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Cathedral Heights Community Guide Real Estate A small, quiet and affluent neighborhood close to the city with the feel of suburbia.

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Updated 6/1/2023

History and Flavor

Cathedral Heights is a small, affluent, and quiet neighborhood east of a significant landmark in Washington D.C., The National Cathedral. Often the neighborhood is also called “Cathedral Commons.”

This residential neighborhood is located in the upper Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C. It is bounded north by Woodley Road, Fulton Street to the south, Wisconsin Avenue to the east, and Glover Archbold Park and Idaho Avenue to the west.

It’s a beautiful area that people love but don’t often tour. Indeed, it isn’t a nightclub hotspot (other city areas cover that), but that doesn’t mean the site lacks things to do. 

On the contrary! Cathedral Heights is a vibrant community with places to exercise, boutiques to shop, and restaurants to dine in. Residents in this idyllic neighborhood enjoy plenty of fun things to do. It’s close to everything the district offers while retaining a suburban feel. Walking and biking are easy ways to get around. 

The tree-lined area mainly comprises large single-family detached houses and Edwardian row houses. However, the Wisconsin Avenue and Cathedral Avenue corridors of Cathedral Heights have apartment buildings, condominiums, and co-ops.

Cathedral Heights has little turnover, so feel lucky if you find the perfect home here. There is a nice mix of older retirees and young families. Everyone loves living here!

Entertainment

Music & Parks

  • Barcelona Wine Bar – Spanish small plates, sangria & wine are served in rustic yet elegant digs with a sidewalk patio.
  • Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House– A coffeehouse/music shop with vinyl & java for sale, plus listening booths & a 1947 recording booth.
  • Nanny O’Brien’s– Pub offering music sessions, craft brews & Guinness in narrow, wood-paneled digs with Irish signs.
  • Cathedral Choral Society – Each season, the CCS presents four mainstage concerts in Washington National Cathedral and other programs and activities.
  • Ward Circle Park – A small pet-friendly park right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city.
  • McLean Gardens Community Playground – A playground for the kids with a fenced dog park for your four-legged kids. Area bike trails are nearby. 
  • Glover Archbold Trail – Forest parkland offering miles of trails for runners & walkers through canopied trees.

Shopping/Restaurants 

Popular Shopping and Eats

  • Pam K. Bambini Children’s Boutique – Specializing in fine layette and clothing for infants, toddlers, and children up to girls 14 and boys 12. Plus a fantastic selection of fun, interactive and educational toys, games, and books for all ages!
  • Proper Topper – Over 30 years in business and going strong, Proper Topper grew from a simple hat shop to a gift shop offering a little of everything.
  • Abrielle Fine Linens and Lingerie – Stalwart local retailer offering an array of lingerie, linens, custom-sized items for babies & more.
  • Dalton Brody Ltd – Fine decor items, from crystal and glass to pottery.
  • Chef Geoff’s – American dishes with a twist in a classic space that’s both kid-friendly & has an active bar scene.
  • Shemali’s – This counter-serve space offers typical Middle Eastern/Lebanese fare such as falafel & shawarma​.
  • Al Dente – Modern Italian fare, plus pizza, pasta plates & brunch, presented in a breezy, contemporary setting.
  • DeCarlo’s Restaurant – White-tablecloth staple lures locals with upmarket Italian fare, a vast wine list & patio seating.

Schools

Best Public High Schools

Best Public Elementary Schools

Public Transportation

Buses/Trains

Cathedral Ave NW & #4101 – Bus stop

Cathedral Ave NW & New Mexico Ave NW – Bus stop

Wisconsin Ave NW & Cathedral Ave NW – Bus stop

Cathedral Ave NW & Bellevue Ter NW – Bus stop

Cathedral Ave & Idaho Ave – Bus stop

Cathedral Ave NW & New Mexico Ave NW – Bus stop

Van Ness-UDC – Subway station

Tenleytown – AU – Subway station

Median Home Value

$772,000 as of 2023

Renters: 34%

Owners: 66%

Demographics

Population 12,271

Median household income –  $129,026

Median age: 37

Families with children – 16%

High school diploma or equivalent – 3%

College Degree: 95%

69% White

10% Hispanic

10% Asian

8% African American

3% Other

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