Tenleytown DC Neighborhood Guide: Things to Do & Fun Facts

DC's highest point, a castle-like water tower, free summer rock shows, and a name that started at a tavern. Upper Northwest with a story behind every corner.

BY EJF RENTALS · NORTHWEST DC · WARD 3 · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026

Red-brick homes, tile roofs, and a sidewalk shaded by big old trees.

Tenleytown is the kind of place that hides its personality in plain sight.

On the surface, it's a busy stretch of Wisconsin Avenue with a Red Line stop, a library, and everyday errands. Wander a block in any direction and you'll find leafy streets of Tudors and brick colonials, a Civil War hilltop, community gardens, and a water tower that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. It's also one of the oldest communities in the city.

HISTORY

From Tavern Stop to Red Line Hub

A Name That Started at the Bar

Around 1790, a man named John Tennally ran a tavern here, serving wagon traffic headed to the port in Georgetown. Locals started calling the crossroads "Tennally's Town," and the name stuck. Mostly. The spelling drifted over the years, but streetcars still said "Tennallytown" into the 1920s.

Tenleytown is one of DC's oldest communities, second only to Georgetown. A streetcar line to downtown arrived in 1890, Sears opened a big Wisconsin Avenue store in 1941, and the Tenleytown-AU Metro station opened in 1984, turning what had been a sleepy suburban enclave into the busy hub it is today.

Remembering Reno City

Not every chapter is a fun one. After the Civil War, a largely African American community called Reno grew up on and around the old Fort Reno site, with homes, churches, stores, and a school. Starting in the 1920s, it was cleared for a park and new schools, a removal now widely recognized as racially motivated. The Jesse Reno School, built in 1903, was restored in 2014 and is now part of Deal Middle School, one of the few remaining traces of that neighborhood.

PLACES TO GO

Where to Go and What to See in Tenleytown

Tenleytown packs a lot into a few blocks. Here's where to start.

A castle-like stone tower with conical roofs, rising over a grassy hill.

That storybook tower? It's part of the water system. Fort Reno's water towers date to the early 1900s, built on the hilltop to take advantage of the elevation. Not a castle. Still very cool.

Dahlias, squash vines, and a watering can taking a break in a community garden plot.

The Tenley-Friendship Library, all wood fins and glass, on the corner at Albemarle Street.

WHERE TO EAT

Margaritas, Curries, and a Fresh Crop of Favorites

Wisconsin Avenue covers the classics, and City Ridge added a wave of newcomers. Start here.

Hours and menus change, so check before you head out.

FACTS

10 Things That Make Tenleytown Surprisingly Interesting

1. It was named after a tavern keeper. John Tennally ran a tavern here around 1790. "Tennally's Town" eventually became Tenleytown.
2. It's one of DC's oldest neighborhoods. Only Georgetown has a longer history as a DC community.
3. It's the top of the town. Point Reno in Fort Reno Park is the highest natural point in DC at 409 feet.
4. It runs the airwaves. Thanks to that elevation, Tenleytown hosts nearly all of the city's radio and TV towers.
5. It had a Cold War secret. A Fort Reno facility disguised as a water tower was part of a communications chain linking the White House to an emergency site in Pennsylvania.
6. The concerts are older than most of the bands. Free summer shows at Fort Reno started in 1968.
7. Its Sears had parking on the roof. When the store opened in 1941, its 300-car rooftop lot was a big deal.
8. There's a house that may date to around 1700. Known as The Rest, the Georgian plantation house is believed to be one of the oldest homes in the area.
9. Metro changed everything. Before the Tenleytown-AU station opened in 1984, the area was a sleepy suburban enclave.
10. Its schools are historic landmarks. Both Janney Elementary and Jackson-Reed High School are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

WHY IT MATTERS

Living and Renting in Tenleytown

Step off Wisconsin Avenue and Tenleytown turns quiet fast. Side streets are lined with Tudors, brick colonials, and mature shade trees, and the Red Line is never far. Renters get a real neighborhood feel with an easy commute downtown.

A stone-and-half-timbered Tudor behind a neat hedge on a shady street.

Janney Elementary, Deal Middle, and Jackson-Reed High serve much of the area, and American University sits just to the west. Faculty, grad students, and professionals keep demand steady year round.

For owners, that steady interest comes with high expectations. Many homes here are older, so maintenance, licensing, and tenant screening matter. That's where a local property manager earns their keep.

FAQ

Tenleytown, Answered

Where is Tenleytown in Washington, DC?

Upper Northwest DC (Ward 3), centered on Wisconsin Avenue around Tenley Circle, where Wisconsin and Nebraska Avenues meet. AU Park is to the west and Friendship Heights is to the north.

What Metro station serves Tenleytown?

Tenleytown-AU on the Red Line, at Wisconsin Avenue and Albemarle Street.

How did Tenleytown get its name?

From John Tennally, who ran a tavern here around 1790. The area was first called "Tennally's Town."

Is Tenleytown a good place to rent out a home?

Demand is steady thanks to Red Line access, American University, and well-regarded public schools. Make sure your rental is licensed with DC before you list it.