Free Market in the Nation’s Capital
D.C. has a garden variety of craft and food markets ripe for weekend meandering. Markets offer visitors the complete weekend experience. Grab brunch after a late night out, plan a Sunday meal with local products or start Christmas shopping a little early all while running into neighbors and getting some sunshine. Wednesday is never too early to start planning for the weekend, so check out some of these markets on your days off.
Eastern Market is a one-stop shop of quality food items (Photo:Jennifer Eubank/Eastern Market)
Eastern Market
Built in 1873, Eastern Market still serves as a thriving gathering place for D.C. commerce. Inside the historic South Hall Market, merchants sell meats, poultry, seafood, produce, pasta, baked goods, flowers and cheeses. The line at Market Lunch stretches around the counter, but the blueberry buckwheat pancakes are well worth the wait. Outside, art & crafts vendors at the Eastern Market Flea sell handmade trinkets and artisanal home decorations. Buy a map from Jim Tam the Map Man or an artfully framed collectors stamp from Chandler Stamps.
District Flea
District Flea has been selling antique and repurposed furniture, vintage clothing, collectibles and antiques every Saturday since Sept. 12 and will continue through Nov. 30. The market features artisans from in and around D.C., New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia as well as fresh food. Find all this and more at 945 Florida Ave. NW.
Union Market is developing a night life with drive-in movies and concerts (Photo: Lexynyc)
Union Market
While many have come to enjoy Union Market for their impeccable selection of vendors, this hip market off of Florida Avenue has some new things brewing that will make it even more the D.C. market darling. During the fall, Union Market has hosted D.C.’s only drive-in movie experience showing classics like Caddy Shack and Good Will Hunting. The last installment in the fall season will screen this Friday. Check out Bridesmaids at 7:30 p.m. In addition, the upper-level event space of Union Market, dubbed Dock5 will being hosting concerts this month. Check out D.C. native sons the Walkmen on Nov. 30, I know I will be!
Happy marketing!
Richard is a freelance writer who enjoys building a healthy appetite with long runs around the city. When not logging the miles, he can be spotted training the palate at brunches, happy hours and food trucks.
