TenleyTown/AU Park is a historic neighborhood located in Northwest, Washington, DC. Fort Reno Park provides a lot of greenery, and it’s abundance of great schools, including American University, make it perfect for young families. The neighborhood also has a mix of recreational activities along with affordable Victorian style homes.

North of Massachusetts Avenue

TenleyTown/AU Park is bound by Massachusetts Avenue to the south, Wisconsin Avenue to the west and north, and Western Avenue to the east—which runs along the Maryland state line.

Historic Fort Reno and The Jesse Lee Reno School

TenleyTown/Au Park is the site of historical Fort Reno, one of the forts formed around Washington D.C. during the Civil War to protect the capital against invasions. Fort Reno Park is situated at the highest natural point in the District of Columbia. Since the neighborhood is the highest point in D.C., it’s also home to nearly all of the radio and television towers, most notably WUSA and WAMU.

In the post-Civil War era, Fort Reno became a free black community. Today, the only remaining trace of this history is The Jesse Lee Reno School building which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Although not in use, the building remains a historic piece of D.C. and U.S. history.

Quality of Transportation

Most of the residents around TenleyTown/AU Park get around by bicycle, metro, or bus. Compared to other neighborhoods in the District, TenleyTown/AU Park isn’t favorable for those owning a car. The main reason for this is Wisconsin Avenue. It’s bombarded by traffic jams as it is a main route people take to commute in and out of the city for work.

TenleyTown-AU Metro station is located in the spotlight of the neighborhood, and runs through the red line. There are also plenty of bus routes that can transport you in and around neighboring areas. These bus lines include the 31, 32, 36, 37, H2, H3 and W47 amongst others. A free shuttle bus also runs between the Metro station and American University’s main campus.

A Mix of Commercial Buildings & Single Family Homes

The neighborhood has a mix of commercial buildings as well as attached and detached single family homes. The community has a few Victorian style homes, particularly around Grant Road. There are also plenty of duplexes, row houses, and bungalows. Rentals are also available, but not as much as other parts of the city. TenleyTown/AU Park is particularly kid friendly, so if you’re a family with many kids looking to move toward the northwest part of D.C., then TenleyTown/AU Park should definitely be on your list.

Cityline & Plenty of Storefronts

Cityline sits atop the TenleyTown-AU metro station and includes 204 condominium units, a Best Buy, the Container Store, and an Ace Hardware store. Across the street from this historic property is a Whole Foods Market, Starbucks, and Guapo’s Mexican restaurant. Cityline sits in the center of it all and is surrounded by retail strips heading in each direction with few empty storefronts to be found.

There are plenty of diverse restaurants around the neighborhood. There are a couple of Japanese restaurants, the French restaurant Le Chat Noir, and Cafe of India and Masala Art provide traditional Indian food. However, it’s Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza that stands out the most as a new outpost of the famous Columbia Heights pizzeria. Besides the plethora of toppings and combinations to choose from for your pizza, Pete’s Penne Pasta along with the Tiramisu shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Fort Reno Park Provides Plenty of Greenery

The aforementioned Fort Reno is now maintained by the National Park Service and includes plenty of fun during each season. The park includes a baseball field, several tennis courts, and large grass field areas perfect for dog walking. Fort Reno Park has also become the location of an annual free summer concert series. Featured bands that perform at the historic landmark include musicians from the area’s local indie-rock scene. Residents also gather here on the 4th of July where fireworks can be viewed from Maryland and Northern Virginia.

D.C.’s premier indoor aquatic facility is also located within the TenleyTown/AU Park neighborhood. The Wilson Aquatic Center offers one large swimming pool, a leisure pool, one whirlpool, men and women dressing rooms and a viewing gallery.

Overall TenleyTown/AU Park remains a very pleasant neighborhood with a historic background. Great schools and American University make it an attractive destination for families with young children. The area also has plenty of variety when it comes to housing and dining options.