Imports
Tibet Shop
The Tibetan import store, run by an acclaimed Tibetan journalist and photographer, packed with upscale, handmade arts and crafts, as well as ritual items, carpets, clothes, etc.
Toro Mata
Toro Mata, the Bull Kills, is a famous Peruvian folk song, and the Adams Morgan store of the same name is filled with Peruvian art of all varietiesâpaintings, vases, stuffed animals, interior decorating accessories, etc. A great place for browsing.
Books and music
Smash Records
D.C.'s punk rock scene was legendary in the 80s, and this was its most famous record store. It has a great collection of both old and new punk and other local indie CDs, as well related books. Also on offer is a small selection of cheap punk fashion.
Idle Time Books
One part record store and three parts used bookstore, this is another great place to browse and to find dirt-cheap books and CDs small, but excellent classical selection. Unlike soulless chain bookstores, this one is full of comfy chairs, so grab an interesting random book and start whiling away some time!
Crooked Beat Records
This is the vinyl sister of Smash below, albeit a little less punk, and a little more post-rock indie. That's not the limit of the collection, though, and the store has the occasional great jazz LP finds. If you are not some sort of expert on local indie rock and it's hard to see why a traveler would be, ask the friendly experts at the counter, then take your record to the listening station to check it out. This is one of D.C.'s true, great record stores, and a long-time 18th St fixture.
Happily, Adams Morgan's book and music shops, while esoteric, lack the pretension and snobbishness you'll find in most other cities. Staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and welcoming if slow.
Fashion
El West
One-stop gaucho shop. Snakeskin check, leather crocodile, cow, and others check, cowboy boots, check, large cowboy belt buckles, check. OK, it's not just gaucho apparel, and there are women's items here too, but most of the items are leather of some sort. And it's expensive.
Meeps & Aunt Neensie's Vintage Clothing
Meeps is one of D.C.'s long-established vintage stores, with a selection of men's and women's fashion, casual to formal. Styles range from the 1940s–80s. It's small, but beloved.
The 18th St shopping scene in Adams Morgan couldn't be better oriented for travelers looking to browse for a day. Import shops and especially record stores are strongly associated with the neighborhood. And nearly all the interesting shops are along a three-block strip on 18th St.
Columbia Heights is a thoroughly uninteresting shopping destination, but it is useful for any necessitiesânew headphones, sim cards, cheap shoesâyou might have while traveling. Chains right by the metro stop are standard mall fare: Radio Shack, Best Buy, Target, Marshalls, T-Mobile, etc.