Are you thinking of buying a home in the District of Columbia? If so, you're making a great decision! Living in Washington, D.C., comes with tons of benefits. And if you're looking for a calm place to raise your family, The Palisades is an excellent place to call home. Read on to learn more about what makes this neighborhood so special — you just might find The Palisades is the perfect place for you!
1. Get the lay of the land
The Palisades extends from Georgetown campus in the south to the Maryland-D.C. border in the north. Its western boundary is the Potomac River; many homes and areas of The Palisades command gorgeous views of the Potomac. The neighborhood has a small-town feel unique for an area just 10 minutes from downtown D.C.
C&O Canal Towpath
You’ll commonly see joggers, cyclists, and parents pushing their small children in strollers in The Palisades. The most traversed pedestrian route in this neighborhood is the C&O Canal Towpath. This dirt and stone path begins in Georgetown, near downtown D.C., and extends almost 200 miles north to Cumberland, Md. On its journey northwest, it hugs the east side of the Potomac River. Like many features of The Palisades (and the Greater D.C. area), the Towpath has a unique historic origin story: it was built for canal mules to walk beside the canal as they towed boats through the waterway.
Parks and recreation
Just across the Potomac River from The Palisades, on the Virginia side, you’ll find Potomac Overlook Park. Its two miles of trails meander through trees and native plants, many of which are labeled by trailside displays. For a longer hike, take the route that connects to Donaldson Run Park. If your child is in school near D.C., there’s a good chance they’ll take a field trip to the park’s organic vegetable garden and Center for Environmental Education.
The Palisades Recreation Center is the crux of casual athletics in The Palisades. Located adjacent to the Potomac River, between MacArthur and Canal, the center maintains a trim soccer field, softball field, basketball courts, and tennis courts. The Center is very popular with families; during long summer days, the kids can cool off in the large playground area’s splash pad.
Toddlers and small children will love Carolina Park, also known as Dinosaur Park. Located at the intersection of Macomb and Carolina, the park has a small play area for youngsters with two large plastic dinosaurs they can climb on. Besides the dinosaurs, the park’s best feature is hidden most of the year: it has a stellar sledding hill. Bring your toboggan!
2. Take day trips to history and art museums
Families wishing to witness history need not travel far from The Palisades. The Greater D.C. area has some of the best history museums and exhibits in the nation. Top-rated local history museums include the United States Holocaust Museum, the International Spy Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Museum of American History. Each is about a 20-minute drive south of The Palisades. Check out the complete list of Smithsonian museums for more information.
To broaden your children’s concept of art, several museums in the region make for a great weekend outing. The Smithsonian offers many art museums, including the National Museum of African Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Freer Gallery of Art, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.
3. Eat at fabulous restaurants
Photo courtesy of OpenTable
The verdant Palisades residential community follows MacArthur Boulevard, formerly Conduit Road. This area (many of its Victorian houses) was modeled after the community situated along the Hudson River in New York. When it comes to dining, MacArthur has outdone itself. People come from all over D.C. to standouts like Black Salt (a seafood market and restaurant), Belgian restaurant Et Voila, and Kotobuki (a traditional Japanese restaurant). Bring the kids or find a babysitter for a night out eating on MacArthur. Among local fixtures, cafes Black Coffee and Buna Bicycle Cafe enjoy particularly strong followings.
4. Revel in the Fourth of July parade
Photo courtesy of Palisades Citizens’ Association
The Palisades’ Citizens Association (PCA) has organized the Fourth of July parade since 1966. The parade takes place on July 4 and starts at 11 a.m. It bends north, following MacArthur Boulevard to its terminus at the previously mentioned Palisades Recreation Center, where your family can have a late lunch at a free picnic. Throughout the year, the PCA also holds a weekly farmers market and works with the Palisades Neighborhood Library on projects like children’s programming and online access for residents.
5. Send the kids to good schools
If you’re moving to The Palisades with kids or may have children someday, know your options when it comes to their education. The following schools and opportunities are worth investigating.
Public schools
District of Columbia Public Schools operates the public schools for Palisades residents. Students may attend Horace Mann Elementary School, Key Elementary School, Hardy Middle School, and Woodrow Wilson High School.
Private schools
The Palisades and nearby neighborhoods offer private schools with excellent reputations. Chief among them are Georgetown Day School, The Lab School of Washington, Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, The River School, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, and Washington Waldorf School.
If you’re ready to invest in a home in The Palisades, contact Homaira Karimi to start your real estate journey! Homaira Karimi will guide you through the buying (or selling) process with expert assistance — reach out now to find your next dream home in Washington, D.C.!
