The constantly buzzing neighborhood of Adams Morgan pairs a vibrant sensory adventure with shopping opportunities foreign to most malls. Here, few chain stores strive to impress shoppers with shiny glass facades (aside from the ubiquitous Starbucks and McDonalds). Rather, small shops and galleries, tucked unobtrusively among the more prominent bars and restaurants of the area, pique your curiosity with the help of a sidewalk sign or a snatch of music from a briefly opened door.
The colorful blocks of 18th Street, between Columbia Road and Kalorama Road, offer the most concentrated selection of stores in Adams Morgan, though an array of shopping destinations extend beyond the community's vivid core. Adams Morgan's stores, like its restaurants, are international, and many deal solely in imported goods. Toro Mata, a high-end gallery showcasing the art and crafts of Peru, offers respite from the busy thoroughfare with the soothing sounds of Andean wind instruments, while the Tibet Shop across the street entices with layers of beads, scarves, and bags, all hand-made in the Himalayas. After grabbing a Jumbo Slice of pizza from one of the many vendors who specialize in this greasy DC classic, or perhaps sitting down for a hearty lunch at The Diner, you can weed through vintage clothing and albums at Smash Records or settle into a corner of Idle Time Books.
While the color encountered at a mall is generally confined to racks and hangers, bold tones saturate the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells that define Adams Morgan.
Location Information
- Location:
- 18th Street between Columbia Road and Kalorama Road
- Website:
- www.adamsmorgannow.com
- Metro Stop:
- Redline to Woodley Park – Zoo/Adams Morgan Station
