Eastern Market

Our Opinions of Eastern Market

WOW! We loved Eastern Market so much! The metro stop was a block away from the market which was super convenient. We first went into the flea market which is only open on Sundays. There were stands selling hemp dresses, tibetan jewelry, african crafts and native american trinkets. This flea market was by far our favorite part. Haley bargained with a vendor and bought a cool handmade bag from India for only eighteen dollars!

Mishta and Haley at the flea market

There was also an indoor fresh food market that sold everything from cupcakes to raw meat. We didn't linger in there since the smell of meat was overwhelming. Outside the food market, there were vendors selling cool artwork, including a giraffe statue made out of recycled Arizona Tea cans. We sampled many fruits, vegetables and fresh dips from the local farm stands, who sell their organic food at the market every weekend. Overall, we loved the warm and friendly atmosphere of the market, but wish we had brought more money to buy the cool handicrafts. 

I enjoyed a delicious fresh fruit smoothie and Indian spice hummus. The metro ride back was quite interesting -- I got smushed by the Metro doors when we forgot to get off a stop, and Mishta sat next to a man who was having a loud conversation with himself. Eastern Market is a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning!

- Natalie

I'm so glad we went to Eastern Market. I've never really heard about it, so I didn't know what to expect, but now I understand why people love it so much. My favorite stand in the flea market was the one that sold sports jerseys, because it sold Rajon Rondo's jersey, my favorite basketball player. Since there was too much to explore in the short time we had, I definitely plan on going back especially to snag an empanada!

- Haley

I loved Eastern Market!!! I can't wait to take my Mom and my sister there, because I know they will love it as much as I did. I bought the most delicious peach at a fruit stand, and the weather was perfect so everyone was in a good mood. My favorite part of our trip was when we made fun of a women who almost forgot to get off at her stop. Ironically, it was our stop as well, and we had to make a mad dash for the doors.

- Mishta

Beautiful hand painted chairs

Check out more pics of Eastern Market in our photo gallery.

Background

Location: 7th and C Streets, SE, Washington, DC

The Eastern Market is a public market built in 1871 in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC. The market was initially built as a symbol of urbanization in order to change DC’s original “sleepy southern town image.” Eastern Market is the oldest continuously running food market in the Washington DC area, however an unexpected fire in 2007 disrupted, but never closed, market activities. Thankfully, the market building reopened two years later. The market has become a popular stop for locals and for tourists because of the thriving stalls of fresh meats and produce, baked goods, and crafts.

More information: Eastern Market Website

Admission Price: FREE
Time: 10 am - 5 pm on Sundays
Location: Capitol Hill
Transportation: Metro accessible from the Eastern Market stop (orange/blue line)
Our Rating: ★★★★★