DC Neighborhoods
The DC neighborhood that people who’ve lived in the city for a long time eventually find — and then stop looking.
Takoma doesn’t need to announce itself. Over 150 independent businesses within walking distance of the Metro, a coffee roaster Food and Wine named the best in DC, and Victorian bungalows protected since the 1980s.
Staying Near Takoma DC
Takoma is residential — nearby Silver Spring, Maryland has the closest hotels with easy Red Line access back into DC.
Cambria Hotel Silver Spring
Modern full-service hotel in downtown Silver Spring, steps from the Red Line. Easy access to Takoma and all of DC.
Check RatesHampton Inn Silver Spring
Reliable, clean, free breakfast. Red Line to Takoma in one stop.
Check RatesThe LINE DC
Converted 1930s church in Adams Morgan — Red Line connection at Woodley Park. DC’s most distinctive boutique option near the Red Line corridor.
Check RatesThe Dupont Circle Hotel
Full-service hotel directly on the circle — Red Line to Takoma in about 20 minutes.
Check RatesWhere Takoma Is
Takoma sits in the far northeastern corner of Washington DC, directly on the Maryland border. The Takoma Metro station on the Red Line is the neighborhood anchor — about 20 minutes from Metro Center. The neighborhood is also accessible via the Metropolitan Branch Trail — the 8-mile protected bike trail running from Union Station north through Eckington and Brookland to Takoma.
The Architecture
Takoma’s housing stock is one of its defining features — Victorian bungalows, American Foursquare homes, and craftsman-style houses built between the 1880s and 1920s. A Historic District designation fought for by residents in the 1980s has protected this architecture from the demolition that changed the character of neighborhoods throughout the city. The result is a neighborhood that looks substantially the same as it did a century ago — front porches intact, tree canopy mature.
Lost Sock Roasters
Lost Sock Roasters at 6833 4th Street NW — inside the historic Takoma Theater building — is Takoma’s coffee anchor. Food and Wine named it Best Local Roaster and Best Drip Coffee in Washington DC. Small-batch specialty roaster, neighborhood café energy without pretension. One of DC’s genuinely best coffee stops.
The Commercial Corridor
Over 150 independent businesses within walking distance of the Metro station — an independent retail density that DC’s more gentrified neighborhoods have largely lost. Busboys and Poets brings its full restaurant-bookstore-community space format to the neighborhood. Fair Days Play is one of the last independently-owned toy stores in the DC area. The Takoma Park Farmers Market runs year-round on Sundays — one of the few DC-area markets that doesn’t take winter off.
Getting Around
Metro: Takoma station (Red Line) — 20 minutes from Metro Center. Metropolitan Branch Trail: 8 miles of protected off-street trail to Union Station — one of DC’s best bike commutes. See our biking in DC guide. Parking: Significantly easier than most DC neighborhoods.
Takoma DC Quick Reference
- Metro Takoma (Red Line) — 20 min from Metro Center
- Bike access Metropolitan Branch Trail — 8 miles from Union Station
- Best coffee Lost Sock Roasters — Food and Wine’s Best in DC
- Best community dining Busboys and Poets — restaurant, bookstore, events
- Best shopping 150+ independent businesses near Metro
- Best toy store Fair Days Play — one of last independent toy stores in DC
- Market Takoma Park Farmers Market — Sundays, year-round
- Architecture Historic District — Victorian bungalows, Foursquares protected
- Best for Families, longtime DC residents, cyclists, community seekers
Bottom Line
Takoma is the DC neighborhood that people who’ve lived in the city for a long time eventually find — and then stop looking. Over 150 independent businesses. Lost Sock Roasters. A Historic District of Victorian bungalows. A year-round farmers market. It doesn’t need to announce itself.
For families: DC Area Schools Guide · Moving to DC With Family. Full city picture: DC Neighborhoods Guide.
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