The Trinidad/Gallaudet neighborhood in Washington DC is an exciting place to live due to its active community and developing surroundings. The area is primarily made up of students, long-term residents and commuters. The area was named after the 19th century speculator James Barry.

Geography

The Trinidad neighborhood boundaries are defined by Bladensburg Road to the east, West Virginia Avenue to the west, Mt. Olivet Road to the north and Florida avenue to the south. Gaullaudet is defined by the University boundaries, which are the same as Trinidad’s but extend to 6th St/Brentwood Pkwy. West Virginia Avenue serves as a distinct boundary between the university and the Trinidad neighborhood. Nearby the area are a few neighborhoods including Eckington, NoMa and H Street.

Gallaudet University

Gallaudet University was federally chartered in 1864 as a bilingual school for the deaf and hard of hearing and has since served as a very important pillar in DC’s community. The official language of Gallaudet is American Sign Language, but due to its status as a world-class school for the deaf it attracts students from all over the world. 

The community of students, teachers and supporters of the institution are very passionate and involved in their community which has changed and evolved considerably through its history; the school had its beginnings as a school for deaf and blind children in Washington DC and now offers several majors, the most popular being psychology, business, physical education and the visual and performing arts. Additionally the school is internationally recognized for its extensive pursuit of deafness-related research and publishes the oldest and most widely read English-language journal for the deaf, American Annals of the Deaf. 

Whether or not residents are directly involved in the school while living in DC, it is important to have some understanding while living in the area.  The student body is very active in District events and performs at many events/festivals throughout the year, including the annual and nearby, H Street Festival.

Getting Around

The Trinidad neighborhood is primarily residential and is serviced by the NoMa-Gallaudet Metro station. While it can be a bit of a walk to the metro living in Trindad, it is definitely manageable and is conveniently serviced by the red line. Additionally, the MetroBus lines D1, D2, D3, D4, D8, X3 and B2 service the area. Driving in the area is generally traffic free and there is ample street parking. 

Where to Live

Fortunately for those looking to move to the Trinidad/Gallaudet area, there is a very solid housing stock. The south side of the neighborhood features 1920s style row homes lining quiet side streets while the north side has slightly newer homes that were built post-World War II during the housing boom. Row homes make up the majority of the listings here, but there are many condos popping up in the area along with some two-story apartment buildings.

Condos can be affordable here compared to some nearby areas, but over the past few years the housing prices have drastically increased.  Trinidad seems to be following the same trend as nearby H St., which saw considerable appreciation as the area developed and became more in demand.

Where to Eat and Drink

There are limited options for dining directly in the Trinidad neighborhood, but thankfully with H Street and NoMa very close by there are plenty of eateries and bars nearby.

A newer addition to the Trinidad neighborhood is Bardo, an outdoor space/beer garden open during warmer weather. The spot features a dog park, food trucks, picnic tables, a farmers market, corn hole ‘field’, playground, seating and parking for up to 500 bikes. The spot is very unique and is somewhat similar to spots found in cities like Portland and Austin. Favorite local restaurants include Bellah Luna Pizzeria

Events, Parks & Activities

Trinidad has an active community that is represented through its neighborhood association. Due to the large involvement of its residents, there are a few annual events in the neighborhood. These include Annual Trinidad Day – an informal celebration of the youth in the community, the Garden tour, the Trinidad Block Party and Trinidad Art in the Alley – an event held twice a year that puts on local art in the alley between the 1200 block of Florida Ave and Morse St. Trinidad. It is located only a few blocks from several art galleries including the popular Gallery O on H St.

In addition to annual festivals, Trinidad has two recreation centers: Trinidad & Wheatley. The Trinidad center features several different recreational fields, basketball courts and a swimming pool, while the Wheatley center has a gymnasium and an arts and crafts room. While these two parks are a great addition to the neighborhood, Trinidad is also very close to the National Arboretum, a 446-acre area featuring koi ponds, gardens, sculptures, and the iconic National Capital Columns.