Mount Vernon Square: DC’s Vibrant Downtown Hub
Situated at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and New York Avenue NW and bordered by M Street and 7th Street, Mount Vernon Square is much more than its name implies.
The neighborhood’s prime location puts it at the center of the hustle and bustle of DC’s downtown scene. It’s no surprise that the neighborhood served as the ideal location for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, which has brought international assembly and a thriving collection of shops and restaurants to the area since opening in 2003. The Mount Vernon Square Metro stop on the Green and Yellow lines brings you directly to the convention center.
In Pierre L’Enfant’s original plan for the District, Mount Vernon Square was intended to be an open space. From 1846-72, the area featured the Northern Liberty Market, which was eventually demolished to make room for roadways. The square was home to the Carnegie Library, a gift from industrialist Andrew Carnegie, which opened in 1903 as the city's first desegregated public building. The Beaux-Arts building was also DC’s central library until 1972. The historic location has passed through several hands since and is now the home of a new Apple Store and exhibit space for the Historical Society of Washington, DC.
Beyond the iconic triangle that lies at its center, Mount Vernon Square has plenty of recreation to offer. For date night or a delicious lunch, Farmers & Distillers, RPM Italian and RASA Mount Vernon are nearby. Hotel options are also plentiful, including Homewood Suites Washington DC Convention Center, Hampton Inn DC Convention Center and the Marriott Marquis, one of the city’s largest hotels located across from the northwest corner of the square.
