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Anacostia: Where to Go and What to See

By Michelle Goldchain
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By Michelle Goldchain

Take a break from the National Mall, and instead head to Anacostia, a Washington, D.C. neighborhood filled with many of the city's hidden gems.

In Anacostia, there are several places perfect for art lovers, from the Anacostia Arts Center to the Anacostia Playhouse. Those who are more active are also able to enjoy Anacostia Park and the views it brings. Some of the below venues are a little further from the neighborhood, but are still worth the visit, such as the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion.

This map was made in celebration of Anacostia Week. If you have a suggestion for a place that should be added, let Curbed know in the comments or email dc@curbed.com.

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The Big Chair

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In the community, this sculpture is known as more than just a geographic marker. In a 2006 Washington Post article, residents described the aluminum structure as a symbol of a "seat at the table where all of us can come together." It's so beloved that during the 1968 riots, the landmark went unscathed. Virginia-based furniture maker Bassett Furniture constructed the piece in 1959, and at the time it was the world's largest chair. When this sculpture was built, it served as a marketing tool to bring customers to the Curtis Brothers Furniture company. The chair stands 19-and-a-half feet high.

Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE & V St SE, Washington, DC 20020

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

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From 1877 to 1895, Frederick Douglass lived in this single-family home, otherwise known as Cedar Hill. In 1988, the landmark was established as a National Historic Site and has been preserved ever since. Here, visitors are able to learn about the life and vision of the African American social reformer. The site also offers one of the best views of Washington, D.C.

1411 W St SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 426-5961
(202) 426-5961

Also featured in:

Anacostia Community Museum

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In 1967, this Smithsonian museum became the first federally funded community museum in the nation. When founded, the mission was for the organization to serve as an outreach effort to the local African American community. Exhibitions and public programs hosted at this museum are focused on community issues and local history.

1901 Fort Pl SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 633-4820
(202) 633-4820

Also featured in:

Honfleur Gallery

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This swanky art gallery features contemporary art from local, national, and international artists. The 1,000-square-foot exhibition space opened in January 2007 on the former site of a pawn shop. It served as a project of ARCH Development Corporation with the goal to be a catalyst for local revitalization in Anacostia.

1241 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 580-5972
(202) 580-5972

Anacostia Arts Center

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Since 2013, this Anacostia development has been an incubator for the arts and for new local businesses. The Anacostia Arts Center is home to a black box theater, five galleries and boutiques, an exhibition gallery, and a cafe. It doesn't end there as a yoga studio is soon to come to the space. Here, residents are able to enjoy a variety of events, even concerts.

1231 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

Also featured in:

America's Islamic Heritage Museum

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This local non-profit has served the Anacostia community since 2011 with the mission to preserve America's Islamic heritage with artifacts, historical documents, and programs. Originally, the museum was a traveling exhibit created in 1996 that was showcased across the country, from New York to Florida to Washington, D.C.

2315 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

Anacostia Playhouse

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2020 Shannon Pl SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

Vivid Solutions Gallery

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Margy & @hawaiianhubster take in PHOTOBOOK @vividgallery!

A photo posted by Piper Grosswendt (@pipercolleen) on

1231 Good Hope Road, SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 580-5972
(202) 580-5972

Anacostia Park

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It's time for a breath of fresh air. At Anacostia Park, visitors are able to relax by the water or exercise at the fitness station. This is one of the city's largest parks, spanning over 1,200 acres. Expect open grassy areas, wide open fields, and even tennis courts.

Anacostia Dr SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 889-4283
(202) 889-4283

Also featured in:

Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion

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This is the only place to roller skate in Washington, D.C., so might as well enjoy the weather and the opportunity to go out, have a blast, and rent roller skates at no cost. Expect a DJ and skaters with fancy moves.

Anacostia Dr SE, Washington, D.C. 20019

Also featured in:

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The Big Chair

Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE & V St SE, Washington, DC 20020

In the community, this sculpture is known as more than just a geographic marker. In a 2006 Washington Post article, residents described the aluminum structure as a symbol of a "seat at the table where all of us can come together." It's so beloved that during the 1968 riots, the landmark went unscathed. Virginia-based furniture maker Bassett Furniture constructed the piece in 1959, and at the time it was the world's largest chair. When this sculpture was built, it served as a marketing tool to bring customers to the Curtis Brothers Furniture company. The chair stands 19-and-a-half feet high.

Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE & V St SE, Washington, DC 20020

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

1411 W St SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

From 1877 to 1895, Frederick Douglass lived in this single-family home, otherwise known as Cedar Hill. In 1988, the landmark was established as a National Historic Site and has been preserved ever since. Here, visitors are able to learn about the life and vision of the African American social reformer. The site also offers one of the best views of Washington, D.C.

1411 W St SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 426-5961
(202) 426-5961

Anacostia Community Museum

1901 Fort Pl SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

In 1967, this Smithsonian museum became the first federally funded community museum in the nation. When founded, the mission was for the organization to serve as an outreach effort to the local African American community. Exhibitions and public programs hosted at this museum are focused on community issues and local history.

1901 Fort Pl SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 633-4820
(202) 633-4820

Honfleur Gallery

1241 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

This swanky art gallery features contemporary art from local, national, and international artists. The 1,000-square-foot exhibition space opened in January 2007 on the former site of a pawn shop. It served as a project of ARCH Development Corporation with the goal to be a catalyst for local revitalization in Anacostia.

1241 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 580-5972
(202) 580-5972

Anacostia Arts Center

1231 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

Since 2013, this Anacostia development has been an incubator for the arts and for new local businesses. The Anacostia Arts Center is home to a black box theater, five galleries and boutiques, an exhibition gallery, and a cafe. It doesn't end there as a yoga studio is soon to come to the space. Here, residents are able to enjoy a variety of events, even concerts.

1231 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

America's Islamic Heritage Museum

2315 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

This local non-profit has served the Anacostia community since 2011 with the mission to preserve America's Islamic heritage with artifacts, historical documents, and programs. Originally, the museum was a traveling exhibit created in 1996 that was showcased across the country, from New York to Florida to Washington, D.C.

2315 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

Anacostia Playhouse

2020 Shannon Pl SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
2020 Shannon Pl SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

Vivid Solutions Gallery

1231 Good Hope Road, SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

Margy & @hawaiianhubster take in PHOTOBOOK @vividgallery!

A photo posted by Piper Grosswendt (@pipercolleen) on

1231 Good Hope Road, SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 580-5972
(202) 580-5972

Anacostia Park

Anacostia Dr SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

It's time for a breath of fresh air. At Anacostia Park, visitors are able to relax by the water or exercise at the fitness station. This is one of the city's largest parks, spanning over 1,200 acres. Expect open grassy areas, wide open fields, and even tennis courts.

Anacostia Dr SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
(202) 889-4283
(202) 889-4283

Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion

Anacostia Dr SE, Washington, D.C. 20019

This is the only place to roller skate in Washington, D.C., so might as well enjoy the weather and the opportunity to go out, have a blast, and rent roller skates at no cost. Expect a DJ and skaters with fancy moves.

Anacostia Dr SE, Washington, D.C. 20019