Discover Eastern Market’s Sights, Smells & Sounds

Nestled in the heart of historic Capitol Hill just north of Barracks Row, Eastern Market is a must-visit for arts and crafts aficionados and lovers of fresh, locally sourced food and drink. Designed to serve as the neighborhood town center, this popular community hub has attracted an eclectic group of shoppers and foodies since 1873. Good to know: the market is closed on Mondays and opens to street vendors on weekends.

Step inside the South Hall Market and you’ll experience sensory overload. The large main hall is filled with merchants selling meats, poultry, seafood, baked goods, flowers and cheeses, and is often bustling with shoppers sampling their wares. Make sure to come early and beat the line for the Market Lunch’s legendary blueberry buckwheat pancakes.

On the weekends, the streets and plazas surrounding Eastern Market teem with more vendors. Farmers from across the region set up open-air stands selling all sorts of local produce. Visitors can sample produce as they browse the rows and rows of brightly colored tomatoes, carrots, apples, peaches and whatever is in season.

Walking through the market to the sound of live bands jamming to all types of music, weekend visitors will also discover a sea of tents filled with handmade arts and crafts from some of DC’s best local artists. From painters, sculptors and woodworkers to jewelers, potters and photographers, Eastern Market offers something for every taste.
 

How do I get to Eastern Market?

To get there, your best bet is to take the Metro’s Blue, Orange or Silver lines to the Eastern Market stop. The market is located at 225 7th Street SE, just one block from the Metro. Public parking is limited. Take note that the market is closed on Mondays, and is open 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and on Sundays from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Eastern Market sounds really cool. What else should I know about it?

Eastern Market is one of the few historic public market buildings left in Washington, DC, and the only one that has retained its original public market function. The historic market was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, and the South Hall Market underwent a major two-year renovation after it was badly damaged by fire in 2007.

The first incarnation of Eastern Market was one of three public markets included in Pierre L’Enfant’s plan for the nation’s newly established capital, along with a Central and Western Market. The Eastern mainstay eventually fell into disrepair, and the current version was envisioned by renowned local architect Adolf Cluss, who also designed the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building which you can see on the National Mall.

Read on for more of the District's best farmers' markets, plus our guide to Union Market.