Fort Totten Blends Quiet, Residential Feel with Easy Commuting

While quiet enough to make it feel far from downtown, Fort Totten has the distinct advantage of an easy commute. This Northwest DC neighborhood has parks, golf courses and wooded terrain to explore, but it’s also close enough to what you want and need in the DC area.

Fort Totten Park includes some walking trails, picnic tables, and green space. The park has its own history, as it was once the site of a Civil War-era fort.

In addition, it’s easy enough to hop on the Washington Metropolitan Branch Trail from this part of DC. The multi-use trail passes right through the neighborhood of Fort Totten, with plans to eventually expand it to stretch more than eight miles.

Another peaceful place in Fort Totten is Rock Creek Cemetery, as it has an almost park-like setting. In terms of housing, you’ll typically find everything from semi-attached brick rowhouses in Fort Totten to cozy bungalows, Tudors, and Victorians. There are also sometimes apartments to rent in the neighborhood.

As for area schools, younger residents of Fort Totten often attend Barnard Elementary and Roosevelt High School. For older students, there’s always the nearby Catholic University of America.

While you won’t find much in terms of retail and dining, there are some selections a short distance away from the homes of Fort Totten. Despite its suburban-like feel, it takes just minutes to reach Silver Spring, Takoma Park, or even Downtown DC from Fort Totten.

The neighborhood has its own Metro station and it’s also served by the Metrobus. If you have your own car, the neighborhood provides relatively easy access to major roadways in the DC area, too. 

The neighborhood of Fort Totten is close to Riggs Park, plus it’s also close to neighboring Petworth and Brightwood Park. In addition, living here means you can easily visit such nearby sites and attractions as President Lincoln’s Cottage.