The Palisades Community Guide Real Estate From large estates to apartments, this beautiful neighborhood offers everything to love about Washington DC

Updated 5/12/2-23
History and Flavor
The Palisades neighborhood in Washington, DC, was laid out and developed in the late 1800s by the Palisades Improvement Company as a suburb on the streetcar line that connected Georgetown and Glen Echo. As time progressed, the area grew to include estates and larger homes.
Though The Palisades isn’t one of the most famous DC neighborhoods, it boasts a broad view of the Potomac River with gorgeous views and sunsets. The entire neighborhood runs along the Potomac River from the edge of Georgetown University to the DC/Maryland border. MacArthur Blvd is the major thoroughfare.
The area has a diverse mix of apartments, detached homes, and townhomes. Homes range from small colonials to huge estates. The area is close to excellent restaurants, shopping and nightlife, and everything the district offers!
An exciting time of the year for the neighborhood is the annual July 4 parade. Featuring local bands, fire engines, and children on highly decorated tricycles and bicycles, this event draws hundreds of people.
Entertainment
Music & Parks
- Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House– A coffeehouse/music shop with vinyl & java for sale, plus listening booths & a 1947 recording booth.
- Georgetown Piano Bar– Basement-level venue with well-versed piano men, sing-alongs & cocktails named for musical legends.
- Blues Alley Club– Jazz & blues junkies get up close & personal with headline acts at this intimate club with food.
- DC9 Nightclub– Tri-level hipster hangout with a snug basement bar, music stage with dance parties & rooftop deck.
- Palisades Recreation Center & Playground– A smaller location but packed with outdoor activities like ball fields, soccer fields, softball fields, a splash park, and tennis courts.
- Battery Kemble Park– The parapet and gun positions are fairly well-preserved and remain visible at this Civil War gun fort.
- Carolina Park– Also known as Dinosaur Park, has some equipment for children to play on and is an ideal spot for sledding in the winter.
- W Street Park– A great playground for the kids.
Shopping/Restaurants
Popular Shopping and Eats
- Chien de Luxe– A unique pet boutique offering high-end food and pet supplies for dogs and cats. You’ll also find a selection of animal-themed home decor, jewelry, purses, antiques, cards, books, and artwork.
- Cady’s Alley– Outdoor shopping destination with high-end retailers offering home furnishings, clothing & jewelry in the heart of Georgetown.
- Spring Valley Shopping Center– A historic shopping center, located at 4874 Massachusetts Avenue and 4301 49th Street, Northwest, Washington.
- Capital Antiques– A full-service gallery presenting an eclectic collection of 18th, 19th & 20th Century Period Furniture, Paintings, Sculpture, and Objet D’Art.
- Bistro Aracosia– Warm, casual space serving up traditional Afghani fare such as grilled kebabs, bread & dessert.
- Sweet Agave Bar & Grill– Tex-Mex style food with some flair.
- Bambu Asian Cuisine– Thai, Chinese, and Japanese fare, including sushi, plus signature drinks served in a high-ceilinged space.
- Et Voila– Long, narrow bistro offers hearty French-Belgian dishes & an extensive list of Belgian beers.
Schools
Best Public High Schools
- Washington Metropolitan High School 1357 students, 8:1 student-teacher ratio
- Woodrow Wilson High School 1,872 students, 16:1 student-teacher ratio
Best Public Elementary Schools
- Mann Elementary School 426 students, 14:1 student-teacher ratio
- Key Elementary School 382 students, 12:1 student-teacher ratio
Public Transportation
Buses/Trains
MacArthur Blvd NW & Edmunds Pl NW – Bus stop
MacArthur Blvd NW & Dana Pl NW – Bus stop
MacArthur Blvd NW & Cathedral Ave NW – Bus stop
MacArthur Blvd NW & Manning Pl NW – Bus stop
MacArthur Blvd NW & W St NW – Bus stop
MacArthur Blvd NW & Chain Bridge Rd NW – Bus stop
Van Ness-UDC – Subway station
Tenleytown – AU – Subway station
Median Home Value
$1,500,000 as of 2023
Renters: 15%
Owners: 85%
Demographics
Population 6,912
Median household income – $231,298
Median age: 40
Families with children – 41%
High school diploma or equivalent – 4%
College Degree: 94%
73% White
11% Hispanic
8% African American
4% Asian
4% Two or more other races
Guides
- Cathedral Heights Community Guide
- Forest Hills Community Guide
- Crestwood Community Guide
- U Street Corridor Community Guide
- Woodley Park Community Guide
- West End Community Guide
- American University Park Community Guide
- The Palisades Community Guide
- McLean Gardens Community Guide
- Glover Park Community Guide
- Potomac Maryland Community Guide
- Friendship Heights Community Guide
- Ivy City Community Guide
- Foxhall Village Community Guide
- Anacostia Community Guide
- 16th Street Heights Community Guide
- Bloomingdale Community Guide
- Brightwood Community Guide
- Brookland Community Guide
- Burleith Community Guide
- Capitol Hill Community Guide
- Chinatown Community Guide
- Cleveland Park Community Guide
- Columbia Heights Community Guide
- Congress Heights Community Guide
- Deanwood Community Guide
- Dupont Circle Community Guide
- Eckington Community Guide
- Foggy Bottom Community Guide
- Fort Lincoln Community Guide
- Fort Totten Community Guide
- Georgetown Community Guide
- Howard University Community Guide
- Kalorama Community Guide
- Kenilworth Community Guide
- Kingman Park Community Guide
- LeDroit Park Community Guide
- Logan Circle Community Guide
- Mount Pleasant Community Guide
- Navy Yard Community Guide
- NoMa Community Guide
- Park View Community Guide
- River Terrace Community Guide
- Shaw Community Guide
- Southwest Waterfront Community Guide
- Takoma Community Guide
- Tenleytown Washington DC Community Guide
- Trinidad Washington DC Community Guide
- Woodridge Washington DC Community Guide
- Adams Morgan Community Guide
- Alexandria, VA
- Arlington, VA
- Chevy Chase Washington DC Community Guide
- Hyattsville, MD
- Petworth Washington DC Community Guide