, located right at the center of the neighborhood on 14th Street and Irving. The station offers access to the Green and Yellow Lines.

To commute to downtown DC, take the metro train down to Gallery PI-Chinatown Station, then take a Metrobus or walk to your destination. Use Metro’s Trip Planner to find the best way to get where you’re going. Input where you’re stating and your destination; the system will find the best route and time.

Alternatively, you can also use the bus routes. From Columbia Heights Station, you can transfer to the DC Circulator or WMATA Metrobus, with multiple bus lines connecting you to different parts of the city.

The area is perfect for walking, and there are multiple biking, walking, and hiking trails for days you want to go for a walk. There are several Capital Bikeshare stations where you can rent a bike.

Where To Eat in Columbia Heights 

Pho 14 

Pho 14 is a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant and the go-to spot in DC for the best Vietnamese Pho. The spicy pho is the menu’s highlight, attracting visitors from afar. Due to its popularity, the restaurant is usually packed.

They also serve other classic Vietnamese dishes, such as rice plates and vermicelli noodle bowls. Try their fried egg rolls stuffed with shrimp, vermicelli, turkey, carrots, and dried mushrooms and served with delicious homemade fish sauce.

Bombay Street Food 

For unique street eats and classic Indian dishes, stop by Bombay Street Food in Columbia Heights. It offers small plates and snacks native to Bombay (Mumbai), like samosas, misal pav, and potato patties.

This street restaurant also offers Indochinese dishes, adding to its list of delicious eats. You’ll be lucky to taste their chili chicken, draped in spicy and sweet tomato sauce, as it sells out fast. The Bombay biryani, spicy monsoon wedding, and spicy lal mirch are a must-try.

The Coupe

The Coupe is a cafe, bar, and coffee house in Columbia Heights, DC. Enjoy French-American dishes in a lively atmosphere perfect for meeting friends and holding small meetings over a cup of coffee. 

The restaurant offers an unmatched level of freshness with each plate. Ingredients like dairy, meat, eggs, beer, and liquor are sourced from local farms. The menu features soups, sandwiches, salads, and freshly-baked goods. Order brunch all day, and don’t forget to try their bagel sandwich.

CAVA

The fast-casual restaurant, Cava, is a must-try spot for Mediterranean cuisine. This restaurant is famous for its customizable grains and greens bowls, salads, and pitas. So, whenever you’re in Columbia Heights, pass by Cava, pick a bowl, salad, or pita, and add the falafel of your choice and vegan-friendly toppings.

Thip Khao Restaurant

The Thip Khao restaurant is the first Lao restaurant in DC located in the ever-transforming Columbia Heights neighborhood. Chef Seng Luangrath opened its doors in 2014 with a mission to introduce new home-style cooked cuisine from Lao.

Their menu includes salads, soups/noodles, main dishes, and specials. There’s an outdoor patio dining area, and they also offer drinks like draft beer, wines, and cocktails, making it a perfect spot for a date night.

The Wonderland Ballroom

The Wonderland Ballroom is a gastropub in DC with a little of everything from killer brunches to a live DJ, trivia nights on Mondays, and an excellent beer collection with happy hour every day! It’s the perfect place for catching up with friends over drinks or a casual date night.

Things To Do in Columbia Heights

Columbia Heights is a lively neighborhood in Washington, D.C. that offers a variety of activities for both visitors and locals. You can try our bucketlist.

• Tour the Mexican Cultural Institute
• Play Tennis at Powell Recreation Center
• Attend BloomBars Events
• Catch a Show at the GALA Hispanic Center
• Walk at the Parks

Tour the Mexican Cultural Institute

Located in the former Mexican Embassy, the Mexican Cultural Institute of Washington, DC, hosts arts, concerts, and exhibits showcasing Mexico’s vibrant culture. Tour the mansion, see the beautiful murals as you go up the stairway, and attend events.

Play Tennis at Powell Recreation Center

The Powell Recreation Center has a baseball/softball field, an outside basketball court, and tennis courts. It also has a playground, seating space, and drinking fountains. Why not take a break and play tennis if you’re a tennis enthusiast?

Attend BloomBars Events

BloomBars is a community organization and center for culture and arts. They host events, music and dance classes, music performances, and more for children and adults. 

BloomBars has been voted the “best arts and culture non-profit in Washington Dc for five consecutive years. Check their calendar of events to see what they have coming up.

Catch a Show at the GALA Hispanic Center

The GALA Hispanic Center produces artistic content representing the diversity of Latin cultures, including live shows, musicals, films, and more. Catch a show at the theater and learn the Hispanic history and culture.

Walk at the Parks

One favorite reason for living in Columbia Heights is easy access to beautiful greenery outdoor areas. The neighborhood has plenty of recreation parks where you can relax, picnic, and bike along the trails.

Locals visit Meridian Hill Park for picnics, exercise, and as a gathering place for events. Take your furry friend for a walk at the Columbia Heights Dog Park. This well-maintained park has beautiful grass and benches where you can spend quality time with your pet. Bruce Monroe Park has a tennis court, basketball courts, and a community garden. Get your private plot, plant in a shared garden, or attend garden volunteer days.

Rent an Apartment in Columbia Heights DC

The Columbia Heights neighborhood in Washington is among the best places to live in DC. Besides the vibrant atmosphere, there are plenty of beautiful parks, art galleries, and recreation centers.

If you’re considering moving to Columbia Heights, finding a rental apartment that fits your needs should be your priority. June Homes will help you find an apartment for rent in an area of your choice. And if you’re just visiting, you can rent a room on a short-term lease and enjoy all Columbia Heights has to offer.

The average rent in Columbia Heights DC is around $2,262. But you don’t have to move around looking for a house that fits your budget. June can help you do that without a hassle.

Contact us today, and let us find you a place to call home.