Petworth, DC Neighborhood Guide

Petworth, DC Neighborhood Guide

Petworth sits in Northwest DC around Georgia Avenue NW with retail nodes on Upshur Street NW and near the Georgia Ave Petworth Metrorail station on the Green and Yellow Lines. Side streets include rows of early twentieth century porch front houses and small multifamily buildings. The neighborhood also includes circles and pocket parks that break up the grid and provide green space.

Fast Facts

• Location: Northwest DC between Brightwood Park and Park View with 16th Street Heights to the west

• Main Corridors: Georgia Avenue NW for shops and services, Upshur Street NW for restaurants and local retail, New Hampshire Avenue NW for cross neighborhood travel

• Parks and Recreation: Grant Circle Park and Sherman Circle Park on the northern side, Upshur Recreation Center with pool and athletic fields, smaller playgrounds on residential blocks

• Housing Types: Early twentieth century brick porch front rowhouses and semi detached houses, small condo and apartment buildings near Georgia Avenue NW and the Metro station, limited new infill on select lots

• Landmarks: Petworth Neighborhood Library on Kansas Avenue NW, Upshur Recreation Center and Pool, Grant Circle Park, Sherman Circle Park

• Transit: Georgia Ave Petworth station on the Green and Yellow Lines, frequent Metrobus service along Georgia Avenue NW and New Hampshire Avenue NW, Capital Bikeshare docks on and near the main corridors

Overview and History

Petworth grew during the streetcar era with a walkable grid and a series of landscaped circles at key intersections. Many homes date from the 1910s to 1930s and share consistent masonry, front porches, and rear yards accessible by alleys. Commercial storefronts formed along Georgia Avenue NW and later along Upshur Street NW, creating destinations for dining and daily errands. Public investments such as the Petworth Library and recreation facilities anchor civic life.

Lifestyle and Amenities

Dining and Coffee
Upshur Street NW offers a steady cluster of restaurants, cafes, and small businesses. Georgia Avenue NW adds additional options with changing openings over time.

Everyday Errands
Residents find grocery, pharmacies, hardware, fitness, and services along Georgia Avenue NW and adjacent blocks. The Petworth Neighborhood Library provides meeting rooms and programs.

Parks and Recreation
Grant Circle Park and Sherman Circle Park provide lawns and walking paths. Upshur Recreation Center includes a pool, fields, courts, and a recreation building with posted classes. Additional playgrounds and pocket parks are located on surrounding residential streets.

Community and Events
Plazas and park spaces host periodic markets and community gatherings. Schedules are posted by organizers and District agencies.

Housing and Real Estate Snapshot

Petworth offers a range of home types shaped by early twentieth century development and later infill.

• Porch Front Rowhouses and Semi Detached Homes
  Brick facades with front porches or stoops, rear yards, and alley access. Many homes include lower level spaces that may be used for storage or accessory purposes subject to District regulations.

• Condominiums and Small Multifamily
  Conversions and small new buildings near Georgia Avenue NW and the Metro station add options with bike storage and shared outdoor areas where offered.

• Mixed Use Buildings
  Residential levels above ground floor retail appear at select corners near the station area and along Upshur Street NW.

If you are comparing a renovated porch front rowhouse to a low maintenance condo near transit, Roger can help you evaluate features, fees, and upkeep and match options to budget and timing.

Ask Roger: What fits my goal in Petworth
Share price range and move timeline to receive a tailored list of active and coming soon homes. Email Roger

Transportation and Accessibility

• Metrorail
  Georgia Ave Petworth station on the Green and Yellow Lines provides direct service to U Street, Shaw, and downtown connections. Walking times vary by address.

• Bus
  Metrobus operates frequent routes along Georgia Avenue NW and New Hampshire Avenue NW with service to Red and Green Line transfer points and to downtown.

• Biking
  Capital Bikeshare docks line Georgia Avenue NW, Upshur Street NW, and nearby intersections. Signed routes connect to Rock Creek Park and to the Metropolitan Branch Trail via cross town links.

• Driving and Parking
  Georgia Avenue NW and New Hampshire Avenue NW serve as primary routes. Residential permit parking applies on side streets where posted. Commercial blocks include metered or time limited spaces.

Community Landmarks

• Grant Circle Park on New Hampshire Avenue NW

• Sherman Circle Park on Illinois Avenue NW and Kansas Avenue NW

• Petworth Neighborhood Library on Kansas Avenue NW

• Upshur Recreation Center and Pool near Upshur Street NW

• Georgia Avenue NW and Upshur Street NW retail corridors

FAQs

1. Where is Petworth in DC
   Petworth is in Northwest DC centered on Georgia Avenue NW with Upshur Street NW as a key retail node. It sits north of Park View and south of Brightwood Park, with 16th Street Heights to the west and Fort Totten to the northeast.
   
   
2. What types of homes are common in Petworth
   Most residential blocks feature early twentieth century brick porch front rowhouses and semi detached houses. You will also find small condominium and apartment buildings near Georgia Avenue NW and around the Georgia Ave Petworth Metro station.
   
   
3. How do residents commute from Petworth
   Many use the Georgia Ave Petworth station on the Green and Yellow Lines. Metrobus runs on Georgia Avenue NW and New Hampshire Avenue NW. Cycling and Capital Bikeshare support short trips, and major routes connect to downtown and cross town corridors.
   
   
4. What parks and recreation are nearby
   Grant Circle Park and Sherman Circle Park provide lawns and walking paths. Upshur Recreation Center offers a pool, fields, courts, and a recreation building with posted programs. Smaller playgrounds and pocket parks are located on surrounding residential streets.
   
   
5. Where can I run daily errands in Petworth
   Grocery, pharmacies, hardware, fitness, and services line Georgia Avenue NW and nearby blocks. Upshur Street NW adds restaurants and local retail. The Petworth Neighborhood Library on Kansas Avenue NW provides meeting rooms and public programs.
   
   

Roger Taylor
m: 202.679.1750
[email protected]