Foggy Bottom

Foggy Bottom is a neighborhood in Northwest Washington between the Potomac and Georgetown. Its streets run between federal office buildings, embassies, and the university buildings of George Washington University.

Breweries and glass factories shaped the area in the 19th century and drew workers from Germany and Ireland. After World War II the State Department settled here and changed the face of the neighborhood completely.

The neighborhood takes its name from the fog that once rose from the river and mixed with smoke from local factories. Today its wide avenues and brick buildings show the transformation from a working-class area into a diplomatic center.

The Metro station connects the area to the rest of the city and sits centrally for walking to most points of interest. Weekdays bring more foot traffic and vehicle movement due to office workers and students.

The observatory with its white dome stands on a hill at the edge of the area and has served as the vice presidential residence since 1974. Astronomers discovered Phobos and Deimos, the two moons of Mars, from here in 1877.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Shares border with: Arlington County

GPS coordinates: 38.89833,-77.04889

Latest update: December 12, 2025 23:12