Welcome to Palisades
The Palisades in Washington, D.C.
With lush parks and tranquil leafy streets, The Palisades, or simply Palisades, exudes a small-town vibe that will make you forget you’re less than 15 minutes to bustling Georgetown and the downtown area.
This picturesque neighborhood of around 14,000 is a rare gem in Washington, D.C. Bounded by the Potomac River to the west and the Maryland border to the south, Palisades is one of the few communities in the metro where single-family homes outnumber condos and townhomes.
The neighborhood was developed in the 1890s by the Palisades Improvement Company and was once connected to Georgetown and Glen Echo by cable car. The earliest subdivisions here were developed during that period, with many homes serving as summer getaways for Washington and Georgetown residents.
After the cable car line was shuttered in 1961, new developers came to create more homes and subdivisions, reinforcing the neighborhood’s residential suburban appeal that makes it unique in most of DC.
The Palisades, Washington, D.C. Real Estate and Homes for Sale
Beautiful, expansive homes with spacious yards dominate the housing inventory in Palisades. Typical lot sizes are at least 4,500 square feet, and homes are sized anywhere from 3,000 square feet to over 10,000 square feet. Featuring impressive architecture and top-of-the-line finishes and amenities, Palisades, DC real estate is generally priced on the upper end of the scale, reflecting the neighborhood’s desirability and high quality of life.
Architectural styles are widely varied, showcasing the changing trends throughout the different periods of the neighborhood’s history. You’ll find everything, from estate-like homes in the Tudor Revival, Georgian, or Colonial styles, to Cape Cod, ranch, craftsman, and contemporary homes.
The majority of properties are at least 20 years old, and found in established neighborhoods with mature landscaping, but there are also plenty of new construction homes built in recent years.
Upscale condos and townhouses also make up part of the housing market but in much smaller numbers than the rest of the DC area.
Living in Palisades, DC Neighborhood
Who lives here
Palisades is also the choice of families looking for top notch education for their children. The neighborhood is home to
Francis Scott Key Elementary School, one of the highest ranked elementary schools in DC.
Things to do in and around The Palisades
Palisades is the place to be for outdoor recreation in the DC area.
Fletcher’s Boathouse along the Potomac River offers numerous opportunities for water activities, such as rowing, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and more. Sections of the historic
Capital Crescent Trail and
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath run through the wooded area just west of the neighborhood. The community oversees
Two Recreation Centers with sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds, and other features, as well as three other neighborhood parks.
MacArthur Boulevard hosts numerous Palisades restaurants and shops offering a variety of dining and retail options. And true to its small town sensibilities, the neighborhood has a wonderful
farmer’s market that’s open every Sunday all year round.
Your Local Expert: I specialize in homes and condos and will guide you through the real estate process. As a seasoned professional, I know many DC neighborhoods well, including Palisades. I would love to show you around and help you search for the perfect home. Get in touch with me today - I look forward to hearing about your real estate goals.