About 4 miles from Washington D.C.’s northwest border sits Cabin John. A Potomac River community, the neighborhood was established due to the construction of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, which transported coal, lumber and other bulk goods between the Alleghany Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay from 1850 to 1924. A national park surrounding the canal was established in 1971. Today, the community bikes or walks along the scenic waterway, which maintains much of its original infrastructure. The Cabin John neighborhood offers residents an active community association, eclectic housing and top-rated schools. Due to the area’s beauty and proximity to the Potomac River, kayaking and other outdoor activities are incredibly popular with locals. “You’re only about 8 miles from the White House, but it feels like you’re on vacation,” says Patty Sieber, associate realtor with Stuart & Maury Inc., who has lived in the area for over 20 years.
Experience tranquility at Cabin John's gem, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. A haven for peaceful walks.
Find your home in the heart of Cabin John - Where comfort and connection intertwine.
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The Union Arch Bridge
The Union Arch Bridge, known locally as “Cabin John Bridge” or the “one-lane bridge,” is the world’s longest single-span masonry arch. It was built as part of the Washington Aqueduct, designed to transport water to the Capitol building. Today, the bridge still travels over Cabin John Creek. Cars sit at stoplights on either end before crossing, which can cause traffic during rush hour.
The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and other outdoor opportunities
“This is a community of outdoorsy people,” Sieber says. “Kayaking, biking and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal are major draws – it feels miles away from the city.” The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal – or the C&O Canal, as locals call it – runs nearly 185 miles from Georgetown in Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland. Locals run, bike, walk or take in history along the scenic path. But that’s not the only outdoor excursion the neighborhood offers. “Cabin John Creek has an awesome hike following it,” Sieber says. “There are dogs everywhere and people swimming.” The trail leads to Cabin John Park, where kids run around the adventure playground, ice skaters circle the enclosed Cabin John Ice Rink year-round and families camp at seven walk-in campgrounds. Local sports teams play their games at the park’s soccer field, softball field, baseball field and volleyball courts, while large and small dog breeds run around at The Cabin John Regional Dog Park. Open sunrise to sunset, nearby Seven Locks Local Park includes a playground, soccer field, basketball courts, pickleball courts, lighted tennis courts – open until 11 p.m. – and sheltered picnic areas.
Unwind in Cabin John's oasis, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. Picturesque escape for nature lovers.
Experience tranquility at Cabin John's gem, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. A haven for peaceful walk.
Cabin John Local Park offers the perfect setting for baseball enthusiasts to play and enjoy the
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Cabin John Community Association and neighborhood events
The Cabin John Community Association was formed over 100 years ago and continues to provide involvement opportunities to residents. Upon moving in, new neighbors receive a welcome bag, and a monthly newsletter is sent to the community. The association also hosts events at the Clara Barton Community Center throughout the year. During the holiday season, Santa visits, carolers sing and kids make festive crafts. Around Halloween, the community center transforms into a haunted house; at Easter, there’s an egg hunt. But Sieber says, “Chicken and Crab Fest is our biggest fundraiser.” A 50-year tradition, the festival began in the 1960s. It was started by the neighborhood's Black community, who fundraised for the Cabin John Homes Study Program and for children in the recently integrated school district. Today, Chicken and Crab Fest continues to raise money for the community association, allowing them to offer involvement opportunities to residents.
A-plus for Montgomery County Public Schools
Students are zoned for Montgomery Public Schools. They can attend Bannockburn Elementary School and Thomas W. Pyle Middle School, which both receive A’s from Niche. They can finish their public education at Walt Whitman High School, which earns an A-plus from Niche. Whitman High offers courses for six Career and Technical Education Clusters, including Early Childhood Development and International Business. Also in the neighborhood is the Clara Barton Center for Children, which provides education and childcare programs for kids ages 2 to 5 at the Clara Barton Community Center.
Students experience excellence in education at Thomas W. Pyle Middle School.
Walt Whitman High School cultivates intellectual and social growth.
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Eclectic housing
Homes in Cabin John encompass a variety of styles, which becomes more eclectic as buyers tear down existing properties to build new ones. But all houses share a dense tree canopy that makes them feel secluded. Potential homebuyers can find midcentury modern, Craftsman-style, modern farmhouses, New Traditional and Cape Cod houses along gently curving streets. The median home price here is just over $1 million; buyers can find a small fixer-upper for between $500,000 and $600,000 or a sprawling five-bedroom property for $3.7 million. The MacArthur Park condominiums offer options at lower prices, starting around $200,000 for a studio, while the Cabin John Gardens subdivision includes one hundred single-family homes and offers a co-op model of ownership, with prices typically ranging from $450,000 to $1.2 million.
Cozy living in Cabin John's picturesque cottage houses, surrounded by nature's beauty.
Modern living meets natural beauty at these stunning contemporary homes in Cabin John.
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What’s happening at MacArthur Plaza
MacArthur Plaza is the neighborhood’s gathering place, where residents enjoy a range of dining options. “They’ve recently expanded outdoor seating,” Sieber says. “It’s a nice place to hang out and catch up with neighbors. [The Cabin John Trail] weaves throughout the area and heads towards the shopping center – you can walk to it – there are always kids, people pushing strollers and bikers on the trail.” Wild Tomatoes is a casual spot with red umbrellas outside. Sieber notes, “They have a great happy hour and bar.” Next door, at Fish Taco, locals walk up to the counter and order fresh tacos and other Mexican-American cuisine. “They’re always friendly,” Sieber says. “In the summer, they have water bowls for dogs.” Sal’s Italian Kitchen is the next restaurant in line, which is a little nicer and only open for dinner. The Market on the Boulevard is also in MacArthur Plaza. “They have awesome sandwiches,” Sieber says. “They’re named after different streets.” Behind these restaurants is Bethesda Co-Op, a natural food store with a wide selection of prepared foods, cheeses, wine and fresh produce. Locals can head to Safeway in Bethesda for a more comprehensive grocery trip, about 4 miles southeast.
Indulge in the culinary delights of Cabin John at The Wild Tomato restaurant.
Discover the vibrant community at MacArthur Plaza in the heart of Cabin John.
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Getting around Cabin John
Cabin John houses many commuters to D.C., Bethesda and Northern Virginia. The neighborhood has easy access to U.S. Interstate 495 – or the Capitol Beltway – which leads across the Potomac to Virginia and 8 miles southeast into D.C. Locals can also access surrounding areas using the No. 29 Montgomery County Ride-On bus, running between the Friendship Heights Metro station and the Bethesda Metro station and the No. 32 Montgomery County Ride-On bus, which leads between the Bethesda Metro station and the Carderock Division of the Naval Surface. The C&O Canal Towpath leads into the Georgetown neighborhood of D.C.. “A lot of people bike into D.C.,” Sieber says. “In the winter, you’ll see people with your headlights biking up the dark canal.” In case of emergency, Suburban Hospital is about 4 miles north. And when it’s time to fly, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is about 15 miles southeast.
Stay connected with convenient transportation in Cabin John.
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Located in one of the most coveted neighborhoods, welcome to Carderock Springs!! Sitting on over half an acre, the home has been completely renovated and updated so you can enjoy all the upgrades the home has to offer. On the lower level you will find an office, bedroom, full bath, a gym, and plenty of storage space. Heading upstairs you will find an open floor plan with a spectacular kitchen.
This isn’t a home for everyone. It’s for someone looking for something... different. Something truly special—but only for those who can see this kind of special. And let’s be honest, that’s not everyone.If manicured lawns and cookie-cutter layouts make your heart sing, you may want to keep scrolling. But if you’ve been waiting for a home with soul—one that’s nestled in the trees, filled
Welcome to this stunning 5 BR/3.5BA contemporary residence nestled in the sought-after Cabin John Evergreen neighborhood on a quiet cul-de-sac, situated on a spacious lot size of 0.56-acres. This home boasts excellent curb appeal with its stylish circular driveway centered in the front yard complemented by lush landscaping, and manicured gardens that enhance its overall aesthetic.Inside, a
Located in one of the most coveted neighborhoods, welcome to Carderock Springs!! Sitting on over half an acre, the home has been completely renovated and updated so you can enjoy all the upgrades the home has to offer. On the lower level you will find an office, bedroom, full bath, a gym, and plenty of storage space. Heading upstairs you will find an open floor plan with a spectacular kitchen.
This isn’t a home for everyone. It’s for someone looking for something... different. Something truly special—but only for those who can see this kind of special. And let’s be honest, that’s not everyone.If manicured lawns and cookie-cutter layouts make your heart sing, you may want to keep scrolling. But if you’ve been waiting for a home with soul—one that’s nestled in the trees, filled
Welcome to this stunning 5 BR/3.5BA contemporary residence nestled in the sought-after Cabin John Evergreen neighborhood on a quiet cul-de-sac, situated on a spacious lot size of 0.56-acres. This home boasts excellent curb appeal with its stylish circular driveway centered in the front yard complemented by lush landscaping, and manicured gardens that enhance its overall aesthetic.Inside, a
Great location! This great home has 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, living-dining room opening to a large deck overlooking the private backyard. The gourmet kitchen has granite countertops , SS appliances and it is open by a breakfast bar to the dining room. The lower level has a recreation room, 2 more bedrooms, a full bath, a den/office and the laundry room. As per owner's request, the lease has to be
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Custom Built in 1986. Prime location in Cabin John within walking distance to the prestigious Palisades Swim and Tennis Club & Seven Locks Park. Membership to Palasides has a long wait list but when you purchase this home you jump to the front of that line with a transferable membership from this seller. Homes with this quality of construction simply aren't built very often. 5 bedroom 3.5 bath
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