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Adams Morgan Washington DC Community Guide The heart of Washington DC

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History and Flavor

UPDATED 2/23/2023

Looking for a neighborhood so quintessentially DC that it has been featured in scores of television shows and movies as an ideal DC neighborhood?

Look no further. Adams Morgan is the center of the DC universe, bringing together politics, nightlife, and a cultural cross-section of residents that make this one of the great neighborhoods not just in DC but in the entire country.

Named by The American Planning Association as one of the country’s Great Neighborhoods for its architecture, diversity, walkability, bike-ability, and more. Adams Morgan is genuinely one of the best places to live in DC.

Located in the center of favorite neighborhoods like Dupont Circle, Kalorama-Sheridan, Mount Pleasant, and Columbia Heights and bounded by Rock Creek Park to the west, Adams Morgan is at the center of everything that makes DC great.

The neighborhood’s name comes from the two pre-segregation elementary schools—Thomas P. Morgan and John Quincy Adams—forming the Adams-Morgan Community Council following the desegregation of District schools. That past is reflected in the progressive values that are inherent to this area and the activism of its citizens.

The community hosts a Farmers Market every Saturday morning from May through December in the same location at 18th Street and Columbia Road, where it has taken place for more than 30 years. It features produce and herbs, of course, and baked goods, cheeses, and fresh flowers.

In September, there is an annual street festival, Adams Morgan Day, with live music, food, and crafts. It is DC’s longest-running neighborhood festival and will celebrate its 39th anniversary this fall.

Adams Morgan is known for its distinctive row houses, and the DC Planning Commission has committed to protecting these architectural wonders. Also, the recent Streetscape Project upgraded public spaces and infrastructure to make the area more pedestrian and bike-friendly, turning this already-walkable neighborhood into an even more accessible area.

Entertainment

Music & Parks

  • Songbyrd Music House and Restaurant– A coffeehouse/music shop with vinyl & java for sale, plus listening booths & a 1947 recording booth.
  • Madam’s Organ– Lively blues bar offers comfort food & drinks in mason jars along with music, dancing & a roof deck.
  • Black Cat– Multilevel spot serves as a bar & cafe with vegan options & indie/rock/alternative live-music venue.
  • 9:30 Club– A nightclub and concert venue in Washington, D.C. In 2018 the 9:30 Club was named one of the ten best live music venues in America by Rolling Stone, and in 2019 the club was named “Venue of the Decade” by VenuesNow.
  • DC9 Nightclub– Tri-level hipster hangout with a snug basement bar, music stage with dance parties & rooftop deck.
  • Kalorama Park- 3-acre park featuring a recreational center, community garden & green space in an urban setting.
  • Walter Pierce Park- Green space with a community garden, playground & dog park, chess tables, sports courts & fields.
  • Rabaut Park- Stone-paved pocket sanctuary for strolling & sitting amid landscaped greenery.
  • Meridian Hill Park- Meridian Hill Park is a structured urban park located in the Washington, D.C., neighborhood of Columbia Heights. It borders the nearby neighborhood of Adams Morgan. The park was designed and built between 1912 and 1940.

Shopping/Restaurants 

Popular Shopping and Eats

  • Urban Dwell– Unique DC-themed gifts and then some.
  • Smash Records– Longtime destination for punk & indie music fans, with vinyl records, CDs & vintage rock clothing.
  • Le Bustiere Boutique– Elegant shop selling a range of undergarments, including bras & bustiers, plus sleepwear.
  • Idle Time Books– With more than 50,000 used, rare, and out-of-print books, you’re sure to find a treasure or two.
  • Meeps- A popular vintage store with two decades of Best of DC titles for their gorgeous, curated collection of clothes and costumes. Be sure to check their website for special events and pop-up collections.
  • Julia’s Empanadas– Serves hand-made, fresh-baked empanadas just like they prepare for their family. Julia carefully chooses the freshest wholesome ingredients and unique spices to ensure that your empanada is nutritious and tasty.
  • Tail Up Goat– A hip bistro serving creative Mediterranean fare & Caribbean-inspired drinks in modern surroundings.
  • The Line Hotel- Known for bringing in star chefs like Baltimore’s Spike Gjerde and Maketto’s Erik Bruner-Yang to create destination restaurants.
  • Roofers Union– A perennial favorite with great food, great cocktails, and one of the best rooftops in DC.
  • Tryst– Whether your taste is for cocktails or coffees or something in between, you’ll find it at Tryst.
  • Jack Rose– Serious whiskey connoisseurs will love Jack Rose, which boasts a current bottle count of 2,687.

Schools

Best Public High Schools

Best Public Elementary Schools

Public Transportation

Buses/Trains

18th St NW & Columbia Rd NW– Interchange

Adams Mill Rd NW & Columbia Rd NW– Bus stop

Woodley Park-Zoo Metro Station– Train

Median Home Value

$709,789 as of 2023

Renters: 64%

Owners: 36%

Demographics

Population 13,104

Median household income –  $120,490

Median age: 34

Families with children – 11%

High school diploma or equivalent – 2%

College Degree: 93%

69% White

11% Hispanic

11% African American

5% Asian

4% Other

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