Anacostia
Lying east of the Anacostia River, the Anacostia Historic District is often called D.C.'s first suburb. Once home to many of the workers from the Washington Navy Yard, Anacostia features acres of open riverfront with wonderful views and plenty of history for those seeking a window to the past.One of the key attractions in Anacostia is Cedar Hill, the beautifully preserved home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The famed orator lived in the Gothic Revival styled home for 18 years and today the site is part of the African American Heritage Trail.
Indeed, Anacostia is predominantly an African-American neighborhood and heavily residential, thus tourism is light compared to other parts of the city. Nevertheless, there are many hidden treasures in the community.
Two stand out.
The Eleventh Street Bridge, which leads across the river to Anacostia is famous for once serving as the escape route for presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth. On the lighter side, the intersection of Martin Luther King Avenue and V Street is home to the world's largest chair. Once a promotion for a nearby furniture showroom, the "Big Chair" is nearly 20 feet tall. It was originally built in 1959 and was restored in 2005.
And right across the river from Historic Anacostia sits the impressive Washington Nationals Park, home to D.C.'s favorite baseball team.
