Adams Morgan
Washington DC, Washington DC, USA
Located in northwest DC, Adams Morgan is celebrated for its charming rowhouses, vibrant dining scene, eclectic cultural mix, and trendy sensibility. Situated along the buzzy 18th Street corridor, the neighborhood is known for its nightlife, though its coffee shops, vintage stores, music venues, and bookstores are a daytime draw.
The Basics
Long celebrated for its dynamic, multicultural identity, Adams Morgan is both a residential neighborhood and a food lover’s paradise. The neighborhood boasts a diverse array of restaurants, from locals-frequented empanada shops (like Julia’s Empanadas) to supersized pizza specialists (Jumbo Slice Pizza) and even Michelin-starred dining destinations (like Tail-Up Goat). Whether you browse its cool boutiques, leaf through its bookshops (like Idle Times, a neighborhood icon for nearly 40 years), or linger in its cafes, a trip to Adams Morgan offers a glimpse into what local DC life is like.
Adams Morgan can be visited during off-the-beaten-path Washington DC tours, as well as private sightseeing excursions. It’s also possible to plan an independent excursion to this accessible area.
Things to Know Before You Go
- One of Adams Morgan’s famed establishments is the Jack Rose Dining Saloon: it’s said to be home to one of the world’s largest whiskey selections (now over 2,600 bottles).
- A key neighborhood landmark is Mama Ayesha's: the restaurant, open since the 1960s, is known for its Middle Eastern food and the presidential mural on its exterior wall.
- For a dose of culture, head to the DC Arts Center to check out theatrical performances, gallery shows, and more.
How to Get There
Adams Morgan is located just north of Dupont Circle. If traveling via public transportation, take the Metro Red Line to Dupont Circle or Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan. The area is also served by DC Circulator or Metrobus services, and can be reached on foot, by bike, or by taxi.
When to Get There
Adams Morgan is pretty by day, when its restaurant patios make an enjoyable place to soak up the sunshine and its rainbow-hued rowhouses offer a particularly attractive backdrop for Instagram photo shoots. But the neighborhood really comes alive after dark—particularly along the vibrant 18th Street corridor, which is packed with bars and restaurants.
Events in Adams Morgan
Discover the neighborhood’s festive side every September, when the Adams Morgan Day Festival—the longest-running neighborhood festival in the city—attracts thousands of revelers to the area. Other annual events include Adams Morgan Movie Nights (held during the summer months), the Adams Morgan Farmers Market (hosted from spring to fall at the corner of 18th and Columbia Road NW), and Taste of Adams Morgan (a wide-ranging culinary celebration held every June).
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