Woodland Normanstone

Where is Woodland Normanstone?

It's a sylvan enclave of mansions overlooking Rock Creek valley in Northwest D.C., named for the parallel Woodland and Normanstone drives that run through it.

A subdivision of Massachusetts Avenue Heights, the neighborhood began its development in the early twentieth century, as bridges spanning Rock Creek Park at Massachusetts and Connecticut avenues made the area accessible from downtown Washington.

Its topography of rolling hills and deep valleys prompted a 1910 act of Congress that exempted the new development's streets from conforming to Washington, D.C.'s existing street grid, thus enabling large cascading estates along meandering roads and culs-de-sac to be erected. 

Mansions in Woodland Normanstone 

The Woodland Normanstone neighborhood is unique in that it has no condo buildings, townhouses, rowhouses or apartment buildings, only single-family houses--make that mansions! 

Renowned architects including John Russell Pope, George Ray, and Rose Greely designed homes and gardens for cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, generals, local entrepreneurs, and the owners of Washington’s NFL franchise.  The natural beauty of the surrounding landscape which encompasses the Rock Creek watershed is unsurpassed.   

Please note: the tour includes hilly terrain and one long outdoor staircase to climb.

What attendees are saying

"The Woodland Normanstone tour, led by Martin, covered a rarely visited area of the city even for a long-time Washingtonian like me. Our guide had thoroughly researched the homes of DC's one-half of one-percent and provided fascinating history and anecdotes. I recommend this tour for residents and visitors who have been to the national monuments and done more common tours. Thank you Washington Walks and especially Martin for your engaging and friendly tour." - TripAdvisor reviewer

People who liked this D.C. tour also liked: Kalorama and Woodley Park