Is Cleveland Park / Woodley Park safe?
Washington, Washington, D.C. · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Cleveland Park / Woodley Park as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Cleveland Park / Woodley Park
“Go. Cleveland Park and Woodley Park make up one of the safest, most affluent residential corridors in Washington, D.C. Visitors can comfortably explore by day or night while maintaining standard urban common sense around property theft.”
Occasional catalytic converter thefts and vehicle break-ins along side streets remain the primary recurring police reports in the corridor.
About the area
Situated along Connecticut Avenue in Northwest D.C., Cleveland Park and Woodley Park are historic, leafy neighborhoods known for classic architectural charm, embassy residences, and proximity to Rock Creek Park. The area offers a quiet, upscale atmosphere with active commercial strips anchored by local eateries and the National Zoo.
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Family-Friendly
- Upscale Residential
- Lively Dining Strip
Walking and biking in Cleveland Park / Woodley Park
Walk score: 84/100 · Bike score: 72/100
Capital Bikeshare docks are abundant along Connecticut Avenue, offering easy access to the paved Rock Creek Park Multi-Use Trail via Klingle Valley Trail and Porter Street.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are among the lowest in the District of Columbia.
- Very high median household income exceeding $150,000 with exceptionally low poverty rates.
- High rates of owner occupancy and well-maintained historic housing stock with virtually zero blighted vacancy.
- Excellent public infrastructure, top-tier municipal services, and high health coverage rates.
Cons
- Nuisance property crime such as package theft and vehicle break-ins occurs occasionally.
- High vehicle congestion and pedestrian crowding near the National Zoo on peak weekends.
- Dimly lit residential side streets require alertness during late-night hours.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal compared to downtown D.C., with only occasional individuals panhandling near Metro station entrances or outside neighborhood grocery stores.
What Cleveland Park / Woodley Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and safe, filled with commuters heading to the Metro, dog walkers, and joggers heading toward Rock Creek.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and family-oriented, especially near the zoo and commercial corridors, with heavy pedestrian traffic and high safety.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and lively with diners and neighborhood residents filling sidewalk patios along Connecticut Avenue.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and generally safe, though residential side streets become very dark and require basic situational awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operates the Red Line with dedicated stations at Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan and Cleveland Park, along with frequent L2 and 96 Metrobus service along Connecticut Avenue NW.
Street parking is largely zoned for residential permits with two-hour visitor restrictions, while paid metered spots along Connecticut Avenue fill quickly; several commercial parking garages exist near the major hotels in Woodley Park charging roughly $25 to $45 daily.
Things to do in Cleveland Park / Woodley Park
- Visit the giant pandas and diverse wildlife exhibits at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.
- Stroll through the scenic woodlands and manicured gardens of the historic Tregaron Conservancy.
- Dine at the sidewalk bistros and cafes along the historic Connecticut Avenue commercial strip.
Local favorites
- Open City · Cafe & Diner · 4.5★ (3200)A popular, bustling cafe serving all-day breakfast, espresso drinks, and comfort fare on a lively outdoor patio.
- Medium Rare · Steakhouse · 4.6★ (2800)A neighborhood staple famous for its simple, prix-fixe steak frites menu with secret sauce.
- Duke's Counter · Gastropub · 4.5★ (1650)A British-inspired pub directly opposite the National Zoo known for craft burgers and artisan sandwiches.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.