Is Fort Foote Estates safe?
Fort Washington, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Fort Foote Estates as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Fort Foote Estates
“Go. Fort Foote Estates is a peaceful, well-maintained residential neighborhood along the Potomac River that offers very low violent crime and a calm suburban environment. While it is completely car-dependent and has virtually no commercial amenities within walking distance, it is very safe for residents and visitors exploring the nearby historic park.”
About the area
Fort Foote Estates is a quiet, tree-lined residential community in Fort Washington, Maryland, characterized by custom single-family homes on generous wooded lots. It sits adjacent to the historic Civil War-era Fort Foote Park along the Potomac River, offering scenic natural views and seclusion just south of National Harbor.
- Suburban Enclave
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Quiet & Secluded
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Fort Foote Estates
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 24/100
There are no bike-share stations in the immediate neighborhood, and local roads lack dedicated bike lanes, though the scenic Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail is easily accessible a short drive north at National Harbor.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low rates of violent crime compared to county and national averages
- High household incomes and strong homeownership rate supporting well-maintained properties
- Direct adjacency to historic Fort Foote Park and scenic Potomac River woodlands
Cons
- Completely car-dependent with zero walkable retail or dining options
- Narrow residential roadways lack sidewalks and have limited street lighting at night
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like vehicle break-ins along commuter access routes
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Fort Foote Estates due to its exclusively single-family residential layout.
What Fort Foote Estates is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant, with occasional joggers and dog walkers navigating the wooded residential roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with very light neighborhood traffic and safe conditions throughout.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Serene and residential, though roads become dark quickly due to dense tree cover and sparse streetlights.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and safe, though the secluded suburban layout means you will rarely see pedestrians out.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is limited; Prince George's County TheBus and WMATA buses run along nearby thoroughfares like Route 210, while the nearest Metrorail Green Line station is Southern Avenue, approximately a 15-minute drive north.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with wide private driveways and unrestricted, free residential street parking available throughout the subdivision.
Things to do in Fort Foote Estates
- Explore the preserved Civil War earthworks and massive 15-inch Rodman cannons at Fort Foote Park
- Hike the quiet woodland and riverside trails overlooking the Potomac River
- Take a short drive to National Harbor for waterfront dining, shopping, and entertainment
Local favorites
- Topolino · Italian Restaurant · 4.3★ (1280)Longtime local staple serving hearty Italian pasta, pizza, and banquet-style classics.
- Taqueria Los Perez · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (510)Unassuming eatery known for authentic street tacos, burritos, and homemade salsas.
- Sweet Tooth Cakes and Pastries · Bakery · 4.5★ (420)Cherished local bakery offering custom cakes, cupcakes, and specialty desserts.
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.