Imagine this: As you sip your morning cup of coffee in one of the luxury apartments in Shaw, you find yourself contemplating what are the fun things to do in Washington, DC or adventures you’ll get into this weekend. While exploring national monuments or taking a tour of the city both come to mind, you could technically do those any day of the week.
This begs the question—what DC activity is available specifically on weekends, and could also offer a welcoming vibe, fresh air, and perhaps some edible goodies?
A farmer’s market, you say? Check, check, check, and check.
With colorful produce at your fingertips, warm baked goods galore, and an array of art from local vendors, the farmers markets in Washington, DC provide plenty of reasons to stop by on a sunny Saturday or Sunday morning.
So, grab your sustainable shopping bag—we’re sharing 5 of the top farmers markets DC has to offer.
#1 Mount Vernon Triangle FRESHFARM Market
Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round, you can stop by this open-air farmer’s market and fill your basket full of fruits and vegetables from every color of the rainbow.
And why stop at produce when you could treat yourself to some of the market’s other delectable items? Some of the local vendors at this particular DC farmers market also offer the following flavorful goodies:
- Bountiful baked goods (like cookies, pastries, and cupcakes—oh my!)
- Jams and jellies jam-packed with fresh fruit
- A wide selection of creamy and hard cheeses from local farmers
#2 Capital Harvest on the Plaza
With so many farmers markets to schedule into your Saturday morning calendar, we thought you might appreciate one that’s open on Fridays as well. Enter Capital Harvest on the Plaza. Located at the International Trade Center and Ronald Reagan Building, you can find this outdoor market bustling with vendors and visitors alike from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May through October.
In addition to rows of fresh produce, you can also set your sights on some of these other mouthwatering vendor offerings:
- JD’s Chicken and Ribs
- Paste and Rind Cheese Co
- Taco Dirty to Me
- Dimitri Olive Oil
- The Crepe Shop
- The Inside Scoop (an ice cream parlor on wheels)
#3 Palisades Farmers Market
Pencil this one into your Sunday morning calendar as it’s open year-round from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m: The Palisades Farmers Market. Located in the Upper Northwest neighborhood, you’ll find local produce from all over the DC area, with a few farmers or producers and market vendors even making the trek from Tappahannock, Virginia to sell their goods.
From baked goods and fresh meat to more niche items like Alaskan caught seafood and spreads, you’re sure to find whatever your farmers market heart desires at the Palisades Farmers Market.
#4 14&U Farmers Market
Located on the vibrant and bustling U Street, this farmers market is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May through November. Stop by for an array of can’t-miss items, like:
- Handcrafted cheeses
- Preserves
- Pickled veggies, like kimchi and saurkraut
- Baked goods, such as bread, cookies, pies, and more
- Homemade ice cream
Some of the market vendors even cut and sell seasonal fresh flowers, which only adds to the appeal of this particular farmers market.
#5 Eastern Market
If you want to experience one of the oldest markets in the heart of it all (only seven blocks from the Capitol), this is the one to visit. Listed as a Historic Place on the National Register in 1971, the Eastern Market offers more than your typical farmer’s market—and it’s open on weekdays, too!
Wondering what Washington DC events you can join while you’re in the area? Here’s what you can expect from the Eastern Market:
- Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., you can enjoy their indoor market filled with baked goods, pastas, meats, seafood, prepared food, and more.
- On Saturdays and Sundays, outdoor vendors set up shop for the extended weekend edition of the Eastern Market. Farmers offer rows and rows of whichever fruits and veggies are in season, and musicians add a lively energy to the already bustling event.
With Common, Your Favorite DC Farmers Markets Are Only a Hop, Skip, and Jump Away
With so many farmers markets to explore in DC, you’re sure to have a calendar full of weekend plans and a fridge stocked with fresh local food. But first things first—finding an apartment where you can store all your tasty farmers market treats.
Fortunately, Common can help. We offer fully-furnished coliving apartments in DC at exceptional prices in neighborhoods throughout the DC area, including Chinatown, Brookland, National Landing, Takoma, Capitol Hill, Shaw, and Columbia Heights. Plus, with basic amenities, like Wifi and utilities, included in the cost of your rent, you can save more money for the things you love (like buying more pies from your favorite farmers market vendor).
Make the most of Washington, DC and all it has to offer by finding the perfect place to call home at Common.
Sources:
Washington DC. Discover Eastern Market’s Sights, Smells & Sounds. https://washington.org/DC-guide-to/eastern-market
Fresh Farm. Mount Vernon Triangle. https://www.freshfarm.org/markets/mount-vernon-triangle