Despite its signature reputation as the seat of the US government, Capitol Hill is so much more than a legal hub. Not only is Capitol Hill home to the domed United States Capitol, Senate, Houses of Representatives, and the neoclassical Supreme Court, but it’s also where you’ll find the iconic Eastern Market and Barracks Row, a quirky enclave that’s lined with an eclectic mix of bakeries, pizzerias, and global eateries. So — whether you’re a local looking to shake up your summertime routine or an out-of-towner on the hunt for the hottest neighborhood attractions, here are the top things to see and do in Capitol Hill. 

Visit Eastern Market Pottery:

The studio has offered pottery instruction on the Hill for nearly 50 years. In weekday and evening classes, students use the wheel and learn decorating and glazing techniques. The studio is open for students to use on Saturdays and for public visits every weekend.

Explore Barracks Row, The Ultimate Foodie Haven:

Getting hungry? Make Barracks Row, the city’s oldest commercial district, your next destination. The strip that runs along 8th Street SE, which gets its namesake from the country’s oldest Marine Corps post nearby, has undergone an incredible revival over the last decade. Here, visitors will find everything from quick bites and family-friendly carry-out storefronts to Michelin-starred establishments like Rose’s Luxury, Pineapple & Pearls, and Little Pearl. Nearby, Ambar is a small plates hub serving Balkan-inspired dishes like a selection of kajmak (cheeses) and a sampling of rakias (fruit-infused brandies). If it’s sweets you crave, District Doughnut serves up handcrafted gourmet doughnuts seven days per week. Or you can slurp down raw oysters – a popular snack since DC’s early days (First Lady Dolley Madison was a fan) – at one of the strip’s many pub-like restaurants.

Go Green at the US Botanic Garden:

In a glassed-in, Art Deco structure, this living plant museum educates one million-plus visitors per year on the importance of plants to not just human beings but to the earth’s ecosystems as a whole. Frequent events include gardening seminars, concerts, cooking classes, and more.

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