Welcome to Brookland

Welcome to Brookland! A Northeast Washington neighborhood known for its “Little Rome” moniker because it houses the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and just across is the Catholic University of America campus. A small-town atmosphere in the heart of the big city!

Brookland is home to tree-lined streets filled with older homes and quaint storefronts, and its central arts zone near the Brookland Metro stop offers galleries and performance spaces. This charming area of D.C. is known for its quiet neighborhoods, historic landmarks, and many places to discover!

Catholic University’s 193 tree-lined acres include Romanesque stone buildings and grassy grounds famous for sunbathing and frisbee. A few steps across is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with its impressive dome. National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic Church in North America and one of the largest churches in the world. Inside are numerous shrines, and one is a massive tower dedicated to the Virgin Mary and a three-story high mosaic portrait of Jesus.

Another draw to the neighborhood is the quiet Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land of America. Inside the cloister is a garden with hundreds of diverse flowers and replicas of Holy Land shrines, like the Grotto of Lourdes, surrounding this Byzantine-style Church of Mount Saint Sepulchre.

This vibrant area moves into a creative beat. On the Arts Walk at Monroe Street Market, galleries of local potters, painters, and crafters line its brick-paved pedestrian byway. Nearby is a long-running Dance Place that offers 100+ performances each year.

Brookland is also home to many worth-the-trip restaurants boosted by arts and retail centers. This is evident along Monroe Street, where quaint stores and a diverse range of eateries sit alongside numerous art galleries. Trendy new restaurants have also opened up along Brookland’s 12th Street. The restaurants, shops, and artist spaces have made Brookland hot, making it one of D.C.’s most exciting neighborhoods.