The Eastern Market can be reached either by the Metro (or Circulator). If you go inside there are a number of mom and pop food options inside. There is also a "large room" where children can roam freely. Restrooms are very clean.

We walked to the Eastern Market on a Sunday AM when there is also a flea market in the streets surrounding it. We enjoyed our visit and bought some olive oil and are considering purchasing a painting we saw. If we had driven to DC, we would have bought more.

The Eastern Market itself is a public hall. It's long and narrow and has food stalls along each side and you stroll the center. They sell meat, cheese, vegetables, baked goods, flowers and all of the traditional street market goods. It's not as big or extensive as similar European Markets, but if I lived in the neighborhood, I'd skip the grocery store and shop here.

Outside there were vendors selling soap, olive oil, art, old furniture, new handmade furniture, clothing, and some food carts.

The Market is about 20 minute walk from the Capitol. There is Metro Station there.

If you are visiting DC and looking for something that isn't politics or history, give the Eastern Market Flea Market a try.

I wrote an average review for Eastern Market after being upset that some clothing I purchased there did not hold up well in the washing machine. This review replaces that one and I’m upping the rating to four stars.

TLDR version: If you are a tourist in DC, I recommend Eastern Market, but only on Saturday or Sunday when the weather is nice.

Wonderful artists are based at Eastern Market. There are many; Turtle’s Webb, Larry Gallo, Adiante Franszoon, and Dan Kessler are a few I’ve purchased unique items from with pleasure. Occasionally there is a wood carver who creates beautiful birds. It is fun to watch him in the process. I think his name is Jeff.

In addition, there are importers or re-sellers with bargain clothes and jewelry. Here is where you need to be careful. I should have inquired about machine wash-ability but did not. The clothing would probably have held up fine if hand washed in Woolite. Prices in these tents are low and they often have sales.

Various musicians attend Eastern Market, more so in the warmer weather. Some are phenomenal and others are fine but they don’t stop me in my tracks to listen.

Their indoor food market has some delicious selections of meat, fish, cheese, baked goods, flowers and much more. The outside food vendors are either farmers or sellers of farm goods or homemade salsas and sauces. They typically give out samples. There is a small consignment shop, Clothes Encounters, on 7th street across from the food hall that has some excellent bargains. Tunnicliff’s Tavern and Boxcar on the same side of the road are great places to eat brunch or dinner. Boxcar has a more mellow atmosphere.