Mt Pleasant St is the corazón (heart) of DC’s Latino, largely Salvadoran community. Many businesses advertise money-transfer services to San Salvador or surrounds, or sell cheap, delicious pupusas (Salvadoran baked turnovers stuffed with cheese or pork). But this is also a neighborhood in transition – a prime place to see DC's gentrification in action: many long-time businesses are moving to the suburbs as rents spike, while herb-infused cocktail bars and fennel raisin bread bakeries swoop in to claim their place.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Mexican Cultural Institute

0.31 MILES

The Mexican Cultural Institute looks locked up and imposing, but don't be deterred. The gilded beaux-arts mansion is open to the public and hosts…

2. BloomBars

0.53 MILES

You never know what you'll find going on at BloomBars, a cool community arts center. By day, children's story times and music classes take place; at night…

3. District of Columbia Arts Center

0.64 MILES

The grassroots DCAC offers emerging artists a space to showcase their work. The 800-sq-ft gallery features rotating visual-arts exhibits, while plays,…

4. Smithsonian's National Zoo

0.72 MILES

Home to more than 2700 animals and more than 390 species in natural habitats, the National Zoo is famed for its giant pandas, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Bei…

5. Meridian Hill Park

0.74 MILES

This is an incredible bit of urban green space. The grounds are terraced like a hanging garden replete with waterfalls, sandstone terraces and assorted…

6. Silent George Mural

0.92 MILES

This mural of George Washington with a gag over his mouth symbolizes DC's lack of representation in Congress. It was painted by Aniekan Udofia in 2011.

7. Howard University Gallery of Art

0.97 MILES

The university's art gallery holds an impressive collection of works largely dominated by African and African American artists, including Archibald Motley…

8. Howard University

1.05 MILES

Founded in 1867, Howard remains the nation’s most prestigious traditionally African American institute of higher education. Distinguished alumni include…