Adams Morgan, DC Neighborhood Guide

Adams Morgan is a mixed-use neighborhood in Northwest DC centered on 18th Street NW and Columbia Road NW. The area blends rowhouse blocks and mid-rise condos/co-ops with a long-running dining and music scene, everyday retail, parks, and frequent bus service plus Red Line access via the pedestrian bridge to Woodley Park–Zoo/Adams Morgan.

Fast Facts

• Location: Northwest DC, just north of Dupont Circle and east of Woodley Park

• Main Corridors: 18th St NW (restaurants/music) and Columbia Rd NW (shops/errands)

• Green Space: Kalorama Park and Walter Pierce Park, with fields, courts, and playgrounds

• Housing Types: 19th–early 20th-century rowhouses; condos/co-ops over retail; small mid-rise buildings

• Transit: Red Line connection via pedestrian bridge; multiple bus routes along 18th St NW/Columbia Rd NW; Capital Bikeshare docks

• Nearby: Dupont Circle, Kalorama, U Street, Woodley Park

Overview & History

Commercial activity grew here along 18th Street NW and Columbia Road NW, where independent businesses have long anchored the neighborhood. Architecturally, you’ll see late-Victorian and early-20th-century rowhouses on the side streets, while mixed-use buildings place cafés and shops at street level with residences above. The neighborhood’s walkable street grid, proximity to Rock Creek Park, and central NW location make it a convenient base for daily errands and citywide commuting.

Lifestyle & Amenities

Dining & Music:
18th Street NW is known for an array of restaurants, lounges, and performance venues. Offerings change often, but you can typically find live music, late-night kitchens, and casual cafés within a few blocks of each other.

Everyday Errands:
Along Columbia Road NW and the side streets, residents access grocery options, pharmacies, hardware, fitness studios, and service businesses. This concentration of essentials reduces the need for car trips.

Parks & Recreation:
Kalorama Park and Walter Pierce Park provide fields, courts, shaded seating, and play areas. The Rock Creek Park trail network is accessible nearby for running and cycling. The Marie Reed Recreation Center adds a pool, athletic facilities, and community programming.

Arts & Community:
Street murals, pop-ups, and small galleries appear throughout the year. Weekend foot traffic along 18th Street NW supports a rotating lineup of markets and events.

Housing & Real Estate Snapshot

Adams Morgan’s housing stock includes:

• Rowhouses: Brick and stone facades, bay windows, and front stoops on tree-lined blocks. Many have English basements or garden-level units.

• Condominiums/Co-ops: Units above ground-floor retail and in smaller mid-rise buildings; common features include bike rooms, shared rooftop decks, and elevator access in select properties.

• Boutique Conversions: Some historic buildings have been repurposed into modern residences while retaining original exterior details.

If you’re evaluating which homes to prioritize; rowhouse with rental unit, elevator condo with outdoor space, or a low-fee co-op, Roger can help you line up options that fit budget, accessibility needs, and timing.

Ask Roger: What fits my budget in Adams Morgan?
Share your price range and move timeline; get a tailored list of active and coming-soon homes. Email Roger

Transportation & Accessibility

• Metro: The Red Line is accessible via the pedestrian bridge to Woodley Park–Zoo/Adams Morgan.

• Bus: Multiple routes run along 18th St NW and Columbia Rd NW, connecting to Dupont Circle, U Street, and downtown.

• Bikeshare & Cycling: Capital Bikeshare docks are located along the main corridors; nearby lanes and Rock Creek Park trails support bike commuting and recreation.

• Driving & Parking: Major arteries include 16th St NW and Connecticut Ave NW. Residential permit parking applies on side streets; meters line commercial blocks.

For specific schedules, route maps, and service alerts, check the official transit resources before you go.

Community Landmarks

• 18th Street NW Corridor: Dining, live music, and nightlife concentrated between Columbia Rd NW and Florida Ave NW.

• Kalorama Park: Neighborhood green with lawns, courts, and shaded seating near Columbia Rd NW.

• Walter Pierce Park: Fields, community gardens, and trail access toward Rock Creek Park.

FAQs

1. Where is Adams Morgan in DC?
   Northwest of Dupont Circle and east of Woodley Park, centered on 18th St NW and Columbia Rd NW. It offers quick connections to downtown and the Rock Creek Park trail network.
   
   
2. What types of homes are common in Adams Morgan?
   Expect late-19th and early-20th-century rowhouses, plus condos and co-ops in mixed-use and boutique buildings. Many homes sit steps from dining and retail on the main corridors.
   
   
3. How do residents commute from Adams Morgan?
   Most use the Red Line via the pedestrian bridge to Woodley Park–Zoo/Adams Morgan, buses on 18th St NW/Columbia Rd NW, and bikeshare. Arterials like 16th St NW and Connecticut Ave NW support bus lanes and driving.
   
   
4. Are there parks in the neighborhood?
   Yes, Kalorama Park and Walter Pierce Park offer courts, fields, playgrounds, and shaded lawns. Rock Creek Park trails are nearby for longer runs and rides.
   
   
5. What everyday errands can I do nearby?
   Grocery, pharmacy, hardware, fitness, and services cluster along Columbia Rd NW and 18th St NW, keeping most errands within a short walk.
   
   

Roger Taylor
m: 202.679.1750
[email protected]