Is Tenleytown / AU Park / Friendship Heights 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 Tenleytown / AU Park / Friendship Heights as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Tenleytown / AU Park / Friendship Heights
“Go. This is one of the safest and most affluent residential corridors in Washington, D.C., marked by very low violent crime and well-maintained public spaces. Visitors can walk the area comfortably day and night with minimal safety concerns beyond basic awareness of occasional vehicle or retail property crime.”
Commercial centers along Wisconsin Avenue have seen occasional organized retail theft incidents, prompting retailers to step up private loss-prevention measures.
About the area
Stretching across upper Northwest DC along the Wisconsin Avenue corridor, Tenleytown, AU Park, and Friendship Heights offer a tranquil mix of manicured single-family homes, student life, and high-end retail. The area combines suburban tranquility with urban convenience, anchored by two Metro stations and top-tier amenities.
- Family-Friendly
- Affluent Residential
- Tree-Lined
- University Adjacent
Walking and biking in Tenleytown / AU Park / Friendship Heights
Walk score: 82/100 · Bike score: 70/100
Numerous Capital Bikeshare docks are placed along Wisconsin and Nebraska Avenues, offering easy links toward the Capital Crescent Trail and Rock Creek Park routes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Consistently ranks among the lowest violent crime districts in Washington, D.C.
- Very high median household income ($160,000+) and strong residential stability.
- Two WMATA Red Line stations provide safe, direct rapid transit access.
- Clean, well-lit sidewalks and abundant green spaces like Fort Reno Park.
Cons
- Opportunistic property crime like vehicle break-ins and bicycle thefts can occur.
- Retail theft around commercial centers near Friendship Heights.
- Residential streets become very quiet and dimly populated late at night.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal, occasionally presenting as low-key panhandling near the Tenleytown and Friendship Heights Metro entrances or adjacent grocery storefronts.
What Tenleytown / AU Park / Friendship Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Bustling and exceptionally safe with commuters, dog walkers, and runners heading toward Metro stations and coffee shops.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and active with college students, shoppers, and families frequenting local parks and retail strips.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe with steady foot traffic around neighborhood dining spots and grocery stores.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and largely deserted on residential blocks, though streets remain safe and well-monitored.
Transit, parking and getting around
WMATA serves the neighborhood via the Red Line at Tenleytown-AU and Friendship Heights stations, complemented by heavy bus service on Metrobus routes 31, 33, and 96.
Residential streets are subject to Zone 3 DC residential permit restrictions on weekdays, but paid multi-level garages and metered street spaces are readily available near the commercial avenues.
Things to do in Tenleytown / AU Park / Friendship Heights
- Visit Fort Reno Park, the highest natural point in DC, featuring historic Civil War earthworks and seasonal outdoor concerts.
- Explore the shops, boutiques, and diverse dining spots along Wisconsin Avenue NW.
- Stroll through the manicured grounds and sculpture gardens of nearby American University.
Local favorites
- Guapo's Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (2100)A neighborhood staple serving hearty Tex-Mex fare, fajitas, and margaritas in a bustling setting.
- Clyde's of Chevy Chase · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (2400)Classic American saloon serving elevated tavern favorites and seafood across two uniquely themed dining floors.
- Bread & Chocolate · Bakery & Cafe · 4.3★ (650)European-style bakery offering artisan pastries, espresso drinks, and sit-down brunch favorites.
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.