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Friar Jason Welle of the Franciscan Monastery on the Sights & Tastes of Brookland
Friar Jason Welle has been living at Brookland’s Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America for five years, working on his dissertation at Georgetown University and ministering to constituents. But the runner and beer fan also finds much to like outside the gates of his adopted home. What do you like most about Brookland? The neighborhood has changed so much in five years. Take the Monroe Street Market, where now we have a Busboys and Poets and Brookland Pint. I’m really surprised by how quickly this has happened. In that sense, people have a new neighborhood to get to know. There’s a bright new face on it. Where do you like to grab a bite? I go to Busboys and Poets for the Southern fusion food. As a new resident, I find that it celebrates DC without the politics. It’s about food, poetry and art. And I like Brookland Pint. A good stout is my go-to meal there! What about the people of the neighborhood? There’s such a fascinating mishmash of people who spend time here, from friars and nuns to Catholic University students and staff. I find them more interesting than the architecture! What about the Arts Walk at Monroe Street Market? Aside from the galleries, one of the gifts of that little area is the possibility for special events. Sometimes there’s a farmers’ market, and there are all sorts of other events. It’s a public space that really brings people together. You are also a runner. Where do you jog in the neighborhood? The challenge in urban running is having to stop for traffic. I take laps around the Catholic University of America. It involves a couple big hills, and I never have to stop. If I make it to Capuchin College at the top of the hill, I make the sign of the cross because I’ve survived! Do you have a favorite part of the monastery? Our gardens out front are very beautiful. Visitors should come back several times a year, because we change the flowers out seasonally. And once a month we have organ recitals on Sunday afternoons. How do you recommend people take in all of the “Little Rome” attractions in one day? It’d be hard to see everything here in one day. But I think first, head to the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception – there are so many special chapels to Mary there, representing cultures from around the world. And I’m proud that the monastery seems like a must-stop on any tour of the neighborhood. It’s quiet up on our hill. I think people find it peaceful. Looking for more? Check out these things to see and do in Brookland.
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Getting to Washington, DC
As a traveler, you have a wealth of options for reaching the wonders that await in America’s capital city. We’ve broken those down below. By Air There are three major airports in the Washington, DC region: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (airport code: DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (airport code: IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (airport code: BWI). All three offer multiple U.S. and international flights daily. Both American Airlines and United Airlines service all three airports. Reagan National Airport is the closest airport to DC proper, just a 10-minute drive from city lines. The airport is accessible from its own Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow lines. To catch a taxi, look for the official taxi stand outside of baggage claim. A ride into downtown DC will cost about $15-$20. Visit the Reagan Airport transportation and parking page for more information. Dulles Airport is located 26 miles from DC in suburban Virginia. The airport has a dedicated access road that makes getting into the city efficient via car, taxi or airport shuttle. Washington Flyer taxi cabs exclusively service Dulles Airport. Taxi stands are located outside the main terminal at Door 2 and Door 6. A ride into DC will cost about $60-$68. BWI Airport is accessible via an Amtrak train route that drops off at DC’s Union Station. A reserved seat on the train will cost $15-$30. Visit the BWI Airport ground transportation page for more information. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority recently announced the opening of two XpresCheck™ COVID-19 testing facilities located at Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport. COVID-19 testing options include the Rapid Molecular COVID-19 Test, with test results available immediately, and the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test, with results available typically in one to three days. Tests are available on a walk-in basis or by appointment at xprescheck.com. By Train Due to the coronavirus, Amtrak has launched new health and safety procedures, including a partnership with Lysol and enhanced cleaning protocols, limited capacity, assigned seating and mandatory face coverings. Learn more about how Amtrak is addressing rider safety during the coronavirus pandemic. If you’d rather travel to DC on the ground, Amtrak is the ideal solution. The Northeast Regional train runs every hour from New York City to the District, including early morning and late night departures. The train saves time and can save you money, too – when you purchase a ticket two weeks in advance of your trip, you can save up to 25% on the lowest available fares. The train departs and arrives from New York’s Penn Station and DC’s Union Station, which is centrally located, features its own Metro stop and plenty of taxis awaiting as you exit. By Bus Travelling by bus to and from DC is easy. Choose from an array of options, including Megabus.com, Battle’s Transportation and Vamoose. While in DC, you can sightsee on a bus with Big Bus Tours, which offers 24 or 48-hour hop-on, hop-off tickets, letting you explore attractions at your convenience. By Car If you’ve chosen to drive to the District with your own wheels, SpotHero and ParkWhiz are fantastic apps to use in order to find a parking spot that suits you. Many hotels also offer parking options, so check with yours when securing your reservation. Looking for more information on transportation? Check out our Getting Around in DC page.
Global Marketplace
Date: February 5, 2025 Time: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center Partner with Destination DC for the return of Global Marketplace, our signature seminar about international tourism and travel to Washington, DC. Meet Destination DC's international representatives from the UK/Ireland, India, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and China. Network with 250+ travel and tourism industry leaders, decision-makers and influencers. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities.