By Jennifer Barger, Travel & Leisure

There’s more to Washington, D.C., than politics and monuments. Neighborhoods across the city are being transformed into dining and shopping hubs. Check out these five.

West Wing—signature D.C. One highlight: the 1873 Eastern Market, a busy red-brick grocery hall. A multi-block crafts and antiques fair takes place outside the market on weekends, with offerings such as vintage barware and local art. Eighth Street SE, known as Barracks Row for the U.S. Marines quarters that lie at one end, is packed with pubs and retro-chic oyster houses like the clubby Chesapeake Room. Arrive early at chef Aaron Silverman’s walk-in-friendly hot spot Rose’s Luxury if you want to taste the pig-ear-and-mango salad or rib-eye tartare.

NOMA

Just north of Capitol Hill in NoMa (short for North of Massachusetts Avenue), Union Market is crammed with food stalls like Takorean, which blends Korean and Mexican fare, and Buffalo & Bergen, which serves knishes, bagels, and egg creams. After lunch, browse shops like Salt & Sundry (Turkish hand towels, barrel-aged maple syrup) and Bazaar Spices, then head to the nearby Dolcezza gelato factory for something sweet.

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