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A basilica seen from close-up. It has a tall set of stairs and a tower.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Photo via Shutterstock/Jon Bilous

What to do near Trinity University, Gallaudet University, and Catholic University of America

Breweries, arts performances, and a church that will give you goosebumps

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Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
| Photo via Shutterstock/Jon Bilous

The school season has started, and it’s time to explore not only what the curriculums have to offer, but what each D.C. neighborhood has to offer as well. There are a wide variety of fun venues near Trinity University, Gallaudet University, and Catholic University of America, which Curbed DC has mapped below.

Expect everything from breweries to arts venues to a church that is sure to give anyone goosebumps if they love architecture.

Have any other recommendations to give on where visitors and students should go? Leave a comment below.

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

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

President Lincoln's Cottage

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In order to escape from the humidity and also the intense political pressures of Washington, D.C., President Abraham Lincoln and his family would sometimes reside in this home. The c. 1842-built property also served as a “summer White House” for Presidents Chester A. Arthur, Rutherford B. Hayes, and James Buchanan. President Lincoln’s Cottage, also known as Anderson Cottage, housed mored than just presidents, though. For five years, it served as an asylum for old and disabled veterans. Now, a national monument, the property is a museum that offers public programs and special events about Lincoln and the Civil War.

A post shared by Taylor Horst (@thor_st) on

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America

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In Brookland, visitors can discover this oasis of peace, home to a thriving Franciscan community. Founded in 1899, this Franciscan complex includes gardens, replicas of shrines in Israel, and a replica of the catacombs in Rome. Guests are able to walk in for a tour, but groups of six or more require a reservation.

Franciscan Monastery Photo via Mr.TinDC

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

Right Proper Brewing Company

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Here, in Brookland, beer drinkers can find Right Proper Brewing Company’s second location, opened in December 2015. This production house comes with a tasting room and offers tours regularly on the weekends. According to a 2015 readers’ poll in Washington City Paper, Right Proper comes with “all you could want in beer, cheese, and food.” [UPDATE: The Brookland location of Right Proper Brewing Company does not serve food.]

A post shared by NICOLE ROBISON (@xonicolerob) on

Dew Drop Inn

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When searching for this dive bar, know that it’s in a rather peculiar location. The red brick structure is located in a primarily residential neighborhood with the nearest Metro station approximately 10 to 15 minutes away walking distance. This local watering hole certainly isn’t fancy, but it does have a lot to offer, from an outdoor patio to a chill atmosphere to nice staff.

A post shared by Jim Malone (@jim_malone) on

Echostage

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Welcome to the largest nightclub venue in Washington, D.C., spanning 30,000 square feet with LED visual displays included. Opened in September 2012, Echostage has hosted big names like David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Tiesto, and Avicii. If driving to this venue, be sure to reserve parking ahead of time online or through an app as there aren’t too many affordable garages nearby.

Adventure Club at Echostage.
Photo via Bryan Lee

Atlas Brew Works

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With a spacious indoor bar and outdoor patio area, this solar-powered craft brewery has a good amount of space for relaxing and having a beer in. There are a wide variety of beers here as well as a vending machine that dispenses unique options like caprese sandwiches and habanero chips. No food is served here, but visitors are allowed to bring their own munchies.

United States National Arboretum

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After you're done visiting the Capitol, head up to the Northeast quadrant to see the columns that originally supported the old East Portico of the Capitol building. The 446-acre site also houses a major center of botanical research and a 390-year-old bonsai tree that survived an atomic bomb.

National Arboretum Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

Union Market

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This unique food market offers over 40 vendors as well as an Angelika Pop-Up with specialty film programming and unique events. Expect all kinds of events hosted at this venue, from food festivals to yoga to movie showings.

Atlas Performing Arts Center

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When this facility opened in 1938, it was utilized as a movie theater. After the 1968 Riots, it closed down to later reopen in 2005. Rather than movies, the space is instead used for the performing arts. Be sure to check out all of the programs and events on the website here.

Photo via Victoria Pickering

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President Lincoln's Cottage

In order to escape from the humidity and also the intense political pressures of Washington, D.C., President Abraham Lincoln and his family would sometimes reside in this home. The c. 1842-built property also served as a “summer White House” for Presidents Chester A. Arthur, Rutherford B. Hayes, and James Buchanan. President Lincoln’s Cottage, also known as Anderson Cottage, housed mored than just presidents, though. For five years, it served as an asylum for old and disabled veterans. Now, a national monument, the property is a museum that offers public programs and special events about Lincoln and the Civil War.

A post shared by Taylor Horst (@thor_st) on

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America

In Brookland, visitors can discover this oasis of peace, home to a thriving Franciscan community. Founded in 1899, this Franciscan complex includes gardens, replicas of shrines in Israel, and a replica of the catacombs in Rome. Guests are able to walk in for a tour, but groups of six or more require a reservation.

Franciscan Monastery Photo via Mr.TinDC

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

Right Proper Brewing Company

Here, in Brookland, beer drinkers can find Right Proper Brewing Company’s second location, opened in December 2015. This production house comes with a tasting room and offers tours regularly on the weekends. According to a 2015 readers’ poll in Washington City Paper, Right Proper comes with “all you could want in beer, cheese, and food.” [UPDATE: The Brookland location of Right Proper Brewing Company does not serve food.]

A post shared by NICOLE ROBISON (@xonicolerob) on

Dew Drop Inn

When searching for this dive bar, know that it’s in a rather peculiar location. The red brick structure is located in a primarily residential neighborhood with the nearest Metro station approximately 10 to 15 minutes away walking distance. This local watering hole certainly isn’t fancy, but it does have a lot to offer, from an outdoor patio to a chill atmosphere to nice staff.

A post shared by Jim Malone (@jim_malone) on

Echostage

Welcome to the largest nightclub venue in Washington, D.C., spanning 30,000 square feet with LED visual displays included. Opened in September 2012, Echostage has hosted big names like David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Tiesto, and Avicii. If driving to this venue, be sure to reserve parking ahead of time online or through an app as there aren’t too many affordable garages nearby.

Adventure Club at Echostage.
Photo via Bryan Lee

Atlas Brew Works

With a spacious indoor bar and outdoor patio area, this solar-powered craft brewery has a good amount of space for relaxing and having a beer in. There are a wide variety of beers here as well as a vending machine that dispenses unique options like caprese sandwiches and habanero chips. No food is served here, but visitors are allowed to bring their own munchies.

United States National Arboretum

After you're done visiting the Capitol, head up to the Northeast quadrant to see the columns that originally supported the old East Portico of the Capitol building. The 446-acre site also houses a major center of botanical research and a 390-year-old bonsai tree that survived an atomic bomb.

National Arboretum Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

Union Market

This unique food market offers over 40 vendors as well as an Angelika Pop-Up with specialty film programming and unique events. Expect all kinds of events hosted at this venue, from food festivals to yoga to movie showings.

Atlas Performing Arts Center

When this facility opened in 1938, it was utilized as a movie theater. After the 1968 Riots, it closed down to later reopen in 2005. Rather than movies, the space is instead used for the performing arts. Be sure to check out all of the programs and events on the website here.

Photo via Victoria Pickering