Creative Community.

Welcome to SoHy

SoHy—South Hyattsville—is where boutique shopping, creative dining and local culture come together. Just minutes from D.C., this walkable district blends historic charm with a modern, independent spirit.

Each fall, the community comes alive with the Hyattsville Arts Festival, a long-standing tradition that has drawn thousands of visitors and a wide range of regional vendors for years. With live music, local art, craft brews, and food experiences, the festival celebrates Hyattsville’s creative energy while putting its small businesses and cultural identity in the spotlight.

From unique retail and vibrant murals to breweries, cafés, and public events, SoHy is building a reputation as a destination for those who want to shop, eat, and play experience something authentic.

“Muppet workshop.jpg” by Tadek Kurpaski (tadekk), licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Discover SoHy & Hyattsville

Notable Residents & Creative Legacy

Jim Henson

Creator of the Muppets, Northwestern High School alumnus whose early puppetry work began here.

Dorothy Hope Smith

Illustrator of the original Gerber Baby.

David Driskell

Influential African American artist and art historian, honored with a Hyattsville park in his name.

John C. Mather

Nobel Prize–winning astrophysicist and NASA scientist.

Frances Tiafoe

Internationally ranked professional tennis player raised in Hyattsville.

Alonzo Davis

Artist, cultural leader, and co-founder of Los Angeles’ Brockman Gallery, who later lived and worked in Hyattsville.

Retail, Dining & Culture

SoHy is known for its unique boutique retail—from curated shops and creative studios to design-forward storefronts.

A growing mix of restaurants, breweries, and cafés makes the district a dining destination as well as a shopping hub.

Colorful murals, public art, and cultural programming give the streetscape energy, making everyday commerce part of a larger experience.

Public Art & Murals

The “Reparations Over Slavery” mural by acclaimed artist Demont “Peekaso” Pinder stands as a bold statement of art and identity.

Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, a nationally recognized contemporary art hub, fosters printmaking, papermaking, and book arts while hosting exhibits, studios, and public programs.

Community-driven mural projects bring color and storytelling to SoHy’s streetscape.

Entrepreneurial Energy

Independent businesses shape SoHy’s identity and keep the district rooted in a small-business spirit.

Many are women- and minority-led, reinforcing SoHy’s character as a place built on local ownership and personal investment.

Community Development & Support

The Hyattsville Community Development Corporation (CDC) strengthens the district by supporting small businesses, fostering public art, and driving economic growth with a focus on preserving local character.

Their initiatives help ensure that SoHy remains small-business–oriented while attracting new investment and cultural activity.

Trails, Transit & Trolley Heritage

At the crossroads of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System, Hyattsville connects runners, cyclists, and families across miles of scenic greenways.

The historic Trolley Trail links Hyattsville directly to College Park and Riverdale Park, reviving the charm of the streetcar era while providing a seamless route for recreation, dining, and commerce between these connected communities.

Historic Charm & Architecture

The Hyattsville Historic District features more than 600 homes in styles from Victorian and Queen Anne to Craftsman bungalows and Sears kit houses.

The Hyattsville Armory (1918), designed like a medieval castle, stands as a striking landmark and reminder of the city’s layered history.