Recently, Forbes made waves when they declared that the Navy Yard—Washington D.C.’s most notable waterfront neighborhood—was one of the 12 coolest neighborhoods around the world.You heard that correctly. The article goes on to quote a local saying, “With its waterfront location, industrial infrastructure and historic roots (it was established in 1799), the Navy Yard—or ‘the Yards’—has a cool factor that most other D.C. neighborhoods lack.’”

While this opinion is certainly debatable—a neighborhood that was virtually created out of thin air 10 years ago can’t be that cool—it’s well-meaning, and the fact remains that there are some new spots cropping up along D.C.’s waterfront. Besides the obvious Tidal Basin area off the National Mall, where every spring you and 600,000 of your closest tourist friends can see the cherry blossoms, here are the best neighborhoods to explore as you wind your way down the Potomac. 

Palisades / Foxhall

River trail in the Palisades neighborhood

Starting out to the west, the river offers a couple of cool spots to get out and enjoy nature. First is Three Sisters Island, a group of rock inlets steeped in Washington history and lore. No one’s quite sure where the name comes from, though. Some say it comes from three nuns who drowned while trying to cross the river, while others say it comes from three Algonquian sisters who drowned while trying to cross the river. The inlets are located in the deepest part of the river, getting to 80 feet deep in certain spots. Now, the islands are a popular spot for local kayakers and paddle boarders. When the sandbars are above water level, it’s a great spot to explore.

Georgetown

Small canal in Georgetown / Shutterstock

Head a little farther down the river and you’ll hit Georgetown, a vibrant neighborhood in a city full of them. There, you’ll find the Key Bridge Boathouse, a great place to set out on your own aquatic adventure. They offer kayak and paddleboard rentals at a reasonable price, and their central location means you can explore the amazing views of secluded mansions to the north or the city’s monuments to the south. If you don’t think you have your sea legs under you yet, you can walk along the riverfront.

Also, you’ll find the best seafood in the city along the Georgetown riverfront. Places like Farmers Fishers Bakers or Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place are city staples and definitely worth your time. After dinner, go check out a show at Gypsy Sally's, D.C.’s coolest and least-talked-about concert venue.

Navy Yard

Canal at the Yards / Shutterstock

And now, finally, we’ve arrived to one of the 12 coolest neighborhoods in the world. Navy Yard flew under the radar until recently, when the Nationals went and built a brand new baseball stadium right in the heart of it. Building pro stadiums with the hope of revitalizing neighborhoods is usually a fool’s errand, but all the early returns suggest that D.C. is one of the few exceptions to that rule. Navy Yard is the fastest-growing spot in the city, and it’s easy to see why. Every day, some new restaurant or bar moves in that you just haveto try. 

Bluejacket Brewery is the crown jewel of the neighborhood. Bluejacket is a microbrewery that’s outfitted from an old warehouse, so you know exactly what type of vibe it has. The beer is great, the food is good, and it’s only a stone’s throw from Nats Park.

Speaking of Nats Park, feel free to go catch a game sometime. The ballpark was put on national display during the 2018 MLB All-Star game and passed with flying colors. Nestled right up against Anacostia, Nats Park is a clean, spacious park that offers great views of not just the waterfront, but the Capitol building as well. Don’t want to buy tickets? Go get a drink across the street at Top Of The Yard, a bar located on top of a Hilton hotel. Top of The Yard offers 360-degree views of the water, plus you can see all the action inside Nats Park for free.