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What to do near Howard University

Golf, music venues, and theaters included

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Students at Howard University have the pleasure of being located near a variety of Washington, D.C.’s most popular neighborhoods, such as U Street, Columbia Heights, and Logan Circle.

To help visitors, faculty, staff, students, and anyone near the area, Curbed DC has put together this map of some of the best venues for chilling out or having fun. Expect everything from theaters to music venues to cozy parks included.

Were there any notable locations left off this map? Let Curbed DC know in the comments.

Note: The mapped points have been listed geographically, from most north to most south.

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Old Soldiers' Home Golf Course

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Located at a 166-year-old military facility, this golf course offers views of the Washington Monument and the dome of the U.S. Capitol. The golf course comes with nine holes as well as amenities like a driving range, putting/chipping green, and an ability to bring in three guests at a time.

This is certainly the most expensive venue on this list for having fun as annual membership dues total $700. Expect much more affordable options when it comes to the other mapped points.

Photo via Shutterstock/sattahipbeach

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

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This site is specially catered to those who get goosebumps at the sight of massive and gorgeous architecture. The Basilica in the Brookland neighborhood is the largest Catholic church in the United States and North America, one of the ten largest churches in the world, and the tallest habitable building in Washington, D.C., according to the Basilica's website.

If interested in following in the Pope's footsteps, this is also a choice location to visit as both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have visited this church.

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

BloomBars

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Art and music lovers are sure to enjoy this local venue. This non-profit in Columbia Heights was established in 2008. Along with poetry readings, it also hosts open mic nights, puppet shows, and samba classes.

Meridian Hill Park

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When people think of what to do in Washington, D.C., the first things that come to mind are usually monuments, memorials, and museums. Rarely are parks ever spoken of, but this one in particular is a site to behold and shouldn't be missed. During the warmer weather, the park offers a serene escape from the city with a tranquil waterfall and drummers.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

9:30 Club

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This historic music venue first opened at 930 F Street NW in May 1980. It eventually relocated to its current location in Shaw in January 1996. By April 2013, Rolling Stone Magazine named the 9:30 Club the “Best Big Room in America.” The 1,200-capacity club has been host to bands like R.E.M., Nirvana, and Green Day.

Belle & Sebastian performing at the 9:30 Club
Belle & Sebastian performing at the 9:30 Club.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Andrew Wiseman

Crispus Attucks Park

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Hey, dog walkers! We've found your next perfect walking spot. This serene spot is located near the U Street and Bloomingdale neighborhoods. It’s certainly not one of the biggest parks in the city, but it is one of the most calm.

Photo via rockcreek

U Street Music Hall

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Spanning 1,200 square feet, this DJ-owned and operated dance club has been around since March 2010. Since then, it has hosted several big-name electronic artists, including Kaskade, Disclosure, and Skrillex. This venue has been honored with several awards, including Rolling Stone’s tenth place for “Best Club in America” in 2013.

CRX performing at U Street Music Hall.
Photo via Theresa C. Sanchez

Howard Theatre

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As one of the most historic theatres on this list, the Howard Theatre is certainly a sight to see. It first opened in 1910 and was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. In 2010, it started an approximately $28 million renovation, which finished in 2012. Since it first opened, the Howard Theatre has hosted acts that included Kendrick Lamar, The Roots, and Drake.

Black Cat

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The facility that currently houses The Black Cat was constructed around 1913 and first served as a showroom for the Warrington Motor Car Company. The Black Cat was founded in 1993 by former Gray Matter drummer Dante Ferrando and investors that included D.C. area native and Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl.

This nightclub offers acts from a variety of genres, including indie rock, metal, punk, and electronic. The venue also offers Dr. Who happy hours.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

Old City Farm and Guild

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This urban garden retail center was first founded in 2008. Ever since, it has supplied locals and visitors with a variety of plants, food, and gardening supplies. When visiting, be sure to also check out the venue’s tiny home, called The Matchbox.

Old Soldiers' Home Golf Course

Located at a 166-year-old military facility, this golf course offers views of the Washington Monument and the dome of the U.S. Capitol. The golf course comes with nine holes as well as amenities like a driving range, putting/chipping green, and an ability to bring in three guests at a time.

This is certainly the most expensive venue on this list for having fun as annual membership dues total $700. Expect much more affordable options when it comes to the other mapped points.

Photo via Shutterstock/sattahipbeach

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

This site is specially catered to those who get goosebumps at the sight of massive and gorgeous architecture. The Basilica in the Brookland neighborhood is the largest Catholic church in the United States and North America, one of the ten largest churches in the world, and the tallest habitable building in Washington, D.C., according to the Basilica's website.

If interested in following in the Pope's footsteps, this is also a choice location to visit as both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have visited this church.

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

BloomBars

Art and music lovers are sure to enjoy this local venue. This non-profit in Columbia Heights was established in 2008. Along with poetry readings, it also hosts open mic nights, puppet shows, and samba classes.

Meridian Hill Park

When people think of what to do in Washington, D.C., the first things that come to mind are usually monuments, memorials, and museums. Rarely are parks ever spoken of, but this one in particular is a site to behold and shouldn't be missed. During the warmer weather, the park offers a serene escape from the city with a tranquil waterfall and drummers.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

9:30 Club

This historic music venue first opened at 930 F Street NW in May 1980. It eventually relocated to its current location in Shaw in January 1996. By April 2013, Rolling Stone Magazine named the 9:30 Club the “Best Big Room in America.” The 1,200-capacity club has been host to bands like R.E.M., Nirvana, and Green Day.

Belle & Sebastian performing at the 9:30 Club
Belle & Sebastian performing at the 9:30 Club.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Andrew Wiseman

Crispus Attucks Park

Hey, dog walkers! We've found your next perfect walking spot. This serene spot is located near the U Street and Bloomingdale neighborhoods. It’s certainly not one of the biggest parks in the city, but it is one of the most calm.

Photo via rockcreek

U Street Music Hall

Spanning 1,200 square feet, this DJ-owned and operated dance club has been around since March 2010. Since then, it has hosted several big-name electronic artists, including Kaskade, Disclosure, and Skrillex. This venue has been honored with several awards, including Rolling Stone’s tenth place for “Best Club in America” in 2013.

CRX performing at U Street Music Hall.
Photo via Theresa C. Sanchez

Howard Theatre

As one of the most historic theatres on this list, the Howard Theatre is certainly a sight to see. It first opened in 1910 and was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. In 2010, it started an approximately $28 million renovation, which finished in 2012. Since it first opened, the Howard Theatre has hosted acts that included Kendrick Lamar, The Roots, and Drake.

Black Cat

The facility that currently houses The Black Cat was constructed around 1913 and first served as a showroom for the Warrington Motor Car Company. The Black Cat was founded in 1993 by former Gray Matter drummer Dante Ferrando and investors that included D.C. area native and Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl.

This nightclub offers acts from a variety of genres, including indie rock, metal, punk, and electronic. The venue also offers Dr. Who happy hours.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

Old City Farm and Guild

This urban garden retail center was first founded in 2008. Ever since, it has supplied locals and visitors with a variety of plants, food, and gardening supplies. When visiting, be sure to also check out the venue’s tiny home, called The Matchbox.