8 Things to See & Do in Petworth

@britjacoby

After breakfast, take a tour of President Lincoln’s Cottage. We bet you didn’t know that for over a quarter of his presidency, Abraham Lincoln lived on a hilltop in Northwest DC. Here, he visited with wounded soldiers, spent time with self-emancipated men, women and children, and developed the Emancipation Proclamation. Tours are guided and space is limited, so you’ll want to book your visit in advance.

tomatotornado via Flickr

After your meal, walk around the neighborhood and check out all of its residential developments — single-family homes, rowhouses and a number of condos. Then, visit the Adams Memorial, commonly known as the Grief Statue, by Augustus St. Gaudens in Rock Creek Cemetery. Henry Adams commissioned the memorial two years after the suicide of his wife in the winter of 1884. The figure symbolizes "the acceptance, intellectually, of the inevitable.”

At this neighborhood bookstore, owners Hannah Oliver Depp and Christine Bollow focus on curating titles, stationery, home goods and programming that reflect the colorful and diverse Petworth neighborhood. If you're looking for a particularly fun way to engage with a new book from a writer in the BIPOC, Queer or Disabled community, check out Loyalty's stacked calendar of events or consider its quarterly Leap of Faith surprise box. 

Phillip Waller

This historic library hosts more than just books – you can join a yoga class there on Sundays, put together some crafts or take in family storytime. We recommend choosing one of your favorite novels and taking it for a read at Grant Circle. The park within the circle is owned and administered by the National Park Service and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Petworth Cigars’ storefront on Georgia Avenue has been in the family for 45 years. Dyane Johnson, a DC native, lovingly converted it from salon to boutique cigar shop in hopes of creating a community-driven space for the neighborhood to come together and enjoy a selection of tip-top products. Its Cigar 101 classes and pairings are great opportunities to expand your knowledge about the nuances and history of cigars – and the Petworth neighborhood.

Red Derby

By now, you’re probably ready for happy hour. Head to Red Derby, a bar that attracts a hip crowd for its canned beers, roof deck and board games (yes, board games). 

Timber Pizza Co.

From pop-up dining destinations to buzzworthy restaurants and local watering holes, there's a restaurant for everyone in Petworth. Discover the best places to eat in the neighborhood and find out where you can get wood-fired Neapolitan pies, try "New Japanese" fare, get a book with your booze and much more.

Looking for your next adventure? Check out all of the neighborhoods in the District.