Easily accessed by car or by Metro (take the Red Line to the Takoma Park stop), Takoma Park is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. Depending on your mood or energy level, you can meet friends, shop, grab a healthful bite to eat or simply rejuvenate. Many of the shops and restaurants are clustered around the pedestrian-friendly area referred to as Old Town. But be sure to venture beyond the strip to discover the heart of Takoma.

WHERE TO EAT

The Savory Café [1]
With two locations, one at either end of Takoma Park, Savory is the place to enjoy good coffee, delicious and healthy sandwiches, salads, soups and freshly baked desserts. The relaxed atmosphere enhanced by the work of local artists on view. Don’t miss the Sunday brunch and pastry buffet.

If you are feeling crafty, drop in on the last Tuesday of the month at 7pm for Knit & Crochet at Savory, an informal gathering that welcomes all experience levels.

7071 Carroll Avenue. 301-270-2233. www.savorycafe.com. HOURS: Monday – Thursday, 7:30am - 10pm; Friday & Saturday, 7:30am -11pm; Sunday, 7:30am - 5pm.

[2] A new location is opposite the Metro Station at 314 Carroll Street NW, Washington, D.C. 202-545-8800. HOURS: Daily, 7am - 8pm; Friday, 7am - 9 pm.


Everyday Gourmet [3]
In the center of Old Town is Everyday Gourmet, a small, down-to-earth coffee shop offering baked goods made from scratch daily. Don’t miss the giant scones, which taste terrific with the locally roasted and certified shade grown Mayorga coffee that’s served up here.

6923 Laurel Avenue. 301-270-2270. HOURS: Monday – Friday, 7am - 8pm; Saturday, 8am - 6pm; Sunday, 8am - 3pm.


Mark’s Kitchen [4]
Mark’s serves up an array of American and Asian food, emphasizing vegetarian options. The Royal Sampler Boxes are artfully presented in lacquered Korean lunch boxes and include delicious honey soybeans, roast seaweed, and a mung bean pancake. Mark’s also offers breakfast everyday options range from healthy fare such as a vegan breakfast or shiitake mushroom omelet to classics such as pancakes, and egg and cheese sandwiches.

7006 Carroll Avenue. 301-270-1884. www.markskitchen.com. HOURS: Monday – Saturday, 9am - 9pm; Sunday, 8am - 8pm.

Middle Eastern Cuisine & Market [5]
A family owned café and storefront market featuring Middle Eastern fare. Authentic dishes include kebabs and shawarma, the mid-East taco, as well as a variety of vegetarian platters.Be sure to stop in on a Saturday evening for live music and belly dancing, and save room for the baklava and other pistachio pastries!

7006 Carroll Avenue. 301-270-5154. HOURS: Monday – Saturday, 11am - 9pm; Sunday, 10am - 8pm.


Takoma Park Farmer’s Market [6]
A “producers-only” farmer’s market with nearly two dozen vendors offering everything from fresh local produce and free range eggs to flowers, cheeses, breads and botanicals. During the warm months pick up annuals, perennial flowers and herbs to plant in your own garden. Laurel Avenue between Carroll Street and Eastern Avenue.

HOURS: open year-round Sundays, 10am - 2pm.


Takoma Station Tavern [7]
Unwind with a bite to eat and an evening of jazz at Takoma Station Tavern, a family owned and operated club located Takoma, DC. With a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere, you can catch local acts as well as big names such as Donald Byrd and Branford Marsalis.

6914 Fourth Street NW, Washington, D.C. 202-829-1999. www.takomastation.com. HOURS: Monday – Friday, 4pm - 2am; Saturday, 6:30pm 3am; Sunday, 6:30pm - 2am.


Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-Op [8]
This natural food co-op specializes in organic foods with a large selection of fresh produce, breads, cheeses, homeopathic and herbal remedies, and natural health and beauty aids. Stop by on Saturday, April 22 for the Earth Day Celebration featuring music, children’s games, face painting and informational booths on eco-friendly building and among others.

201 Ethan Allen Avenue. 301-891-2667. www.tpss.org. HOURS: Daily, 9am - 9pm.


WHERE TO RECHARGE

Willow Street Yoga Center [9]
Specializing in Anusara Yoga, Willow Street also offers pilates, parent and baby yoga, fusion flow (an invigorating yoga class accompanied by inspirational music) as well as therapeutic massage by appointment.

6930 Carroll Avenue. 301-270-8038. www.willowstreetyoga.com.


Wisdom Path Healing Center & Purple Mountain Organics [10]
Run by Dr. Nazirahk Amen, ND, LAc, the Wisdom Path Healing Center offers classical homeopathy and acupuncture services, meditation, and nutritional counseling. Sign up for the gourmet vegan cooking classes emphasizing fresh, organic and seasonal vegetables. Also on the premises is Purple Mountain Organics, with everything you need to start, maintain and expand an organic garden indoors or out — from heirloom vegetable starter plants to organic fertilizers, garden tools, lighting systems, and soils.

7010 Westmoreland Avenue, Suite 100. 301-891-2488.
www.purplemountainorganics.com & www.doctoramen.com.


Wu Shen Tao Martial Arts [11]
This lively studio in Old Town Takoma Park emphasizes the spiritual and health related aspects of martial arts training through a variety of programs, ranging from Qi Gong and meditation to self-defense and Tai Chi.

7014 Westmoreland Avenue, Takoma Park. 301-270-0665. www.wushentao.com.


Takoma Park Bikes
Rent a bike here and explore Takoma Park’s neighborhoods on two wheels. Cruisers, mountain bikes and hybrids available. Rates start at $69.

7030 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park. 301-891-1243. HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday, 11am - 7pm.

GIFTS AND WHAT NOT

Amano [13]
Don’t miss Amano, a small boutique carrying funky and affordable clothing, jewelry, gifts and accessories. They also carry many lines of comfort footwear and a great selection of Hobo purses and wallets, which are seconds and samples priced at 40 percent off retail! Children’s toys and clothing are also available.

7034 Carroll Avenue. 301-270-1140. www.amanotakoma.com. HOURS: Monday – Friday, 11am - 7pm; Saturday, 11am - 6pm; Sunday, 11am - 5pm.


The Big Bad Woof [15]
This holistically-oriented pet supply store offers every- thing to pamper Fido or Fluffy as well as organic pet foods, supplies and toys for your four-legged friends.

117 Carroll Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 202-291-2404. www.thebigbadwoof.com. HOURS: Monday – Friday, 10am - 8pm; Saturday, 10am - 6pm; Sunday, 10am - 6 pm.


The Culture Shop [14]
With a tagline of “worldly goods for worldly people,” The Culture Shop features handcrafted items from around the world — from textiles and jewelry to furniture, tableware, aromatherapy supplies, and gifts for children. Their mission is to market products sourced from indigenous artisans in a fairly traded manner.

341 Cedar Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 202-726 2211. www.cultureshop.com. HOURS: Tuesday – Friday, 11am - 7pm; Saturday, 11am - 6pm; Sunday, 11am - 5pm; closed Monday.


House of Musical Traditions [16]
A Takoma Park institution, the House of Musical Traditions specializes in folk instruments from the U.S. and around the world. They offer everything from bongos to banjos for music lovers of all ages and abilities. This is also the place to pick up the latest CD by one of the region’s many folk artists.

7040 Carroll Avenue. 301-270-9090. www.hmtrad.com. HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday, 11am - 7pm; Sunday & Monday, 11am - 5pm.

A sister venture, The Institute of Musical Traditions, is a non-profit promoting the work of internationally renowned and emerging artists from the Washington, D.C. area through a Monday Night Concert Series. For information, schedules and tickets visit www.imtfolk.org.


Now & Then [17]
If you are looking for a gift but just can’t decide what to get — look no further. Now and Then offers something for everyone. From jewelry, gifts, cards, toys, books, candles and soaps, to knitting supplies, handmade ties, picture frames and frivolities to many to mention. This fun shop is stocked to the gills with unique gifts for that someone special in your life (or maybe just you!)

6927 Laurel Avenue. 301-270-2210.
www.nowandthen.theshoppe.com. HOURS: Monday – Friday, 11am - 7pm; Saturday, 10am - 6pm; Sunday, 10am - 5pm.


Sangha [11]
Handmade wares from endangered cultures — from baskets and beadwork to meditation cushions and prayer flags. A share of the proceeds goes back to the villages. Also sells a wide variety of multicultural children’s books.

7014 Westmoreland Avenue. 301-891-3214. HOURS: Monday – Friday, 11am - 7pm; Saturday, 11am - 6pm; Sunday, 12 - 5 pm.


Takoma Books [18]
This is the place for reasonably priced used books, music and movies. With more than 15,000 books in stock and many priced at $6 or less, you can’t go wrong.

7009 Carroll Avenue. 301-891-4656. www.takomabooks.com. HOURS: Monday – Saturday, 12 - 8pm; Sunday, 10am - 5pm.


ANTIQUES & VINTAGE CLOTHES

Takoma Underground [11]
A treasure trove of antiques, collectibles, vintage clothes and spectacles, political memorabilia, books, curiosities, costume and estate jewelry.

7014 B Westmoreland Avenue. 301-270-6380. www.takoma-underground.com. HOURS: Thursday – Saturday and Monday, 11am - 7pm; Sunday, 11am - 5pm; Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.


Polly Sue’s
High quality and reasonably priced men’s and women’s vintage clothing.6915 Laurel Avenue. 301-270-5511. HOURS: Monday – Friday, 11am - 7pm; Saturday, 11am - 6pm; Sunday, 11am - 5pm.


Takoma Vintage Vault [5]
Antique and collectible furnishings, vintage clothes, jewelry and more.

7000-B Carroll Avenue (downstairs). 301-270-0018. HOURS: Weekdays 11am - 7pm; Saturday, 11am - 6pm; Sunday, 10am - 5pm; Closed Wednesday.


ANNUAL EVENTS

Historic Takoma House and Garden Tour
The self-guided House and Garden Tour is held on the first Sunday in May. It generally features over a dozen outstanding homes and gardens in Takoma Park, MD and Takoma, DC. Tickets are sold in advance at local businesses, at the Farmer’s Market and directly from Historic Takoma. Proceeds support Historic Takoma’s many community programs and activities. 301-270-2831. www.historictakoma.org.


Takoma Park Jazz Festival
Spend a warm day outside enjoying the cool sounds of jazz. This year’s theme is “odd instruments,” with performances of steel drums, scat and a skiffle band with a musical saw and the washtub bass. Don’t miss the jazz flea market featuring memorabilia, photos, books and recordings—a must for any serious jazz enthusiast. Artist market and food vendors are also part of the mix.Jequie Park, Fenton Street & Takoma Avenue, Takoma Park, MD.

Saturday, June 10, 2006. HOURS: 11am - 7pm. www.tpjazzfest.org.


Takoma Park Folk Festival
Since its inception in 1978, the free Takoma Park Folk Festival has been a community affair that showcases the local talent of the Washington, D.C. area and features eight stages of world music and dance, as well as juried craft booths, children’s entertainment, and ethnic cuisine. The festival benefits local organizations that support youth and youth activities.

Sunday, September 10, 2006. www.tpff.org. Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Road, Takoma Park, MD.


Takoma Park Street Festival
A popular community event held in the heart of downtown, the 25th annual Takoma Park Street Festival attracts more than 10,000 people each year. There are activities for the whole family to enjoy, from shopping for handcrafted art, to children’s activities, music on three stages and local food vendors.

Sunday, October 1, 2006. HOURS:10am - 5pm. www.takomafestival.com.

More information about Takoma Park can be found online at www.TakomaParkMD.gov,
www.Takoma Online.com and
www.Takoma.com